Starry Sky Taurus Constellation Activity

This is a new Constellation Activity. You receive one Wand each day to activate a Star.  If you are willing to pay 2 RC, you can activate another.

What is interesting and unique about the Starry Sky Activities, is that you can use the arrows to scroll back to the ones from the past if you wish to perform one of those instead if you missed it originally.  You can do this only while this activity remains active, however.

Note from Freyashawk:  A thousand thanks to the many farmers who sent votes to HM. Freyashawk and allowed the farm to place 10th in the Farm Beauty Contest.  I know it requires a conscious decision and choice and I am grateful!

You can activate the following in any order.  I am doing them from the far left to right and then circling round.

Note that the still current Easter Bunny Gig Quest is available below this post and here is a link:

Easter Bunny Gig Quest

Secrets of Taurus:

Part 1:

Felicia:  People born from 20 April to 20 May are Taurus.  There are 12 Constellations that correlate to the signs of the Zodiac.  Do you believe in Astronomy, Farmer?

Harvest 50 Pasture
  Skip for 12 RC

Collect 20 Eggs
  Skip for 5 RC

Prepare 8 Apple Milkshake
  Skip for 8 RC

  Each requires 1 Milk and 1 Apple Juice

Rewards: 1500 Coins, 150 XP

Felicia:  The symbol of Taurus is a Bull. Be aware that, like a Bull, Taurus can be very unpredictable.

Part 2:

Felicia:  Did you know that the planet that corresponds with Taurus is Venus?  It's the planet of Love, Beauty, Satisfaction and Gratitude.  These tender characteristics make people born under the sign of Taurus great cooks, gardeners, lovers, and artists.

Collect 20 Goose Feathers
  Skip for 5 RC

Process 6 Gulfweed in the Seafood House
  Skip for 6 RC

Craft 6 Clay Facial Masks in the Beauty Shop
  Skip for 6 RC

  Each requires 2 Algae Powder, 1 Batter and 1 Distilled Water and takes 5 minutes to complete but task counts as soon as item enters slot.

Reward: 1500 Coins, 150 XP

Felicia:  People born under this sign are loyal, and have an eye for beauty.  Being a Taurus would be great, don't you think?

Part 3

Felicia:  Unlike bulls, we should not see Taurus individuals as tough or rough people.  They are patient and level-headed.  They can make those near them feel calm and relaxed.

Produce 12 Glasses of Apple Juice
  Skip for 12 RC

Produce 20 bottles of Buffalo Milk
  Skip for 10 RC

Cook 3 Macaroni and Cheese in the Stove House
  Skip for 6 RC

Reward: 1500 Coins, 150 XP

Felicia:  On the other hand, they can be stubborn and get frustrated when things do not go as they planned!

Part 4:

Felicia:  A Taurus is committed to completing other tasks and being there for the others.  It's what makes them excellent friends, partners and employees.  They are both practical and responsible, which makes them good with money as well.

Collect 25 Turkeys
  Skip for 5 RC

Produce 6 Turkey Burgers
  SKip for 6 RC

Produce 6 bottles of Ketchup
  Skip for 6 RC

Reward: 1500 Coins, 150 XP

Felicia:  Some people say they earn more money than those born under different signs.  I wonder if that is true.

Part 5:

Felicia:  When speaking of their loved ones, a Taurus can appear possessive.  Jealousy and resentment can dominate and cause problems, but the truth is that they care about the people who are important to them.

Collect 20 bottles of Milk
  Skip for 10 RC

Prepare 6 jars of Honey Syrup
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each requires 2 Honey and 2 Milk

Produce 6 Raisin Chocolates
  Skip for 6 RC

Reward: 1500 Coins, 150 XP

Felicia:  All they want is to protect their loved ones and make certain they have the honesty and consistency they deserve in any relationship.

Part 6:

Felicia:  A Taurus sees material pleasures and rewards as an actual means to build a sense of self-value.  Their jobs allow them to lead life to the fullest.

Produce 20 bundles of Wool
  Skip for 10 RC

Produce 20 Angora Hair
  Skip for 10 RC

Craft 3 Red Cord Necklaces in the Beauty Shop
  Skip for 3 RC
  Each requires 1 Angora Hair, 1 Wool and 2 Red Roses, task taking 3 minutes to complete but counting as soon as item enters slot

Reward: 1500 Coins, 150 XP

Felicia:  They love to indulge themselves with gourmet food and luxury goods.  As generous people, they tend to share with those they love.

Part 7:

A Taurus is patient and devoted, able to wait patiently until decisions pay off.  If a Taurus wants something, he or she will do whatever is required to achieve that goal, leaving no room for distractions.

Harvest 20 Clover
  Skip for 5 RC

Prepare 6 plates of Custard
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each requires 3 Milk and 2 Eggs

Produce 20 loaves of Black Bread
  Skip for 5 RC

Reward: 1500 Coins, 150 XP

Felicia:  As a result, a Taurus is considered one of the most reliable signs in the Zodiac!

Final Reward: Taurus Statue for Seaside Farm

Exclusive Store, new items
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The items that are placed in the Exclusive Store on your own farm depend on your Country Club Level.  Maximum Level now is 15.  The Exclusive Store is the second tab in the 'Mystery' half of the Market.  There are three new items available:

Exclusive Pet Hat: 15 RC
  This actually is a good investment, compared with the other hats available from the Pet House menu.  It is a permanent piece of apparel that can be worn by ANY Pet of either gender and it will count, therefore, in the Farm Beauty Contests.

Exclusive Friendship Flower: 5 RC
  This flower will give 300 TC and 10 Power to both farmers when crossbred.  Not certain how good of an investment it is.  After all, you can convert RC to TC, but you cannot convert TC to RC.  Country Club Level 10 required.

Exclusive Decoration: 500000 Coins
  This is a cleanable decoration that gives a Purple Gift Box when cleaned.

On Being a Good Neighbour

Here is a link to the current 11 day Easter Quest:

Easter Bunny Gig Quest and Egg Collection Mission

Here is a link to the current Farm Beauty Contest Quest:

Easter Fortune Farm Beauty Contest

Here is a link to the new Seaside Plot Expansions:

Seaside Plot Expansions Requirements

Dear friends and fellow farmers,

I have been playing Family Farm Seaside almost from the day it was released, and through the years, I have noticed some positive changes but some very negative ones as well, especially in terms of the attitudes of players towards their neighbours and friends.  These negative attitudes actually are fostered, probably unintentionally, by the changes in the game itself, but they must be addressed.

The most negative change, in my opinion, is the expectation that EVERY farmer will visit EVERY neighbour on a daily basis.  The game rewards a farmer who makes a visit to a neighbour with cleaning gift boxes, Coins and XP (Experience Points) and, if the Neighbour has dishes in his/her Cooking Stand, a Cooking Stand Bag, provided always you have not exceeded your daily allowance in terms of how many Cooking Stand Bags you can collect.

That being the case, YOU receive rewards when YOU visit Neighbours.  If your Neighbours have invested real money in the game by purchasing premium Decorations, you will receive the BEST Cleaning Gift Boxes that can be obtained.  Your XP increases, your Coin totals will increase... why should this not be sufficient?

Family Farm Seaside was created as a farming simulation game.  In other words, the primary activity should be undertaken on your own farm.  Many people begin to play the game as a welcome temporary escape from real problems and issues in life, including terminal illnesses.  When their neighbours place pressure on them to make visits to THEIR farms, it ultimately can cause the player to quit the game completely, especially if he/she does not have the same amount of time, or wi-fi access that another player has.

We have lost far too many wonderful farmers in the past year especially due to social pressure placed on them by their neighbours.  As I mentioned before, this is partly the fault of the game, giving added inducements to make visits.  On the other hand, they now provide Batch Cleaning tickets that allow farmers to 'visit' a number of players without actually leaving their own farms.  The Batch Cleaning does not appear to function properly where the host farm is concerned.  I still use only 5 tickets at a time, as I have found that often any use of more causes a situation where the farms I visit do not see the results of my 'virtual' pet visit, nor reap the benefits of reciprocal cleaning boxes.  On the other hand, farmers should not try to pressure their neighbours into actual visits.

The game has become so large that for many devices, loading is a lengthy and slow process.  Glitches occur frequently.  Please do not make the game MORE difficult for your neighbours by trying to 'guilt' them into visits that they cannot make.

