Monday 30 June 2014

Frustrations and Predicaments!

It was Thursday afternoon in Beechwood Hall and Pete was preparing for his delivery rounds. He felt much better than that morning, as he indeed managed to take a quick nap and had a hearty breakfast that Margaret made for him after he returned home.

He did however felt immediately tired and exhausted when he scanned the mail to be delivered. Hatty Huckleberry, Nelson Puddleford and Katrina Whiskers all in one go. To his surprise there was also a letter for Edward Mulberry. How was that possible? He only arrived in the Village that morning.

Pete gathered his bag and left the letter for Edward on the counter. He already has an exhausting day ahead he is NOT going to make the long trip out of town to the Mulberry plot, where Edward is now also staying. Pete know it was not very ethical, but sometimes he held back the post for the outlaying areas at least until he has more letters or parcels to deliver, but in his defense he never keep it for more than two days.

At the last second, before he said goodbye to his darling Margaret, Edward's letter caught his eye, and he quickly grabbed it and stuffed it in his bag. Maybe he will bump into Edward. He can deliver it at the laundry, but that will be unprofessional as he hasn't made and arrangement with Edward to do that.

He decided to start at the bottom of Sugarbush drive, where all the Cedar Terrace (CT) houses are springing up (Alonzo Macavity has been busy with this project for a while now), then he will make his turn into Village street where all the shops are and the stores with the apartments on top, and finally he will ride down Valley road with all its vintage buildings. He will end in the square and just cross that to Beechwood hall. They are still living with the Trunks. He had no luck so far in finding them a house, but Kenneth Furbanks is helping him.

Pete cycled passed CT 1, where the Henry-Lloyds lived. No mail for Pippa and her family today, but he was glad about that as he could see Antonio and Dorothy in the kitchen. Maybe it was the clear and quiet day, but their voices carried over to him and he could hear that they were arguing. He quickly sped up, he didn't want it to look like he was trying to listen in on the conversation.


Then he passed CT 2, residence of the Periwinkles. He cringed when he saw that Mable was on the porch, but it looked as if she was taking a nap in the afternoon sun.

Ahead was CT 3 where the Huckleberries and Slydales lives. Hatty was busy in the garden.
Pete: Good afternoon Hatty!
Hatty: Hello Pete, so mail for me today? Finally decided to deliver it.
Pete (frowning): What to you mean Hatty?
Hatty: Oh Pete, come one, I know that sometimes you hold back the mail, if you don't feel like seeing someone.

Pete wanted to argue, but decided that there will be no use. Hatty never looses an argument, that is a village fact. And she is right, after all, but how on earth did she know that.
Pete: Only two letters for you Hatty, one seems official.
Hatty: Thank you, been waiting for that one.
Pete: Maybe it was delayed because the mail delivery bus didn't arrive yesterday. I only got it this morning. Postman Kelly mentioned something about the bus being in for service yesterday. Maybe that is the reason where there were so many people on it this morning too.
Hatty: Many people, how interesting ... uhm ... want some lemonade?

Pete didn't even noticed Hatty's sudden interest in the new arrivals. He gladly accepted her offer, afterall he was still a bit fragile from the previous night, and the thirst will just not go away, even though he has already downed several glasses of water.
Hatty: So who was on the bus this morning? Anyone interesting?
Pete: Well sort of. The Timbertops returned from their vacation and it looks like the Macavities have finally moved to the village. Then there was some strangers on it too... named Barker or no wait I think it was Bercher. Very classy looking family.
Hatty: Interesting indeed. I did hear a rumour that Cassandra has finally given in to Alonzo's requests that they must move here. Was that all? Do you know where the Bercher family is staying? Must be in the Commune?
Pete: I haven't really talked much to them. Edward Mulberry was there too, so we did some catching up. Oh and of course how could I forget! PC Bobby Roberts came with Antonio Patches too!
Hatty: What!? 
Pete: That was my exact reaction too. Why on earth does Sugarbush Valley need a Police Constable, but I guess Hugo has his reasons.
Hatty: Uhm... Pete ... you must drink up ... I just realised I had an important meeting.

