The Puddleford Duck Family

So today we celebrate the 10th installment of "The houses and jobs in my village"-series. The previous one was done in September so I think it is high time for another one. I'm quite proud of the fact that I've got 41 families and 10 of these families have their own house and a workplace. Hopefully 3 more will follow soon and that is not even including the five families that permanently live in the Commune that have a workplace too.

Today it is the Puddleford Duck family's turn, they were the 18th family I got. I must admit this is NOT a favorite family of mine. I only got them because a collector friend had two sets and was willing to trade them for an EB family (Thank you Carrie). They have however grown on me, like that "blacksheep" uncle that one has in a family, and you can't help but like him, even though he is not really likeable. And like the family I also got their house, Bramble Cottage, by chance. I actually ordered the Orchard cottage form an ebay-seller/friend and she by accident sent me this one.

I instantly knew I will give it to the Puddlefords, but then I also surprised myself with an idea for their shop. They have a little shop "Nocturnal", where they sell luxurious hand made linen,quilts, pillows etc. They mainly work by order, but they do have a few stock items for walk in customers. Therefore I didn't need a big shop...

A bit more about the family then ... Nelson has lived in Sugarbush Valley all his life. He loves the quaintness of the village and more so the quietness. These days he does however feel that the village is becoming to popular with all the "foreigners" moving here. His darling wife Beth originates form a neighbouring village, Rooibosch Hill. She misses her sister, Wanda, who is married to Mayor Bill Waddlington, very much, but she has found a good friend in Willow Thistlethorn. They have 3 little duckling children, Tom, Maisie and Sammy.

So lets take a look at their house and little shop.

Upstairs: Parent's bedroom.

In the other corner is the children's beds and the "bathroom".

Downstairs is the kitchen and dining area. Beth spends most of her time, making the quilts and bedding at the table.

Kitchen form another angle.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the little shop ... Nocturnal. 

The shop is extremely small, and Bill prefers serving one client at a time, or even better to have appointments made. Unfortunately, being new to the village, the Farthings were unaware of this unspoken rule and had Nelson all worked up on a Friday morning.

The Puddlefords enjoy living in their small cottage and Nelson loves the fact that his small shop is under his eyes,literally.

Also visit the "The houses in the village" and "The Villager'job" pages for more.

Sage's surprise!

Rosemary Bouquet was busy making the beds, like she did every morning before she leaves the house, and like every other morning, all her family members were up and ready to begin the day except for her son, Sage. 

Rosemary: Sage! SAGE! Get up, you are going to be late!

Rosemary tried all the tricks in the book to get Sage to move, but unlike other morning he didn't even utter a groan.

Finally Sage turned around and looked at his mom, with teary eyes.

Sage: Mommy, I'm not feeling well, I'm so nauseous and my tummy hurts an awful lot.
Rosemary: Oh nonsense my boy, get up! Come on you are going to be very late today.

But Sage didn't even made an attempt to get up.

Rosemary: Sage Bouquet if I have to ask you one more time to get up, you will not be allowed to have a birthday party next week and I will surely uninvite all your friends. GET UP! NOW!

And just like that Sage was up and sprinting to the bathroom... but unfortunately not to wash his face and brush his teeth, but straight to the toilet.

It was then that Rosemary realised that Sage was really sick.

After serving a hearty breakfast to her family and ensuring that Sage was comfortable, Rosemary and the rest of the Bouquets left their house to begin their day. Rosemary promised Sage that she will be home around lunch to see if he is ok. They had a busy day ahead at the restaurant, as they have to prepare for the Mayor's Luncheon Party, but she was sure she will find a way to quickly slip away.

After she dropped little Lavender at the Forest Nursery she accompanied Jasmine to her school. Rosemary preferred walking her kids to school, even though Sage was always protesting. At school Rosemary greeted everyone and walked over to Sage's best friend Lester Thistlethorn to tell him that Sage is not feeling well. Lester seemed very surprised about this news and promised that he will visit his friend after school.

At home Sage Bouquet was, however, feeling as healthy and energetic as any other day. He was feeling very guilty of having to lie to his mother, but he is sure she will forgive if him, if she find out the reason for his deception. Sage quickly got dressed and brushed his teeth, three times. The concoction he had to swallow to make his nausea believable had a terrible taste and he is certain he will never get rid of the awful taste.

Rosemary Bouquet was oblivious to her son's dishonesty, which was for the best as she had no time to deal with the mischief of a an eleven year old. All her thoughts were focused on the preparations she had to do for the Mayor's Luncheon. Her thoughts were briefly interrupted by Felicity Redwood, better known as Fliss.

Fliss: Good morning Rosemary. I am just on my way to your restaurant, with your weekly order from the Supermarket. 

