The Nuts

Grew up and then continued in adult life with a bowl of nuts-in-the-shell at holiday time.  The bowl always had a couple of metal hand-held nut shell crackers and accompanying picks to remove the nut meat.  Was delighted to see my new favorite grocery store selling a selection this season.  Bought them, brought them home  and put them in large basket.  Left basket out for the taking.  Well, the taking was by the mice.  Went away for a few days and returned home to find nuts strewn about the room; as if they were on their way to another destination, but the getting-there was still a work in progress.  Gathered the nuts up, and now they all reside in a glass jar with lid and the metal accoutrements are laying beside the enclosed canister.  The nice also sampled the apple that was an integral part of the mantel arrangement.