Vacation time for the Cottontails.

So finally I had some time to take pictures for a new story, unfortunately the weather wasn't very good especially yesterday. Some of the photos may therefore look a bit blurry and not as good as I want them to look, but I really wanted to finish this.

Enjoy my latest and also just a quick reminder about my little competition. Thus far there is only three entries, and at this rate, I might just announce all 3 winners and send them all a prize! 

Aaron Cottontail wiped the sweat from his brow. He was finally done with his latest project. "So Ed, what do you think?" Edward Mulberry with whom Aaron was sharing his workshop, turned his head and smiled, "Wow, good job! Impressive as always!"

Edward got up to get a closer look at the finished product. "The finishing is so precise, it is sturdy and in that kind of wood it just looks fantastic! What happened to the drawers?" Edward asked tentatively.
Aaron frowned and then replied, "I'm not really sure, I was busy making the first one when Hornbull came in and cancelled the drawers, apparently Daisy didn't want drawers. She wanted something that resembled a display cabinet rather then a cupboard. I just hope she hasn't changed her mind again in the meantime." The two friends laughed at Daisy's indecision, which everyone knew was a general problem. 

As if he knew he and his family was being discussed, Hornbull and his two sons, Paddock and Cheddar, appeared in the doorway. "Good morning lads, what are you up to?" Aaron managed to compose himself quickly, " We were just talking about you, Hornbull. Good morning! I just finished the piece that Daisy ordered."

"That is fantastic news, Aaron! Can I see?" Hornbull looked truly relieved, and Edward couldn't help but smile again. Luckily Hornbull was standing with his back to him, so the smile went unnoticed. Aaron showed Hornbull the cupboard. Hornbull gasped, "It is so good, Aaron. Thank you, Daisy will be satisfied, and I will sleep peacefully tonight." The men laughed at Hornbull's little joke, but all knew very well, that Hornbull was actually very serious.

Aaron and Edward helped Hornbull to load the cupboard onto the cart and waved them off. Aaron was thankful that Hornbull managed to pick up the cupboard himself, which gave him a chance to clean up around the workshop rather than making a trip to Highfields farm to make the delivery.

Cleaning the workshop wasn't a regular occurrence. When Edward started working with Aaron earlier this year, they refurbished the shop, and spent a few days painting , which explains the bright yellow walls, cleaning away the cobwebs, as well as the saw dust in the corners, but after nine months the place was as dusty as ever, and cleaning meant sweeping the floors once a week or like today, after a big project.

Aaron loaded the final wood shavings onto the wheelbarrow and gave a sigh of relieve. "Ok Ed, I'm off. Will you be able to manage?" Edward smirked, "I'm throwing a party as soon as you are out of the door and then I will be closing the shop too and have my own well deserved vacation!" Aaron faked an angry look, "You try that mister, and I will have you removed from this premises immediately." The two men had another laugh at their own joke and became more serious. "Enjoy your leave, Aaron, and please don't worry about a thing. I have a few projects to finish myself, but I will take good care of the shop." Comforted by Edward's words Aaron left. He was truly looking forward to this vacation.

At home he was met with the delicious smell of fried beans and savory sausage. The kids were already having dinner. "Daddy, you are home!" yelled Willow. "Yes, I am sweetheart!" he replied. His wife, Sorrel, turned away from the sink and looked puzzled. "Indeed you are, I assume you have finally finished Daisy's cupboard?" Aaron smiled and silently wondered, how they will be taking the news of the secretly planned vacation. He has been planning it all along, but didn't want to tell his family, as he was just too worried, he wouldn't be able to take time off. As luck would have it, he finished Daisy's order in time and no big orders came in.

"Yes, I managed that, dear" as he pecked her on the cheek, "which meant that we can now go on a vacation!" he yelled. Within seconds he was surrounded by his whole family, they were extremely excited and had all kinds of questions, "where?", "when?", "how did you plan this?" On the other side of the table Roxy Renard, with whom the Cottontails shared a house, looked at her son, Baden, and felt so sorry for him. She was truly happy for her friend Sorrel, as she needed a break and Aaron too, as he really works so hard, Roxy just wished, they can take Baden on a vacation too, but to Roxy's relieve he didn't look too bothered.

