“The night was clear, cool, and starry, but smoke-like wisps of mist were creeping up the hill-sides from the streams and deep meadows. Thin-clad birches, swaying in a light wind above their heads, made a black net against the pale sky. They ate a very frugal supper (for hobbits), and then went on again.” – The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 3: Three is Company

By now, the hobbits Frodo, Sam, and Pippin have begun their journey, though none of them yet realizes the danger ahead, nor what a long journey they have signed up for. On this second day of Feast Week^[1], we celebrate by eating and sleeping outdoors, just as the hobbits did.

Frodo knew that he might never be able to return to his beloved home, and he chose to walk so he could get a last look at the Shire and his familiar countryside. It’s a great day to pack a picnic, even if it is frugal by hobbit standards, and head outside — whether to a favorite, comfortable spot or to a new and unexplored place! (I chose the latter.)

If you’re willing and if local laws allow, you might consider lighting a fire and cooking a meal on your trusty skillet. You can check out one of Britta’s posts^[2] from previous years^[3] to get inspiration.

Weather permitting, tonight would also be a great night for some backyard camping. (The hobbits were practically in their own backyard, having not yet left the Shire.) If you can’t manage that, maybe you could at least treat yourself to an outdoor siesta in honor of the hobbits!

When I was returning back home after my picnic, I spotted a friendly rabbit, though I have no doubt that there were many other creatures that spotted me. Remember to pack out what you brought in and leave no litter!

A fox passing through the wood on business of his own stopped several minutes and sniffed.

‘Hobbits!’ he thought. ‘Well, what next? I have heard of strange doings in this land, but I have seldom heard of a hobbit sleeping out of doors under a tree. Three of them! There’s something mighty queer behind this.’ He was quite right, but he never found out any more about it.

The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 3: Three is Company

Don’t forget to enter Middle-earth News’ first ever Tolkien Language Haiku Contest^[4]! One lucky poet will win a Joe Gilronan^[5] canvas art print, like the one above. The winner may choose any painting from the collection.

That concludes the second day of Feast Week. I hope it inspired you to head outside to enjoy a meal or an evening under the stars!

Other 2015 Feast Week meals:

Feast Week, Day 1: Bilbo and Frodo’s Birthday^[6]

Feast Week, Day 3: The Feast of Gildor^[7]

Feast Week, Day 4: Farmer Maggot’s Feast^[8]

Feast Week, Day 5: The Feast of Tom Bombadil^[9]

Feast Week, Day 6: The Feast of Tom Bombadil, Day Two^[10]

Feast Week, Day 7: Prisoners of a Barrow-wight^[11]

Feast Week, Day 8: The Prancing Pony^[12]

Share and Enjoy

Author: Lily Milos^[13] Lily’s first experience with Tolkien was when the eccentric Mrs. H performed all of the characters from The Hobbit in her seventh grade class. In high school, she felt obliged to decline a second date with a boy who said he had no interest in reading The Lord of the Rings. In college, she unwisely decided to reread her beloved copy of The Hobbit during finals week, with only semi-disastrous results. When not writing for Middle-earth News, Lily tries not to unnerve her coworkers and family with her extreme geekery, but somehow, Star Wars, Star Trek, Sherlock, Merlin, Doctor Who, The Princess Bride, Back to the Future, superheroes, Disney movies, and of course, Tolkien, seem to have relevance in EVERY conversation.

References

1. ^{^} Feast Week (middleearthnews.com)
2. ^{^} Britta’s posts (middleearthnews.com)
3. ^{^} previous years (middleearthnews.com)
4. ^{^} Tolkien Language Haiku Contest (middleearthnews.com)
5. ^{^} Joe Gilronan (fineartamerica.com)
6. ^{^} Feast Week, Day 1: Bilbo and Frodo’s Birthday (middleearthnews.com)
7. ^{^} Feast Week, Day 3: The Feast of Gildor (middleearthnews.com)
8. ^{^} Feast Week, Day 4: Farmer Maggot’s Feast (middleearthnews.com)
9. ^{^} Feast Week, Day 5: The Feast of Tom Bombadil (middleearthnews.com)
10. ^{^} Feast Week, Day 6: The Feast of Tom Bombadil, Day Two (middleearthnews.com)
11. ^{^} Feast Week, Day 7: Prisoners of a Barrow-wight (middleearthnews.com)
12. ^{^} Feast Week, Day 8: The Prancing Pony (middleearthnews.com)
13. ^{^} Posts by Lily Milos (middleearthnews.com)