Merry Christmas

Christmas morning in the Main House at Acorn Hill. (Main House First Lady Mom taking photo; Pastor Eli Hemlock out of photo, but also around the table, in car seat). A Wonderful Christmas to freinds near and far. With love, from all Acorn Hill Citizens.

Mayor Ply Wood Builds

Mayor Asher Ply Wood had been building houses for his "men" (Lego guys and soldiers). He took a picture of this one.

Why are Brim's the Best????

Do you know why Brim's chips are the best tortilla chips? They have a scripture on the back of the bag:

Psalm 95:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.

Plus we've found these chips to cost less than others and most Acorn Hill citizens agree that they taste better.

If you live near Acorn Hill you can buy these chips at Fred's (near Ingles). I think there are even different kinds of chips by Brim's with with different verses on the back.

-Sarah Daffodil

Daffodil and Barn Loft Participate in Art Show

Sarah daffodil and Nathaniel Barn Loft spent two full but exciting days at an art show in the home of a local artist and Acorn Hill reader. Daffodil displayed and sold her pressed-flower artwork, (which, by the way, you can see more of for yourself at http://www.heartsaburstin.blogspot.com/). Barn Loft provided entertainment, playing his dulcimer. His list was a mix of Christmas songs and some of his favorite hymns and fiddle tunes. The video link is a a sample of the music he provided during the show. The art show was especially fun for me, as the dad, because I got to take in all the comments about Sarah's art and Nathaniel's music.

-Dad

Barn Loft Plays Mississipppi Sawyer at show:

Most Productive Day in Acorn Hill?

Acorn Hill citizens Nathaniel Barn Loft and Sarah Daffodil think that Thanksgiving day may have been the most productive day in Acorn Hill history! Barn Loft single handedly built a fort from ground up. It's located right by his house in Red Wood. He calls it Dulcimer Inn. It's basically a hotel for when out of towners visit Acorn Hill. The other great thing that happened was they finished Autumn Fern's house. Its walls and floor are made from pallets donated by AHP readers. The rug was also made by an AHP reader. Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Daffodil painted the fireplace. It was a very good day in Acorn Hill.

-Sarah Daffodil

Thanksgiving Tree

We showed you our Thanksgiving Tree right after we put it up (Oct. 13 blog). Here it is today, right before removed all the leaves and read them around the table. Each leaf has written on it something that someone it thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving

The five kernels of corn remind us of a winter when reportedly the Pilgrims' daily ration was five kernels of corn. How thankful we are to be able to enjoy a nice meal together around our family table. Acorn Hill Citizens have much to be thankful for, including friends who take time to check in and see what's happening around Acorn Hill.

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Main House President Dad

Eli

Guess what I ate for lunch!

5 minute chocolate mug cake!

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
1 large coffee mug

1. Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

2. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

3. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

4. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake may rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

5. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

6. Eat!!!

A recipe sent by an Acorn Hill Press reader.

It may not be the prettiest cake you've ever seen, but it's cake!

-Sarah Daffodil

Barn Loft Solo on Stage

Nathaniel Barn Loft and I just finished four fabulous days of workshops, concerts and jams at the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association's Fall Festival. A highlight for Barn Loft was playing solo on stage during the "Open Stage" time. He had played quite a few solos with the group or when he and I played together (necessary, because I can't keep up with the fast ones and I make the prettiest ones much less pretty), but he had never gone up onto a public stage by himself. He played Gray Cat on a Tennessee Farm and I'll Fly Away.

Hope you enjoy I'll Fly Away - and sorry it's sideways (techno-dumb dad).

If you want to track Nathaniel's dulcimer playing more closely, check out the newly created www.dulcimermanthan.blogspot.com.

Dad

He's Here!

New Acorn Hill Citizen Arrives!

Acorn Hill's newest citizen, Pastor Eli Wayne Hemlock, arrived this morning at 2:22 a.m. and tipped the scales to a whopping 7 pounds, 1 ounce. The Main House First Lady and Pastor Hemlock are both doing well. More details and photos to follow soon.

