GRATITUDE

This has been a very busy week. My birthday---which I usually don't celebrate was the best.....

Here is Kaia (middle child) at 5 quietly doing homework (kindergarten is like 1st grade)???  at the restaurant where my kids took us all out to dinner. (Homework every night in kindergarten......??? But she loves it; so I guess that I shouldn't be too concerned.)

And here is Kaia out for a nap--too much excitement for one day.

  

My gratitude is for so many blessings. Mia is improving daily. I seem to have Mia on Fridays; with about a week in between visits I can really see progress. Just last week she was still a little spacey and seemed to be having trouble expressing herself. This Friday, she was back to her happy and expressive self (also a huge temper tantrum.....) She still has many mountains to climb, but she is definitely moving forward. Thank you for answered prayers.

Update on completed restorations, etc.

Here are a couple of photos of the restored Louis XV-style desk (perhaps dressing table). It is really beautiful. I believe that it dates to the 1950's and it has all of the requisite bells and whistles. The marble top is an unusual feature, but a great one. The sabots are very well detailed, and, of course, the painted and inlaid surface is to die for.

And finally, the Japanese lacquer panel of Koi made it up the stairs. The panel comes in at about 4 feet square--very large but amazing.

It needs a tiny bit of touch up--Roberto will have it in top shape in an hour or so. I see this piece positioned over a quality mid-century sideboard or cabinet--perhaps large console.

I can't believe that we are about to start another month---how did October slip by so quickly?

Be well.

Mary & Jones (and Cole)