Roxy quietly took her children upstairs, to give the Cottontail family some time to discuss their vacation. "So A, tell me more, how did you this?" Aaron gave a mysterious smile and kissed his wife again, "You are surprised, Sorrie? Thought I couldn't do this on my own?" Sorrel smiled shyly, "I'm sorry, it is not that I think you can't, it is just so unexpected, you never gave me any hint, I just didn't expect it!" Aaron quickly explained to Sorrel and the children that he has been playing with the thought for a while, and though time off from work will be hard to manage, the biggest problem were where to go. He didn't want to travel far, and came to the conclusion that camping was the only resolve, but he wasn't entirely happy with the idea. Then one day Alonzo Macavity came into the shop and the men started talking and Aaron mentioned to Alonzo that he was planning a surprised vacation, and as luck would have it Alonzo offered the Macavity log cabin near the lake at the Eastern side of Blueberry Hill.

After a restless night, because of the excitement of the trip, the Cottontails left for the Macavity cabin early the next morning. Though it wasn't too far, it was still some distance to travel. Roxy and Baden greeted them at the door.

After and exhausting trip which included a cramped bus ride and much walking, the Cottontails finally arrived at the Macavity Cabin. "Come on you guys, walk faster!" Gromwell shouted to the rest of his family, urging them on. "Patience dear," Sorrel tried to calm down her highly energetic boy, "Comfrey can't walk that fast, and me and your father have had it with carrying him."

"Mommy, look!" Comfrey yelled, obviously pleased with with something. He has just noticed the incredibly cute baby play park in the front garden. Sorrel could just imagine herself in the perfectly placed rocking chair while Comfrey played on all the toys.

"Can we now please have a look inside?" It was Willow, excited to see the rest of their holiday home. Aaron urged Willow to take the kids inside while he will stay outside to play with Comfrey in the mini playpark.

The shrieks of amazement from inside was deafening. "Mommy, look, it is hammocks! May I please sleep in one? It was Gromwll, truly excited about the prospects of sleeping in a hammock. "Sure you may, Grommie! Your father and I will be more than happy to sleep on the ground in a bed," Sorrel said smiling.

Wanting to know what the fuss was all about Comfrey and Aaron soon joined the rest of the family inside, and Aaron could understand why everyone was so excited. It was a beautifully decorated cabin, so cosy but functional too. Gromwell quickly climbed up the pole and jumped into the hammock, begging his sister to join him.

Willow was not that excited about sleeping in a hammock like her brother, but to his mother's dismay Comfrey quickly climbed up the stairs to join his brother. Sorrel was, however, surprised by her youngest's nimbleness, which was a good thing as she soon realised that he would be sleeping in a small attic room.

While the rest of the family continued to explore the cabin and surroundings, Sorrel lit the small wood burning stove. It was almost time for dinner and she had a special meal planned. Also she was dying for a cup of coffee and she knew that Aaron would want too.

Aaron took the chance to test out the bed, a short nap was well deserved, he thought, but Willow had other plans as she discovered a radio, and switched it on.

The rest of the afternoon was spent lazying around the cabin. Just Sorrel was busy as always, as she cooked her families favorite dish, carrot and leek stew, but she enjoyed it. The hungry bunnies quickly gathered around the table, which was completely surprising to Sorrel as at home she always had to put up a fight to get them to the table. The best thing about dinner was, however, that they could have it in peace, as poor Comfrey passed out earlier than normal, due to all the excitement of the day.

After dinner Aaron suggested a board game, but Gromwell quickly interrupted his dad to tell him that he was extremely tired and was going to bed. Amazingly he was followed by his sister. Sorrel had a quiet giggle by herself, they probably was just excited to try out their hammock beds.

So with all three kids in bed way earlier than normal, Aaron offered to wash the dishes, which gave Sorrel a chance to start her vacation too.

And what a wonderful time they had. On most days Aaron slept in till around noon, but Sorrel didn't mind as the children was being so delightful. Comfrey ate all his meals without a fuss and Gromwell and Willow even spent a few days together bird watching, and exploring the woods around the cabin.

When Aaron was awake he played with Comfrey giving Sorrel a much deserved break.

Sorrel and Willow played scrabble endlessly, while Comfrey almost drove everyone crazy with practising "Twinkle, twinkle little star" on the small toy piano.

On other days, when Aaron did get up early to go fishing with Gromwell, Sorrel relaxed in the rocking chair keeping an eye over Comfrey, while Willow relaxed in the outside tub which she usually filled with luke warm water.

It was evident that the Cottontail family was having a wonderfully, relaxing time. Their was no bickering or fighting about unnecessary things, and everyone was just in a good mood all of the time.

But as life goes it was soon time to go home again. "Everyone out, and ready to leave?" Aaron called out, more upbeat than he intended. He, like the rest of his family was sad to leave the Macavity cabin. "Yes A, we are ready." replied Sorrel, also trying to be strong. "Bye bye mini play park." said Comfrey with a trembling voice.

With final goodbyes, Aaron and his family left, but not before he had to promise that they will soon be back.