Pressed-Flower Pictures

I've been making more pressed-flower pictures! Here are my two latest. First is the Brown Trout. It's made out of tulip leaves, heuchera, aucuba, money plant, French hollyhock, skeletonized leaves, butterfly weed, dogwood, Swiss chard, mum, cantaloupe, pansy, dill, eucalyptus, smoke tree, fall leaves and mica for the background. The next picture is one I call Joyful Mother. It's made out of: larkspur, bark, aucuba, poppy seed, corn silk, cornflower, corn husk, forget-me-not, dill and ferns. The next picture I'm working on is of two coffee mugs. Maybe I'll post it when it's done. If you want to see other artists' pressed-flower artwork, visit www.wwpfg.org. (World Wide Pressed Flower Guild)

-Sarah Daffodil

Fern's Friend

It has been said that dog owners and their dogs look alike. The same goes with friends. Autumn Fern and Baby are no exception.

You may recall that Baby arrived in Acorn Hill this summer. Fern and Baby became fast friends.

Acorn Hill Running

Mayor Asher and I have been doing a lot of running bases. Asher is good at this for a four year old. When he runs I run nine feet and back, throw a pop-up to give him time, then throw the ball against a little rock wall, then catch it. Then I try to tag him- Mayor Asher is a good slider. When I run the bases, he runs nine feet, picks up the ball , runs back, then tags me.

-Nathaniel

New Things

The morning was new with the sun shining on the leaves so that their full glory could be seen. It was going to be a good day at Acorn Hill. It wasn't until the evening when residents took in the next site. That's when they met two-week-old Bloom, the calf of Blossom. Bloom was born 3 weeks early. "She looks like a fawn," said Main House First Lady Mom. Autumn Fern smiled at Bloom. Bloom was soft and a little feeble looking. The men of Acorn Hill picked up a tractor for Mayor Asher Ply Wood while the others enjoyed the calf. Ply Wood's mind had been weighing heavy earlier in the week with the tractor that was offered to him. He was glad that the day finally arrived for pick up. Ply Wood has been riding his new John Deere hard ever since it was brought to Acorn Hill.

-Mom

Barn Loft Plays "Black Mountain Rag"

The Hard Season For Dulcimer

This is a hard season for dulcimer 'cause you are not in a Christmas mood but you must practice Christmas music. Then "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and "Away in a Manger" and all of them get in your head when they aren't supposed to. Then they don't go away, and at Christmas when you are supposed to hear and play them you're sick of them, and want to play normal.
-Nathaniel

Strumming in Batesville

Three Acorn Hill Citizens, all members of the Nacoochee Strummers (a dulcimer club), joined two other club members to play music for the dinner crowd at the Batesville General Store on Friday night. The group performed for about two hours, playing mostly hymns and fiddle tunes, with Nathaniel Barn Loft mixing in a few solos. The group also enjoyed a sample of the store's fabulous cheeseburgers and sweet treats after they finished playing.

Classic Cake

Acorn Hill citizens had the last in their string of cakes yesterday afternoon. It was a classic chocolate cake that Grandpa and Grandma Mary brought all the way from Canton.

We also had the last of our celebrations for a little while. Mayor Ply Wood likes his new book and card game. Autumn Fern has a new child to love.

In about 3 more weeks Main House First Lady Mom will also have a new child to love. "Actually, I already do love him," said Mom, "and I'll be happy to help eat another birthday cake.

-Mom

Perfect Cake

Peanut butter cake was a perfect surprise for Main House First Lady Mom yesterday. "I had forgotten about peanut butter cake," she said.

In February Main House President Dad brought Mom a slice from the local bakery. He learned that it's not always available except if he wanted to buy an entire cake. This prompted Sarah Daffodil and Mom to make their own for Mother's Day. They were successful but it wasn't the same. This cake from The Rolling Pin is the peanut butter cake of peanut butter cakes. Mom expressed her thanks to Dad for simply getting a single-layer. With the help of three other peanut butter lovers, it will soon just be a pleasant memory. Cake number 4 arrives at 11 a.m. (Last Friday an Acorn Hill subscriber made a fabulous rum cake for Mom. She refrained from bringing the rest of the cake home.) -Mom

Whatta Cake

Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern celebrated their birthdays together. Friday, Oct. 17, was Fern's 2nd birthday. Residents of Acorn Hill agreed that Ply Wood would enjoy opening presents early with Fern. His birthday is the 22nd, he will turn 4. A cake was in order to suit both. Main House First Lady, Mom made the "funfetti" cake. Sarah Daffodil and Nathaniel Barn Loft decorated it. Daffodil mixed up the pink and the purple icing and spread it on. She also picked pansies at night and pressed them in. Barn Loft made the circle of cars and placed the motorcycle in the middle for the crowning touch. It was a delight for all eyes especially when the candles were added and lit. The two probably won't share a cake or a celebration every year but they will as long as it's OK with them.