Rosemary (laughing): That is really kind of you Fliss, I was just on my way to the Supermarket to collect it. This will really safe me some precious time. I'm all stressed out about this Mayor's Luncheon.

Fliss: But why, you have been doing it for so many years now, your should be used to it.

Rosemary: I know, I know, but still it is stressful. 

After thanking Fliss once more Rosemary made her way to the Harvester Restaurant. Every year around the end of the financial year, Mayor Hugo entertains his city council with a Luncheon at the Bouquet's Restaurant. It gives Rosemary and her husband, Stilton, great pleasure to prepare for this, but as they want it to be perfect, they are always worried that something will not work out as planned.

The couple spend the whole morning working close together on preparing the five course meal and ensuring that everything was perfect. Rosemary loved working with her husband, she just sometimes wished that they can for once sit down at a fancy restaurant and be served, themselves.

After a busy morning and after making sure that everything was perfect for her guests she decided to quickly visit Sage. She was worried that he might dehydrate and wanted to make sure that he ate and drink something.

When she entered the house Rosemary was surprised to see that Sage was not laying on the couch surrounded with food. Even the kitchen was just as shiny as she left it that morning, to Rosemary this was really worrisome. If Sage spent the whole morning in his bed, not even coming down for a bite to eat, he surely must feel very sick. She hurried upstairs, just to find his bed empty.

She rushed into the bathroom, almost certain that he was passed out on the floor, but also that was empty. Then it dawned on Rosemary that maybe Sage tricked her and just wanted an off day from school. She was unsure if she felt furious or disappointed.

Her thoughts immediately moved on to Lester, and that the two friends must have planned this. She decided to immediately go over to the Commune to inform Willow, Lester's mother of what the two boys have been up to.

To Rosemary's surprise she found Lester, doing his homework in his room. Rosemary had no words, something didn't make sense.

Willow: Rosemary, hi, is something the matter.

Rosemary: I'm not sure. It seems as if Sage is missing and I thought that Lester might know something about it.

Willow: Oh no! Lester? Do you know something?

Lester: No, mommy, I don't.

Rosemary instinctively knew that Lester was not part of this trickery, or whatever Sage was doing.

Willow: Rosemary, let me and Lester help you to look for him. You look so stressed.

Rosemary thanked Willow for the offer and Lester indicated that he might know just the place where Sage might me. While Rosemary went in the opposite direction, Willow and Lester made their way to the newly opened Toyshop.

Again Sage surprised someone, by not being  where everyone thought he might be.

Lester: He is not here! I wonder where he can be.

Willow: That is strange, lets go to the village square, maybe he is enjoying an ice cream.

In the meantime Rosemary went to Sage's second favorite shop, Pippa's Patisserie, but again there was no sign of him and Pippa even confirmed that she hasn't seen Sage in days.

Willow and Lester soon learned from the Darwins that Sage definitely hasn't been in the square all day too. Rosemary was now really getting worried. This is so unlike Sage, though he is a typical boy, he has never done something like this. 

WHERE CAN SAGE BE?

At Nr2 Meadowcroft, Sage was unaware of the worry he was causing his mother and his best friend. He has had this plan for so long and it really took some time to organise everything to perfection. The hardest part was to convince Mr Corntop to sell him a bottle of wine, without mentioning it to his parents. The food was easy to make, Sage loved cooking, again it was the cleaning up that was hard.

Just as he had done the final preparations, he heard chattering. He surely hope it wasn't his parents. He wasn't ready for them yet! "And where is Jasmine, she was supposed to help me", he thought out loud.

Jasmine: Here I am, Sage! Wow! It looks amazing, mom and dad will love it.
Sage: Finally, there you are. Oh and 'hi' Lester and Prissy.
Lester: Sage, I really hope this works out for you. Your mother is so worried, Im not even sure if she is angry anymore.
Prissy: Yes, she and my mother are still looking all over for you. We managed to slip away.

Sage suddenly became worried, what if he took this surprise too far. Maybe he should have waited for a weekend, then it wouldn't be necessary to lie to his mother to skip school.Then again, it is their wedding anniversary today, so 'NO', he thought to himself he did the right thing. Everything will be ok. He showed Lester the table he set, and he could see that Lester was impressed.

After Prissy and Lester left, the two siblings sat on the front steps waiting for their parents. They were unsure at what time they would be home. They knew that the Restaurant will be closed tonight, but the cleaning up after the Luncheon usually takes a while.

Moments later they heard their parents voices, and then they appeared from around the corner. The surprised looks on their faces were indescribable.

Mother Rosemary was the first one that could utter a word

Rosemary: SAGE! There are you! You had me worried sick! Where were you!

Sage: I'm sorry mommy, I was naughty, I know that, but I had to find a way to make the surprise work.

