a pinch of homestead

North Pole Gazette
Sparkly Sprinkles

**Special Announcement**

Santa and Mrs. Clause announced the beginning of a new program sponsored by the North Pole. Known to only a select few, a Beta Test for the Elves of Christmas program was going on right under the radar of holiday cheer! 

“It was a fun time!” Nim, one of the beta testers, told the Gazette. 

“Mistakes were made,” Smarti, who will be in charge of the training program, said. “The Book will have a lot of updates before next season. I’ll see to it.”

The program was deemed a success on Christmas Eve when each elf set up a nativity scene leaving a poem and reminding all of the true meaning of Christmas. 

After several name changes…Merry Misfits, Yuletide Tricksters, and my personal favorite “Tinsel Terrors”, Santa and Mrs. Claus finally landed on an appropriate name. It is my pleasure and honor to formally introduce the new…Mischief Makers! 

Interested in joining the program? Stop by Mrs. Claus’ kitchen for a Candy Cane Cocoa to apply.

Click here to start from the beginning!

Pepper buzzed with excitement. It had been a whirlwind season filled with laughter, creativity, and just a smidge of chaos—and she had one final surprise planned for Frannie.

With Lucile by her side, Pepper had spent the day crafting a gift that would capture their best adventure yet. Lucile’s energy was contagious, as always, her leaps and spins inspiring Pepper to make the gift as special as possible.

Finally, the gift was ready: a magical “Snow Globe of Fun.” Inside, a tiny Lucile was caught mid-leap over a miniature, overflowing bathtub, surrounded by splashes of vibrant blue water. It was their most unforgettable escapade—Swamp vs Lagoon—perfectly preserved in a shimmering globe.

Pepper placed the snow globe on Frannie’s nightstand with a satisfied grin. “This should remind Frannie of all the fun we had this season,” she said.

Lucile tilted her head, studying the globe. “It’s a good thing Frannie’s parents forgave us for turning the bathroom into a lagoon.”

Pepper burst into laughter. “And for the towels we soaked trying to clean up!”

Lucile gave an exaggerated shrug, her stitched-on antlers wobbling dramatically. “Worth it! We made quite the splash—literally.”

Pepper chuckled, her heart full. “Lucile, you’ve made this season unforgettable. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Lucile leaned in, giving Pepper a playful nudge. “Oh, Pepper, don’t be so modest. The fun? The plans? That was all you. I was just here for the ride—and the occasional cannonball.”

As they shared one last laugh, a warm glow filled the room. The magic of the season was reaching its crescendo. Lucile began to shimmer softly, her lively movements slowing. Bit by bit, her vibrant form turned into soft fabric and delicate stitches.

Pepper watched as Lucile transformed, her smile bittersweet but bright. She reached out, gently placing Lucile—now a perfectly huggable stuffed giraffalope—on Frannie’s bed.

“Goodbye, Lucile,” Pepper said softly, her voice full of warmth.

Click here to start from the beginning!

Flaky stood in the living room, staring at the scene Gretyl had arranged. Toy dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes were lined up in two neat rows, with a plush T-Rex towering in the center.

“It’s a dinosaur chicken fight!” Gretyl announced proudly.

Flaky blinked. “A…what now?”

“You climb onto the T-Rex, I’ll hop on the Stegosaurus, and we’ll see who can knock the other off first!”

Flaky groaned. “This sounds dangerous.”

“Flaky, come on,” Gretyl coaxed. “It’s our last big adventure of the season! Remember how much fun the zipline was?”

Flaky hesitated but eventually sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Fine. But if this ends with frosting on the curtains again, I’m blaming you.”

Gretyl and Flaky each scrambled onto their respective dinosaur steeds. The T-Rex wobbled slightly as Flaky climbed aboard, her arms wrapped tightly around its plush neck.

“This is absurd,” Flaky muttered, but there was a flicker of excitement in her voice.

Gretyl, already perched confidently on the Stegosaurus, yelled, “Charge!”

The two dinosaurs lumbered toward each other with Gretyl energetically bouncing and Flaky cautiously gripping the T-Rex’s head. The toys collided with a soft thunk. Flaky nearly toppled off.