I was contacted by a wonderful woman some time ago who loved the game and used my site extensively.  She was one of the most enthusiastic players I have encountered in a long time.  Yesterday, I received a message from her as follows:  'I'm tired of the added stress of trying to keep buddies happy when I can't visit each day, and letting people down... is why I had to leave the last community.  I could not keep up with weekly tasks, so I am by myself again.  I used to play in doctor's office waiting rooms,  but don't even want to go back to them... just struggling so much right now.'

We are losing too many mid-level farmers, and even high level farmers who cannot cope with the influx of new options and added 'responsibilities and duties', whether it is the Community tasks or the onerous job of visiting 300+ neighbours on a daily basis.  Buddy demands can be even worse.  I am fortunate to have Buddies who never criticise me if I cannot visit daily, who continue to work with me as we both deal with our real life problems as well as the game.  Most of my 15 Buddies have been with me since the Buddy option was introduced.  A couple of these are inactive periodically because of medical issues.  I would no more consider deleting them than deleting myself from this game.

It is a GAME, farmers.  It is a farming game.  The number of compassionate, wonderful individuals I have met through the years far outweighs the short-sighted selfish gamers who make incessant demands and complaints about their neighbours' lack of visits and so on in Chat.  I know most of them probably do not even think about the emotional effect of their words on their neighbours.  Please, please consider the fact that every player has a different set of circumstances, whether in terms of the device used to play or his or her REAL life.   Try to encourage rather than discourage other players.  Try to understand every one has limitations of one kind or another.

In real terms, the most important goals in the game, in my opinion, are to obtain as many decorations as possible that are cleanable.  You can obtain Gold Box Decorations from the Cooking Stand Contests.  The Reward Decoration that is obtained with 4000 Votes is important.  The Avatar at 6000 is of little consequence really in comparison, so if you are a new farmer or lower level farmer, simply try to obtain a total from the four characters that will give you an ultimate total of 4000.  This can be done with a daily total lower than 190 from all four Characters.  The Reward Decoration is always a theme item in the following year...

The timed 11 day quests give you a final Decoration for Seaside that gives a Purple Gift Box.  Recently these Decorations have been featured in the current Beauty Contests so try to complete these Quests even if you do it from the Lighthouse after the time period expires.

Addendum:  I recently saw some game chat that mentioned HM. Freyashawk and questioned why any one should vote for my farm.  No, you have no obligation whatsoever, but it can take me up to four hours to write out a new post for any new option in the game.  That is NOT the amount of time it might take a very high level farmer to complete the Quest that is being logged, but it is the time it takes to write about it in detail with strategy tips, and to compile a Crop List and Batch Production List.  I always try to do the work myself, even if one of my administrators sends me information from her own Dutch group.  That sometimes allows me to complete initial Crop and Batch Production lists in advance of completing the actual question.  The exception is some of the untimed quests that were logged by another wonderful administrator, Kaye.  When she logs the quest, she is given credit for it, of course.

My site has information about every aspect of the game, representing over five years of voluntary, unpaid labour.  Obviously there are other resources and if you prefer those, fair enough.  I try to help farmers with the Farm Beauty Contests by sharing tips on how to maximise the Character votes.  Farmers vote for their buddies and friends... but there is a point where most players reach 6000 votes.  For 99% of farms, any votes above 6000 are simply wasted.  I only ask for votes for HM. Freyashawk because it is linked to this site, to a game help resource, and especially since I have had some serious health issues, it can make non-neighbours aware that I continue to be active, when HM. Freyashawk ranks in the top 10.  That having been said, I am deeply grateful for those farmers who do send their votes to my farm, repeatedly and loyally and I will try to keep the site updated for their sake and the sake of new farmers as well as any farmer who feels my posts help him or her.

As any Farm Beauty Contest nears the end, it becomes a struggle to rank in the top 10.... at this point, HM. Freyashawk has dropped, and any extra votes, if your buddies and other friends have reached their goals, are much appreciated.

A final note about the Farm Beauty Contest:  if you care about the rewards, you need to invest in some decorations.  That does not necessarily mean that you must buy the premium decorations, although it is the easiest way to maximise theme.  Make an effort, however, to maximise your farm's Character votes by having as many of the Theme items as possible.  Some always are rewards for prior Quests that often can be accessed from the Lighthouse.  Others appear in the Lucky Wheel.  You do need to log into the game every day during the contest to collect your votes as well.

Easter Bunny Gig Quest and Easter Egg Collection Mission

(Above, Easter Eggs from the Ukraine and a Limoges Box)

QUEST NOW COMPLETE

A new 11 day quest has been released in tandem with a Collection Mission that has as its reward a 'Collectable' in the form of a Fava Beans Pot.

70 Green Eggs from Oat
50 Blue Eggs from Eggs
30 Purple Eggs from Wheat Bread
10 Red Eggs from Red Pear

Reward: Fava Beans Pot

When you place the Fava Beans Pot, you instantly receive 12 Fava Beans.  It then takes 4 hours to produce.

Crop List
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40 Corn
40 Clover
40 Carrots
40 Strawberries
40 Wheat
40 Spinach
50 Garlic (Island)
50 Onions
50 Red Bell Peppers
50 Rice
60 Blue Roses
60 Zucchini (Island)
60 Flax (Island)
60 Tea Plants (Island)

Batch Production List
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40 Beef
40 Milk
40 Duck Eggs
40 Buffalo Milk
60 Beef Salami
60 Blue Rose Bouquets
60 Linen (Island)
60 Dried Zucchini (Island)
8 Tea Tree Essential Oil (Island)

Other special Items:  You will need the Pilaf Recipe

Pilaf:
  Ingredients: 2 Beef, 2 Carrots, 1 Wheat, 1 Garlic, 1 Red Bell Pepper
  Requires 6 Power
  40 seconds maximum, but can be completed in 27 seconds
  Place all ingredients in skillet, setting timer for 27 seconds, then tap 'Finish' when Bronze Star activates.

Strategy Tips:  Farmers, especially at lower levels, should activate the Monkey Boost to decrease OP.  You have 11 days to complete the Quest, so it is only if you wish to do so as quickly as possible that you should avoid the following:  Do NOT collect all Pet Chests, do NOT cast a Net and do NOT tend flowers in the Botanic Garden, as all of these are included in tasks in the traditional Quest sequence.

A special thanks to Anne of Family Farm Seaside Freyashawk for her help always with our group and discussing all the new options in the game.

Note from Freyashawk
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I have been playing this game almost from its inception and began to publish the strategy guide for it almost as soon as I became involved in the game.  If you find my site helpful, please consider voting for HM. Freyashawk in the Farm Beauty Contest.  I struggle to rank in the top 10 nowadays.  So many of my old neighbours no longer play the game.  I receive no pay for the site, nor do I wish to be paid, but voting for HM. Freyashawk does show me that players appreciate the work I do.

It is in order to rank in the top 10 that I ask for your votes.  I write a post each time there is a new Beauty Contest to help farmers receive enough votes from the four Characters to obtain the rewards.  Rank, however, requires votes from neighbours, and one needs at least 10,000 by the end of the contest to rank in the top 10.  Why is this important?  Well, it is important to me, because of name recognition, to let other players know that the site remains active.  It is important as well because it is a measure of sorts as to how useful the guide still is.  It takes me at least three hours, and sometimes more, to create a comprehensive post for one of these 11 day quests.  Players can complete the Quest in a shorter span of time.  It is logging everything that takes MORE time.  I use double OP and both weather and fertilisers to speed harvests and batch production in order to complete the Quest information as quickly as possible.  My posts are based on my own game experience.  I cannot feel comfortable with information given by another player for the most part, so I must go through everything myself.

Exceptions to this are some of the untimed quests that were logged by trusted administrators and in those cases, they have been credited with the post.

Most importantly, I wish to thank every player who has voted for HM. Freyashawk.

Easter Bunny Gig Quest
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Easter Bunny Gig 1
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Easter Bunny:  Greetings, farmer!  Good to see you!  What, you don't recognise me?  This isn't the first time we have met!

Harvest 40 Corn
  Skip for 10 RC

Harvest 40 Clover
  Skip for 10 RC

Collect 20 jars of Honey
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 160 XP

Easter Bunny:  Of course!  I am wearing a special outfit now, which confuses you.

