Puff the magic dragon

I have been eyeing this dish set in one of my favourite charity shops for quite some time. Saturday morning I finally purchased it. It is so pretty and I am in love with the way it looks on my old hutch. 

It is the fair winds pattern made in Staffordshire and it was made pre 1971. There are a few different themes but they all have to do with ships during the American Revolution. My favorite is the tea pot that pictures the U.S.S. Constitution. There are also scenes of New York harbor, Delaware, and Salem, MA.

It is extra meaningful to me because I live in Marblehead, MA that was incorporated in 1629. Soldiers from Marblehead rowed George Washington across the Delaware river on Christmas night in 1776! I live on Merritt Street and the house I live in is where John Merritt lived. He was a captain in the revolutionary war. 

I paid $125.00 for it and there are 60 pieces. It was a bit more than I had intended on spending. I thought I might have some buyers remorse when I got home but nope...not even a little bit. In fact, I love it even more every time I see it on the shelves! I did the math and it turned out to be just about $2.08 per piece and it was so worth it. 

While I was at the shop I ran into an old friend from high school and we planned to get together for a dinner party! I also invited my daughter's family and my older daughter as well! I'm so happy I bought it. 

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I purchased a new bible last week through a Christian bookstore in my area. It used to be brick and morter but has recently become an on line only place. 

The bible is called the grace laced journaling bible. It's the ESV version and there is beautiful artwork and scripture throughout. I've been enjoying it. 

On Saturday morning as I was getting into my car there was a man walking up the street carrying a large pumpkin. It looked funny so I said to him, "Have pumpkin, will travel." 

He laughed and told me that the real estate place around the corner was giving away pumpkins, apple cider donuts, and apple cider. Of course, I went right down there and soon enough I was walking back home carrying a huge pumpkin! 

This is the giant old Beech tree in our playground at work. I work at a Montessori school. The children love to be lifted into the middle of the 7 trunks and look up and be a part of the tree. I think the tree must love it as well. Suzanne Simard, who wrote Finding the Mother Tree, might even call this Beech tree a grandmother tree! 

It makes me think of Puff the Magic Dragon because so many children have loved it!

I attended the diversity, equity, inclusion, & belonging conference on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was such a moving experience. I was surrounded by so many educated and committed people. My school was generous to pay for my ticket as well as tickets for 3 of my co-workers. I am looking forward to sharing what I gleaned from all of the workshops and the entire experience at an upcoming faculty meeting. It was in Waltham, MA in a hotel with a scenic view of a giant pond that had bright beautiful autumn foliage surrounding it. I didn't get a picture because I was too busy but I am so thankful for this experience. 

Friday fave fives