“Not bad for a snow elf!” Gretyl teased.

“Don’t underestimate me,” Flaky shot back, loosening her grip and leaning into the fun.

Their laughter echoed through the room as the battle escalated. But as Gretyl lunged for a final dramatic blow, her Stegosaurus tilted sideways, knocking over a line of toy dinosaurs like dominoes. The chain reaction sent the T-Rex sprawling, and Flaky tumbled to the floor in a heap of laughter and dinosaurs.

“Uh-oh,” Gretyl said, surveying the scene. 

Flaky’s laughter faded as she sat up, looking at the mess. “Uh-oh indeed.”

Gretyl plopped down beside Flaky. “Come on, Flakes, it’s not that bad.”

Flaky sighed, readjusting her hat. “I wanted to end the season on a high note, not a catastrophic one.”

Gretyl placed a hoof on Flaky’s shoulder. “You know, messes aren’t the end of the world. We’ll reset the stage before Sabine gets up.”

Flaky hesitated, then gave a small grin. “You’re right. It was fun.”

Flaky sighed happily as she looked out the window at the softly falling snow. This season might have been messy, but it had been the best kind of messy.

“Alright, Gretyl. Let’s re-set the scene.” But when she turned back to the room she found the scene already set. And there, standing in the lineup of toy dinosaurs, was Gretyl. Her playful expression forever stitched on her face.

She was posed perfectly, as if ready for the next round of their game. One hoof rested on the Stegosaurus, her head tilted slightly as if to say, “What’s next, Flaky?”

Flaky chuckled softly and climbed onto the T-Rex. “Goodbye, Gretyl.”

Click here to start from the beginning!

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The rhythmic sound of Slinkys clattering down the staircase filled the quiet house as Nim crouched at the top step, lining up yet another brightly colored coil.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Leonard the giraffalope asked, one plush hoof tapping the ground nervously.

Nim grinned, his excitement uncontainable. “A good idea? No. A great idea? Absolutely! Trust m e, Leonard, this is going to be amazing!”

Leonard tilted his head. “Amazing? Or catastrophic?”

Nim waved him off. “Tomato, tomahto.” He gave the Slinky a gentle nudge, sending it tumbling down the steps. “See? Perfectly safe.”

Leonard sighed but couldn’t resist the playful glint in Nim’s eyes. “Fine. Let’s race.”

Moments later, Nim and Leonard cheered as coils bounced and clattered, each trying to outpace the other.

“Go, green one! Go!” Nim hollered, leaning over the banister.

“Blue’s taking the lead!” Leonard countered, his hooves tapping in excitement.

But then…disaster struck. One particularly springy Slinky veered off course, ricocheting off the banister and knocking over a precariously balanced toy tower at the bottom of the stairs. The tumbling toys set off a domino effect, sending blocks, stuffed animals, and action figures scattering across the living room.

Nim froze, his hands still in mid-cheer. Leonard’s button eyes widened in mock horror. For a moment, the two stared at the chaos in silence.

Then Nim snorted. Leonard let out a wheezy laugh. And before long, both were doubled over in uncontrollable giggles.

“Okay,” Nim managed between laughs, wiping a tear from his eye. “Maybe not one of our finer moments.”

“No,” Leonard agreed. “But definitely one of the most fun.”

As their laughter faded, Nim sank onto the bottom step, surveying the mess with a wistful smile. “This has been a blast. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner for my first season in the Elves of Christmas program.”

Leonard climbed up beside him, his movements slower, more deliberate than usual. “Right back at you, Nim. You’ve got a good heart. Maybe a bit too much energy…and sugar…but a good heart.”

Nim chuckled, then noticed Leonard’s vibrant fur seemed a little less bright, his movements less animated. His smile faded and he let out a long, heavy sigh. “Oh Leonard, this is it, isn’t it?

Leonard nudged Nim’s arm gently. “Cheer up, Nim. I’ve done my job, and it’s time for me to rest. But before I go, there’s something you should know.”

