The COZIEST Sleepy Stories: The Rainy Day Bakery | Rain and Storytelling

foreign to get sleepy when we listen we relax and we get sleepy I'm your host Thomas tonight we have another special long length episode that compiles a number of our stories together into one this time we'll be enjoying four of our visits to Lily's Rainy Day Bakery the first is a story called pumpkin pie and coffee followed by baked apples on a Blustery Day the perfect batch of cookies and a foggy day for fudge to really help set the mood we're going to play the sound of rain throughout in the background I hope you enjoy

listening to some of our all-time favorites here tonight all written by Shady Grove Oliver and all narrated by me so now let's take a moment to get settled more deeply into bed and into relaxation [Music] the setting for our story tonight may feel familiar cozy and comforting to many of you by now place you know you can rely on for all those soothing attributes and the spot you're in right now snuggling into bed May well bring you that same sense of familiarity and comfort enjoy the feeling of your head sinking into the pillow giving your

neck muscles the opportunity to completely relax and embrace the luxurious sense of your entire body gradually easing into a deep state of rest [Music] even if you feel some tension or achiness in some areas of your body just know that gradually as you continue to relax they will all Melt Away bit by bit allowing you to drift into a soft and soothing sleep for now just enjoy the coziness of your bed and the coziness of tonight's story too the raindrops Pat us softly against the bedroom window the rhythm of this early morning shower is the

first thing Lily hears as her mind drifts from dreams to wakefulness she listens to every drop as it bursts gently on the glass one by one she counts them until there are too many to follow so instead she lets her mind wander as they all flow together like grains of rice poured into a jar this is the music of the Season she thinks the wrap of the rain and the timid Russell of leaves on branches she smiles picturing the beauty of the autumn colors and the gradual wrapping up of the year Lily yawns and stretches

her arms out over her head Darkness still lingers outside but it's time for her to get up soon she'll put on her hat and coat and walked down to her Bakery to prepare for the first customers of the day [Music] although she starts her morning before all of her neighbors Lily doesn't mind she loves what she does and always looks forward to putting the very first treats in the oven and Brewing the first cup of coffee the smiles on the faces of the people she knows make the early hours worth it plus it means she's

always ready for a good night's rest when the time comes [Music] she sits up in bed and pulls the sheets away from her legs then she swings her feet over the edge her toes find the Cozy warmth of plush slippers waiting on the floor she shuffles into them and stands yawning once more Lily softly tiptoes into the kitchen it just feels right to be quieter at this hour when night Fades slowly in today outside the window she can see the first hint of Morning Light reflected in Gray behind the house across the street there her

neighbor is still fast asleep he usually Rises once the morning is well underway after a cup of coffee he moves to his garden where he trims the grass and checks in on each and every one of his flowers and bushes he keeps the nicest plants that Lily has ever seen she sighs with gratitude thinking of all the kind and friendly people who live on her Street Lily walks over to the kitchen counter and Brews herself a cup of strong black tea it's her favorite morning drink she adds a splash of milk and watches the creamy

liquid Circle through the cup slowly mixing with the darker counterpart carefully carries it over to her spot on the wooden seat beneath the kitchen window she sits down and brings the steaming cup to her lips the first sip is always the best she welcomes The Taste in her mouth the tea warms her from the inside like the Embers of a cozy fire on a chilly day looking at the sky through the glass Lily sees the clouds have formed a heavy blanket that hangs over town it's unlikely there will be a break in the rain today

she thinks but that's nothing to worry about it always rains like this in autumn and she enjoys the special feelings that come along with this time of year if there were no rain she wouldn't need to pull on her warm and fuzzy sweaters or slip her feet into her favorite rubber boots she wouldn't get to wear her cozy scarves or use her cheerful colored umbrella really the rain is easy to enjoy so long as you have warm clothes and a cup of tea he takes the last Sip and washes the cup in the sink leaving

it to dry on a little bamboo rack then she walks to her bedroom and dresses for the day with a final glance at her comfortable bed she heads to the front door there will be plenty of time to rest later on [Music] in the hallway she pulls on her felt hat and Woolen scarf and picks up her bright yellow umbrella the door closes with a click behind her and she steps out onto the walkway she slides the umbrella open it abruptly Pops to life in a burst of color above her head sitting in the window

of the house on her right is the little white cat she's come to know well its owner is a lovely woman who usually wears her hair in a bun the cat stares at lily as she passes but its expression gives nothing away she smiles at it and waves aside from her fluffy friend no one else in the neighborhood has begun to stare as she walks Lily passes quaint homes with dark Windows still tucked in for the night few porchlights flicker above brick front steps and the street lamps around her give off a soft yellow glow

which pools with the rain water on the pavement [Music] she listens to the sound of the rain trickling down the fabric of the umbrella beneath its Sunny yellow canopy She is safe and dry it reminds her of when she used to build pillow and blanket forts as a child hidden away under the folds of cotton and fleece she felt as though the whole world was distilled down into a quiet and protected space that was all her own Lily Smiles at the memory and uses her free hand to pull the Woolen scarf more closely around her

she skips over a puddle on her left and weaves around another on her right as she begins her Descent of the Hill leading to the bakery's parking area in the distance the brightly painted door of the shop stands out against the Gloom swirls of green blue yellow purple and orange paint dance across the wooden exterior welcoming all who enter she vividly remembers painting the door one summer evening all those years ago brush in hand she let her creativity lead the way combining the rainbow of colors into spiraling patterns all across the wooden surface when she

finished she brushed the hair out of her eyes and looked down her overalls and hands were splattered with flecks of dried paint she laughed caught up in the joy of bringing Beauty to the ordinary if only in a small way now Lily pulls out her set of brass keys and fits one into the lock on the door it creaks open revealing the dark interior of the still sleeping shop she shakes off her umbrella and flicks a switch with her fingertip the lights snap on and she sighs with contentment it's good to be back in the

bakery the smell of flour sugar and espresso beans greet her as she walks through the quiet shop these Aromas waft toward her from the kitchen a reminder of yesterday's baking there's also a hint of toasted pecans from the pie she made just before closing up in her mind she runs through all the things she plans to make today as she gets the bakery ready to open she turns on the oven to let it warm up first she'll do cinnamon rolls like always she thinks to herself but this time she can add some toasted pecans for

a little extra crunch she brings over all the metal components of the espresso machine that she left drying on the rack the night before she'll also be making pumpkin pie today she remembers every year around this time her customers start to ask when the pumpkin pies will be done some people like to order by the slice but there are always a few hoping to bring home a whole pie to share with their family Lily walks over to the Cozy seating area and reaches down against the wall her fingertips find a plug which she inserts into