-Mom

Acorn Hill citizens took to the road first thing this morning, traveling to Princeton, South Carolina to participate in Princeton Baptist Church's 120th Anniversary Celebration. Nathaniel Barn Loft and I played dulcimers during the service, playing the prelude and offertory, plus two congregational hymns, along with the church organist. After the service we enjoyed a wonderful potluck dinner with church members and moved to the back yard, where Barn Loft and I played some more dulcimer tunes and Sarah Daffodil demonstrated knitting and corn-husk doll making. Acorn Hill Citizens' role in the celebration came through membership in the1860s Civilian Society. Several Society members attended the service and celebration (all in 1860s dress), and demonstrated different period activities, including games and dancing. It was a fun day, but we're all happy to be back home.

Dad

A Gift

We all have mornings when we've never fully awakened. Last night before bed I had ice cream with fudge on it. Four Tums couldn't help it from coming up through my nose at 12:30 a.m. I should know by know how evil chocolate is late in my pregnancy. Well, I do know. But this might have had something to do with my feeling this morning.
Nathaniel Barn Loft is a good worker. Today he went over and above. He fought with his sheets on the top bunk, those of you with bunk beds know how difficult this can be, straightened his sheets and finally made a nice-looking bed. If you could see his bedroom in the Main House you would see another bed he made, the mayor's. He did general cleaning, what I expect. But then he said, "Now for the livning room." This room wasn't out of hand but it did need work. A messy house isn't very encouaging to me. Barn Loft did his thing in there too. The cleaning didn't stop there. He also tidied up the kitchen- he even did the few dishes that were waiting to be washed. Can you believe he even cleaned the cabinet fronts? I asked him if all of this was a birthday present. He said, "No, I wasn't thinking about it." Nathaniel Barn Loft is a gift.
-Mom

Baseball Practice

I, Nathaniel Barn Loft, had a practice. I played second base first, made a few good diving catches, all on ground balls, caught a line drive, then played first base. Didn't get much there. Then I hit balls all over the field. Dad said later he didn't now how many balls I hit, but it was a lot. Then third base, then over to shortstop, then outfield.
-Nathaniel

Clothes!

Yesterday a box came from UPS for several residents at Acorn Hill. One would think that clothes wouldn't be that interesting a gift to young residents but this wasn't so. Everyone got something new to wear. Autumn Fern put on her new shirt with a big butterfly on it right away. Nathaniel Barnloft was proud of his shirt that says something like, "Baseball Players Don't Cry", and Mayor Asher Plywood threw on his new baseball jersey to play ball in the front of the Main House. Sarah Daffodil didn't get clothes, she received a pretty bracelet. Plywood also got a new sleeper. Although it seemed a little warm for this time of year, he threw it on in the evening after his bath. Barnloft thought it would be funny. It wasn't funny at all to Plywood. He really liked it. Makes him look long- don't you think?

-Mom

Thanksgiving Tree

The Acorn Hill Thanksgiving Tree looks a little barren at the moment. Fortunately, this tree has the autumn progression backward, and it will gain leaves throughout the season. Each leaf, more importantly than adding color, will chronicle something that some Acorn Hill citizen (or guest) is thankful for. One of my favorite things every fall is when we sit together on Thanksgiving Day to read the leaves aloud.

-Dad

Sarah Daffodil's Cat Picture

Please excuse the sideways picture, but we're still learning how to use our blog tools. But I still thought you'd like to see one of my latest pressed-flower pictures. It's made out of periwinkle, cotton, Aucuba, cornflower, pampas grass, poppy seed, corn silk and a few other things.

-Sarah Daffodil

Birthday Delight

Main House First Lady Mom and I enjoyed a wonderful concert on my birthday, performed by Sarah Daffodil, Nathaniel Barn Loft, Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern. Thank you, Acorn Hill citizens for the fun show, cool boats and great cake.

-Dad