Fern’s Fabulous First

“I was concerned but I figured that inviting Autumn Fern to sell with me at an art show probably wouldn’t kill either of us,” said Sarah Daffodil. Daffodil enjoys spending time with Fern but Fern had never had to sit in an outdoor, full-sun art booth for six hours. Daffodil wondered if the long day would lead to agony for all. “She was delightful!” Daffodil announced after the event, “Everyone enjoyed seeing her and I’d be glad to have her with me at another art show!”

The show was one that Daffodil had done several times before at The Sautee Nacoochee Center. Daffodil sold her card sets, cornhusk dolls, necklaces, etc. Fern sold her new cornhusk sheep. Mayor Asher Ply Wood used to be Acorn Hill’s sheep maker but after finding other ways of making money that he preferred he gave his sheep making business to Fern. Fern greatly enjoys making the tiny cornhusk and wool sheep and has developed her own style. She had nine sheep at the show and sold every one of them by lunch time. “I’m really glad that I got it by lunch time because people get their lunch and they already had their sheep,” Fern said.

Because Fern behaved herself and was obedient Daffodil was able to allow her freedom to roam around the festival after the last sheep was sold. Fern made purchases, took photos of dogs and collected compliments on her 1800s costume that she was wearing. At the end of the day she was surprised to find that the indigo-colored pottery fish that she’d been eyeing had become hers. The artist who had made the fish had offered to trade it with Daffodil for one of her cornhusk dolls as a gift for Fern. “It was really fun because Sarah traded a doll for a really good fish made of clay and I bought a dog for $8. The dog was made of clay. And they gave me for free a chicken made of clay and that’s what I have to say,” said Fern.

The King and I and Plywood and Fern

Siam met Acorn Hill in May this year when Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern joined the cast of 53 others for the colorful onstage production of The King and I.

Fern had her hair dyed black, "I like my blond hair," she said, "but black is more Kind and I- ish". She was thrilled when she landed the role as Princess Yang Yaowalak. Prior to this Fern was not sure if she would have any lines.

Ply Wood was cast as a scientific dog as well as a prince. "My favorite part was being a scientific dog," said Ply Wood. In this role he was part of a "complicated dance scene" as Main House President Dad called it.

The show was a hit. In ran over two weekends with a waiting list of 70 at one point.

Intrtoducing Holly Rose

An eight pound package of vibrant joy was delivered to Acorn Hill on July 9, 2012. Holly Rose was welcomed as the latest citizen.

Dancing, reading, drawing, kissing and praying are some of the things she likes doing. Acorn Hill citizens, bubble baths, outings, make up, pretty clothes and diapers are some of the things she likes.

"You made my dream be born, that would be Holly," said Autumn Fern to Main House First Lady Mom. Autumn Fern and Rose share a room in The Main House.

Rose's vocabulary expands daily. Citizens enjoy hearing their names.

Celebrating Dad

 

Main House President Dad is always celebrated when he comes home from a trip, but this time there was actually a party for him, since it was Father's Day.

Citizens of Acorn Hill all worked together as Dad and Nathaniel Barn Loft made their way home from a dulcimer event in Ohio. On Father's Day morning they stopped along the Georgia/South Carolina border to fish before the festivities.

Octopus hot dogs once again topped the menu. This year Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern prepared this dish alone. pineapple upside-down cake with strawberries and whipped cream was served for dessert. "Any dad who doesn't have pineapple upside-down cake topped like strawberry shortcake for Father's Day is missing out," the president said.

Dad was thrilled with all of his gifts, one being a light that helps with tying fishing flies.

Mayor Brings Home the Bag

Opening day for Little League baseball was more than a parade, more than a talk, more than things to bounce on for Mayor Asher Ply Wood. It marked the start of his one-bag journey to and from the ball field.

Main House President Dad took part in the festivities by entering a drawing. His secret hope was to win a gift certificate to take Main House First Lady Mom to a local restaurant. What he won was a baseball bag big enough for a toddler to hide inside.

No longer did Ply Wood have to carry two heavy bags: one with catching gear, the other with his bat, glove, drink and sunscreen. Everything fit into his new bag on wheels.

"When I was in Little League no one had bags," said Dad. "I just put my glove on the end of my bat and showed up."

Rain Gift

What else could the Acorn Hill Citizens do when the sky darkened and started dripping rain? They filed outdoors taking advantage of it.

Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Main House First Lady Mom sat on the porch swing discussing the newness of Holly Rose playing in it. "Last year at this time if I had taken her out in the rain she would have just sat there," said Mom. Ply Wood carried Rose onto the driveway. Her sad face told him that she still was not ready to run around in it. Instead, she simply wanted to touch it, taking it in slowly.

