A Forest Dweller Christmas
A Holiday story featuring my Forest Dwellers by Whispering Grass
Packing the Sleigh
Every Holiday season Rhett and Kitty Fox invited everyone to their home for a special get-together and dinner. The Raccoons, Toads and Mice were all going together. They had ordered a Polar Bear Taxi, and were almost ready to head out...
All the ladies had made themselves comfortable in the main sleigh...
While Mr. Ropuha loaded up the last gifts....in the trailer sleigh.....
'We are almost ready to go..."
"I just hope there's still enough room in there for us guys..."
Guests at the Gate
Rhett and Kitty Fox were relaxing in front of the fire, waiting for their guests to start arriving...
"I'm really looking forward to this..."
"Sounds like someone is at the gate..."
"Well, I better go let them in..."
Sure enough, the first set of guests had arrived and were ringing the bell outside the gate....
"Hold on....I'm coming!"
First Arrivals
Rhett led everyone into the house....
"I'd like to welcome all of you to our home..."
"I'm so glad you could come..."
The Toads had brought gifts...
"Please, make yourselves at home..."
Kitty and Rhett took everyone's coats, hats and scarves....
...while some of the guests warmed themselves by the fire...
"With all the snow out there it's amazing they could all even make it..."
Wine and Treats
Ever the good hostess, Kitty offered her guests a glass of wine, and some delicious treats....
Rhett made sure that no one's glasses ran empty....
Kitty had made some delicious cupcakes...
Everyone was having a good time....
...as they waited for the last guests - some newcomers to the forest - to arrive.....
"More wine, anyone?"
Chip & Joanne
Meanwhile, Chip and Joanne (Jo for short), who were new to the Forest....
...were waiting for Snowball and his U-bear sleigh to arrive, to take them to the Foxes'.....
Jo got in the sleigh right away....
She was super excited to go to the party and meet everyone...
"Hurry up, and get in!"
"We need to stop by Max and Maisie's, and pick them up on the way..."
Chip got in the sleigh....
...and off they went...
Max and Maisie
Max & Maisie Mouse were already waiting outside when Snowball arrived....
"Hello there!"
"Come on in...."
Chip leaned over to offer Maisie his hand...
"Here, let me help you..."
Then, with everyone nicely seated....Chip hung out the bells....
....and Snowball headed off to the Foxes...
A Warm Welcome
The four newcomers finally arrived at the party...
"Welcome to our home..."
"May I take your hats and scarves?"
Everyone had been very curious about the four newcomers to the Forest....
...and were very eager to welcome them....
"Hello, I'm Manny." "I'm Chip. So nice to meet you!"
Melody gave Maisie a welcoming hug....
Mr. Ropuha introduced himself to Max...."Welcome to our Forest..."
The newcomers quickly felt very welcome, like they were among old friends....
....but Ginger was a bit shy, so stayed back....
Muffy and Jo got acquainted...
"Well, I better go bring these away...."
In the Kitchen
With all the guests having arrived, it was time for all the ladies to go to the kitchen. For years now the Holiday Banquet had become a team effort. Miss Kitty, who was an amazing cook, decided on the recipes - some of her own and her friend's best - and made sure to have all the ingredients on hand. She was like a Martha Stewart of the Forest, and all the ladies looked forward to trying out her new recipes, and cooking together for the annual event.
"I think we have a wonderful menu planned for today..."
"I thought it would be nice this time for us all to work together to recreate some of your prize-winning recipes from this year's Fall Fair."
"I brought the preserves you asked me to..."
"Well, we have a lot of work ahead, so let's get started. I hope everyone has a really good time."
An Apron for Tiana
Everyone scattered with a job to do. Ginger checked a recipe...
While the mice went to check on the produce...
Miss Kitty approached Tiana...
"I have an apron for you..."
She knew Tiana wasn't much for cooking, and always 'forgot' to bring her apron in hopes that she could just watch. But Kitty was prepared with an apron just her size....
"Here you go..I have an apron just your size...."
"It will help protect your pretty dress..."
So Tiana reluctantly put it on.... "Here, let me tie that for you."
With that done, Kitty went to check on the others....
Melody was checking out the strawberries...
...and Maisie, who was new to the goings on, was with Missy helping to choose some apples for her prize-winning tart...
Jo was also looking to help someone.....
"Would you like some help?"
Fun & Games
After the ladies left to the kitchen, Rhett pulled out some games.
Manny challenged Rhett to a game of chess....
"Your turn..."
Meanwhile Smuzhka, Chip and Max were playing a round of Snakes & Ladders....
"My turn..."
* Next - A Forest Dweller Christmas - continued
Copyright © 2022 Martha Boers
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