“I am, by nature, a seeker of light. And you, Sunpetal, are the brightest beam in the Blooming Glade.” She sighed. “But you already knew that.” -Sylva, The Silk Moth

The Moth Sized Crush

Thistle wouldn’t have noticed how much time had passed if not for her stomach growling loud enough to break the spell of her book, pulling her back to the gentle patter of rain against her cottage windows. It was only then that she realized the sun had already gone down, though it was difficult to tell the difference these days. Thick storm clouds had been looming over the Glade, turning every hour into a perpetual night.

However, there are some perks to rain, even when it seems like it's never-ending. One of which being the unhurried time in the stillness—the ability to sit down with a good book, knowing that you won’t be interrupted by the guilt that comes with staying indoors on a beautiful day. Tonight, for the first time, it felt more like a usual spring rainstorm—one where she could lose herself into a new world with the light pitter-pattering, and the gentle breeze that made the branches lightly press against her windowsill by her reading nook. She had everything she needed, though she desperately wished she had a nice blanket.

Thistle lazily stretched and made her way to the kitchen to see what she could pull together without taking too much time away from her book. She was uninterested in overdoing it. She wanted something simple so she could find her way back to her story and curl up next to the hearth. She was happy to find bread from yesterday’s bake—perfect for a grilled cheese to pair with her favorite comfort: tomato soup by the fire.

“Let’s see what we have,” Thistle said to herself.

It had been a couple of days since she’d been able to look through her garden for what was left. Tonight was the first time in weeks that the glade was not pelted so harshly by the rains. On her last journey, she was able to forage some tomatoes. She definitely had onions, plenty of salt (kept more for protection than flavor), and a pot of broth made from damaged vegetables she'd salvaged before the worst of the rains.

“The only thing I’m missing is rosemary,” she said. No worries. She had already dried rosemary well before the rains began, a practice that Ma Violette insisted on each winter. She just needed to make her way down to the cellar to collect it, and then she would be on her way to a cozy evening alone.

Or would she? As she drifted down the stairs, she was surprised to see the candlelight already lit in the cellar. But before she could wonder why—she saw her.

“Sylva.” She said breathlessly.

Sylva – the silver-tongued silk moth– draped dreamily across the cellar beams. A fae who wove satin from an enchanted pouch. Creating wearable art that draped around those lucky enough to receive her lovely sweaters, and blankets that were both impossibly soft and breathtakingly gorgeous in the homes of the Glade. Tunisian crochet is what she called it, something she learned from the Reader’s Realm. She always kept her needle close by, hanging off her satchel, wielding it like a magic wand.

Sylva had opaline skin that shimmered in the enchanted candlelight of Thistle’s cellar, her soft white gossamer hair flowing as if it was taken by an unfelt breeze. She perched gracefully upon the beams, allowing her satin wings and silken cloths to dry, like the herbs hanging from the beams in the cellar. If the Glitterbrook could speak, it would sing her name. The way she embodied the movement of the ripples and the sparkle of the moonlight as it caught the brook was almost uncanny.

Thistle’s heart tucked itself into a drawer when she was finally spotted in the doorway. When Sylva caught her eye, her knees went traitorously soft.

With a velveteen voice that always gave Thistle goosebumps, Sylva hummed, “I was wondering when you would notice that I was here. I was beginning to think you may never.”

She chuckled, a sound that reminded Thistle of a babbling stream—and soft-spun sugar.

“I didn’t expect company today,” Thistle said, her voice catching. “In this storm – you know you shouldn’t get your wings so wet.”

“I am by nature a seeker of light. And you, Sunpetal, are the brightest beam in the Blooming Glade,” Sylva sighed. “But you already knew that.”

Thistle’s cheeks went red-hot at the compliment, and even hotter when she caught Sylva noticing her red-hot cheeks. She busied herself, untangling the rosemary from the rafters.

“Oh, well, you definitely shouldn’t go out again in this rain,” Thistle said, trying to sound as silky-smooth in her lilt as Sylva naturally imbued. Almost on cue, her stomach growled once more, only much louder—the ultimate betrayal. Thistle wanted to melt into the moonbeams that criss crossed against the cellar floor. “If you aren’t too busy… why don’t you stay for dinner?” She pressed on. “I was just whipping up some tomato soup. There’s enough for two” she offered meekly.

Sylva smiled. “What an honor to share a guardian’s hearth on a rainy night—and even more so, to share some of your magical cooking. My wings are tired and heavy. Warm fire and warm company is exactly what I need”

Thistle bloomed at the concept of being honorable company, especially to the Silk Moth Fae. Her heart fluttered like tiny moon moths as she looked into Sylva’s midnight eyes.

