...Once upon a time.. In a beautiful forest, lived a little mouse, he was a very sweet little mouse, and a funny little mouse, but...he was a curious little mouse, and he was fascinated by the world. Haxley especially loved when the leaves began to change color in the fall, transforming the forest into beautiful hues of crimson, gold, and orange...autumn was his favorite season..For many reason, but mainly because his mother hosted the most fabulous dinner parties.  She would give Haxley a big wooden basket, and let him go into the large garden in the back to pick the bright red roma tomatoes, the sweet yellow peppers, and the large purple eggplants...on his way back to the house he always grabbed a handful of fresh basil which always perfumed his little mouse hands with a sweet scent. His mother was a fabulous cook, and Haxley especially loved her eggplant lasagne...she carefully grilled the eggplants, then simmered the roma tomatoes with the fresh vegetables & basil until the sauce was thick and bubbly...Mmm the scent was heavenly!! Haxley’s mom always included him in making the perfect harvest dinner...he was in charge of making the garlic bread...he would always take special care to pick the plumpest garlic bulbs from the garden, chop them finely, and roast them with bread & cheese...As evening approached Haxley went and got washed up, he put on his clean stripped blue shirt and black pants, he was excited about seeing his friends and family at the Harvest dinner...he knew Fiona would bring her yummy black forest cake, and Gloria the chicken always made the most splendid  arugula salad...it was a tradition in the beautiful forest to have a Harvest dinner, and to share & celebrate a meal together with everyone...this year his mother was hosting & Haxley was extra excited...from down stairs he could hear the doorbell ring as the first of the guests started to arrive, he could hear his father welcoming them, and his younger sister showing them to the table, she took great care to set the table with a shimmering gold table cloth, and sparkling wine glasses, she had gone far, far to the edge of the forest to pick the loveliest tiger lilies which filled the air with  beautifully floral tones. Haxley was always impressed with her creativity...she dipped acorn shells in gold paint, and places candles in them...they lit up the garden table like twinkling stars...Popppp! Haxley heard his father uncork an expensive bottle of wine...he quickly ran his hand thru his hair, took one last satisfied look in the mirror, and ran down stairs...Carla the canary had already started to serenade the guests with her magical voice...Haxley loved the sound of her voice mingling with the clinking of wine glasses as the guests toasted to another fabulous summer...Haxley was so happy to see many of his friends...he smiled and hugged them as they came in, they chatted about their summer, trips they took, marshmallows they roasted, and adventures that filled their long summer days...He heard his mother calling the guests to the table, and he sat in his usual spot at the table, it was a warm night...and a large white moon filled the sky above the treetops...Carla was still singing...this time a sultry song in Spanish, or perhaps Italian, Haxley wasn’t sure...but it sounded sensual, and heartfelt as the words were less important than the emotion and gusto with which she sang...as the dishes were passed around the table Haxley licked his lips with anticipation, everything looked so delicious...he looked around the table, at his family, his friends & he was so grateful to share this time with them...soon the cold winter would come, and the snow would cover the beautiful forest, and his friends would all be indoors...but tonight they were outside, all together, enjoying a beautiful evening..."Gloria, Gloria, try the garlic bread, I made it myself!" Haxley beamed as he passed it to her..."Mmm Mmm" she raved as she took a big bite.."Deee..lish!!!" Haxley smiled...and they all toasted to another wonderful Harvest dinner...