Pete was a bit taken aback by Hatty's sudden abruptness, but he knew he had to get a move on though. So he thanked Hatty for the refreshing drink and got on his bike.
Meanwhile Hatty was almost hysterical with excitement. She couldn't believe that Antonio Patches actually exists and what was more that he was escorted by a Police Constable into their village. It shows that this was serious and that he indeed was a criminal, just as she expected and has told Velvette.

Hatty desperately wanted to find out more. And the only way was to meet Antonio face to face, but how would she go about doing that? Then it hit her she had the perfect excuse. She gathered her things and head out, straight to CT 1, which was luckily not far away. 

At CT 1 she knocked on the door and as luck would have it the door was opened by the man himself. He looked quite friendly, and nothing like a criminal though, what was even stranger was that he was not cuffed, with no police constable in sight. Hatty was truly baffled.
Antonio: Good morning, how can I help?
Hatty: Hi, I am Hatty Huckleberry, the school inspector. I would like to see Dorothy. Is she home?
Antonio: Sorry for my rudeness, I am Antonio, Dorothy's husband. Yes she is here.
Hatty: Of course, Dorothy has talked so much about you.
Antonio: Good things I hope! Let me call her.

There was however no need for Antonio to call Dorothy, as she came to the door herself, with a murderous look on her face and clearly not in the mood of any visitors.
Dorothy: Hatty, this is not a good time, what do you want.
Hatty: Well good afternoon to you too, Dorothy. I was just wondering if we can talk a bit about Kyle. It is so great that both of you are here, it is always better to speak to both parents.
Dorothy: What one earth do you need with him?
Hatty: His schooling and education you know, as the school inspector of the district it is my duty to follow-up if the toddlers has been enrolled and what the parents plans are for them, here I have a brochure ...
Dorothy: Oh for heaven's sake Hatty. Kyle has just turned one, that is the last thing on our minds now. I am kindly going to ask you to leave now, and if you will not I will become very rude.
Hatty: But Dorothy you don't understand... if you make any wrong decisions now,  it will be detrimental to Kyle's future...

Hatty, however, didn't finish her sentence. Dorothy rudely turned her back to Hatty, ushered Antonio inside the house and slammed the door shut. She made it very clear that she will not speak to Hatty now.
Hatty was devastated. How on earth is she going to find out the real truth about this man, but what bothered her even more was that someone else might get the juicy gossip before she does.

In the meantime Roxy Renard was in a bit, or rather a huge predicament. She has just cleaned the two top floors of the Henry-Lloyd's residence. Actually she has been done for quite a while now, but is unsure what to do next, not only has she heard Hatty's feeble attempt to stuck her nose in yet another family's live, but she has also heard Antonio's whole story. Oh how Roxy wished she could rub Hatty's nose in that bit of information. 

But not only is Roxy nothing like Hatty, she has bigger problems to worry about now. How on earth is she going to go downstairs to face Dorothy, after all that she has heard. It is not as if she was hiding or did the cleaning in secret. Dorothy did see her come in earlier, they even had a quick chat. Does Dorothy not care that Roxy heard it all, or has she completely forgotten about Roxy's presence in the house. 

Though Antonio's story might be heartbreaking  to Dorothy it is not THAT bad, and Roxy is sure that they will be able to sort it out, but it is still private and not something that you want anybody else to know.... Roxy gathered her equipment and made her way downstairs.


Wednesday 25 June 2014

The Buttercup Cow Family

So next up is the Buttercup Cow Family. I guess you all have had enough of them and their spectacular house. So sorry for that, but they are after all one of my favorite families, definitely top 10 and maybe around 5th or 6th over all. Their house on the other hand is my most coveted Sylvanian item (even though I do own the JP small school and JP small clinic buildings, as well as the Meadowcroft Cottage). So stay tuned for many more episodes of the daily lives of the Buttercup family. Otherwise please leave now.