Easter Bunny Gig 2
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Easter Bunny:  It is I, Farmer!  The Angora Rabbit.  Ehh, I know I look different in this costume.  Why am I wearing it, you ask?

Produce 40 Beef
  Skip for 10 RC

Collect 40 Bottles of Milk
  Skip for 10 RC

Collect 40 Duck Eggs
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 160 XP

Easter Bunny:  It's Easter and rabbits have a special task each year... to become the Easter Bunny!

Easter Bunny Gig 3
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Easter Bunny:  Yes, we are regular Angora rabbits all year, but at Easter, we undertake our special task.

Harvest 40 Carrots
  Skip for 10 RC

Prepare 6 Butter
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each requires 1 Milk and 1 Milk

Harvest 40 Strawberries
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 170 Xp

Easter Bunny:  It is fun indeed, my favourite time of year.

Easter Bunny Gig 4
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Easter Bunny:  I have been doing this for awhile now.  I love to be able to bring joy to every family... Darryl is the most excited, but Felicia once could not imagine anything more thrilling than a good egg hunt, and she still enjoys it, I believe.

Harvest 40 Wheat
  Skip for 10 RC

Produce 40 bottles of Buffalo Milk
  Skip for 10 RC

Harvest 40 Spinach
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 170 XP

Easter Bunny:  Nonetheless, I would bet you could not guess the identity of the most excited child who ever lived on the farm!

Special Reward: Mission Gift Box

Easter Bunny Gig 5
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Easter Bunny:  You see, I have played this role for many years.  I remember when Grandma Blair was a child!  I never will forget her face when she found an Easter Egg hidden behind a bush!  It was so adorable!

Harvest 50 Garlic
  Skip for 12 RC

Prepare 6 Sour Cream
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each requires 2 Buffalo Milk and 2 Butter

Harvest 50 Onions
  Skip for 12 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 180 XP

Easter Bunny:  We are supposed to work undercover, but she discovered me once!

Easter Bunny Gig 6
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Easter Bunny:  I will tell you the tale while we hide a few eggs... would you like to help me, Farmer?  Let's begin!  We cannot let any one see us!

Harvest 50 Red Bell Peppers
  Skip for 12 RC

Produce 50 Wheels of Cheddar Cheese
  Skip for 12 RC

Harvest 50 Rice
  Skip for 12 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 180 XP

Easter Bunny:  So let me begin my tale....

Easter Bunny Gig 7
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It was many years ago.  One of my Easter Boots had broken its strap, and it therefore was taking me longer than usual to hide the eggs.  She caught me by the Fava Beans Pot as I was taking a little rest.

Dig 8 Chests on the path
  Skip for 8 RC
  Note that Chests that have been uncovered but not collected yet if done before the task initiates will not count.  The Pet actually has to uncover them while the task is active to be counted.  At least, that was my experience, but game is very glitchy!

Prepare 8 Cottage Cheese
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Cheddar Cheese and 2 Milk

Place a Fava Beans Pot on your Farm
  (Reward from Collections Mission)
  Usually the cost of skipping this task is 10 RC... I had placed mine

Reward: 2500 Coins, 190 XP

Easter Bunny:  I was simply resting my eyes a little, but I must have fallen asleep in the cool shade.

Easter Bunny Gig 8
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Easter Bunny:  I did not see her until she was close, saw me and gasped!  I did not know what to do!  So I did nothing, still beneath the Fava Beans with my Easter basket, wearing only one boot!

Cook 3 Pilafs in the Stove House
  Skip for 10 RC

  Ingredients: 2 Beef, 2 Carrots, 1 Wheat, 1 Garlic, 1 Red Bell Pepper
  Requires 6 Power
  40 seconds maximum, but can be completed in 27 seconds
  Place all ingredients in skillet, setting timer for 27 seconds, then tap 'Finish' when Bronze Star activates.

Fish 8 times with the Squid Hook
  Skip for 8 RC
  N.B.  As always, you can 'Miss' a catch to make your 7 default casts count as 8

Prepare 8 Fava Crown Cakes
  Skip for 8 RC
  This is a new Recipe
  Each requires 1 Fava Bean and 1 Wheat Bread

Rewqrd: 2500 Coins, 190 XP

Easter Bunny:  She was such an energetic child. She simply laughed and ran away.  A few moments later, she returned with my favourite treat: Fruit Platter!

Special Reward: Easter Vase for Darryl's House

Easter Bunny Gig 9
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Easter Bunny:  She had recognised me, of course and understood that I was working undercover.  After I ate the fruit, she helped me fix my boot and I went on my way.  I could not have finished properly without her help!

Harvest 60 Blue Roses
  Skip for 15 RC

Prepare 8 plates of Spinach Salad
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Spinach and 2 Onions

Prepare 8 bowls of Farmer's Salad
  Skip for 8 RC
  This is another new recipe.
  Each requires 1 Fava Bean and 1 Spinach Salad
  N.B.  You can purchase a Fava Bean for 5 TC if your Fava Bean Pot has not produced yet.

Reward: 2500 Coins, 200 XP

Easter Bunny:  Since then, Blair has held a special place in my little bunny's heart.  No one ever has been kinder to me.

Easter Bunny Gig 10
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Easter Bunny:  Let's finish hiding these eggs now before time runs out.  This basket is so full!  Oh no!!!

Harvest 60 Zucchini
  This is an Island Crop
  Skip for 15 RC

Produce 60 Beef Salami
  Skip for 15 RC

Prepare 8 Risotto with Fava
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Fava Bean and 1 Rice
  You can purchase 1 Fava Bean for 5 TC

Easter Bunny:  Oh Farmer!  I dropped the eggs, and they have broken... how will we manage now?

Easter Bunny Gig 11
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Easter Bunny:  All the eggs are crushed, and I do not have any more eggs for this.  What can we do?  We have hidden only a few thus far...

Harvest 60 Flax
  This is an Island Crop
  Skip for 15 RC

Prepare 8 Honey Red Pear Smoothies
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 3 Honey and 1 Red Pear

Harvest 60 Tea Plants
  This is an Island Crop
  Skip for 15 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 210 XP

Easter Bunny:  We cannot linger here, as there is a risk we will be seen.  Let's move towards the Stove House!

Easter Bunny Gig 12
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Once we move away from the house, we can think of a solution... wait!  Some one is coming towards us.  Do you recognise that silhouette, Farmer?

Produce 60 Blue Rose Bouquets
  Skip for 15 RC

Harvest 8 Oak Wood
  Skip for 8 RC
  This is an Island Wood . Tree
  You cannot use watering cans on wood trees, but weather works.  You can use the Electric Saw as well to harvest 2 pieces of wood from each tree.

Harvest 8 Juniper Berries
  Skip for 8 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 210 XP

Easter Bunny:  Could that be Blair?  Oh wow!  Time certainly has passed, but the sound of her laughter is unforgettable!

Special Reward: Island Mission Gift Box

Easter Bunny Gig 13
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Easter Bunny: She passed us and I think she may have seen us... did she turn towards us as she went by?

Produce 60 Linen
  Skip for 15 RC
  This is an Island task

Prepare 8 Juniper Sausage
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Beef Salami and 1 Juniper Berry

Produce 60 Dried Zucchini
  Skip for 15 RC
  This is an Island Task

Reward: 2500 Coins, 220 XP

Easter Bunny:  She appeared to hesitate, but then kept walking...  it was good to see her, though, after all these years.  No Fruit Platter this time!

Easter Bunny Gig 14
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Easter Bunny:  Let's clean up the cracked eggs, and try to find a solution to this awful disaster.  Is there anything we can substitute for eggs, Farmer?

Craft 4 Oil Painting Frames
  Skip for 4 RC
  This is an Island task
  Each requires 2 Linen and 2 Oak Wood and 1 Power

Prepare 8 bowls of Butternut Squash Puree
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Butternut Squash and 1 Sour Cream

Harvest 8 Butternut Squash
  Skip for 8 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 230 XP

Easter Bunny:  Wait!  Is Blair coming towards us?\

Easter Bunny Gig 15
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Easter Bunny:  How wonderful!  She brought a full basket of decorated eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt!  She must have seen the accident!

Process 6 Scallops in the Seafood House
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each takes 3 minutes to complete but task counted as soon as item enters slot

Prepare 8 plates of Butternut Squash Roll Cake
  Skip for 8 RCe
  Each requires 2 Butternut Squash and 3 Cottage Chees

Produce 8 bottles of Tea Tree Essential Oil
  Skip for 8 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 230 XP

Easter Bunny:  She brought us beautiful eggs made from sugar, decorated with flowers.  We can use them for the Egg Hunt!

