What sensory details are used to describe the kitchen in "A Christmas Memory"?

The kitchen appears at various points during this excellent short story, and you might want to do a thorough analysis of the kitchen and what kind of description is used to depict it. I will choose one of my favourite moments from this story which involves the kitchen, which is after Buddy and his friend have posted away their fruitcakes and they drink the remainder of the whisky together as a celebration. Although the kitchen is described as being "empty," consuming the alcohol together, it is clear that the scene is described as a place of happiness and joy. Consider the following description:

My dancing shadow rollicks on the walls; our voices rock the chinaware; we giggle as if unseen hands were tickling us. Queenie rolls on her back, her paws plow the air, something like a grin stretches her black lips. Inside myself, I feel warm and sparky as those crumbling logs, carefree as the wind in the chimney. My friend waltzes round the stove, the hem of her poor calico skirt pinched between her fingers as though it were a party dress: Show me the way to go home, she sings, her tennis shoes sqeaking on the floor. Show me the way to go home.

Note the descriptions that are associated with the kitchen. Buddy feels like "those crumbling logs" which conveys the sense of touch as he feels the heat, the sound of the logs as they crumble and the sight of them falling apart in the fire. There is tremendous movement in the dancing that they engage in which combines to create a festive, happy mood of celebration.

What images and mood does Capote use to depict the kitchen in "A Christmas Memory"?

In Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory," the author drives the reader along with a heaping "buggyload of windfall pecans" into the kitchen.  With sound, smell, and sight images he recreates the scene:

Caarackle! A cheery crunch, scraps of miniature thunder sound as the shells collapse and the golden mound of sweet oily ivory meat mounts in the milk-glass bowl.

Queenie, the little fiesty rat terrier also smells the treats and begs; Capote's friend sneaks him a tidbit.  But, they must not give him too many as they will not have enough for thirty cakes.  While they work, the kitchen darkens, turning the

window into a mirror:  our reflection mingle with the rising moon as we work by the fireside in the firelight.  At last, when the moon is quite high, we toss the final hull into the fire and, with joined sighs, watch it catch flame.  The buggy is empty, the bowl is brimful.

Not only does Capote's beautiful prose create sensory images, but it speaks to the heart as the reader pictures the two friends in communion with one another as they watch the flame, creating a heart-warming mood--perfect for Christmas!