The Buttercups was the 5th family that I received (though Cheddar came much, much later - the little devil just didn't want to join his family). Contrary to the other three families (the Maces, the Fieldings and the Mulberries) that I've blogged about, the Buttercups were love at first sight. Not only are they cute as individuals, but as family they just have a certain something about them, that I love.

I grew up on a dairy farm and though our house was nothing like theirs, I did try to take some inspiration from it. Like the hurricane lamp at the front door and the small gas stove on the fridge, as one just never know when the electricity will go out. Furthermore, Annabell is nothing like me, or like I was and the same applies to Paddock and my brother. My mother and Daisy could not be more different, but I really try to base Hornbull on my father (though my dad will never wear a red scarf).

A full view of the beautiful Highfields farm, which I have finally completed decorating.

The ground floor. Daisy is extremely proud of the living room and the kitchen, Hornbull about his dairy products!

The second floor with the parent's room, bathroom and children's room.

The small attic room with the nursery.

Lets take a closer look at the kitchen and living room (with the family out of the way)

Kitchen: I think it looks very "farmy" with the black stove and the coal bucket in the corner. Also the broom and bucket was a must.


Living room 1: This is the room I like most. Maybe it is the fireplace or the clock, but it does look cosy and just like I imagine a farmhouse living room should look. 

Living room 2: A "closer" close up.

Parent's Bedroom: The brass bed and furniture was something that was non-negotiable. It took a while to get the the pedestals as it is part of this set, but that bed was just too big in my opinion. The brass vintage bed and the pedestals actually fit together perfectly.


Children's room 1: Again I just had to have the vintage bunk bet set. I love these because though it is a set they don't look the same, which is perfect. It also fitted perfectly with the coat rack and small drawer which I purchased from Beverley. The bedding I got from a local miniature seller in South Africa. 

Children's room 2: A different angle.

Bathroom: This was the hardest space to decorate, I wanted it to be functional and nothing modern or over the top. But in the end I think it looks good, with all that should be there. 


Nursery: This room is shared by three busy little babies: Cheddar, Fennel and Dolly. I wanted it to be fun, but also look like a nursery. Unfortunately, I had to stuck with conservative colours as Cheddar don't like pink very much, and Dolly is afterall outnumbered 2:1.


Proud Farmer Hornbull. Everyday he supplies the little village of Sugarbush Valley with the freshest milk and other dairy products. 

Daisy runs a little ice cream cart in the village square. It is quite an exclusive stall as she only sells ice cream that is made on Highfields farm from the milk that is produced there. The stall is getting quite popular and Daisy might have to call in some help soon.

Do visit the the-houses-in-the-valley and the-villagers-and-their-jobs pages for more!.




Sunday 22 June 2014

The Mulberry Raccoon Family

For some reason we had an extremely busy weekend! On Saturday we went to visit with friends and yesterday we had a birthday party. This meant there was no time for relaxing or taking pictures for a story. Therefore, this week there will be 2 installments in this series. I will just feel too guilty for not publishing a story today, as I usually do on a Monday morning.

Next up is the Mulberry Raccoon Family. Once more another family that I was unsure about at first. Then I sort of got fixated on them in a "have-to-have" kind of way and once again when they arrived I felt slightly disappointed because they were nothing like I anticipated (this is becoming a bit of a trend too - writing about the families I was disappointed with at first. And then they got the houses first too? Maybe because I felt a bit guilty for not being completely in love with them from the start).

I think they main reason for not loving them at first was because they were so big/tall. They would've been much cuter in my opinion if they had been shorter and more chubbier. Especially the children looks very "wiry" to me. 

They were the 9th family I've received. I acquired them through means of a trade with Carrie, who has (had) many double families. They were the second family I've traded with her and like the first one they were in excellent condition. The moment they arrived I just knew I had to get the Log Cabin for them. In my opinion they just didn't fit in the town (village) and looks like country folk who would live near, but outside the village.