Easter Bunny Gig 16
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Easter Bunny:  This is the second time Blair has come to the rescue during my Easter Mission.  I could not be more grateful to her.  I will leave her my special boots as a token of thanks.  She appeared to like them a lot!

Craft 6 Pearl Mirrors in the Beauty Shop
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each requires 2 Blue Rose Bouquets, 1 Pearl and 1 Glass.  Takes 32 minutes to complete but task counts as soon as item enters slot

Prepare 8 Butternut Squash Pies
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Butternut Squash Puree and 1 Butternut Squash Roll Cake (You should have both from earlier tasks)

Tend flowers in the Botanic Garden 6 times
  Skip for 6 RC
  This is an Island task

Reward: 2500 Coins, 230 XP

Easter Bunny:  Thanks for your help, Farmer.  Happy Easter to you and to your family!

Special Reward: Easter Boots Decoration for Seaside Farm

Collection Set:
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The Collection Set consists of the three new items:  Fava Beans Pot,  Easter Vase and Easter Boots Decoration.  Register all three before the timer expires to receive a Clam Friendship Flower as well as the usual Rewards of 88 Green Mystrons and 1 RC.

New Expansion Plots in Seaside

(Above, a screenshot of farm with all new Expansions unlocked... this should give you an idea of the amount of actual space you gain along two sides of your farm when all 19 of the new little square numbered plots are unlocked.)

If you have achieved all possible traditional expansions in Seaside, there now are a number of new expansions that are similar to the Building Plots and the Island expansions in some ways.  Unlike Building Area plots, although they are numbered, you can choose the placement of each new expansion.  In other words, although you would begin with Plot 1, you can place it anywhere outside your last expansion.

To perform any expansion, make certain that all three requirements are completed, and then swipe down with the mallet to completee it.

The requirements for each can be found below.

Note from Freyashawk:  After heartwarming response to my plea for support in the Farm Beauty Contest, I now am finding that I once again need to ask neighbours whose friends and buddies have achieved their goals or who will achieve 6000 Votes with their existing daily totals to please send votes to HM. Freyashawk.  My rank has dropped below 10 and it is the last few days of the contest that are critical for rank.

I do appreciate every single vote that is sent to my farm, irrespective of the result, but if you have votes to spare now, and you do still find this site helpful, please consider sending them.

N.B.  I see many players requesting items such as Venison Hotdogs that are required for these plot expansions...  please be advised that, quite annoyingly, the Venison Hotdogs as well as a couple of the other items, are categorised as 'RC items' which means that only 10 of these can be sold by any player in an hour.  They are on hourly timers.

Plot 1:

Upgrade to Level 75

Use 65 Blackberry Yogurt
  (Skip using 3575 TC)

Use 230000 Coins to expand

Plot 2:

Upgrade to Level 75

Use 65 Pork Hot Dog to expand
  (Skip for 6890 TC)

Use 300000 Coins to expand

Plot 3:

Use 65 Kiwi Fruit Bread to expand
  (Skip for 3705 TC)

Required Resort Level: 5

Use 340000 Coins to expand

Plot 4:

Use 65 Blueberry Marshmallows to expand
  (Skip for 1625 TC)

Required Resort Level: 5

Use 369000 Coins to expand

Plot 5:

Required Garden Level: 20

Use 55 Green Bean Flour to expand

Use 391000 Coins to expand

Plot 6:

Required Garden Level: 20

Use 75 Kiwi Yogurt to expand

Use 409000 Coins to expand

Plot 7:

Use 75 Venison Hot Dog to expand
 (Skip for 10125 TC)
  This is an RC item so a neighbour can sell only 10 in an hour

Increase Landscape Points to 5700 Points

Use 425000 Coins to expand

Plot 8:

Use 75 Peach Yogurt to expand
  (Skip using 4875 TC)

Increase Landscape Points to 5700 Points

Use 438000 Coins to expand

Plot 9:

Use 75 Watermelon Yogurt to expand

Upgrade Lab to Level 10

Use 450000 Coins to expand

Plot 10:

Upgrade Lab to Level 10

Use 55 Jello Pudding to expand

Use 461000 Coins to expand

Plot 11:

Use 80 Strawberry Bread to expand

Upgrade Darryl's Furnishing Level to 9

Use 470000 Coins to expand

Plot 12:

Use 80 Camomile Tea to expand

Upgrade Darryl's Furnishing Level to 9

Use 479000 Coins to expand

Plot 13:

Have 6700 Dev Points (On Island)

Use 80 Pineberry Bread to expand
  (Skip using 4960 TC)

Use 487000 Coins to expand

Plot 14:

Have 6700 Dev Points

Use 80 Elderberry Tea to expand
  (Skip for 2960 TC)

Use 494000 Coins to expand

Plot 15:

Have 6700 Dev Points

Use 55 Watermelon Juice to expand
  (Skip using 5500 TC)

Use 501000 Coins to expand

Plot 16:

Use 80 Cinnamon Bread to expand
  (Skip for 4080 TC)

Required Resort Level: 6

Use 508000 Coins to expand

Plot 17:

Use 80 Ice Tea to expand
  (Skip for 3040 TC)

Required Resort Level: 6

Use 514000 Coins to expand

Plot 18:

Use 80 Red Rose Soap to expand
  (Skip for 2000 TC)

Required Resort Level: 6

Use 519000 Coins to expand

Plot 19:

Required Garden Level: 22

Use 95 Honeysuckle Tea to expand
  (Skip for 2565 TC)

Use 525000 Coins to expand

Farm Fellowship II Quest and Crystals Collection Mission

A new 11 day traditional Quest sequence has been released in tandem with a Collection Mission.
Note that the final Reward, the Cute Pegasus, is a Theme item in the new Farm Beauty Contest and is stackable on the new Easter Daisy Base.

 Link to the post for the Beauty Contest:

Easter Fortune Farm Beauty Contest

Crystals Collection Mission
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70 Purple from Wheat
50 Red from Eggs
30 Green from Strawberry Jam
10 Black from Guava

Reward: Crystal Rock Cake Recipe for Stove House

Instructions:

Crystal Rock Cake
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Ingredients:  1 Sour Cream, 1 Cake Flour, 5 Wheat Flour, 1 Cornmeal
  Requires 5 Power.  Maximum Cooking time: 40 seconds but needs only 28 seconds
Place all ingredients in the Oven and set timer for 28 seconds.  Tap Finish as soon as Bronze Star activates.

Crop List
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40 Clover
40 Corn
40 Tomatoes
40 Red Roses
40 Mushrooms
40 Cane
50 Spinach
50 Rice
50 Onions
50 Strawberries
50 Carrots
60 Blueberries

Batch Production List
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40 Milk
50 Sugar
50 Turkeys
50 Ketchup
60 Angora Hair
60 Angora Hair Yarn (Island)
60 Blueberry Jam
60 Red Rose Essential Oil (Island)

Farm Fellowship II
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Farm Fellowship II 1
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Felicia:  You're here.  I have been waiting for you and for Alexander.  Grandma told me you have an important mission.

Harvest 40 Clovers
  Skip for 10 RC

Collect 20 jars of Honey
  Skip for 5 RC

Harvest 40 Corn
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 160 XP

Felicia:  Don't worry.  I will help you.

Farm Fellowship II 2
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Felicia:  I know the path to Farmdor, where you need to go to rid yourself of this cursed ring.  It is not a pleasant neighbourhood, I must say...

Harvest 6 Almonds
  Skip for 6 RC

Harvest 40 Tomatoes
  Skip for 10 RC

Collect 40 bottles of Milk
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 160 XP

Felicia:  Don't ask me how I know...

Farm Fellowship II 3
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Felicia:  I must warn you that the journey will not be easy.  We must walk through enchanted forests and dangerous mountains filled with various creatures...

Harvest 40 Red Roses
  Skip for 10 RC

Harvest 40 Mushrooms
  Skip for 10 RC

Harvest 40 Cane
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 160 XP

Felicia:  We are bound to have a great adventure along the way!

Farm Fellowship II 4
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Felicia:  Let me prepare some provisions and we can leave.  Adventure continues now!  Are you and Alexander ready?

