Tis What Season?

Spring, summer, winter, fall. Acorn Hill had them all... in one day.

It is time for another season to change. Main House First Lady Mom likes to bring on the fall by decorating early. Mayor Asher Ply Wood, Autumn Fern and Pastor Eli Hemlock happily helped.

Mom also likes it when someone cooks dinner. That's what Nathaniel Barn Loft did. He made burgers on the grill, a favorite summertime meal for Acorn Hill Citizens.

Sarah Daffodil had her focus on making corn husk Nativities, so she played Christmas music to help set the mood.

All of the while, Main House President Dad worked on writing spring fish stories. Magazines commonly work several months ahead, so Dad often has his seasons confused.

From Tree to Table

Applesauce is a big deal in the Main House. When Main House First Lady Mom made some, it was a big deal to her.

The latest applesauce at the Main House table was made from apples that had fallen from a tree during a hard rain. A friend gathered them up and gave them to Mom. She was glad to receive them. Not one for wasting anything, she knew that making applesauce would be the most efficient way to prevent this from happening.

Thanks to a recipe online, Mom learned of the basic ingredients and the method for making this treat. "I'm really glad that this applesauce doesn't come from a jar from the grocery store," said Mom. "Mayor Asher Ply Wood can't get enough of it."

The last time Mom tried making applesauce was 35 years ago. She picked a lot of crab apples from her best climbing tree in the back yard. She figured that a hammer would really get them mashed. She soon learned that they were hard to hold and that when she would actually hit one it would dart off.

Autumn Fern's Recipe Corner

A creative girl must create! That's just what Autumn Fern did. Below are two recipes that brought her joy.

Acorn Hill Peanut Butter Cookies

graham crackers - as many as you want
peanut butter-enough to make sandwiches

milk

Cool Whip

chocolate chips

1. Make a sandwich with the graham crackers and peanut butter. 2. Dip the sandwich in milk. 3. Place sandwich in a container that will go into the freezer. 4. Spread with cool whip. 5. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.

Acorn Hill's Favorite Play Clay

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup water

1/2 cup salt

2 tsp cream of tartar

Mix all ingredients and heat, stirring constantly, until ball forms. Nice add-ins: flavor extract for scent, glitter, food coloring

Meet the Mayor (again)

Close to six years ago, Mayor Asher Ply Wood took up his residence in Acorn Hill. In an effort to help Acorn Hill subscribers to get to know our community people better, a member of our staff sat down with Ply Wood and asked him several questions.

Acorn Hill Staff: What is your favorite color?
Ply Wood: Red.

AHS: What is your favorite food?

PW: Chinese food.

AHS: What do you think about Nathaniel Barn Loft?

PW: I like him.

AHS: What do you think about Sarah Daffodil?

PW: I like her.

AHS: What do you think about Autumn Fern?

PW: A bunch of things. I couldn't tell you everything.

AHS: What do you think about Pastor Eli Hemlock?
PW: He's a baby.

AHS: Where is your favorite place to be?

PW: Home.

AHS: Do you think you will be an artist?

PW: No. I'm going to sell trucks for a thousand bucks.

AHS: What is your favorite season?

PW: Autumn. (Fern said, "that's good".)

AHS: What is your favorite flower?

PW: red roses.

AHS: Who is your favorite character in Les Miserables?

PW: Gavroche.

The well-loved mayor of Acorn Hill looks forward to serving for many more years.

Practice Makes Concert

At the beginning of the year, the end of July seemed very far off. Yesterday it was in the face of Nathaniel Barn Loft, who actually had been preparing for his concert for a few years.

No, Barn Loft didn't know what he would play or what he would say until a few weeks ago. But with Barn Loft's desire to play the music he loves and the experience of competitions and teaching, he was ready for all eyes to be on him for an hour - all 200 eyes, as it turned out.

At the last minute Main House President Dad learned that Barn Loft would need his own sound system. Dad and Barn Loft are thankful for the local music shop that sold them their "sound system in a box." Dad and Barn Loft had to do some quick learning about how to use it and how to set it up. They are also thankful for a friend's counsel. With much prayer Barn Loft handled his equipment gracefully, delivering his dulcimer notes clearly and at a good volume and not hurting anyone's ears with feedback.

The only feedback Barn Loft got was encouragement.

Thank you to all who came out and all who wanted to come.