Better Late Than Never

Citizens were ready for Main House President Dad to get back on the road again after his morning of fishing on the way home from travel. It was the day of the Garlic Festival. After driving through back roads, citizens were greeted by the inviting welcome of wildflowers at the entrance of the private farm. Our first smiling face came from a friend at her booth, where she was selling handmade jewelry. Excitement grew as Mayor Asher Ply Wood, Autumn Fern and Pastor Eli Hemlock spotted the chickens and the cows. Sarah Daffodil was drawn to the alpacas. Nathaniel Barn Loft was drawn to the sound of the stringed instruments.

With just a half hour left before the festival ended, everyone took in what they could. They learned about alpacas. Daffodil bought some hair for cornhusk dolls. Ply Wood, Fern and Hemlock walked through a garden maze and saw the cows up close. As the musical group packed up, Dad and Daffodil learned that garlic tastes a little different from other parts of the world. Daffodil bought four bulbs from Italy.

Acorn Hill Citizens Party

It all started with Uncle Scott's idea to gather at his house for Grandpa's birthday. Once the date was settled, Acorn Hill citizens got busy preparing for the festivities.

Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern got the marker bucket down to draw fabulous artwork. They also gave him a sample of their thoughtful writing. Well... Autumn Fern's work never got to him. It is still on the clipboard that she wanted to give to him. Mom said that she will hide it until Christmas.

Nathaniel Barn Loft brought his banjo and a dulcimer to play music for Grandpa. What made the music even better was when Cousin Dylan joined in on the guitar. Dylan did some experimenting on Barn Loft's instruments too.

Sarah Daffodil made a Texas sheetcake and cupcakes. Both were well received. Main House President Dad grilled salmon, which he had brought home from Alaska, also a hit among the fish lovers.

As an added surprise for Grandpa, Aunt Laura drove down from Kentucky to join the party.

Acorn Hill citizens enjoyed celebrating with Grandpa very much.

Acorn Hill: Growing, Learning

From bone discoveries on Lewis and Clark's expedition to Mayor Asher Ply Wood's missing tooth, citizens are learning and growing.

Autumn Fern is learning how to jump rope, one of her mother's past favorite pastimes. She is determined to be really smooth at it, like girls she saw on Youtube.

Pastor Eli Hemlock is jumping a huge hurdle, breaking a habit he's been in since birth. With help from fellow residents of The Main House, Hemlock will soon move from diapers to regular underwear. "The pastor is teaching Mom longsuffering," said Sarah Daffodil.

Mayor Asher Ply Wood is losing teeth -- baby teeth. So far, he has made a dollar. He has two teeth that are wiggly.

Ply Wood made a mid-evil re-enactment with his "thugs" of the Lewis and Clark expedition. He is enjoying his study of Lewis and Clark's expedition and Thomas Jefferson.

Basement Concert

Events just pop up at Acorn Hill. Citizen were thrilled to learn recently that there would be a concert in the basement after dinner.

Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern started the concert with a peppy instrumental. Ply Wood played the keyboard while Fern strummed her ukulele. The duo played several more songs while the audience enjoyed popcorn and pop tarts. When Pastor Eli Hemlock had enough of sitting in the audience, he popped up and took hold of the ukulele. A heroic save from the audience kept the ukulele from tumbling to the floor at one point, but the pastor added good music to the end of the show.

Ply Wood prepared the refreshments. He and Fern also set up the seating. Fern took tickets and graciously allowed Queen Esther Hunts admittance.