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