the socket strands of fairy lights twinkle to life above her head for a moment she stops moving and her mind Settles Lily takes a deep breath in and looks up at the lights as she exhales a sense of calm washes over her it's important to slow down and enjoy the small moments she thinks after all these are the ones that make life magical [Music] with the lights shimmering on the ceiling she walks over to the counter and into the small open kitchen area from here she has a clear view of the whole shop and can

easily move from her baking table to the espresso machine when people come in she pulls two large white buckets of dough out from under the counter the sticky dough has been rising here overnight she pours it onto the wooden surface and spreads it out flat then she sprinkles it with cinnamon sugar and toasted pecans and uses the tips of her fingers to roll it into a large log she slices it into discs which have delicate spirals of filling running through them she dusts the tops of each with more cinnamon sugar and then sets the tray

in the oven to bake after a few minutes the delicious Aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls wafts through the bakery the comforting scent and the warmth of the oven intermingle making Lily feel right at home a while later the oven beeps she takes out the tray of rolls and sets it on a wire rack to cool now it's time to start on the pie she makes her way to The Pantry at the back of the kitchen and opens the door Lily thinks of this space as her own Magic Room packed full of all the ingredients and

supplies that she could possibly need tubs of flour and baking powder are stacked beneath large canisters of spices and bottles of flavor extract a jar of vanilla pods sits on the topmost Shelf there is star anise fresh cloves and poppy seeds onion powder roasted garlic and chili flakes and there on the bottom shelf tucked near the back are fresh sugar pumpkins from a farm up the road she chooses a hefty medium-sized pumpkin and Tucks it under her arm in a large metal mixing bowl she piles jars of spices and a few Wooden Spoons she balances

it all with the flare of someone who is used to carrying more than they should Lily sets her arm full of ingredients down on the counter first she has to roast the pumpkin she carefully slices the gourd in half and Scoops out the stringy interior and seeds then she sets both sides face down on a baking tray and puts them in the oven to cook and soften while the oven Works its magic on the pumpkin Lily gets to work on the crust there are many different types of crusts she could make but her favorite is

graham cracker she got the recipe from her Aunt Lucy who always baked mini pies for all the children during the holidays Lily pulls a plastic sleeve of graham crackers from their blue cardboard box and sets it on the counter She lays a tea towel over the package and gets out her large heavy rolling pin gently she rolls it back and forth over the towel crushing the crackers below she works the pin from side to side feeling the smooth wooden handles move beneath her Palms the crackers Crunch and snap under the weight once they are the

texture of rough sand she pulls open the corners of the bag and pause the contents into a mixing bowl a little puff of graham cracker dust tickles her nose Lily walks to the large silver refrigerator and finds a stick of butter [Music] she unwraps the waxy packaging and plops the stick into a mixing cup it goes in the microwave for just a few seconds until the butter is melted she pours the butter into the bowl with the crumbs and adds a good amount of sugar and cinnamon using a long wooden spoon she mixes them all

together until they feel like wet sand with her fingers she spreads the mixture into the bottom and sides of a shallow pie dish she works over the crust methodically careful not to let it crack along the edges she pushes and presses a little more here a little less there before long it forms an even brown base the oven beeps once again Lily pulls on her thick colorful oven mitts and lifts out the tray of pumpkin then she slides the pie dish into its place she sets the timer for 12 minutes just enough to get the

crust a little bit crunchy so it holds up under the weight of the liquid filling just then she hears a Creak as the wooden door swings open her first customer of the day has arrived as always it's Sheamus the kind elderly man who likes to read his paper with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll The Only Exception is on days like today when she makes pumpkin pie he smiles at lily as she pours a long thin stream of coffee into a mug he's been coming into her shop for so many years he doesn't

even have to order anymore by the time he reaches the counter and wishes her a good morning Lily already has his breakfast ready to go smells like pumpkin pie is on the menu he says to her taking his coffee in hand she smiles and Promises to bring him out a slice as soon as it's finished baking he thanks her and takes up his usual seat by the window snapping open the crisp fold of the morning newspaper now that he's here it really feels like the day has begun [Music] Lily and joy is working while Sheamus

is in the shop he is as much a part of this place as any of her other regular customers together they are a community a family almost and they call the Rainy Day Bakery home she looks at the timer and sees the crust is ready to come out she pulls on her mitts and removes the dish from the oven it smells warm sweet and toasty just Heavenly as Sheamus would say now Lily turns her attention to the pumpkin filling with a spoon she Scoops out the orange flesh of the pumpkin from the skin and drops

it into a large bowl she mashes it around with a wooden spoon until it has an even and smooth consistency she brings over eggs and heavy cream from the refrigerator and begins cracking the eggs one by one adding them to the pumpkin then she pours in the cream watching its milky whiteness trickle through valleys of orange puree like little pearly Rivers Lily measures heaping spoonfuls of cinnamon ground ginger nutmeg cloves and cardamom together the spices call to mind everything familiar and comforting about this time of year this is the aroma of the holidays of family

and togetherness as she mixes the air seems to hold her in a warm embrace of memory and scent she creates the tiniest bit of lemon zest into the filling to brighten the flavor and give it a little zing she stirs it one more time until the mixture is perfectly smooth and silky carefully she pours the filling into the crust using a spatula to clean the sides of the bowl and get every last drop then she slowly carries the wobbly pie to the oven and puts it down gently on the rack with the timer set she

has a few moments to rest she leans back against her table and looks out over the shop there's a bookshelf in the corner where people have left little paperbacks and large hard-bound art books she's put in a few mystery novels herself over the years after she finishes reading them she likes to pass them on to someone else knowing they'll bring the same kind of joy to new eyes near the Shelf there's a small hand-painted children's rocking chair she found it in a second-hand shop years ago and brought it into the bakery for her smaller customers

over time various children added their own special touches to the chair now it's decorated with flowers and bees squiggly lines and little scratches the beep from the oven pulls Lily back to the baking at hand the pie is ready she opens the oven door and a hot Breeze meets her cheeks like dragon's breath it carries with it the Nutty and savory sweet Aroma of of warm pumpkin pie Lily pulls the dish out of the oven and sets it on the counter it caused there while she cleans up all the mixing bowls rolling pins and measuring

cups over by the window she can see Sheamus casting curious looks towards the pie she laughs and cuts him a slice on second thought she cuts an extra piece for herself too it's been a long morning already and she can think of nothing better than sitting with an old friend for a taste of something sweet puts each slice on a small white dish and plops a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top then carries them over to the table by the window and sits down across from Sheamus smells delicious just like every year he says