Prepare 6 Cornmeal
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each requires 1 Corn and 1 Corn

Harvest 50 Spinach
  Skip for 12 RC

Produce 50 Sugar
  Skip for 12 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 170 XP

Felicia:  Off we go!

Special Reward: Mission Gift Box

Farm Fellowship II 5
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Felicia:  We must cross the Misty Mountains first.  The easiest way is to go through the underground mines created and inhabited by the dwarves.

Harvest 50 Rice
  Skip for 12 RC

Harvest 50 Onions
  Skip for 12 RC

Harvest 50 Strawberries
  Skip for 12 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 180 XP

Felicia:  They are rough folk, but if you are polite, they will reciprocate and they can be famously hospitable!

Farm Fellowship II 6
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Felicia:  I admit that it is dark, cold and really frightening down here... According to my map, the exit is nearby, so take courage!

Prepare 8 sacks of Cake Flour
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Oat Flour and 2 Rye Flour

Produce 50 Turkeys
  Skip for 12 RC

Prepare 8 Batter
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Wheat Flour and 1 Egg

Reward: 2500 Coins, 180 XP

Felicia:  Oh dear... we appear to be lost.  Let's try to find help!

Farm Fellowship II 7
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Felicia:  Excuse me, sir!  Would you be so kind as to show me the exit, please?  We are on a mission to go to Mount Doom to drop a troublesome ring into the lava...

Prepare 8 Sour Cream
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Buffalo Milk and 2 Butter

Produce 50 bottles of Ketchup
  Skip for 12 RC

Prepare 8 plates of Custard
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 3 Milk and 2 Eggs

Reward: 2500 Coins, 190 XP

Felicia:  It appears that this dwarf has heard of our quest and has offered to join our Fellowship!

Farm Fellowship II 8
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Felicia:  We finally have emerged from the underworld!   I think we are in the legendary elvish forest now.  Let us rest a little before we continue.

Cook 3 Crystal Rock Cake in the Stove House
  Skip for 6 RC

  Ingredients:  1 Sour Cream, 1 Cake Flour, 5 Wheat Flour, 1 Cornmeal
  Requires 5 Power.  Maximum Cooking time: 40 seconds

  Place all ingredients in the Oven and set timer for 28 seconds.  Tap Finish as soon as Bronze Star activates.

Prepare 8 Strawberry Guava Smoothies
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Strawberry Jam and 2 Guava

Harvest 50 Carrots
  Skip for 12 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 190 XP

Felicia:  It is so lovely and peaceful here.  I wish I could stay here instead of continuing on the quest with you...

Special Reward: Crystal Salt Lamp for Darryl's House

Farm Fellowship II 9
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Felicia:  I wouldn't leave you, no matter what!  Eat your vegetables, so we can carry on.  We may not have a chance for a proper meal again for awhile.

Produce 60 Angora Hair
  Skip for 15 RC

Prepare 8 Spinach Salad
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Spinach and 2 Onions

Harvest 60 Blueberries
  Skip for 15 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 200 XP

Felicia:  Good news!  The elves have decided to help us as well!

Farm Fellowship II 10
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Felicia:  This enchanted forest is filled with magical animals and the elves have allowed us to use their cute pegasus to travel faster.  Isn't that nice?

Produce 60 Angora Hair Yarn
  Skip for 15 RC
  This is an Island task

Prepare 8 Roast Turkeys
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Turkey and 1 Ketchup

Prepare 8 jars of Honey Syrup
  Skip for 8 RC
 Each requires 2 Honey and 2 Milk

Reward: 2500 Coins, 200 XP

Felicia:  Onwards now!  Mount Doom, here we come!

Farm Fellowship II 11
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Felicia:  The elves gave us some beautiful colourful crystals.  Not certain what they do, but they are pretty, so I accepted the gifts.

Harvest 8 Red Current
  Skip for 8 RC

Prepare 8 bowls of Pasta
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Cake Flour and 1 Ketchup

Produce 60 jars of Blueberry Jam
  Skip for 15 RC

Reward: 2500 Coins, 210 XP

Felicia: Perhaps Alexander can sell them later in the Exotic Shop...?

Farm Fellowship II 12
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Felicia:  We have reached the last stage of our journey.  Farmdor is dangerous, so let us stay close together at all times.

Prepare 8 Cheese Salads
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Honey and 2 Cheddar Cheese

Prepare 8 plates of Pasta Salad
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Spinach Salad and 1 Pasta (You should have both from earlier tasks)

Prepare 8 plates of Mushroom Salad
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Mushrooms and 1 Cheese Salad

Reward: 2500 Coins, 210 XP

Felicia:  Don't worry, friends!  We will succeed.

Special Reward: Island Mission Gift Box

Farm Fellowship II 13
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Felicia:  Oh no!  We are being attacked by Orcs.  Let's hide quickly!  Our journey cannot end this way.

Craft 3 Guava Lip Balms in the Beauty Shop
  Skip for 6 RC
  Each requires 1 Guava, 2 Red Rose Essential Oil, 1 Almond and takes 42 minutes to complete, but task counts as soon as item enters slot

Produce 60 bottles of Red Rose Essential Oil
  Skip for 15 RC
  This is an Island task

Prepare 8 Red Currant Coulis
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 2 Red Currants and 2 Sugar

Reward: 2500 Coins, 220 XP

Felicia:  We must find a way to rid ourselves of them!

Farm Fellowship II 14
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Felicia:  We are so close to our destination now.  We must not fail!  I have an idea.  Let's throw these magical crystals at the enemy!

Harvest 8 Rosemary
  Skip for 8 RC

Prepare 8 Roast Turkeys with Rosemary
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Roast Turkey and 1 Rosemary

Prepare 8 plates of Red Currant Creme Brulee
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Custard and 1 Red Currant Coulis (You should have both from earlier tasks)

Reward: 2500 Coins, 220 XP

Felicia:  The shiny crystals distracted them so much, they began to fight for them among themselves and forgot all about us!

Farm Fellowship II 15
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Felicia:  That was a very close call, but we survived!  Nothing will stop us now.  We have reached Mount Doom.  Alexander, will you do the honours?

Harvest 8 Nectarines
  Skip for 8 RC

Prepare 8 Blueberry Nectarine Cobblers
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 3 Blueberry Jam and 1 Nectarine

Prepare 8 Honey Broiled Nectarines
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Nectarine and 2 Honey Syrup

Reward: 2500 Coins, 230 XP

Felicia: He was a little hesitant...  I think the ring may have charmed him a little, but he finally threw it into the lava.

Farm Fellowship II 16
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Felicia:  Our mission has been completed!  Congratulations to our little farm fellowship.  We can return to the farm, pleased with a job well done.

Prepare 8 Stuffed Nectarines
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Honey Broiled Nectarine and 1 Blueberry Nectarine Cobbler

Prepare 8 Homemade Pasta
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Pasta Salad and 1 Mushroom Salad

Prepare 8 Homemade Turkey and Pasta
  Skip for 8 RC
  Each requires 1 Roasted Turkey with Rosemary and 1 Homemade Pasta (You should have both from earlier tasks)

Reward: 2500 Coins, 230 XP

Felicia:  Thanks for joining us, farmer!  Here is a gift for you from the elves!  A magical cute Pegasus!  I know you will care for him well.

Final Reward: Cute Pegasus Decoration for Seaside Farm

Easter Fortune Farm Beauty Contest

(Above, the new Easter Daisy Base with all possible current Decorations stacked on it.  If you have this Base completed, and all three new premium Decorations, you should have maximum votes for theme without any problem.)

The Contest began Friday, 5 April.

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Introduction
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This post is designed to allow you to gain as many Votes as possible from the four characters by maximising your own Farm to achieve the highest number of Votes in every Category.

The Farm Beauty Contest can be confusing and difficult for new player.  Often, they are unaware of their own ability to increase the Votes from the 4 Characters to the point where they can obtain the Reward Decoration without any votes from their Neighbours.  It requires a little planning.  This post was created to show you how to do precisely that.  Every aspect of the Farm Beauty Contest as well as the rules by which each Category operates is covered here.

Remember ALWAYS that the votes you receive from the Characters are based on your current 'Snapshot'.  If you change your farm to obtain more votes, always take a new photograph or Character votes will not change!  You do not need to take a photograph more than once, however, if you set up your farm for maximum Character votes at the very start.

