We almost always have a big family dinner on Sundays, often with a theme to keep it interesting: "Italian Night," "Irish Night," "German Night," "Steakhouse Night," "Cowboy Night"--well, you get the idea. This was the third or fourth year in a row we have had a "Woodland Walk" dinner, with a menu inspired by a walk in the woods. Just like the "Sugar Spring" dinner in March, the Woodland Walk has become a family tradition, with college students rearranging their schedules to come home and all the children brimming with excitement.
I started dinner, while Daddy brought the five youngest out for a walk in the woods, gathering items for a centerpiece on the way.
The day was made to order, sunny and crisp.
Meanwhile, back at home, stew was simmering--beef and mushroom with a few sprigs of fresh thyme.
I took some time to decorate:
The walkers returned and added decorations of their own:
They made a collage for the table with some of their woodland finds:
We had French baguette, still warm, from the farm down the road--
--and a salad of spring greens, chopped apples, walnuts and vinaigrette.
These metal mice seem to appreciate the children's haul of chestnuts:
They weren't the only ones looking pleased:
We had lingonberries, my favorite condiment. (I'm hoping they grow in the woods of Sweden):
Mixed berries and raspberry sherbet floated in the punch bowl:
Asparagus added a touch of green:
Dessert was our own invention--"The Woodland Walk Sundae"--blackberry ice cream, peach ice cream, raspberry sorbet, hot fudge, cream, and oak and acorn butter cookies.
But the best was yet to come. Note the mysterious bag on the mantel:
It held an even more mysterious basket:
You see before you an optimist:
There is nothing like meeting new friends:
A cardinal, a bear, a mouse, an owl and, what is that, a racoon? A badger? I'm not even sure.
But I do know one thing--October is off to a good start!
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Woodland Walk Menu
Mixed green salad with walnuts and apples
Mashed potatoes
Roasted asparagus
Lingonberries
French baguette
Mixed berry punch
"Woodland Walk" sundaes
Really charming :-) You put so much thought into raising and nourishing your family.
Posted by: sarah | October 03, 2017 at 08:00 PM
Thank you so much, Sarah. ❤️
Posted by: Alice | October 03, 2017 at 09:03 PM
Alice , my joy is to read your entries. Each season has it's magnificent beauty and you are a reminder of that-- To look beyond the obvious and deep into the details of God's blessings. 🌹
Love to all!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Dunn | October 21, 2017 at 03:47 PM
You astound me. My woodland-walk feast would be more in the line of a bowl of Lucky Charms. I mean, hey, stars, diamonds, hearts, clovers: all things found in nature. Right? Right?
Posted by: Lissa | November 21, 2017 at 12:24 PM