Meanwhile those citizens more experienced with rain had a mud ball fight. Unfortunately Eli Hemlock was not playing this game when Ply Wood threw a ball right at him. Aside from this mishap residents enjoyed their rain gift.

 

Egg-siting Eggs

Quiche, scrambled eggs, hard boiled eggs, pancakes, personal cakes... the possibilities of great food go on and on.

Acorn Hill citizens were given organic eggs from two sources, both great friends. "They're absolutely amazing!" said Autumn Fern. Existing food in the refrigerator of The Main House was pushed back and pushed over to make room for 75 eggs.

Cookie and Cake Chaos

Two bakers and one scooper remained focused on serving treats at the end of the day despite the distractions of a toddler, dog and a computer.
"Vanilla extract was spilled. Almond extract was spilled. A mug broke and I was writing an e-mail," said Daffodil.
Four personal chocolate chip cookies, two personal chocolate cakes and one bowl of ice cream were prepared by microwaving them in mugs. After they were baked by Sarah Daffodil and Autumn Fern, Mayor Asher Ply Wood scooped the ice cream for them and added sprinkles and chocolate chips. Some treats were served with milk instead.
"This evening was louder than Christmas morning," said Main House First Lady Mom.  Everyone enjoyed their treat. Daffodil and Mom agree that next time they should make one big cake for chocolate cake night.

Clarkesville's Coloring Book Page

There was a time when Sarah Daffodil colored in coloring books. Recently she painted something like a coloring book page for others to color in in an effort to help with the city of Clarkesville's fundraising projects for its recent fire victims.
Daffodil's 8-foot- mural is of a park. "I thought it would be a likable scene," said Daffodil. She painted big trees that anchor the scene and added a lot of people doing various things. After 13 hours it was complete.
Many people did not color within the lines. She is not thinking about this too much. She realizes that she never does either.

Meet the Citizens

Acorn Hill is back! It's time to meet its citizens:

Main House President Dad oversees everything.

Main House First Lady Mom feeds the citizens and teaches them.

 Sarah Daffodil encourages everyone, teaches math and character qualities.

 Nathaniel Barn Loft is a basketball player, football player, baseball player and fisherman.

Mayor Asher Ply Wood keeps Acorn Hill running smoothly and builds most of its buildings.

Autumn Fern is a good friend to everyone.

Pastor Eli Hemlock gives a couple of services once a year and brings good cheer to everyone.

Holly Rose brightens Acorn Hill giving joy to all and has a gift for cleaning.

 

 

 Melody, Kenneth and Sabrina keep Acorn Hill safe from robbers.

Happy New Year from the Acorn Hill Press Staff

Heavenly Perfomance

The Christmas season would not have been the same without a Christmas play in Acorn Hill. One complaint: "It was too short".

Memorizing Luke 2 and making the costumes were not Sarah Daffodil's only jobs. She also directed the play and delivered a glowing performance as an angel. Mayor Asher Ply Wood had his acting debut as Joseph. He also worked the concession stand. Autumn Fern played Mary, great with child. Nathaniel Barn Loft had a dual role as Caesar Augustus and a shepherd. Queen Esther Hunts played his sheep. Pastor Eli Hemlock took the starring role as Baby Jesus.

Knowing that Hemlock was sensitive about the word "baby" that part of his name was dropped. Despite this, he still did not like lying in the manger.

The audience raved over the performance.

Terminee

It was Christmas, 2009 when Sarah Daffodil received Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Daffodil savored this book -- making it a study and making close friends.

Main House First Lady Mom recalls how the novel affected the entire city of Acorn Hill. "We all became familiar with the characters and the scenes. There was the anniversary celebration on Youtube, different versions of the movie, the acting out and dressing up of parts, French bread, the French cafe' pressed-flower picture, the music...the music...and we learned about Napoleon." The high point for Daffodil was attending the musical last spring.

Not long ago when Acorn Hill citizens were riding in their van, Daffodil closed her book for the last time. Tears streamed down her face. Nathaniel Barn Loft noticed asking what was wrong. "I finished Les Miserables." The tears were mostly about the story's ending, but they were also about reaching the end.

This was the end of Les Miserables but not the end of Victor Hugo's writings. Daffodil picked up several hardback copies of his work. The studies will continue.

The Assignment

It was time for Autumn Fern to do her writing lesson. Main House First Lady Mom, realizing that she had a long word for Fern, gave "careful" instructions.

"This is a long word. After you have written a letter, cross it off," said Mom. Fern understood. "Mom, I scribbled them off," said Fern. "That's OK," said Mom.