sinking his Fork into the filling Lily brings the first bite to her lips and save us the tanginess of the pumpkin against her tongue the flavor is deep and aromatic it fills her senses with warm sweet spice perfect she thinks just perfect as she eats her pie she looks around with pride at her little Bakery Sheamus smiles good friends are excellent company on Autumn days like this she thinks she looks at the fairy lights and watches them twinkle to the rhythmic pattering of the rain against the window these are the details that make this place

feel like home Lily thinks the bakery tells the story of its customers of all the people who have ever walked through its creaky wooden door he smiles contented knowing this is exactly where she's meant to be foreign drops tap the window panes near Lily's bed every so often a gust of wind tosses the rain towards the glass with slightly more Force Lily lies under the covers with her eyes closed listening to the sound of the storm ebb and flow it's sure to be a blustery day she thinks to herself it's final moments in bed before

she rises in the morning as some of Lily's favorites when her thoughts are dreamy and her mind still remembers the feeling of deep sleep before long she feels a yawn overtaking her and reaches her arms up and out in a big stretch next she circles her ankles a few times to the right and then to the left so they're ready to move when she steps out of bed Lily takes a deep breath in and then lets it out slowly as her body relaxes into a soft comfort of the sheets just a minute more she thinks

to herself with a hint of a smile the rain Taps the window in waves as though curtains of water are opening and closing over another large gust of wind rattles the branches of the tree outside and sends a flurry of raindrops towards the house days like this are always exciting for Lily when the weather seems wild and unpredictable it's as though the rain and wind encourage her to be a bit more spontaneous herself with that thought she pushes herself up until she's sitting on the edge of the bed and then stands glancing out the window

as she does as always it's still dark outside Lily wakes up early in the most people in town as she has to have the Bakery open Ed ready by the time everyone else is starting their day she knows the rest of the neighborhood is sleeping soundly even the house cats are probably dozing in fluffy beds or on pillows by windowsills waiting for Dawn Lily slides her feet into her comfy slippers and then pads softly into the kitchen the first thing she does is put on the kettle for a nice cup of strong hot tea she

leans against the counter as she waits for the water to boil listening to the bubbles beginning to rumble Within [Music] Lily takes out a small metal t-ball from the drawer and fills it with fragrant strands of loose leaf black tea [Music] each Leaf stands at a funny angle in the ball so she has to be careful not to let any of them fall out as she twists on the top she hangs the t-ball over the side of her Cup by a tiny metal hook and chain when the water is ready she pours it over the

tea bubbles Rise Up from within the metal ball and it floats slightly before sinking to the bottom a fan of tea color spreads out from it shading the clear water as it swirls around Lily lifts the cup to her nose and inhales deeply she loves the smell of hot tea on a chilly morning feeling spontaneous she decides to skip her usual splash of milk opting to drink it black today but still Desiring the comfort of her routine She carries it over to the wooden seat beneath the kitchen window this is where she always drinks her

morning tea gazing out at the Sleepy neighborhood on the other side of the glass some mornings the first rays of light would already be shining through the clouds by this time but today the sky is heavy and dark a blanket of gray clouds hangs low over town and the rain is continuous shifted only by the ever-changing wind she can see how it bends and sways the branches of the tree across the street it's definitely coat weather today she decides Lily sips her tea slowly feeling herself warming up a bit more with every drop she Wiggles

her toes inside her fuzzy slippers enjoying the way it sends a tingling sensation across her skin this is the most perfectly cozy morning she thinks to herself when she finishes her tea she washes out the cup and sets it to dry on a bamboo rack by the sink although the sun hasn't come out yet Lily knows it's time to get ready to head down to the bakery after so many years of opening her shop each and every morning Lily feels as though she has an internal clock that's calibrated to the second she intuitively knows when

she should be finishing her tea and when she needs to step out the door in order to make it to the bakery in good time Lily shuffles into her bedroom picks out a gray shirt to wear it's a fitting color to match the weather outside when she's dressed she heads to the front door she slips on her thick wool coat and buttons it up at the front then she wraps a chunky cable knit scarf around her neck one of her regular customers Rose made it for her two Winters ago now it's one of her most

cherished pieces of clothing every time she pulls it on she thinks of all the people she's able to call friend and it makes her feel warm and toasty in since [Music] Lily pulls one edge of the scarf up over her chin and then tucks the ends into her wool coat she takes out a large pair of gloves from the coat pockets slipping them on one by one the last thing she has to get is her trusty Yellow Umbrella now she's ready to head out closes the door behind her and pauses on the front step to

open the umbrella the wind pushes against it making it hard to raise the slider up to expand to the canopy but with a little determination Lily gets it open adding a splash of yellow to the otherwise dark morning bracing herself Against the Wind she steps out onto the sidewalk heavy raindrops Thunder against the fabric of the umbrella the sound is magnified beneath it so she can hear the plop and splat of every drop foreign she spies the small white cat that's always waiting for her in her neighbor's window but this morning the cat is still

asleep in the warmth of the house with its pink nose tucked under its fluffy tail usually the cat is awake and washing its paws or following her path with watchful eyes but today is a lazy day for the white cat Lily watches as it naps contentedly behind the glass for a moment she wishes that she too could be at home tucked up in bed but then she thinks of her regular customers and it brings a smile to her face they are the reason she gets up each and every day rain or shine and opens the

door to the Rainy Day Bakery she continues walking down the wet pavement towards town [Music] every few steps she has to move to one side or the other to avoid a large puddle the sidewalk glistens in the glow of the street lights and still the sun is nowhere to be found [Music] this will probably be one of those days where it stays dark until noon she thinks up ahead she catches a glimpse of the brightly painted Bakery door even in the dim light the brilliant colors Stand Out welcoming in all who pass by it's a