One more point about the 'Snapshot'.  If you play on more than one device, you may see your Photograph only on the device you were using when you submitted it.  Do not fret about this!  It remains valid for the duration of the Contest, even if you do not see it on your other devices.


Theme List now complete with values in terms of Theme Votes as well as where and how to obtain each.  This Contest gives multiple vote values to many old Decorations and each of the new premium Decorations always give multiple numbers of votes for Theme.

The quickest way to maximise theme votes, therefore, especially for a new farmer, is to pay cash for one of the new premium decorations.  They can be expensive, however, and for many farmers, earning the Reward Decoration for 4000 Votes in the Farm Beauty Contest is a long process that requires patience.  Do be aware, however, that the premium Decorations not only count for multiple votes, but give special Rewards often in the form of RC, Yellow or Blue Mystrons as well as giving the best Gift Box both to the host and to the visitor when cleaned.  Sometimes the judicious expenditure of cash in a 'free game' is worthwhile.

For a new farmer, the easiest way, however, to raise your Character vote total probably is by obtaining a couple of farm expansions and by raising your Landscape Point total to at least 2100.  I need to confirm the precise number of points now required to maximise your Landscape Point votes, but it really is worth the effort and you need not spend any premium cash to do this.  There are coin paths that will do the job.  See my section on Landscape Points below.

Knowing where you can capitalise on your own Character Votes is key to success.  For a farmer not to improve his/her farm for the Contest and then beg for votes from Neighbours ultimately is not the best strategy.... why not make the most of your own farm first?  At least then you can guarantee that you win the Reward decoration in EVERY Farm Beauty Contest as Landscape Points remain constant as do Farm Expansions.

N.B.  PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU NEED ONLY A TOTAL OF 182 VOTES EACH DAY TO OBTAIN THE TOTAL OF 4000 NEEDED FOR THE REWARD DECORATION AND ONLY A TOTAL OF 273 VOTES PER DAY TO OBTAIN ALL REWARDS AT 6000 VOTES.

Changes in the number of days that the contest lasts and some other Character vote values have made it easier for farmers to obtain all necessary votes without having the votes of neighbours.  I request votes for HM. Freyashawk only in order to rank.  For the most part, voting for a farm that has reached 6000 Votes is a waste of your votes.  With a total of 6400, the farm does not even rank in the top 100 for example.  HM. Freyashawk needs at least a total of 10,250 Votes by the end of the contest to rank in the top ten.  Does it matter?  Well, it matters to me, as I consider it a show of support for this site.
My rank has dropped below 10 in the past day so if you have any votes to spare, you would have my heartfelt gratitude.

This time, there is a new Base called the Easter Daisy Base Base.  You will find it in a message from Felicia.  You can opt to pay 1 RC for any materials once the base is placed on the farm, but you can forge the materials for this Base, which makes it possible to obtain most of the materials in a single day.
As the Easter Daisy Base IS a Theme Item and one that is worth a maximum of 9 votes per day from 3 of the Characters, it really almost must be placed on your farm to obtain maximum for them.  Farmers therefore need either to place it and forge the materials or complete it with RC.

Here is a link to the post about building the Easter Daisy Base:

Building the Easter Daisy Base

Note that the developers have made it possible for players to list the materials in their markets, including the Easter Paint Brush, so do try to complete your Easter Daisy Base, even if you need to buy materials from your neighbours.

A number of Theme decorations have appeared in the Lucky Wheel.  For example, the darling little Ent can be found there for 12 RC.

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Note from Freyashawk:
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First, I wish to thank all of those farmers who, by voting for me in the last contest, allowed me to rank in the top 10 as Number 10.  It is becoming increasingly difficult to make that total, and I appreciate every vote.  Votes at the end of the 'Contest are critical for rank as well.  As I have tried to explain, for 99% of farmers, votes over 6000 simply are wasted, which is why many farmers apply the Contest Avatar reward to their farms to show their neighbours they have reached that total.  For HM. Freyashawk, however, EVERY VOTE COUNTS.  One needs a total of at least 10,000 Votes to rank now.  I always hope that seeing my strategy guide name near the top may help farmers who need help with the game find my site.  I thank you for helping me with this goal.

I created this site 5 years ago shortly after the game first was released.  I maintain and update it with all new Quests and new options, as well as posts like this to help players with every aspect of the game.  I may not be the best farmer in the world, but if this site is useful to you, please vote for HM. Freyashawk in the Farm Beauty Contest.  Your vote for the farm is a vote of confidence for the site.  It is not a matter of personal ego but rather the desire to make players aware of the site.  When HM. Freyashawk places in the top ten in the Farm Beauty Contest, it reminds players that both this site and my Facebook groups for this game exist and, one hopes, can help them with any aspects of the game when needed.  Every vote counts for rank and I appreciate your votes greatly.  I know that it requires an effort on your part to vote for HM. Freyashawk each day.  I only hope that this post helps every farmer attain the total needed for the pretty Reward Decoration.

Thanks again to the fabulous farmers who made the effort to vote for HM. Freyashawk in the last contest.    It IS possible for farmers even at Level 90 to obtain sufficient votes from the Characters alone without buying the new premium Decorations to achieve a total of 6000 votes by the end.  Plan carefully from the first day and you should be able to do it.

Eastern Europe and the Arab Nation, as well as Turkey, appear to be far better organised in terms of voting than any of the farms in the West and have an advantage in time zone at the very end.  If you look at the total number of votes that the farms in the top 3 or 5 receive, they are outrageously high.  In the last contest, 21,652 votes were given to the No. 1 Farm.  The only good news here is that it is easier for farmers to obtain the Decoration Reward and even the Avatar and RC at 6000 votes without having to ask neighbours to vote for them, if they organise their farms properly AND COLLECT THEIR VOTES DAILY!

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Note to new Farmers
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I believe that the Farm Beauty Contest still is unlocked at Level 30.  Even at that Level, it IS possible to maximise your Farm to obtain enough votes from the Characters to receive the Decoration Reward for having 4000 Votes.

You must start on the first day, however, with the best possible configuration, if you are at the lower levels and have not played long enough to have acquired many of the Theme items.

Even if you are not that concerned about your own results, you can register and help other farmers with your votes.  Even if you feel you cannot obtain a total of 4000 or 6000 votes, do your best to organise your farm for maximum votes to practice for future Contests.  If you are a low level farmer but are willing to spend a little money, purchase of the new theme decorations should make a big difference in theme totals, which could make all the difference in terms of reaching the goal of 4000 votes by the end of the contest.

COUNT YOUR TOTAL EACH DAY.  Most important are the Character Votes.  If you are reaching a total of 182,  you will obtain the Decoration.  (The required total used to be 200, so now it is easier to reach the necessary total of 4000 before the end of the Contest.)

Tips:  Where Landscape Points are concerned, try to find a Buddy who is at a high level who will send you paths as Gifts.  If you are able and willing to spend RC, the Macaron Path and Pebble Paths can boost Landscape Point totals faster with less effort, but if you can place enough of the other Paths and make certain that your Decorations are within their sphere of influence, you can reach the necessary total for maximum votes in that category.

The theme list is to be found in the little red book in the Farm Beauty Contest Menu.  I publish a list of all Theme items in my post with details as to where and how they can be obtained.  Some Theme items originally were released as Mission Rewards.  In many cases, these old Missions can be activated from the Lighthouse and you can obtain the Decoration without paying RC for it.  Others can be purchased directly from the Gallery using Blue or Yellow Mystrons.  Try to do it at the start, however whenever possible and make certain that, should you improve your farm's configuration, you take a new screenshot immediately!  You do not have to take more than one screenshot during the course of the contest UNLESS you obtain items that improve the Character vote totals.

Every day counts!  Count the total number of votes you receive from the four Characters at the end of the first day of the Contest and then see how you can improve this number if, multiplied by 20 (days), you do not have 4000 Votes as the projected total.

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OBTAINING THE REWARD DECORATION
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You need a total of 4000 Votes by the end of the Contest to receive the significant reward which is the Decoration.  Almost any farmer at Level 50 or above should be able to maximise the Votes of the 4 Characters to obtain this even without a single vote from a Neighbour.  You basically need a total of 182 Votes per day, although the Contest is giving an extra voting period and that reduces the total needed per day.  (It used to be 200 votes per day.)

If you care about this, register your farm on the first day with maximum votes from the 4 Characters using the guidelines below.