I think they fit perfectly in their little log cabin.

The only problem is that the log cabin is really not very spacious, and their tails tend to get in the way a bit, knocking over stuff as far as they go.

Luckily they have a big plot on which the log cabin was built, so the children spent much of their time outside.

An overview of the inside. It was totally impossible to get everyone a bed in this small cabin, and still have a comfortable living area and kitchen.

So mom and dad get to sleep on the big green "sleeper couch" in the living room. I really love the look of the living room. The set I used is the cosy living room set and I really love everything about it.

The children sleep in their very cool hammocks, just above the kitchen area. Again it took some planning to get everything fitted into the kitchen area. In the end  it worked out beautifully and I am really happy with how it turned out. The little stove next to the fridge is also part of the cosy living room set and for some reason it just suited the log cabin better than any of the other conventional stoves that were available. That little stove is actually a coal stove (and lights up).


Little Pumpkin is the most spoiled in the family as she is the only one that has a bedroom. No wonder Candy spends most of her time in her little sister's bedroom.

From another angle.


Everything a little girl may need.


Another advantage of the log cabin is that it comes with an outside bath/shower area, so I didn't had to fit that into the little cabin too. I added the school toilet set and just like that they had a fully equipped bathroom, even though it was outside.

Mother Mae owns the Laundromat in the village. Her business is quite successful. Read more about Mae here.


I thought the sun and cloud wallpaper was just perfect for a laundromat.


Obviously one will need two machines if you want to be successful.


Father Elmar is the village plumber. Which is a good thing, as this means that Mae never has to worry about the plumbing of her little laundromat.


For more on houses and jobs, visit the different pages.

Thursday 19 June 2014

The Fielding Mouse Family

Here is installment nr 2 of my latest project. The Fieldings was the 12th family that I got, and as their original bio states that they are cobblers, that is what they would've been, until it just dawned on me that they should own the Hamburger Restaurant, which is a bit funny as they are extremely introverted and not the entertaining type. Luckily they have become good friends with the extroverted and extravagant Chocolate family who helps them to get out more. 

At first when I got the figures, they were a bit of a let down though. I think they were the first family that I got with which I was slightly disappointed. They are a bit bigger/taller than anticipated, but the little baby Clop, pulled them through and after playing with them and "getting used to them" I will never give them away! Enjoy!

A full view of the cottage. Again a bed for everyone, even though mum and dad's are a bit small. They got a shower, instead of a bath. And the kitchen is tiny, but keep in mind they have the kitchen of the restaurant just down stairs, so when entertaining needs to be done or large meals must be cooked, Bridget usually cooks there.

Mom in the kitchen preparing some tea, while Helen is entertaining Clop in the parent's room.

As usual, Daniel is doing some revision. He is trying to memorise all the countries on the different continents.

A closer look at the kitchen. I love that teapot I got it from a friend, that doesn't collect SF anymore, I just wish I could get some cups to go with it too.

Another angle of the kitchen. I think my favorite part of this house is the wallpaper I used.

The parent's room. 

The kid's room. Clop just love his special little alcove where his bed is. It feels like it is his special cave. Daniel's globe was a gift for his birthday. He must still learn the countries in Africa, which he finds the most difficult to pronounce.

The bathroom like the kitchen is tiny, but what more can one want.


Father Darcy is extremely proud of his Restaurant. His special secret recipe is a hit in Sugarbush Valley.

Like their house the restaurant is decorated very minimalistic. Attention is given to the food not the decorations.

A typical busy day at the Restaurant. Darcy makes the food, Bridget helps the customers at the take away window and manages the till. Darcy and Helen takes turns to either be the waiter or look after little Clop, who is mostly happy just to play with his train.

At the end of a busy day, Darcy is really glad that he doesn't have to commute to get home. He is literally there in 3 seconds.

Be sure to visit "the-houses-in-sugarbush-valley"  and "the-villagers-and-their-jobs" page for some more!