Haven for people on a day like this they can come inside drink a cup of something hot and have a slice of pie or a cinnamon roll and read a good book some customers prefer to chat to one another enjoying the company of new friends and old in a familiar place her Bakery really has become part of the fabric of this community she realizes it's a home away from home a spot where everyone can find something to make them feel happy and content yeah just as this thought crosses her mind a gust of wind rumples

the fabric of her umbrella the handle jumps in her fingers and before she knows what's happening the top canopy of the umbrella has blown backwards no longer protected from the rain Lily makes a dash for the colorful door she pulls out her set of brass keys and inserts the right one into the lock she clutches her bent umbrella under her arm and pushes open the door to reveal the dark silent Bakery [Music] Lily wipes her feet on the entry mat so she won't leave quite as many wet Footprints in her wake then she flexed the

light switch with her fingertip Illuminating this small shop now that she's able to see a bit better Lily looks down to inspect the damage to her Yellow Umbrella fortunately several of the connecting pieces of metal are bent in the wrong direction also the slider no longer catches so the canopy doesn't stay propped open anymore with a sigh she places the umbrella down on the ground in the entryway it has served her well for many years but it's time for a replacement Lily had planned to be in the bakery all day so she isn't sure when

she'll have time to shop for a new one it might end up being a very damp walk home tonight she thinks to herself but that's all right she's used to the weather here and she'll just have to make the best of it Lily takes a deep breath to clear her mind and then exhales refocusing on the tasks of the day she smells The Familiar hints of espresso beans flour and pecans lingering from the evening before on a typical day she makes cinnamon rolls first thing but like with her tea she's feeling spontaneous the wind or

the rain patterning heavily on the ground outside but Lily thinks it's time for a change she heads into the Cozy seating area and leans down to plug in a strand of fairy lights within moments they twinkle on overhead like diamonds with a bit more pep in her step she walks back into the pantry she runs her gaze over the shelves stacked high with baking supplies and ingredients but what do I want to make today she Whispers to herself she made a blueberry pie two days ago lemon squares and pecan Rose yesterday and chocolate muffins last

week those are all favorites with the customers but then Lily considers what would make her happy few years back Lily found her grandmother's cookbook on a shelf in the family house while she was leafing through it she came across a recipe she'd never tried before looked intriguing so she marked her place with a piece of scratch paper in the spine Lily's grandmother's cookbook now resides on a dark wooden bookshelf standing against the back wall of the pantry with a smile Lily walks over to the book and opens it to the good page the recipe is

simply titled baked apples in the margins of the page yellowed with time Lily sees her grandmother's recognizable scroll note reads perfect for a chilly autumn day here and there across the page her grandmother wrote in corrections to the original recipe little tips and slight changes of measurements to make the final product even better this is what I'll make today Lily decides it's time to try something new the ingredient list is fairly simple she needs butter brown sugar cinnamon nutmeg rolled oats chopped pecans and several large apples Lily gathers the ingredients and carries them back behind

the counter she leaves the butter out to soften then she begins preparing the nuts she chops them coarsely and sets them to the side before measuring out the oats finally she turns on the oven and leaves it to preheat the next part of the recipe is a bit trickier she has to core the apples and make a pocket for the filling without splitting them in half her grandmother wrote in the margin beside it used paring knife and Spoon it instructs her Lily picks up her paring knife and inserts the tip near the stem of the

first Apple she slides it in and cuts in a careful circle around to the Core then she twists it slowly to help the core detach closer to the bottom with a gentle pull it comes free the hollowed out Apple reminds her of a pumpkin with its seeds removed she sets the fruit aside and moves on to the next one soon the task feels routine she's able to remove the core with one swift movement over and over again until she has a row of apples ready to be filled next it's time to make the filling Lily

gathers the softened butter sugar cinnamon and Nutmeg and mashes them all together with a wooden spoon when the spices are evenly distributed she stars in the oats and pecan pieces then she takes a spoon and carefully Stuffs the filling into the apples right up to the top [Music] when the apples are prepared she lines them up carefully in ceramic pie dishes Lily pours water into each dish so the bottoms of the apples are just submerged prevents drying and burning grandmother wrote finally she's ready to put them into the oven she slides her hands into thick

oven mitts and places the pie dishes on the metal racks Lily closes the oven door and sets the timer to let her know when she needs to check them as she's beginning to clear up her workspace she hears the door to the bakery Creek open it's Rose one of her favorite customers and someone she now considers a friend after all these years Rose smiles and waves from the door before unwrapping her scarf and hanging it over the back of a chair Lily has her coffee ready by the time she's heading over to the counter Rose

thanks her with a warm smile and then asks how Lily's day has been going so far Lily tells her all about the baked apples from her grandmother's recipe she's excited to have her first taste tester if Rose is interested the pair chat about the weather and how it's an especially blustery autumn day [Music] then with a sigh Lily mentions her broken umbrella I don't know if I'll have time to replace it before I head home tonight she says Rose pets are on the arm sure it will all turn out just fine she replies before carrying

her coffee to her table and sitting down soon after one of the other regular customers Sheamus arrives Lily brings him his coffee and Promises him a baked apple when they're out of the oven one by one all of her morning customers violin some of them look like they've run through the storm wearing coats splattered with raindrops others carry folded newspapers over their heads or open the door to shake out their umbrellas [Music] she serves them a variety of coffees teas and sweets when the timer goes off Lily turns away from the seating area and faces

the oven carefully pulls out the pie dishes filled with apples which are now soft and gooey [Music] out of the corner of her eye Lily notices Rose speaking with different customers she wonders what they're all talking about at this time of the morning but it's just a passing curiosity as her mind returns to the task at hand she carefully plucks the apples out of the water-filled pie dishes and sets them on individual plates then she walks over to the refrigerator and takes out a carton of whipping cream she pours some in a bowl and spoons

a bit of sugar on top then she uses a handheld mixer to beat it into whipped cream the mixer drones on as the beaters spin and Lily watches rose head out the door but she hasn't even tried her baked apple yet Lily thinks when soft peaks form in the white cream she stops beating with a metal spoon Lily drops a dollop of whipped cream on every Apple along with a drizzle of her famous caramel sauce the warm fragrance of the hot apples and Rich cream is tantalizing it permeates the air creating an atmosphere of homey

comfort carries the first plate out to Sheamus and sets it in front of him next there are plates for the family in the corner the woman with the newspaper and the man who usually orders cranberry scones as she's Distributing the apples Lily sees Rose walk back through the door in her hand is a long thin package wrapped in shiny paper Rose beckons to Lily who comes over he says handing her the package on it is a handwritten note 2 Lily from all your friends at the Rainy Day Bakery Lily pulls open the paper to reveal

a brand new umbrella inside this one is green with yellow polka dots and a handle in the shape of a duck's head [Music] this might be the most cheerful umbrella I've ever seen in my whole life Lily tells Rose as she admires it you all so much looking around the room Lily can see that the other customers are smiling widely too this was a present from all of them she realizes a present from all of our friends the thought fills Lily with warmth and joy this place and these people give her a true sense of