Nim leaned in, his brows furrowing. “What is it?”

“Lil’s assigned kids, Issabella and Cheyenne? They’re Joe and Jake’s cousins.”

Nim’s jaw dropped. “No way! How do you know that?”

Leonard smirked. “Giraffalope intuition.”

Nim shook his head, marveling at this bit of news.

“I’ll miss you, Leonard,” Nim said softly.

“I’ll miss you too, Nim. But you’ll be fine. Just keep being you. And maybe ease up on the maple syrup, yeah?”

Nim chuckled. “No promises.”

As the first light of dawn crept through the windows, Leonard gave Nim one last, proud smile. Then, with a gentle shimmer of magic, he stilled, his plush form slumping slightly as he transformed back into a simple stuffed giraffalope.

“Goodbye, Leonard.”

Click here to start from the beginning!

Smarti adjusted his tiny clipboard and surveyed the living room. Every detail had been carefully accounted for: garland hung at even intervals, stockings perfectly aligned, and the lights on the tree blinking in an exact sequence of red, green, and gold. He nodded in satisfaction, flipping to his next page of notes.

“Now, the farewell gesture,” he muttered. “A simple craft, something orderly and meaningful. Perhaps a scrapbook highlighting Eric’s achievements this year.”

“A scrapbook? Seriously?” Harold’s deep, jovial voice echoed from the corner. The giraffalope trotted forward, a tangle of tinsel draped over one antler and a string of popcorn caught on his hoof. “That’s so boring. Why not build something fun, like a race track for Eric’s toy cars? I could help make ramps!”

Smarti frowned, tapping his pen against the clipboard. “Harold, a farewell is not about frivolity. It should be organized and heartfelt. A race track will just create more chaos.”

“Not if we do it right!” Harold grinned. “Come on, Smarti. Let loose for once! Have some fun!”

“Fun?” Smarti bristled. “This isn’t about me. It’s about setting a good example for Eric who, I might add, is finally off the naughty list. Order and precision are essential.”

Harold tilted his head, his usual cheer dimming slightly. “You know, Smarti, sometimes it’s okay to loosen the reins. Eric doesn’t need perfection in order to stay off the naughty list.”

Smarti opened his mouth to argue but stopped. He glanced at Harold, the giraffalope’s gentle tone striking a chord. “I… I suppose there’s more than one way to leave an impression.”

“Exactly!” Harold beamed, stepping closer. “So, how about we mix our ideas? A scrapbook with some interactive elements. Maybe a pop-up race track on one page?”

Smarti rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Interactive… that could work. But no glitter. Glitter is chaos incarnate.”

“Deal,” Harold said, holding out a hoof. They shook on it.

The two worked late into the night, crafting a farewell gift that was the perfect mix Smarti’s precision and Harold’s playfulness with fold-out surprises and movable parts. Harold even managed to sneak in a small car ramp on the final page.

As they finished, Smarti sat back and sighed. “You know, Harold, this isn’t what I envisioned, but… it feels right.”

“Told you,” Harold said with a wink. “You just needed to loosen up a bit.”

Smarti’s gaze drifted to his clipboard, now lying forgotten on the table. “Harold, can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” Harold replied, settling onto the floor beside him.

“Do you think…” Smarti hesitated. “Do you think I’m too rigid for this program?”

Harold’s eyes softened. “I think you’re great at what you do, Smarti. But, if I may be so bold, you don’t seem to really enjoy it.”

Smarti sighed. “I enjoy parts of it. When an activity comes together as planned, when Eric follows instructions I’ve left, when I make entries into The Book. That is my kind of fun.”

Harold’s eyes lit with a sudden idea. “Smarti, maybe there’s a way for you to be part of this program in a different way.”

Smarti nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Perhaps Santa could use someone to refine the Instruction Manual. I’ve noticed quite a few areas that could use clarification.”

Harold laughed. “That sounds like you. And you’d be amazing at it.”

As the first rays of dawn crept into the room, Harold stretched, his movements slower than usual. Smarti’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the way Harold’s vibrant coat seemed just a bit duller.

