Pastor- Problem Solver

Pastor Eli Hemlock enjoys working on his problem solving skills. Click here to see him using them. Those who are faint of heart are advised to refrain from watching this video.

Feeding Melody Fishes

If boys are made of puppy dog tails they should know a little something of what dogs like. Nathaniel Barn Loft knows that Melody Fishes likes his invention.

Barn Loft used a plastic bucket and yarn to make a pulley system for lowering food to Fishes. In this way, they have a win-win situation. Barn Loft does not have to take extra steps to walk outside. Fishes gets to have the excitement of discovering what is in the bucket -- and she gets to eat it.

Barn Loft also puts a speaker in the window for Fishes to enjoy music now and then. He says that she likes that too.

Paris State of Mind

Anyone going to Paris? Care to take Sarah Daffodil with you?

Daffodil's first taste of France came with a song that her piano teacher didn't want to teach her for personal reasons. However, once Daffodil read Les Miserables, her interest in France sparked. This lead to personal studies of French history. Daffodil is even interested in touring sewers in Paris! In March she will see the Les Miserables musical.

She will compete in the Philadelphia Flower Show, which has the theme of "Springtime in Paris." To get the feel for this, Daffodil watched several episodes of Rick Steves' travels to France. Audrey Hepburn movies helped too. Daffodil made a 50s style apron fringed with the Eiffel Tower. She wears this when she is working on her picture and when she makes French bread.

Pastor Eli Hemlock Moves

It was time for Pastor Eli Hemlock to move on. He outgrew his space.

For the first couple of years in Acorn Hill, Hemlock resided in the President's Room. His bed became well worn, with it having been handed down from Mayor Asher Ply Wood to Autumn Fern and then to Hemlock.

The pastor moved in with Nathaniel Barn Loft and Ply Wood. His bed is mid-way off the floor with a dresser and shelves underneath. He likes his new Toy Story sheets. Ply Wood has been helpful in the transition by talking to Hemlock and handing him toy cars when he asks for them.

What's New?

No talk of New Year's resolutions were made around Acorn Hill. Still, The Main House has undergone some lasting changes for a brighter new year.

When Main House First Lady Mom read a few suggestions in Better Homes magazine on boosting your spirits, she smiled inside knowing that she was ahead of the game. She had already given a couple of rooms a new paint color. Turned out the article was not the suggestion she expected. It suggested a houseplant - not house paint. She admits to not knowing what "palms are a good choice" meant.

New bedding came in the summer. Pillows came for her birthday, and sheets came for Christmas. They go well with paint.

"I'm so thankful for the home improvements. They just make me feel good inside," said Mom. "Some call this 'home blessings.' I like that."

Mom has no plans of taking care of a houseplant. She says that she has enough to take care of.