belonging I've got something for you too she tells rose with a wink handing her one of the last two baked apples from her grandmother's recipe the other Lily keeps for herself together they sit by the window gazing at the wet gray and windy day outside but here in the Rainy Day Bakery everything and everyone safe warm and loved Lily uses a spoon to scoop out some of the soft apple and gooey filling perfectly spiced and deliciously sweet and it's made even more so knowing that her grandmother guided her along the way and she's sharing it

now with the best of friends [Music] the first thing Lily hears when she opens her eyes sound of gentle rain coming down outside her window there isn't even a hint of wind so it's just the steady rhythmic sound of droplets hitting the ground she yawns bringing her arms up over her head and stretching her legs out as far as they'll go then she relaxes into her soft bed enjoying these last few moments of restfulness before the day begins in a lily has a big day ahead she'll be hosting the annual cookie decorating party at the

bakery she made several batches of sugar cookies yesterday but she's still got more to do before people start arriving later this morning this is one of her favorite times of year the bakery is always a nice place to be but on cookie day it's full of warmth laughter and The Smiling Faces of her friends and Neighbors Lily stretches once more and then shifts our legs over the side of the bed and sits up her fuzzy slippers are right where she left them last night she puts them on and then pulls her robe off the hook

on the back of her bedroom door snuggling into its cozy warmth she walks quietly into the kitchen her morning routine is almost always the same fast she puts the kettle on while she waits she fills a metal table with a delicious cranberry orange spiced black tea it's one of her favorites to drink in winter when the water is hot she pours it over the table to the cup and breathes deeply as the spicy steam fills the air around her she pours in a splash of milk and then carries it over to her wooden window seat

the sun rises later at this time of year so it's still quite dark outside she can see the hint of a nightlight in her neighbor's house across the street but most people here are still asleep because she opens the bakery every morning Lily has to be awake before everyone else she's always enjoyed that part of her job being the one to Usher people into their day with a cup of coffee and something sweet she hopes it helps them start off right although she gazes out the window for quite some time the sky overhead stays dark

and cloudy they were forecasting snow today she thinks to herself I wonder if it will come after all she brushes the back of her hand against the cold glass of the window just has to get a bit colder she thinks with a smile snowy days always make the bakery a bit more magical to Lily [Music] from where she works behind the counter she has a clear view out the windows to the street whenever it snows she likes watching it pile up on the Pavements where children run through it laughing and smiling or build snowmen by

the street lamps she's always enjoyed watching the rain too of course but everyone needs a little extra magic sometimes Lily takes her last sip of tea and carries the cup over to the sink she washes it and leaves it to dry on her bamboo rack then she heads back into her bedroom to get dressed every year during the cookie party Lily wears the same Charming sweater she got it several years ago as a Christmas gift it features a friendly snowman with large trees in the background the Snowman was knit as a pile of squares rather

than circles and has a very goofy grin it makes her smile every time she wears it and her customers always seem to enjoy it too when she's ready she walks out of her bedroom to the front entryway Lily pulls on her coat scarf hat and gloves then she picks up her new umbrella green with yellow polka dots and a handle shaped like a duck's head and Loops the cord around her wrist closing her door with a click she steps out into the Early Morning Rain it's let up a bit since she was in bed now

it's more of a drizzle but she still prefers the warm and dry comfort to be found beneath her umbrella Lily slides it open and holds it above her head the drops make a gentle pitter patter on the cheerful fabric as she begins to walk down the road every time she uses this umbrella it makes her think of her friends and longtime customers at the bakery when her trusty old umbrella broke during an Autumn storm they bought her a new one as a gift it was a gesture of kindness she thinks about often and she's happy

for the reminder on this rainy morning as she gazes up through the colorful polka dots streaked with lines of water looking over at her neighbor's window she's surprised to see a black cat instead of a white one it appears that term with watchful eyes as it presses its nose to the glass then just behind it Lily spots a flicker of white sure enough it's a tail belonging to the cat she's used to seeing on her walk to work she watches as the cats readjust and curl up together like semi-circles completing each other's pattern how nice

for the white cat to have a new friend Lily thinks now they can keep each other company with a smile Lily continues on her way down to the bakery soon The Familiar multi-colored door comes into view the first hint of dim gray Morning Light is playing on the horizon and it's just enough for her to make out the different hand-painted hues soon sliding the key into the lock and turning the handle to open the door tapping into the warmth of the bakery she gently shakes out her umbrella and leaves it to dry in the entryway

Lily wipes her feet on the mat a man takes a deep breath in it's her way of transitioning from outside to inside she can smell the ever-present aroma roasted coffee beans along with a hint of burnt sugar from yesterday's cookies it makes her think of toasted marshmallows with its sharp sweetness she steps forward flicks on the lights bringing the bakery to life she walks over to the seating area bends down and plugs in the strand of fairy lights that twinkle overhead now she's ready to start the day normally she Begins by making a big batch

of sticky cinnamon rolls but on this day everything's a bit different she still has a couple of batches of cookies to make to ensure she has enough of all the right kinds for later Lily heads over to the pantry and gets out all the dry ingredients she'll need she's making double batches of both chocolate chip cookies and stained glass sugar cookies first she pulls out flour white sugar brown sugar vanilla extract black treacle and chocolate chips then she finds the cornstarch and salt and finally she pulls out a bag of colorful hard candies she'll melt

these down to form the Pains of glass in the stained glass cookies [Music] from the refrigerator she gets the baking soda and eggs the butter has been softening on the countertop so it's the perfect texture to use now Lily divides everything by batch that mixes the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls when she's ready she combines these until the dough is the perfect consistency for the chocolate chip cookies she folds in the chips carefully so they don't break apart then piles the dough evenly onto a tray using an ice cream scoop and puts the

tray in the oven to bake for the stained glass cookies she wraps the dough and then places it into the refrigerator to chill this will help it firm up so it's easier to roll out and cut into shapes later on just as the delicious fragrance of baking cookies begins to fill the air her first customer of the day walks in as usual it's Sheamus here for his cup of coffee and sweet treat most days he enjoys a cinnamon roll but on cookie day he likes to be the first to sample whatever Lily has in the

oven just to be sure they've turned out all right he always jokes with a twinkle in his eye she has his coffee poured before he reaches the counter and slide it across the wooden surface towards him Sheamus adjusts the newspaper he has folded under his arm before picking up the cup what kinds are you making this year he asks eyeing the oven hopefully [Music] chocolate chip plain sugar and stained glass says Lily with a smile I suppose I'll have to test out one of each if you'll let me he says after all I've got to

