The Calm Before the Storm 🌧️

Thistle Rose had never been scared of a spring shower.

In fact, she often embraced them—days where the Glade was washed in rain, renewed and fresh afterward, like cleaning a beloved mug. Days where she was allowed to cozy up by the warm hearth with a hot meal, a comforting book, and some chamomile tea while enjoying the symphony of pitter-pattering raindrops dancing on the leaves.

Still… the whisper of rain had come far too soon. The air felt wrong—a day this early in spring was supposed to be spent on picnics, not hiding away inside.

She only realized this morning, while preparing her picnic, that she was fresh out of pears and needed to grab more leeks from her garden. Now that spring was finally here, she was excited to make one of her favorite recipes—a Forest Galette. Neither task was a problem; it would be fun to spend the whole day outside after a long winter indoors.

Upon feeling the cold morning air—morning air that was colder than usual—she realized she might have to endure another indoor picnic.

Even so, she could still enjoy some time outside by heading to the orchard for pears.

She took note of the signs of the impending storm as she stepped into the Blooming Glade. The most notable was the early scent of petrichor—the smell of the earth accepting moisture from the air before gravity brought it back down to the soil. In the riverbed’s reflection, she saw the clouds moving faster than she was, racing ahead as if trying to escape the very storm they were about to bring.

She was so lost in her thoughts about the storm arriving early that she barely noticed the fruit bat, Orchard Keeper Crispin Pomme, landing softly beside her after overseeing his land from above.

"What’s on your mind, Thistle?" he said. “Even after all this time, I can tell you’re lost in thought. You don’t usually take the long way.”

"Oh… I’m just focusing on the clouds," she replied. "They look like they're running from something… or maybe running toward something, like they're on a mission. The fluffy ones are sitting on top of each other like a game of leapfrog."

"When I was up there, it felt more like winter than it did spring," Crispin remarked.

A chill ran down Thistle’s spine… or was it just the wind? Things could go wrong, she thought. This spring might not be what she’d hoped—and with so much already at stake, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had something to prove.

She pushed the thought aside, instead deciding to focus on her mission.

"Yeah… I’ll be sure to look into an early rainfall when I get back to my library," she assured him. "But I’m here for something else today. Do you have any pears for a galette?"

"For a galette?" he echoed, ears perking up with excitement.

She nodded.

"One of my trees yielded a beautiful bunch of pears. Is there a word for that? What is it… babushka?"

Thistle chuckled to herself. "I think you mean bushel." She welcomed the distraction.

"Oh! Bushel!" Crispin laughed, shaking his head. "My grandpappy always said ‘babushka of pears’, but to be fair, I think he’d already lost most of his teeth by then. ‘Bushel’ probably just came out garbled."

He chuckled, then added, "That’s also what he called my grandmother—his little pear. Now I understand why she said it made her feel old."

Thistle smiled. “It’s good to have you back again, Crispin,” she said.

As she looked at Crispin Pomme, she could see the nostalgia clear on his face as he remembered his grandfather. It filled her with gratitude for the residents of the Blooming Glade.

Living in a community where all the residents fully embraced and understood each other was something she always cherished about the Blooming Glade—the way they remembered small details, the way she knew exactly what time Crispin would be flying over the orchard and back just in time for this request. The Glade residents were steady and consistent—something Thistle often struggled to be. Their days moved at the same unhurried rhythm, grounding her like deep roots in the earth.

She took this moment to also admire the beautiful trees—how they stood strong throughout the winter, how they would continue to stand strong through what should be just a small passing storm.

"That sounds perfect," she said. "I'm excited."

"The best part of this time of year," Crispin added, "is that I get to enjoy one of your delicious galettes."

"I can't wait to see what else the orchard yields this year."

As Thistle started to head back, she remembered the couple of leeks from her garden she needed to complete the recipe.

When she made a forest galette, she could usually go back and forth between the garden and the kitchen. But this time, it seemed she wouldn’t have that luxury.

As she began to gather the ingredients, she felt the temperature shift—sudden and sharp, like a sink running out of hot water. A chill ran down her spine.

She didn’t have much time. Butterflies stirred in her stomach, and her chest tightened like a sleeping flower curling away from the sun. She was nervous. She wasn’t sure she could handle sudden change—wasn’t sure if she was ready for things to be different. Could she really let go of her expectations?

She took a deep breath of the cool air and reminded herself—she was never afraid of storms. They were only change in motion. And what better way to welcome change than with the warmth of baking, made with intention?