Stilton: Surprise? What surprise? 

Jasmine: Sage planned a romantic evening for you. He did everything himself, cooked the food, set the table.

Rosemary: What? Why?

Sage: It is your anniversary! Congratulations.

Both Stilton and Rosemary were lost for words, and Rosemary pecked away a stray tear. It was indeed their anniversary, and with the stress of the Luncheon they forgot about it.

Jasmine steered little Lavender into the house and left her Sage to serve their parents. He started off by reciting the menu to them and then poured them a glass of wine.

When they were finally alone. Rosemary couldn't hold back the tears. It was tears of joy and happiness. She was so proud of all her children, but at that moment mostly of Sage. 

Stilton: Happy anniversary Honey, and thank you for giving me so many happy years and three lovely children.

Rosemary: To you too, and thank you for being such a wonderful husband and caring for us.

The rest of the evening were spent enjoying the lovely food Sage prepared for them and just relaxing, not worrying about the Restaurant.

New shop: Tourist information and Realtor shop

A week or so ago I finally got round to decorating an old post office building. I had it for over a year but was never sure what to use it for, as I need so many offices and shops. In the end Herbage and Kenneth convinced me that they need an office the most.

As the Tourist Officer of Sugarbush Valley Herbage does't really need an office, but as Kenneth is his best friend, he agreed that he and Herbage may share an office.

So lets take a little closer look.

Kenneth is especially proud of the map mural. Now he can show new residents exactly where they will be living in the village when they come in for an appointment.

Herbage suggested the comfortable armchairs. According to him, buying a house is stressful, so people need to be, and feel relaxed, but also when on holiday people are already relaxed and don't want to sit on uncomfortable chairs.

The two friends are extremely proud of their little office and love to receive clients and tourists her.

Since they have opened the new office, Kenneth has already sucessfully placed the Darwin family in a wonderful house.

And Herbage assisted the Decker family in planning a wonderfully relaxing holiday in Sugarbush Valley.

So? What did you think? What is your favorite addition to the office?

A Saturday in Sugarbush Valley!

It was just another beautiful Saturday morning in Sugarbush Valley. Those who could afford it was having a lay in. Others were woken early by their little ones, and some were already getting ready for work. Myriam Chantilly silenced the alarm clock and got up. It would be easy to feel grumpy, but that will just spoil the whole day. She was relieved to see that Jacques was still fast asleep

The same, however, was not true for little Jocelyn, who was wide awake already. As soon as Myriam got up Jocelyn got out of her cot and jumped on her dad. Maurice started to tickle Jocsie immediately, but one look from Myriam quickly silenced them, they knew better than to make any noises that might wake up little Jacques.

Myriam got dressed, kissed her two sweethearts goodbye and left. At least Jocelyn didn't mind saying goodbye as she knew her mommy will come back, but Jacques will be another story when he wakes up.

Myriam didn't like working on Saturdays, but at least she got one weekend off in a month and an afternoon a week. Her salary was also great, her student loan will be paid off soon and then Maurice can follow his dream, which is opening a catering business, together with his half sister Suzette.

She arrived at the little clinic shortly after she left her house, and was happy to see that Dr Fisher was already in. She was relieved to see that no patients were waiting, so she had time to do her preparations and have a look at the appointment book.
Myriam: Good morning Dr Fisher.
Schroeder: Good morning Myriam, coffee?
Myriam: Thank you, will it be a busy day.
Schroeder: By the looks of it, no, but you never know

The peace and quiet was however short lived as the next moment there were chaos ...

On the opposite side of the village things was much calmer, as it should be. Tamsie Honeybear has risen without rushing, and were busy making coffee. Peculiar as it might sound, Saturdays were the quietest day at the bakery. In the past she and her husband have always opened the bakery at the crack of dawn, baked dozens of bread, just to be disappointed by the end of the day. They have soon realised that the villagers buy their "Saturday bread" on a Friday evening and then Sunday mornings before or after church they will stop for some fresh bread again or to get some treats for lunch. Bertie and Tamsie have now adjusted their schedule to baking fresh bread twice on a Friday and then again on Sunday mornings. This turned out to be much more viable.

Tamsie enjoyed the quietness of her kitchen. She knew that the children will only wake up much later, even Lumy was a late sleeper. Bertie will probably be down soon, the smell of the coffee usually wakes him, and as predicted Bertie appeared in the kitchen.
Bertie: Morning Tamsie Pamsie, had a good night's rest?
Tamsie: Morning Bertie Smertie, yes I had. It truly is wonderful if Lumy doesn't wake up.

The Honeybear couple took their usual spots on the sofa chairs and enjoyed the first rays of sun and chatted about the day ahead and the week that has passed.