For the Avatar, you need 273 votes per day, but with the recent changes in Character Votes, it is not impossible by any means to reach these totals from the Character votes alone.  If you are receiving 273 votes per day from the four Characters, you will obtain the Avatar by the end of the Contest.  If you have reached Level 90, you should be able to obtain 273 Votes per day from the Characters alone.  This was the case when 300 votes per day were needed, and 273 is a much lower number.

Note that for almost 99% of farmers, ANY VOTES ABOVE 6000 simply are wasted.  Many farmers therefore announce when they have reached 6000 and urge the friends who vote for them to vote for some one else at the end of the contest.  The only reason to vote for a Farmer who has reached 6000 Votes is to try to help that farmer to RANK in the Contest.  I always ask ONLY for votes for HM. Freyashawk throughout the Contest to try to have that farm rank in the top 10.  The name Freyashawk has been associated with the strategy guides I write for a couple of decades.  It always is my hope that a farmer will see the name in the top 10 and then look for a guide for the game if that farmer needs help with Seaside.

Apart from that, I have been maintaining this guide and site for 5 years now, without any financial benefit.  You may notice that I never allowed Google to place advertisements on my sites.  That means I receive NO benefit from Google.  It does make me feel as though my work is appreciated, however, when farmers take the time and energy to vote for HM. Freyashawk in the Farm Beauty Contests.

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Pet Category
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The total number of Votes that can be given by Grandma for Pets is 12.  Equipment (the collars, scarves and bow ties and so on) that you forge in the Factory each count for 1 Vote.  Apparel counts for the other Votes and it does not matter if it is premium Apparel or Temporary Apparel or even duplicate Apparel.  All will count equally.  A Buddy Pet does NOT count.  That was a glitch.

PETS MUST BE OUTSIDE THE PET HOUSE TO COUNT!

In other words, to gain 12 Votes from Grandma each day for the Pet Category, you need a total of 4 Pets, each wearing a piece of equipment and 2 pieces of apparel.

Formerly, some Pets could not use three accessories.  With the last update, however, the Kangaroo, Meerkat and Hippo were given new equipment.  The only problem here is obtaining the books needed to forge their equipment... but that will come in time.

For players without premium accessories:  First make certain each has equipment.  Go to the Apparel Menu and find the 7 day hats and accessories for each pet that can be purchased for 100 TC each.  Equip four Pets each with a Hat and whatever other accessory that Pet can use and then let them loose outside.  Take your snapshot for the full 12 votes from Grandma!

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High Level Farms
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This has changed a few times through the years but I only know for certain that Freyashawk at Level 117 received 15/18 votes for 'high level farm' from Dad.  At Level 120, HM. Freyashawk received 16/18 votes from Dad for 'high level farm'.   At Level 133, now receives 17/18 from Dad for 'high level'.  This was NOT the case in the earlier Farm Beauty Contests.  At Level 145, another player received 18/18 but I believe the actual level requirement for maximum votes in this category is lower.

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Basic Rules
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It is your current photograph of your Farm or 'snapshot' that determines the Votes from the 4 Characters in the game every day.  In previous Contests, a Theme decoration often would be counted if it had been placed on the Farm, even if it had not been registered yet.  I believe this still is true, although it is a good idea to register all theme items as quickly as possible as you do receive rewards for registration.

IF YOUR PHOTOGRAPH DISAPPEARS FROM THE CONTEST MENU, DO NOT FEEL YOU MUST REPLACE IT.  THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN OCCUR WITH ANY GAME UPDATE AND THEY ARE VERY FREQUENT NOW.  THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT YOU REGISTERED STILL COUNTS AND YOUR NEIGHBOURS CAN SEE IT!   Do not waste time nor energy reorganising your farm to maximise votes if the 'snapshot' that you registered GAVE you maximum votes.  It still exists and is used for vote totals.

Balance and variety always is the key in these contests.  You need a variety of Crops, Animals, Trees, Machines and Theme Decorations on your farm to maximise the votes from the 4 Characters.  If you design your Farm for maximum votes from the 4 Characters, you should not need ANY Votes from your Neighbours to obtain the Theme Decoration Reward that requires a total of 4000 Votes by the end of the Contest.

Duplicates never have counted where Crops, Trees, Animals, Machines and Decorations are concerned.  I doubt that has changed.  The only change really is that duplicates of Pet Equipment and Apparel DO count.

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Crops
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Have at least 16 different Crops on your Farm to obtain maximum Votes from Darryl for 'variety of Crops'.  You may need less but Crops are easy to plant.  They do not have to be mature when you take the photo to count.

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Trees
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Try to have 16 different types of Trees ON YOUR FARM when you take the photograph.  Trees in the Tree Nursery will not be counted.  Again, you may need fewer than 16 types but it does not hurt to be safe to obtain maximum votes from Grandma for 'enough Trees'.

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Animals
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Beehives and Butterfly Houses as well as the Bat House are considered Animals so every different TYPE of Beehive or Butterfly House counts but duplicates of any type of Animal do NOT Count. You should not need a total of 16 different types of Animal to obtain maximum votes from Felicia for Animals but again, if you have 16, use them.

I believe that the new Elephant may not be counted, but cannot confirm.

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Machines
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In Contests in the past, you only needed a total of 12 different machines to obtain maximum Votes from Dad for Machines but this may have changed.  Players claimed that the Salad Machine gave 2 Votes instead of 1, but never confirmed that.  In any case, duplicates do not count and if you can cram 16 onto your Farm before you take the photo, better to be safe than sorry.

It is possible that upgraders boost votes in the Machine category but cannot confirm this.  Again, better to be safe than sorry.

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Expansion
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Both Felicia and Dad give Votes for 'Big Farms'.  The good news is that you do not need many expansions on your original farm to obtain 16/16 from each of them.  A farmer who does not have even the 23 x 23 Expansion will obtain maximum 16/16 votes in this category!

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Theme
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Only Grandma does not vote for Theme, so you have Theme Votes from three out of four farm characters.  The Theme List always can be found in the little Red Book in the Farm Beauty Contest Menu.  I will include a list below as well with the price of each Decoration if you can purchase it and how to do so in each case.

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Gallery Registration
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Register as many items as possible BEFORE you take your photograph to maximise this Category.

Both Darryl and Grandma give Votes for Gallery... furthermore, you obtain rewards from the Gallery when you register any item.

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Landscape
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'Beautiful Paths' is the term for your Landscape Point total.  As three of the four Characters vote for this Category, it is a very good idea to have Paths on your Farm and place as many Decorations as possible within their 'sphere of influence'.  I have covered the details of Paths and Landscaping elsewhere on this site.  The better the Path, the more points you receive when Decorations are placed next to it or near it.  The Macaron Path, Pebble Path and Snow Path each are worth 50 Landscape Points.  The Snow Path no longer is available but the other two can be purchased in the Paths Menu for 1 RC each.  The Wooden Path is worth 35 Landscape Points and costs 50000 Coins.  Next best is the Forest Path worth 25 Landscape Points with a price of 15000 Coins.  If you have Buddies, however, they can send Forest Paths and Stone and Flower Paths to you.  To send, go to the Special Gifts Buddy Menu.  You can send a Stone and Flower Path to a Buddy for 4000 Coins and a Forest Path for 12000 Coins.  You actually can send a Macaron Path to a Buddy for 1 RC.  There are Buddy Level requirements for sending some of the Special Gifts.

Remember that Landscape Point total is the total of the value of ALL the Paths PLUS the Decorations that are close enough to those Paths to boost Points.

In the past, you needed less than 2300 Landscape Points to achieve maximum... not certain what the current requirement is but here are some farmers who have less than that and their results in the current contest:

1059 Landscape Points: 16/24 Votes


1421 Landscape Points: 19/24 Votes


1484 Landscape Points: 20/24 Votes


1720 Landscape Points: 21/24 Votes

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How to Maximise Landscape Points
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First of all, you will not be able to move any Paths or perhaps even set any new Paths now if you have Pets roaming about your Farm.  You must place all of them in the Pet House before you can set new Paths or move existing Paths, including Water Paths as well as those on the land.

Remember that placement of Decorations and Bases is everything.  A Decoration or Base will give additional Landscape Points only if it is placed near a Path that has not used its maximum number of Points yet.  For example, the Macaron Path can give a boost of 50 Landscape Points when Decorations are placed close to it.  Once that amount is reached, however, piling more Decorations or Bases near it counts for nothing.  Use the Move Tool to hover over various spots to see how your Landscape Points will be affected.