Mom obviously left Fern unsupervised.

Watching, Waiting, Wondering

With two high-profile citizens in Acorn Hill, people have wondered what will become of the other citizens. Main House President Dad and First Lady Mom also wonder.

For now, they see Mayor Asher Ply Wood's leadership skills -- hoping to encourage them and to direct them in the right way. "Asher is a good student," said Mom. "Oftentimes he doesn't want to do something, but he does that something and doesn't gripe about it."

Mayor Ply Wood will continue his general education, ride his bike, dress up like a cowboy, fish, make boats, play with stuffed animals, study the French Revolution and WWII and practice photography.

Dad and Mom say that they are content to watch, wait and wonder where the Lord will lead.

Let Them Eat Cake

The hand-held mixer did not have much time for rest with all of the icing and batter it had to mix -- three more birthdays with three more must-have cakes.

Autumn Fern's custom-made party included a New York-Style Cheesecake, cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese for dinner, pink and white streamers and balloons. She received several gifts, all of which she is thankful for.

Main House First Lady Mom awoke to gift bags covering the dining room table as well as a peanut butter cake. One of the gifts of note consisted of three tickets to see My Fair Lady and dinner at her favorite restaurant.

While shopping for Mayor Asher Ply Wood, Main House President Dad and Mom weren't satisfied with the toy isle offerings. They went to the nearest home improvement store, where Dad purchased tools and hardware for a project. "I love my tools and want more of them," said Ply Wood. His cake was chocolate, decorated with nails.

If you like cake, this is a good time to visit Acorn Hill.

Dad's Late Party

Every year Main House President Dad quietly knows that it is his birthday, and every year he gives up his free birthday dinner at Scalini's. He spends his birthday with outdoor writers at their annual meeting.

A week after his birthday, Acorn Hill citizens threw a party for him. Main House First Lady Mom served lasagna for dinner. Dad opened gifts. Then Nathaniel Barn Loft lit the candles on his cake. Dad sat...waiting for the Birthday Song. No one started, and he didn't know when to blow. In the meantime Pastor Eli Hemlock blew out six of the candles. All got back on track once Dad re-lit the candles and Mom started the song.

Later in the month Dad and Mom get to have dinner at Scalini's where mom will get her free birthday dinner.

Daffodil's Gift Sticks

Free stickers! That was an opportunity that Sarah Daffodil couldn't resist. She ordered just the right ones for some of her closest friends. Daffodil's plan is to give the stickers to Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern as rewards when they have tried hard at their math. Ply Wood's stickers have his name on them with monkeyes. Fern's stickers have her name on them with a bear holding an umbrella. Pastor Eli Hemlock doesn't have math lessons. Therefore, he was able to have his stickers right away. His stickers have his name and a train on them.

Questions Fly at Barn Loft

A young inquisitor visited the Harvest Festival. First, she fired questions at Nathaniel Barn Loft. Then she questioned Sarah Daffodil.

Little Girl: Why is your sister older than you?

Nathaniel Barn Loft: Because she was born before me.

LG: Do you live here? (at the Kollocks)

NBL: No.

LG: Did you drive here?

NBL: No.

LG: Did you get here, in a spaceship?

NBL: No, in a truck.

LG: Why does Sarah have balloons at her building?

NBL: So people know where she is.

LG: What is that? (pointing to instrument)

NBL: This is a dulcimer.

LG: What are fingerpicks?

NBL: Things that I put on my fingers to pic with.

LG: Why does one go on the thumb?

NBL: (demonstration)

LG: Why do you have three pics?

NBL: So I still have one if I lose one.

LG: What if you loose all of them?

NBL: I'll use my fingers.

LG: Is the banjo your dad's?
NBL: No. I bought it.

LG: With your own money?
NBL: Yep.

LG: Who is your dad?

NBL: (pointed)

LG: How long have you been here (festival)?

NBL: Three hours.

LG: How many brothers and sisters do you have? Thirty?
NBL: Four.

The little girl's brother entered the conversation, saying he was sorry to Barn Loft. Barn Loft asked why. The brother apologized for his sister, whom he said talks too much. Barn Loft said that he knew about that.

Rodeo

It's not every day that one is able to pet a kangaroo, "piggish guy" and camel, plus horses, lamas, goats, and then go to the rodeo. That's just what Mayor Asher Ply Wood, Autumn Fern and Main House President Dad did at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair.

"I liked the rodeo because of the horses," said Ply Wood. "I liked the girls," said Autumn Fern.

Dad thought there was too much "clown entertainment" between actual rodeo events, but everyone had a very nice evening.