In that moment, she decided—an early storm wasn’t so bad after all.

"I’m sure the flowers need it. What’s the worst that could happen?"

🍐Forest Galette🥬

Sweet and Savory Forest Fun with Every Bite

Recipe:

Recipe Information

Total Time: ~1 hour (plus chilling time)
Skill Level: Intermediate
Category: Forager’s Pockets – Savory Pastries & Pies

Dietary Information:
✅ 🌿 Vegetarian
✅ 🌱 Vegan (if using dairy-free swaps)
❌ 🌾 Not Gluten-Free (contains wheat, but can be made GF with a 1:1 flour blend)
⚠ Potential Sensitivities:
🔸 🌾 Contains Wheat
🔸 🍯 Contains Honey (swap for maple syrup if needed)
🌿 Substitutions & Notes:

• Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend to make it gluten-free.
• Swap pears for apples or figs for seasonal variety.
• Dairy-Free & Vegan Option:
• Butter Swap: Miyoko’s European-Style Vegan Butter or Earth Balance Buttery Sticks.
• Goat’s Milk Cheese Swap: Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta or Violife Creamy Spread.

Crust

Ingredients:
🌿 1 cup all-purpose flour – The grounding element, sturdy and strong.
🌿 1/2 cup ice water – Clarity, fluidity, and adaptability.
🌿 1 stick cold butter (or vegan alternative) – Protection and comfort.
🌿 Wild herbs of choice (see below for options) – A touch of nature’s magic, tailored to intention.
🌿 Pinch of salt – A purifying balance.

Wild Herb Suggestions:

✨ For Clarity & Protection – Rosemary, sage, or thyme
✨ For Prosperity & Abundance – Dill, basil, or bay leaf
✨ For Love & Warmth – Marjoram, lavender, or lemon balm
✨ For Strength & Courage – Nettles, mugwort, or parsley

Making the Dough:

1. Prepare the Dough – In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cold butter, chosen wild herbs, and salt. Mix until the texture resembles coarse sand.
2. Incorporate the Water – Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together.
3. Chill the Dough – Wrap the dough tightly and freeze for 15–20 minutes before rolling out.

Filling

Ingredients:
🌿 1 small onion, finely chopped – For wisdom and grounding.
🌿 1 tbsp butter (or vegan alternative) – A soft richness to carry flavors.
🌿 1 leek, chopped – Subtle sweetness, strength, and renewal.
🌿 Assorted forest vegetables (optional) – Seasonal adaptability, tied to nature’s gifts.
🌿 2–3 ripe pears, sliced – Sweet balance and prosperity.
🌿 1/4 cup honey goat’s milk cheese (or dairy-free alternative) – A creamy, tangy contrast.
🌿 Flour (for dusting) – A steady foundation.
🌿 1 handful fresh arugula – A peppery contrast, a spark of bold energy.
🌿 Honey (or maple syrup for vegan option) – A golden touch of warmth and abundance.

Method:

1. Sauté the Aromatics

• Heat a pan over medium heat and melt the butter (or vegan alternative).
• Add the chopped onion and cook until lightly browned.
• Stir in the chopped leeks.
• If using other fresh forest vegetables, add them now and cook until softened.
  2. Prepare the Dough
• Remove the galette dough from the freezer; it should be pliable but still firm.
• Lightly flour a clean countertop and roll out the dough into a rustic, semi-flat circle. (No need for perfect edges!)
  3. Assemble the Galette
• Spread the honey goat’s milk cheese (or dairy-free alternative) evenly over the bottom layer of the dough.
• Layer the sautéed aromatics (onions, leeks, and any additional vegetables) over the cheese.
• Arrange the pear slices in a circular pattern on top of the aromatics.
• Gently fold the edges inward, overlapping slightly to create a rustic, bowl-like shape to hold the filling.
  3. Bake the Galette
• Transfer the assembled galette to a baking sheet.
• Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
  4. Finish & Serve
• Let the galette cool slightly before serving.
• Scatter fresh arugula on top for a contrast of flavors and textures.
• Drizzle with honey (or maple syrup for vegan version) for a final touch of sweetness.

✨ Best enjoyed…

• By a rain-streaked window, watching the first droplets dance on new spring grass.
• With a warm cup of chamomile or lemon balm tea, mirroring the gentle renewal of the season.
• Wrapped in a cozy blanket, listening to the soft rhythm of the rain as the scent of fresh herbs lingers in the air.
• As a grounding meal after stepping outside to feel the drizzle, embracing the cool mist of spring’s awakening.