The Annual Feast
Evening in the meadow, and the long tables were set with Raccoon’s fanciest place setttings, Rabbit’s handmade candles, and vases filled with stems of red and gold tree leaves.
Ancient platters and bowls and tureens, from Old Possum’s hall closet, lined the center of the table, and these were filled with everyone’s autumn-feast favorites: butternut squash soup, sourdough croutons, roasted chestnuts, and banana-walnut bread slathered with honey butter. To be honest, though, Squirrel was most excited to finally taste three of the dishes from his great-grandmother’s newly discovered cookbook — acorn soufflé, roasted walnuts, and acorn stew — which Mama Chipmunk had prepared as a special treat.
As was tradition, even the cats came out from the cottage to join in the festivities, and they were offered plates of grilled prawns on sourdough toast.
Waiting in the wings, of course, were Raccoon’s magnificent pies.
(Late November 2023)
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