Louisa May Alcott

There is something so magical about Concord, Massachusetts. No matter how many times I visit, I still feel thrilled when I enter the town.



Surrounded by so much history, you can't help but imagine Louisa May Alcott walking down the streets in town, on the way to visit the Emerson home or a stroll along Walden Pond.



I learned that a new book had just been published and that the author would be in Concord this weekend. She was doing a book signing in the quaint and charming old Concord Book Shop.



The book is Louisa May Alcott, The Women Behind Little Women. Harriet Reisen spent many years researching everything she could possibly get her hands on to write this book.

"Every now and then, there appears a writer who has tracked a subject for so long through space and time that the resulting product ranks it superior to any of the facile interpretations or extended magazine articles that currently pass for biography. Such is the case with Harriet Reisen."
Marion Elizabeth Rodgers, The Washington Times

She met with scholars and searched for all the resources necessary to write the book and produce the film. Listening to the author read excerpts from the book made me hear between the words that this project had truly been a labor of love.



I listened as the little girl within came to life, as she read from her book. Perhaps the same little girl excitement that she had when she first read Little Women.



There will be a film which will be aired on Public Television on December 28th, 2009. I peeked at the website and you can view video clips from the film. The DVD will be available soon. There is a fascinating photo gallery available for viewing.



Although the author had come to sign books, I don't think that she was prepared for the rather large turn out. After all it is Concord, home of Orchard House and well, there are so many of us who share the same passion for Louisa May Alcott. We were almost spilling outside the doors to the shop.



They ran out of books, can you imagine? So, I went around the corner, as suggested and bought a copy from the gift shop at Orchard House. I didn't mind, any excuse to visit there is always a welcomed one.



My signed copy will be treasured. I had an opportunity to speak to the author and I mentioned how much I loved the scene in her film with actors sitting at a cafe table, while the background was of period photographs.

The Woman Behind Little Women from Nancy Porter Productions on Vimeo.

It looked a bit like one of those altered art scenes we find in popular artwork.



After reading the book I will put it next to the collection of treasures about the Alcott's. For now, I am lost in the dialogues of Louisa's writings and conversations.



Inspiration...well, I just designed another Orchard House card. I used a delightful illustration from Louis's Journal from the 1800's. The Orchard house rendering is from 1838.



The print is mounted on lovely pearl card stock in a beautiful shiny white paper. A taffeta ribbon in black and taupe accents the front and is tied inside.



Inside the card I have added a glassine pocket with a bookmark wearing the same print.



I added a touch of Vintage ribbon binding in an olive green.



Orchard House and historical Concord inspire me every time I visit.



Inspiration from Louisa May Alcott has bloomed into my designing countless paintings, photographs, altered books and hand-made card. All dedicated to expressing my love of her writing and my passion for Orchard House and the Alcott family.

Louisa May Alcott, The Woman Behind Little Women from Nancy Porter Productions on Vimeo.

Every Wednesday Susan from A Southern Daydreamer hosts Outdoor Wednesday. An opportunity to visit the outdoors in other parts of the globe without making reservations.

The song for this post is Orchard House.