Monday, November 18, 2024

The Daisy & The Daffodil

Hi everyone! Here I am again, for the first time since the last day of January! In my defense, it has been a hectic year; we bought a house, did renovations (with everything that entails...), moved in...

I actually started working on the set for this story back in February. And yet, here we are. Better late than ever, right? Sorry!

This story covers the following two prompts of the SF Collectors Community challenges: Love is All Around and Welcoming Spring.

I hope you enjoy it!

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The rabbits of the Rosenberg family love nature. They have always felt a strong connection to plants, especially to flowers. They admire their beauty, their diverse aromas and the effects they can have on other Sylvanians. Who doesn't love flowers, after all?

Laura and Landon Rosenberg have never been afraid to travel far away and often in search of new specimens. However, in recent years they had been talking about providing a bit more stability for their children, Serena and Romeo. And that's why they decided to settle (for now, at least) on the village of Arcfield and open their flower and gardening shop, "The Daisy & The Daffodil".

Let's follow them on a day at the shop.

First thing in the morning, Laura and Landon get the shop ready before their first clients arrive. Landon makes sure the new seed packets are in stock, and Laura lovingly waters their plant. It wouldn't do for a flower and gardening shop to have a wilting plant, after all! The Rosenbergs also sell planters, pots, books and all the tools one might need for gardening.

It's not long before the first client of the day arrives. Elizabeth McFarlane, the village's Mayoress, loves taking care of her garden.

"How can I help you today, Mrs McFarlane?" asks Landon, always ready and helpful.
"It's Liz, please" smiles the Mayor's wife. "You see, my tools were out during the rain and they have rusted. I think I need new ones"
"But of course. These ones are brand new and I have sharpened them myself. I'll get them ready".

Elizabeth thanks Landon and then turns to the seed stand and takes a small bag of poppy seeds.

"I'll like to try my hand at growing these ones, Laura".
"Of course, Liz". Laura sees the Mayoress very often, and since they share their passion for gardening and flowers, they have become friends. "Do you want the newest gardening magazine as well? Take a look at these pictures! And there's a very interesting article about topiaries as well".
"You know me so well", laughs Elizabeth, nodding.

While Mrs McFarlane is getting her purchase ready at the cash register, Carissa Burke arrives at the shop. Since it's the week-end, her Rainbow Nursery is closed.

"Good morning, Carissa. How can I help you today? And how is little Addie?"
Baby Adelaide giggles from her carrier, and Carissa smiles.
"She's doing great, thank you Landon. I was looking for fresh flowers to decorate the nursery school for a little party next week. Do you have any in bloom?"
"Of course. Come with me".

The most popular part of the Rosenbergs' business isn't the little shop itself, but its big outdoor area where all kinds of flowers and plants can be found. Carissa is sure to find the flowers she needs here.

 

The shop is very popular, and sometimes Laura even has to leave the store to attend to the customers outside. Luckily, their children share their love for nature and always stop by to help after school.


Best friends Evie Hazelwood and Fiorella Andes are here looking for fresh flowers for Ariadna, Fiorella's mother. Ariadna loves flowers so much that she even named her daughter after them! Serena is showing the girls the newest blooms and discussing the future bouquet arrangement with them.


Freya Chocolate is also here with her friend Frances Robinson. Romeo Rosenberg is hopelessly in love with her (or so he says) and he goes running to offer her a flower as soon as he sees her.

"A flower for a flower, dearest Freya, although this one couldn't hope to match your beauty! Ah, but you look enchanting as ever!" Romeo speaks theatrically, as always.

Freya just gives him a deadpan look.
"And just what am I supposed to do with that?"
Romeo's smile falters a little as he thinks of something to answer.
"Ah, well, to put in a jar I guess, or...  Oh! But, most importantly, how can I help you?"

"No, thank you. You can keep it. Also, I'm just here looking with Frances. Let's go, Fanny".
Frances just looks apologetically at Romeo before hurriedly leaving with Freya. The chocolate rabbit girl is as oblivious as always at her admirer's advances.

After everyone leaves, including the Rosenberg children, and before the shop closes for the day, Landon takes out a hidden planter he has for a secret project of his. He smiles at seeing that the flower he has been trying so hard to grow has finally fully blossomed.

"For you, my love" he says soon after to Laura, offering his wife the result of his efforts.
"Landon! A pink tulip, my favourite! But this is a hybrid, how have you managed it? It must have taken so much time and work!".