make sure they've turned out all right don't I Lily laughs and nods her head of course you do she says I couldn't do cookie day without you Sheamus walks over to the window sits down he has the perfect view of the street with all its puddles just as the first rays of Morning Light are beginning to fill the sky behind the thick cover of clouds though the sun has yet to break through the clouds it makes them a lighter shade of gray just then the timer tells Lily the chocolate chip cookies are ready to come

out of the oven she slips her hands into her oven mitts and opens the door a warm gust of air greets are as she peers inside the cookies are puffy and golden brown and the chocolate is gooey and thick even though it's still holding its shape more or less he pulls out the tray sets it on a wire rack to cool the warm sugary smell of freshly baked cookies fills the bakery some magical scent Lily thinks making every place it appears feel more like home [Music] soon it's time for her to retrieve the sugar cookie

dough from the refrigerator it's cold and firm to the touch setting it on her wooden table she takes out her rolling pin with smooth deliberate motions she rolls out the dough until it's the perfect thickness then she uses Square rectangular and circular cookie cutters to shape it once she has the basic outlines she uses a second set of cutters to remove smaller designs from the center of the cookies there are Bells trees ornaments snowflakes and more she takes the cookies and arranges them on a prepared baking sheet next she divides handfuls of the colorful hard

candy into bags by shade using her rolling pin she crushes the candy into tiny pieces then she uses a teaspoon to sprinkle the sweet dustings into the cut out centers of the cookies when they're heated the candy bits will melt together forming stained glass held in place on all sides by a cookie window frame once they're ready she takes the trays and slides them into the oven to bake for a few moments Lily can slow down and enjoy the day unfolding beforehand the sky is brighter now though it's still drizzling outside people are beginning to

come out of their homes some walking others driving a handful of other customers trickle in one by one including Rose one of her regulars and Gwen Spencer along with her two young twin boys the only reason Lily can tell the twins apart it's because one wears glasses and one doesn't otherwise they are dressed exactly the same in red shirts and blue jeans with green fuzzy Walker socks the twins are only two years old and they both enjoy toddling around the bakery playing in the kids corner and greeting the other guests they also know they are

likely to get a sweet treat from Lily whenever they come to visit seeing them reminds Lily that she still has some preparation to do before the Cookie Party begins wiping her hands on her apron she walks over to the pantry and gathers all of the cookie decorating supplies she can find there are sprinkles in every shape and color thin ones flat ones and round gold and silver balls she also finds jars of colored decorative sugar green blue red yellow and purple there are chocolate cows coconut flakes and tins of crushed peppermint candy she places them

all into a large basket which she carries out to the seating area [Music] She lays out an assortment of decorations on every table along with tubes of icing sugar and colorful gel and shakers filled with powdered sugar finally from the very back of the pantry she pulls out a large metal tree each of the branches is ripped so the tournaments can be hung from it all the way down but instead of ornaments the tree will hold as many of the decorated cookies as it can when her timer goes off Lily returns to the oven and

removes the stained glass cookies smiles to herself they look absolutely perfect each cookie has a glossy Center in bright and Vivid red blue orange yellow or green as they cool she gets out the plain sugar cookies she made yesterday these have already been cut into Fun shapes like snow people evergreen trees snowflakes and stars one by one she arranges all of the different types of cookies onto large silver platters every table will have its own so people can choose to decorate whatever they'd like but before she carries out the larger trays she has a special

delivery to make she places one of each kind of cookie onto a small plate which she sets down right in front of Sheamus he smiles broadly as he lifts the chocolate chip cookie to his mouth taking a bite he sighs with contentment I think these are the best cookies you've ever made he says in fact I think they're the perfect cookies this is what he tells her every year about each of the cookies happiness Wells up inside Lily as she thinks of the satisfaction of a job well done every time she bakes a cinnamon roll

a croissant or a cookie that someone enjoys the knowledge makes her day a little brighter returning to the counter she retrieves each of the larger trays and sets them on the tables then glancing up at the clock she sees that it's just about time for people to start arriving as if On Cue the door opens and the first guests wander inside it's one of the new families in town they glance around with an endearing shyness Lily waves to them and lets them know they can choose a table and start anytime they'd like they smile gratefully

and pick a spot close to the door next comes an elderly couple who are here visiting their grandchildren they always stop by if they have time while they're in town they sit near Sheamus exchanging friendly greetings before settling in one by one people Lily knows from around town pour into her Bakery old and young by themselves or with family and friends all are welcome to the annual cookie decorating party everyone finds a place to sit or stand around the tables crowded with supplies before long the whole shop is a buzz with chatter laughter and the

sound of people shaking sprinkles squeezing icing tubes and having fun looking around the Cozy space Lily feels completely at peace she can't imagine a better place to be right here feeling the warmth and comfort of community as the thought crosses her mind she glances out the window in time to see the very first snowflakes fall to the ground soon one of the children sees them too it's snowing the girl says tapping her mother on the shoulder and pointing through the glass Lily hears the chatter slow to quiet whispering as everyone turns to gaze out the

window delicate dusting of snow appears on everything outside from Cars to Street lamps and paving stones for a moment she wonders if her neighbor's cats are watching the snow falling outside their window too perhaps it's the joy of being around everyone in the bakery [Music] or maybe it's the magical nature of winter Lily isn't sure but she's drawn outside feel the touch of snow on her skin even for just a moment quietly she slips around the front of the counter and over to the door she pulls it open steps outside looking up to the sky

Lily spreads her arms out to either side and Twirls slowly in a circle snowflakes land on her cheeks and nose and she smiles her eyes crinkling at the corners feeling like a child again she sticks out her tongue and catches a cold snowflake on it more land on her arms and in the palms of her hands as she turns laughing to herself [Music] then she pauses for a moment still looking Skyward to appreciate the beauty of the snowy day everything seems quieter covered in a magical hush wrought by the snow in the distance a crow