“Harold,” Smarti said softly. “Are you…?”

Harold nodded, a serene smile on his face. “It’s time, Smarti.”

Smarti swallowed hard, his usual composure faltering. “I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Smarti,” Harold said. “But you’re going to do great things. Just promise me one thing.”

“Don’t force Eric to read another book on good behavior?”

“No, don’t forget to have a little fun now and then.”

Smarti chuckled softly. “I’ll try.”

By the time Eric woke up, the fun, and organized, scrapbook sat on the dining room table. Harold stood beside it, now just a plain old stuffed giraffalope.

Smarti watched from his hiding spot, a bittersweet smile on his face. “Goodbye, Harold.”

Click here to start from the beginning!

Nim paced back and forth in the living room, chewing on his fingernails. His face was flushed, and his normally jolly demeanor was replaced by pure panic.

“Help! It’s Joe’s birthday tomorrow!” he blurted out, throwing his hands in the air.

Within moments, and seemingly out of nowhere, the Elves of Christmas assembled. Lil stood by, eager to get started. Pepper practically bounced in place, radiating enthusiasm. Flaky twirled on her toes with an airy smile. Smarti had already pulled out a notebook and pen, ready to take charge.

Nim’s eyes rounded. “H-How…?”

“Emergency protocol,” said Smarti, his tone clipped and efficient. “Santa and Mrs. Claus set it up in case of an emergency. This counts. What’s the plan?” 

Nim quickly shook his head and moaned. “That’s the problem! I don’t have one! We have to do something amazing, but there can’t be any messes, chaos, or—”

“Messes?!” Flaky interrupted, her eyes sparkling with an idea. “What if we create an indoor snowstorm and—”.

“No!” Nim said, cutting her off before she could finish. “Absolutely no messes.”

Lil piped up. “We need to bake a cake! A birthday isn’t complete without one.”

“Organized fun is essential,” Smarti added, jotting a few notes on his clipboard. “We’ll create a detailed schedule of events.”

“Oh, let’s make a balloon arch!” Pepper exclaimed, clapping her hands. “I saw one on Sprite-a-gram. It was perfectly whimsical!”

Flaky raised her hand timidly. “Um, I could set up a zipline. Gretyl taught me.”

“Wait!” Nim shouted, throwing his arms wide. “No ziplines, no chaos, and no snowstorms!” He paused, his voice dropping to a panicked whisper. “We need to keep this clean, simple, and disaster-free.”

For a moment, all was silent. The elves glanced at one another, unsure of what to suggest next.

And then:

“The boys both love snowball fights!” Leonard the Giraffalope’s cheerful voice broke the stillness as he trotted into the room.

Nim spun around, his face a mixture of disbelief and horror. “How could you? I just said no messes!”

But it was too late. At being given permission to make a birthday mess, the elves’ faces lit up with excitement.

“A snowball fight!” Pepper squealed. “That’s perfect!”

Flaky clapped her hands. “I can whip up a blizzard in no time!”

“No!” Nim shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the flurry of activity.

Within minutes, the living room was transformed. 

Flaky conjured a miniature blizzard, blanketing the room in sparkling, fluffy snow. 

Lacking balloons, Pepper set up a snow-white arch made of toilet paper rolls, which doubled as a bunker. 

Smarti marked out the snowball “battle zones” with string and made rules for the game (though no one was paying attention to him). 

Lil shaped perfectly round snowballs, stacking them into neat piles.

Leonard gleefully tied a balloon to each antler. “This is going to be epic!”

Nim sat on the couch, head in his hands. “This is the opposite of clean and simple,” he muttered.

“Relax, Nim,” Pepper said, tossing a snowball into the air and catching it.

Just then, the clock chimed softly—Joe and his family were waking up.

“Everybody freeze!” Nim hissed.

The elves and Leonard dove for cover, leaving the living room looking like a winter wonderland. Snow glittered in the morning light, and the birthday decorations gleamed with festive cheer.

As the family wandered into the room, gasping with delight, Nim let out a small sigh of relief. Maybe—just maybe—it hadn’t been a total disaster.