 "Nothing will ever seem enough for me if it's for you, my most beautiful flower".
"Aww, you flatterer... come here".

Well, it's clear where Romeo's antics come from! :D

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The End!

I hope you enjoyed this little story. It took me a very long time to finally get around to working on it and finishing it, but I really enjoyed it at the end. I remembered how fun Sylvanians are. :) I had fun setting up the scene. The colourful wallpaper at the store was a gift from my friend Amaia, and I knew from the moment I saw it that it would be for my future flower shop

Two other gifts from my dear friends feature in this story. Cutata made the bag Freya is holding especially for her. It made me really happy to get her adorable package. And Berna remade Frances' dress for me after her original one got completely ruined. The Robinsons are one of my favourite families, so it made me really happy to have Frances "whole" again. :) Thank you, my friends, for your support and encouragement!

I hope to be more active in the hobby again now that we're all settled in our new home. Fingers crossed!

Stay safe and healthy, everyone, and have a wonderful rest of November!

8 comments:

  1. Hello Ayrell, I am so happy to see a story from you again! This one is very sweet, and your pictures are charming as usual. It's lovely to hear you enjoyed your Sylvanians once more. :)

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    1. Hi GreyRabbit!
      Thank you very much for your comment. I'm also glad to be publishing this story at least! :) I'm so happy you enjoyed it.
      Have a wonderful week-end!

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  2. Hi Ayrell,
    It´s great to have you back with your lovely stories and pictures!
    It was woth the wait! I really enjoyed this story.
    The pictures are so bright and colourful with such a variety of plants and flowers.
    Both the family you chose as the owners and the wallpaper are perfect for the shop. By the way, I also love the name "The Daisy and the Daffodil".
    I like the interior a lot but the garden looks fantastic too. You´re very lucky to own this set.
    I feel sorry for Romeo. He´s such a romantic,he lives up to his name. I hope Freya will be more kind and friendly to him at some point. It makes me happy to see her with the basket I gave her.
    The end of the story is so sweet and heartwarming! No wonder you intended to post it last February for Valentine´s Day.
    Any day is a good day to see how our Sylvanians show their love and affection for each other.
    Thanks a lot for sharing this story . Looking forward to the next one.
    A big hug, my friend!

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    1. Hi Cutata!

      Thank you very much for your comment! I'm so happy you liked the story. I'm glad you like the name of the shop as well!
      This set is so lovely, it has many cute pieces. I'll keep an eye out for it and tell you if I see it pop up on KobeeJapan. :D
      Don't worry about Romeo, he's not easily dissuaded. I'm sure he'll keep trying to conquer Freya's heart! He's smitten, haha.
      I'm happy you liked the ending as well. The hybrid flower idea was Marcos' idea. You know he has the best ideas!

      Have a wonderful week-end, my dear friend!

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  3. Hi Ayrell! It's so good to see a story from you - and in such a lovely setting!

    I like that you've brought back established characters alongside your new ones. Mayoress McFarlane and the irrepressible Freya! I still remember the incident with the vacuum cleaner! Haha! The romantic ending is so sweet. I hope we'll see this family again. I have only briefly shown these lovely rabbits once (they are the Butterglove's neighbours) and you've reminded me that they deserve showing more.

    Thanks for this sweet tale.
    Take care!

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    1. Hi Jackson!

      Thank you very much for your comment, glad you enjoyed the story! I had fun writing it and spending some time with my Sylvanians as well. :) The Marguerite rabbits are indeed lovely, hope to see them more often in Mellowdene as well!

      Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

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  4. Hello Ayrell, and welcome back! It was lovely to see a new post on your blog. Don't apologise at all, it sounds like you've had a busy and exciting year moving into your new house.

    It was so sweet to visit the Rosenberg's flower shop. You decorated it so perfectly, and I'm sure it will be very popular with the villagers. It looks like Laura and Landon look after their customers very well.

    I would never have guessed that Frances' dress wasn't her original - Berna did very well. And Freya's matching bag is equally lovely - what talented and kind people we have in the Sylvanian Families community.

    Thank you for this story my friend. I hope you've had a great start to December.

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    1. Hi Kelsie!
      Thank you very much for your comment, I'm very happy you enjoyed the story. I had fun setting up the flower shop and spending time with my Sylvanians again.
      I agree with you regarding Frances' dress. It's perfect! And Freya's bag is also adorable. You are right about the talent and kindness in the community. :)

      Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year, my friend!

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Thank you for your comment! :)