Waddles across the white ground leaving a trail of footprints behind it Lily's boots have left imprints in the snow too she sees with a happy smile she waves goodbye to the crow and the snow and makes her way back inside the wall the warm toasty Bakery all around her people are enjoying themselves as they decorate cookies she sees palm-sized snow people with scarves and hats green frosted trees with colorful ornaments white and blue snowflakes with delicately iced edges and white candles with curving yellow flames there are stained glass cookies dusted with powdered sugar and attached

to pieces of ribbon and string and chocolate chip cookies with the occasional bite missing the first few people have begun to hang some of their cookie ornaments on the metal tree in the corner While most of the people take their cookies home many leave one behind on the tree where it will stay until the new year Lily picks up one of the stained glass cookies and lifts it to her lips takes a bite feeling the deliciously buttery crumbs melt in her mouth at its Center the pain of candy glass is sweet on her tongue there's

nothing better than a freshly baked cookie Lily thinks to herself for the rest of the day she'll help her friends decorate their cookies in countless fun and unique ways and maybe even have an afternoon coffee as a treat but for now she's content to stand here taking in the festive atmosphere that's the magical snow Falls outside the window of the bakery foreign [Music] patterning on the glass gently eases Lily into wakefulness she doesn't open her eyes at first but keeps them softly closed as she Savers a few more moments of rest without realizing it she

dozes off the sound of the rainfall mingling with visions of damp streets and puddles in her mind [Music] and then slowly the dream fades as her mind returns to her bedroom Lily smiles and opens her eyes at last grateful for the few extra minutes of sleep even now the sound of the rain is growing faint it might let up all together she thinks as she stretches her arms above her head she traces circles with her toes feeling her ankles warming up with every turn then she slides her legs over the edge of the bed once

her feet have found their comfy slippers Lily makes her way into the kitchen like she does most mornings she puts the cattle on for a nice cup of tea she loves the sound of the bubbles forming inside it familiar and soothing a kind of cozy background noise to the otherwise quiet morning Bubbles and Rain are the two things Lily can always depend on at this time of day that make this place feel like home before the sun comes out she thinks about the other small meaningful details of her life as she spoons dry tea leaves

into a tall table twisting on the top she hangs the ball by a tiny chain from the rim of her mug [Music] once the water has boiled Lily pours it over the leaves she watches the hot water take on the color of the tea leaves as they steep this is a detail she appreciates no matter how many mornings she watches her tea it always creates new color patterns in the mug the act of making tea is familiar and yet new and exciting at the same time she thinks Lily pours a splash of milk into her

tea and then carries it over to her wooden window seat looking out through the glass she can see her neighborhood is still shrouded in darkness the rain has given way to a light mist and she can make out the first wisps of fog rolling in behind her neighbor's house the man who lives across the street keeps a beautiful garden during the spring and summer months even now in autumn everything growing around his house seems perfectly in its place the brown red and yellow leaves that have already fallen from the trees overhanging his lawn remind Lily

of an artistic splattering of paint on a green canvas is still asleep at this time of morning most of the neighborhood is I must be one of the earliest risers in town Lily thinks with a smile but she doesn't mind the hours she has to keep to run the bakery it makes her happy to know that her customers always have a place to go when they wake up too as she gazes across the street Lily notices a small bit of Earth that's recently been turned he must have planted his bulbs yesterday she realizes it reminds

her that she should probably do the same there's a small garden just outside the bakery where Lily has experimented with planting various things over the years one year she planted herbs another tomatoes and peppers now it's a flower garden or it will be in springtime but she needs to get her bulbs in the ground soon they rely on the cool Autumn soil to wake up from their slumber and put down roots for this spring I'll have to remember to bring them with me to the bakery today she tells herself after finishing her tea Lily takes

one final glance out the window the fog is rolling in around the house across the street now fog was in the forecast Lily remembers she's always enjoyed a good foggy day something mysterious and magical about Fog she thinks as though enchantments and worlds of possibility are hidden just out of sight the thought makes her grin as she stands and carries her mug over to the sink after washing it out she leaves it to dry on the bamboo rack and heads into the bedroom to get dressed today she chooses a red shirt with yellow details to

wear if it's going to be a gray day she might as well bring a pop of color with her outfit she thinks by the front door she finds a paper bag filled with flower bulbs they are fairly round and in between hard and soft to the touch the daffodil Narcissus and crocus bulbs remind her of onions and garlic while the Hyacinth bones are reminiscent of turnips because of their reddish purple color [Music] Lily slips on her coat and gently Stuffs the bag with the flower bulbs into the large pocket puts on her hat and gloves

and Loops the handle of her green and yellow polka dot umbrella around her wrist she opens the door and for a moment stands and looks out onto the quiet Street the fog is obscuring her view in all directions she can only just make out the line where the pavement meets the road in front of her house she imagines the rest of the homes a sleeping soundly tucked away in gentle folds of Gray Lily takes a deep breath the fog and the rain before it have had a cleansing effect on the air smells cool and rejuvenating

feeling refreshed she closes the door behind her and begins her walk [Music] smallpuddles dot the pavement but none are so big that Lily has to walk around them her boots allow her to make her way through them with a little care and attention mustn't have been raining very hard or for much time last night she thinks it's nice to walk down to the bakery without her umbrella open too she takes advantage of this and looks up into the gray sky the fog in circles the tops of the trees that line the street weaving in and

out of their Brown branches and among their colorful leaves Lily reaches out her hand and swishes it quietly through the air she can feel the Mist gathering on her skin looking at her hand once she pulls it back she sees it's dotted with countless translucent droplets normally should be tempted to wipe her fingers on her coat to dry them off but instead she brings her hands together inviting the moisture into her skin as though she's applying lotion it's soothing knowing she's connected to this place this weather to the trees and the sky [Music] Lily lets

her gaze fall on the space where she knows her neighbor's house should be she can see the edge of his Drive but the house is hidden behind a white and gray mass of fog her neighbor has two cats one white and one black Lily hopes they're snuggled up together in their favorite window seat dreaming of warm Summer Sunshine catnip as she continues on her way she listens to the rhythmic sound of her feet tapping the pavement with every step the fog makes sounds feel closer than normal everything is Amplified under this blanket of weather it

takes longer than usual for Lily to spot the bakery it's recognizable multi-colored door peeks out from behind a swirl of fog for just a moment before being tucked away once again Lily smiles even if she couldn't see the door at all she'd still know it was there she's done this very same walk every morning for so many years she could probably find her way blindfolded but still it's a comfort to see it and to know she'll soon be stepping inside surrounded by The Familiar Aromas of coffee beans sugar and flour and plugging in the twinkling

fairy lights that will bring her little shop to life she pulls out her set of keys and inserts the right one into the lock heading inside she wipes her feet on a mat and then switches on the overhead lights then she takes off her coat and hangs it up leaving the bulbs in the pocket before going behind the counter she finds the end of the strand of fairy lights in the seating area and plugs them in they flicker to life above her that might be my favorite moment of the day she thinks to herself she

knows she's back home at the bakery as soon as the fairy lights are twinkling overhead with a feeling of gratitude for this comforting space she takes a deep breath inhaling the deliciously familiar scents within it the coffee beans synthetic yet rich the flower is Dusty and reminds her of weekends spent with her grandmother baking all sorts of wonderful treats and the sugar is sweet and a little bit burnt reminding her of days at the fair and holiday cookies shaped like trees and ornaments exhaling feels her muscles relax she rolls her shoulders a few times allowing