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Pet Category
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This is one of the newer Categories and only Grandma votes for it.  To gain 12 Votes from Grandma each day for the Pet Category, you need a total of 4 Pets, each wearing a piece of equipment and 2 pieces of apparel.  A Buddy Pet on your Farm at the time you take your photograph will NOT count.  That was a temporary glitch.

You can purchase apparel for a temporary period in order to take a snapshot that will give you more Votes for this category.  It may be worth the effort.  12 votes per day from Grandma, multiplied by 20 is 240 Votes... I constantly see messages in game chat near the end of the Contest from a player who says he or she is 'short' 200 votes... maximise the Pet Category and you have them.

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Theme
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Theme items can be obtained in many different ways.  Those that are 'premium' decorations as well as Bases are the ones that often will give you more than one vote from each of the three Characters who vote for theme.

N.B.  Go directly to the Gallery to see if a Decoration is available for purchase now.  I will add more information later about the Theme items that are available in the Lucky Wheel/Buddy Share Box.  I have listed those that can be found currently in the Wheel but had no luck whatsoever landing on any of them when I spun my Wheel so am collecting prices slowly.

Please be aware that often you can find premium decorations both in a current special sale offer on the top right of your screen AND in one of the Boutique Shops in your Market.  If you see the item in a special sale offer, however, you are best served by purchasing it in that way, as it usually is bundled with other items, including farm aids and/or Stove House Recipes and RC.  These sale offers expire at different times so the items I have listed below may no longer be available in a special sale offer in a day or two.

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Lucky Wheel
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It now is possible to obtain more Tokens for the Lucky Wheel through the rewards given by Darryl and his House on a daily basis.  Most of the Decorations in the Lucky Wheel originally were given as rewards for timed Quests and these Quests often still can be activated from the Lighthouse.


As far as the Wheel is concerned, if you land on the box with the Decoration, you get it free. Otherwise, there is an RC price attached to it.  When you place it in the Share Box, it will have the RC price.

Theme is one of the most difficult of categories for players who are unwilling or unable to spend actual cash on the new premium decorations that are offered with each new Farm Beauty Contest.  If you DO buy the three new Decorations, you usually will obtain maximum votes from the Characters for theme with little difficulty.

The three new Theme Decorations, with their vote values are:

Bunny Girl: 3 votes from each of 3 Characters, maximum 9 votes per day for theme

Easter Egg Boy: 2 votes from each of 3 Characters, maximum 6 votes per day for theme

Easter Egg Tree: 2 votes from each of 3 Characters, maximum 6 votes per day for theme

As you can see, with only the three new Decorations, you can have 21 votes per day for theme.

Theme Bases
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Theme Bases are worth more than a single vote from each of the three Characters who give votes for theme.  As has been the case more than once recently, there are two Bases that are Theme items.  One is the old Easter Picnic Base and the other is the new Easter Daisy Base.

Easter Picnic Base:  2 votes from each of 3 Characters daily
  You probably will be able to buy this unfinished for coins in the Market and then buy a bag for 20 RC that will contain all necessary materials

Easter Daisy Base: 3 Votes from each of the 3 Characters daily

Here is the full list of theme items:

Theme Items:
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There is one Tree that is counted as a Theme item:

Tree:
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Matcha Tree

Decorations
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Egged In Bunny

Easter Egg Basket (Reward for 4000 Votes)

Bunny Chicken: 2 Votes from 3 Characters each

Easter Picnic Base: 2 Votes from 3 Characters each

Egg Shape Background

Ent
  Reward for recent timed quest; can be found in Lucky Wheel, Share Box for 12 RC

Cute Pegasus
  Reward for recent timed quest.

Chicken in Egg

Red Rabbit Fence
  Costs 1 RC in Shop

Blue Rabbit Fence
  Costs 1 RC in Shop

Acorn Pine

Bunny in Basket: 2 votes from 3 Characters each

Egg Tree
  Can be found in Lucky Wheel/Share Box for 10 RC

Flower Shelf
  Can be found in Lucky Wheel/Share Box for 10 RC

Flower Pot Bunny: 2 Votes from 3 Characters each

Easter Backdrop

Pond Lawn
  Can be found in Lucky Wheel/Share Box for 10 RC

Bunny Hedge
  Costs 2 RC in Shop

Easter Bunny

Easter Daisy Base: 3 Votes from 3 Characters each

Mushrooms
  Costs 4 RC in Shop

Bunny Girl: 3 Votes from 3 Characters each

Tree Arch
  Costs 10000 Coins in Shop

Easter Egg Boy: 3 Votes from 3 Characters each

Chicken Bunny: 2 Votes from 3 Characters each

Easter Egg Tree: 2 Votes from 3 Characters each

Easter Choc Tree

Building the Easter Daisy Base and new Update

A new unfinished Base has been released and is available through one of Felicia's Messages.  Place it on your farm to discover it requires the following materials to complete:

8 Green Plants
8 Colourful Eggs
8 Flower Pots
8 Grass Sod

You can opt to pay 1 RC for any of these materials, making the RC cost of a completion 32 RC, or you can forge the necessary materials in the Factory, after acquiring the ingredients in various ways.

It is only the Easter Paintbrush that is obtained by opening the Daily Quest Chests.  The other unique ingredients are made in the Kitchen as follows:

Easter Egg Burger:
  Ingredients: 1 Egg, 1 Steak Burger

Choco Easter Egg:
  Ingredients: 1 Egg, 1 Chocolate

Easter Egg with Grass Skirt:
  Ingredients: 1 Egg, 1 Pasture

Factory:

Green Plant:
  8 Easter Egg with Grass Skirt, 10 Clovers

Grass Sod:
 8 Easter Egg Burgers, 10 Pasture

Flower Pot:
  8 Choco Easter Egg, 10 Daisy

Colourful Egg
4 Easter Paintbrush, 5 Eggs

Provided you have the necessary ingredients and sufficient Power for the Kitchen, you can merge as many items in a single day as you wish up to the total required for the Base.  Note that the production of the Colourful Egg will be limited to one per day at best, as you only receive 1 Paintbrush from each Chest with a maximum of four.

New Farm Expansions on Seaside
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36 x 36 Expansion:

Upgrade to Level 70

Save and use 2000000 Coins to buy expansion

Have 300 Lavender Pots
  Skip for 70 RC

Other Features of Update
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Exclusive Store
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There is a new department in the Market that allows players to purchase some old Decorations as well as Pet Card Packages, Mystron Packages and Farming Packages.  One can purchase 10 Clean Tickets for 10000 Coins and a Research Switch Topic Ticket for 3 RC.  Ordinarily, the price of switching Research Topics (unless it is to experience the Topic for the first time) is 10 RC.

The Exclusive Store somehow is linked to Country Club level.  As my level is at maximum, I am not certain what is missing at lower levels.

New Boat Parts
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New Tugboat parts are available in the Boat Tickets Shop.

Treasure Land
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There is yet another option now in Water Town known as Treasure Land.  Each member of the Community can choose an inactive Pet to dig for Treasure there.  It is a group effort and goes on endlessly... but if your Pet runs out of Stamina, it will be sent home.  You can feed your Pet to replenish its stamina... so yet another piece of busy work for us.

New Island Quest
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New untimed Quest sequences on the Island, beginning with:

The Quail's Run

I will log it when I have time.

The Quail's Run 1
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Darryl:  Dad wants me to improve my farming skills so he sent me to the Island to prepare everything for the arrival of a quail he purchased.  I wonder what they eat... suppose it is grain of some kind.

Harvest 30 Violets
  Skip for 6 RC

Harvest 30 Wild Wheat
  Skip for 6 RC

Reward: 800 Coins, 250 XP

Darryl:  The quails are very cute, tiny chickens.  I hope that they are quieter than the chickens.

The Quail's Run 2
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Darryl:  Have you ever tried quails' eggs?  I think they taste the same as chicken eggs but they are tiny and fragile.

Harvest 30 Mint
  Skip for 6 RC

Harvest 20 Durian Fruit from Durian Tree
  Skip for 10 RC

Harvest 10 Tea Tree Leaves
  Skip for 10 RC

Reward: 1000 Coins, 250 XP