Garlands of Grapes

            Garlands of grapes dripped from the shelves in the cold room.  Bags of raisins and sultanas filled the second larder, waiting to be baked into buns, biscuits, and fruitcakes or to be placed with roasted nuts in bowls for each table to be set up in the party field.  And in the old cold room bottles and three casks of wine sat, waiting to be tapped once the Yule fire was lit and the dancing began as First Yule ended and Second Yule began.

            “The vines at Old Winyards have been so fruitful this past year,” Bilbo said with satisfaction.