“It’s really my pleasure,” she said breathlessly — almost too truthfully.

And in return, Sylva lulled. “I’ll make you a new blanket—one that will ride out this never-ending storm.”

This time, Thistle beamed with unabashed fervor, unable to hide her excitement. She smiled like sunbeams, and carefully helped Sylva down from the rafters.

“See, Sunpetal,” Sylva purred, brushing a stray curl from Thistle’s brow. “This is the light I meant.”

Tomato Soup 🍅 and Grilled Cheese 🧀Sandwiches to Ride Out The Storm ⛈️

The Dreamer agrees, Grilled Cheese Fixes Everything 🧀

Recipe:

Recipe Information

Total Time: ~1 hour
Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly
Category: Hearthside Comforts – Comfort Foods & Family Favorites, Cauldrons – Soups & Stews

🍽 Notes from the Kitchen

This is one of the first recipes that got me into cooking—simple, warm, and absolutely comforting. It’s especially easy if you have a Dutch oven and immersion blender, but can be made with a baking dish and blender (or even a potato masher if you’re determined).
For the grilled cheese, I highly recommend making it with a slice of Peasant Bread—you can click here to get the recipe and circle back to the start of the spring season.
[Click Here for Spring Loaf 🍞💐]

🥗 Dietary Information

✅ Can be made Vegan (with dairy-free cheese, butter, and milk)
✅ Can be made Gluten-Free (with GF bread and flour)
❌ Contains Dairy (unless modified)

⚠ Potential Sensitivities

• 🧈 Contains Dairy (cheese, butter, optional milk)
  Can be swapped for vegan and/or dairy free substitutions
• 🌾 Contains Gluten (bread; swap for GF)
• 🍅 Naturally acidic – mellow with milk if needed

🌿 Ingredients

For the Soup

• 🌿 4–6 large tomatoes, chopped – For love, protection, and warmth
• 🌿 2 large carrots, chopped – For grounding and sweetness
• 🌿 1 onion (or ½ if preferred) – For stability and foundational flavor
• 🌿 1 stalk celery – For focus and inner balance
• 🌿 Oil of choice (canola or olive) – Canola for simplicity, olive for richness and heart magic
• 🌿 Salt – For purification and moisture drawing
• 🌿 Seasonings (to taste) – Season until you're sneezin’!
  Suggested: rosemary (luck & clarity), parsley (communication), cilantro (cleansing), lemon pepper (energy), garlic (protection), Italian blend, Herbes de Provence
• 🌿 Optional: parmesan or truffle seasoning – Used lightly for depth and umami
• 🌿 Vegetable broth (if needed) – Adds warmth and body to blend
• 🌿 Splash of milk (any kind) – Only if too acidic; adds creaminess and softness
• 🌿 1 tsp brown sugar – For childlike sweetness and comfort memory magic

For the Grilled Cheese

• 🌿 Slices of Peasant Bread – Hearty and homemade, symbolic of simplicity and strength
• 🌿 Cheddar cheese – For courage and cheer, and naturally lactose-free
• 🌿 Butter or vegan butter – For sealing and golden warmth
• 🌿 Optional: truffle seasoning or nutritional yeast – For richness and a boost of flavor magic

🔪 Method

Tomato Soup

Chop and Roast

• Chop your tomatoes, carrots, onion, and celery.
• Add them to a Dutch oven or baking dish and coat generously with oil.
• Sprinkle with salt and your chosen seasonings—season until you're sneezin’!
• Bake at 350°F (or 375°F if in a rush) for 30–40 minutes, until fragrant and fork-soft.

Blend

• Once roasted, use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.
• If you don’t have an immersion blender, transfer to a regular blender or mash well with a potato masher.
• Add vegetable broth if more liquid is needed.

Adjust Flavor

• Taste your soup—if too acidic, add a splash of milk.
• Stir in a teaspoon of brown sugar to bring out that nostalgic, cozy flavor.

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Prep Your Bread

• Butter the outsides of your bread slices.
• Place cheddar slices between them.

Add Magic (Optional)

• Sprinkle truffle seasoning or nutritional yeast into the center before closing the sandwich.

Toast

• Toast on a skillet, in a panini press, or in a toaster oven until golden on both sides and cheese is melted.

✨ Best Enjoyed…

• On a rainy day with an old friend, laughing over a shared memory
• Split in two—one half for you, one for someone who needs a little comfort
• Curled up with a good book, nestled by a hearth or windowsill
• When the world feels a bit too sharp, and you need something soft, familiar, and a little bit cheesy