After coffee Bertie started with preparing breakfast and Tamsie went upstairs to woke the kids. Not only were they awake but also dressed, little Katy helped her sister, and as soon as Tamsie appeared they announced that they were very hungry.

They Honeybears sat down at the dining room table and enjoyed a delicious breakfast made by their father.
Katy: Thank you, daddy. Breakfast is delicious. I love this bunny shaped hashbrowns.
Bertie: It is a pleasure my dear.What about you Lumy? Enjoying yours?
Lumy (chewing loudly): Yes, it is nice, thank you.
Tamsie: I'm glad you like it, but Lumy please chew with your mouth closed.

After breakfast Tamsie cleared the table and the kids quickly ran upstairs to brush their teeth. Both Diggory and Katy have play dates scheduled for that morning. Diggory will go fishing with his best pal, Gromwell Cottontail and his dad. And Bertie will take Katy to Beechwood Hall to play with little Nellie Trunk.

Lumy was a bit upset that she had to stay home with her mother, but Tamsie promised her that if she behaved for and hour or so, they will go out to the park and they can stop by the Renard house to pick up her best friend, Carrie. This seemed to soothe Lumy who went upstairs to find something to play with.

Tamsie pulled the books of the bakery closer and began working diligently on the accounts. As she progressed she got more and more worried. Things didn't look good, they were not in trouble but the business isn't really growing, it is as if it has just stabilised at where it was and that wasn't good. She will somehow have to break the news to Bertie tonight. She sighed and gathered her journals.

Tamsie was just about to clear the table and get Lumy ready for their outing when there was a knock on the door. It was Kenneth Furbanks.

Tamsie invited him in.

Tamsie: Good morning Kenneth. To what do I owe this visit.

Kenneth: Morning, not much, or well there is something I would like to discuss with you and Bertie, but I assume he is not home.

Tamsie: Unfortunately not, he just took Katy out to Beechwood Hall. But why not sit down and have a quick cup of coffee, I was just about to make one for myself.
Kenneth: I will never say no to that. Thank you.
And while little Lumy asked Kenneth all kinds of "why" questions, Tamsie put the kettle on.

Tamsie served the coffee and apologised for the mess on the table.

Tamsie: I was just doing our monthly accounts, and times are so though.

Kenneth: Tell me about it. What is frustrating are all these people interested in moving to the Village but then I have to either turn them away or offer them some small room in the Commune or the alternative option is to offer them a room in a house of one of the current villagers.

Tamsie: Oh yes you mean like the Darwin family moving in with Fliss and Wilbur.

Kenneth: Yes that is what I mean.

Kenneth obviously had a plan, which was a bit sly, but it soon became apparent that he visited Tamsie at exactly the right moment, and that alot of convincing might not even be necessary.

Tamsie: So Kenneth, has there recently been any potential new residents that is looking for a place to stay?

Kenneth: Dear Tamsie there always are. Why? Would you be interested in offering a room?

Tamsie: I guess we can just as well, currently Lumy sleeps in the small attic room, but if we clear away all the storage boxes we can easily transform it into a bigger room.

Kenneth: So can I put your name down as potential leasers? 

Tamsie: Oh no, I must first discuss this with Bertie, I will never do something without talking to him, but I will let you know.

Kenneth was satisfied with the answer he got, and was relieved that he will soon be able to let the Brightfields know that he indeed have a place for them to stay. The question is if they will be happy with the arrangements.
Kenneth: Thank you for the lovely cup of coffee and do let me know what you and Bertie decided.
Tamsie: That is my pleasure, do pop in again if you want to and I will let you know as soon as I have spoken to Bertie.
Kenneth: Oh and Tamsie, I'm not sure if you've heard but two new babies were added to our little village this morning.
Tamsie: Really! That is great news, but who...?

Back on the other side of the village things has settled down again.

At the clinic Myriam was exhausted. She looked at the clock, it was only 12:00, though it felt like 17:00.

That morning even before Dr Fisher could pour Myriam her cup of coffee a bewildered Sydney came running toward the clinic, shouting that Mona was ready to deliver little Joe. Dr Fisher left Myriam in charge at the clinic and sped off with the wheelchair and Sydney panting behind him.

When Schroeder and Sydney returned with Mona, they where surprised to find Margaret and Pete there ... with new baby Halley. Apparently Margaret just couldn't wait and Myriam had to help deliver the little one.

After checking and making sure both babies and their mothers were doing fine, Dr Schroeder decided to give Myriam the afternoon off. Isabel Fisher 's 6th sense told her that she was needed at the clinic, and she also insisted that Myriam can leave and that she will help her husband till closing time.

Myriam was thankful for this sudden windfall and what better way to spend an afternoon off than at the park with the kids.