them to warm up and stretch out then she Walks Behind the Counter before she left the bakery yesterday she set aside a recipe for one of her favorite cold weather treats to make fudge looking at the worn handwritten page smeared with cocoa powder fingerprints and torn at one corner is enough to bring the rich chocolate taste to mind yes she thinks this is exactly what I want to make today one of her favorite things about this recipe is how simple it is it only calls for two base ingredients chocolate chips sweetened condensed milk Lily thinks

for a moment about the flavors of fudge she'd like to make some of her regular customers always request peppermint so she'll have to get out the peppermint extract and a package of candy canes to crush on top Rose loves hazelnut fudge so she'll need whole hazelnuts for the top and finally she's been in the mood for some rich orange chocolate so that's what she'll make for herself she even has some leftover candied orange peel that she can use to give it an extra kick she heads into the pantry and finds her trusty double boiler the

right size pans wax paper chocolate chips sweetened condensed milk and all the flavorings and toppings balancing them in her arms carries them behind the counter setting them down carefully Lily admires her shiny silver double boiler it's the secret to well-melted chocolate chips her mother told her over the years she's used bowls over pots and other variations but when it came time to open the bakery her mother's words echoed in her mind so she got her very own gleaming double boiler Lily fills the bottom pot halfway with water and then Nestles the second pot on top

she places it on the stove and then shakes a good portion of chocolate chips into the Top Pot as the water below heats up the steam melts the chocolate even without causing it to burn with a wooden spoon she gently stairs the chips watching as they transform hard to malleable to soft and gooey as they move round and round the pot soon they've melted together into a molten Lake of chocolate [Music] adds the sweetened condensed milk and stairs to combine them she'll make the peppermint fudge first so once she removes the boiler from the Heat

she adds a spoonful of extract and stairs again the sharp cooling scent of peppermint fills her nose opening her senses and making her think of cold winter days full of ice and snow before it has a chance to cool too much she pours the chocolate mix into a pan lined with wax paper ribbons of fudgy liquid Cascade into the metal holder filling every corner like lava running through a rocky Channel [Music] Lily uses the wooden spoon to scrape the sides of the pot making sure every bit of fudge is accounted for then she gently lifts

the pan and Taps it on the counter helping the liquid fill any remaining gaps and evening out the top now it's time to add the topping from a nearby drawer she retrieves a heavy rolling pen one by one she unwraps several red and white candy canes peeling back the plastic in strips [Music] her fingertips get ever so slightly sticky as they touch the sugary sweets she places the candy canes in a bag between two towels and then pushes the rolling pin back and forth on top subtle snapping noises let her know the candy is breaking

apart once it's crushed into tiny pieces she gathers some in her Palm and sprinkles it over the cooling fudge [Music] the larger chunks of candy will give the fudge a nice crunchy texture while the smaller ones will lend an extra bit of peppermint essence [Music] Lily carries the fudge over to the cooling racks where it will wait until it's ready to be sliced and served in the meantime shall wash up the pot and prepare the next two batches before she Begins the next batch she zests a whole Orange she'll use the little flecks of Peel

to give the fudge a brighter citrusy flavor in combination with orange oil once she has the chocolate chips melted and stirred together with the milk she adds the zest and oil in the pan this melted fudge glistens in the light the oil blends it to silkier texture Lily can picture the way it will melt in her mouth when she takes the first bite she places curls of candied Orange Peel across the top of the fudge gently pressing them down so they'll cool in place then she pops one piece in her mouth delighting in the sharp

Citrus flavor muted by the thick Ness coating finally it's time to make the hazelnut fudge Justice is about to put the water on the stove Rose appears on the other side of the counter sure is foggy out there she says to Lily Rose tells her she got turned around this morning leaving her house and thought for a while that she'd gone the wrong way the fog was so thick she could barely see her hands in front of her but then in the distance she saw the twinkling lights in the bay the bakery windows [Music] they

were like little guiding Stars ushering her through the Gloom to her home away from home [Music] Lily Smiles broadly as Rose recounts her tail and she's particularly excited to let Rose know that their hazelnut fudge coming her way later on oh that's my favorite Rose says clapping her Mitten hands together Softly Lily pours a cup of coffee and hands it to Rose who carries it over to a comfy seat by the window returning to the stove Lily sets up the double boiler and combines the chocolate and milk just like before then she removes the mixture

from the Heat adds hazelnut flavoring and some crushed hazelnut pieces and pause it into the lined pan to finish it off she carefully places whole hazelnuts in neat rows across the top of the fudge every piece will have one adding Crunch and depth of flavor glancing over at Rose sees the other woman smiling as she catches a whiff of the hazelnut fudge the rich scent permeates the air mingling with the orange and peppermint perfect medley for a chilly day [Music] while she waits for the fudge to cool Lily decides she'll use the time to get

the bulbs in the ground sides it's a slow day and I'll be able to see anyone coming in she thinks she walks over to Rose and lightly rests a hand on her shoulder I'll be outside if you need anything she says to her surprise Rose offers to help how lovely to have company out in the garden Lily thinks while she feels completely at ease spending time alone with her plants she always enjoys time spent with good friends and after so many years Rose is most definitely a good friend together Lily and Rose head to the

door slipping on their coats and scarves on the way out when they reach the small garden Lily pulls the bag of flower bulbs out of her pocket Rose opens the top of a workbench where a few tools are stored and finds a couple of trowels the two women kneel down on the ground laughing together as they feel the dampness of the soil soaking into the niece of their trousers and begin to dig they chat about all the seasons they've watched go by here at this Bakery there was the time Max from the hardware store accidentally

ordered 12 dozen cupcakes instead of two dozen for his daughter's birthday party they were practically begging people to take cupcakes with them for a couple of days [Music] and the one summer when a storm came in and washed out a few roads stranding visitors in town everyone congregated at the bakery making coffee and snacks and collecting blankets children's books and more to keep their new guests comfortable until the roads were repaired we've had some good times here haven't we Rose asks Lily Knotts patting down the soil around the last flower bowl standing up she steps

back to admire their work Rose follows her they stand together in companionable silence sharing a moment of reflection and gratitude for years well spent and Lily watches the fairy lights twinkle like guiding stars in the foggy Gloom leading all who need a home away from home no matter the weather a rainy day Bakery foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] foreign foreign