Well…I will not be going home for Wysolice… I received a letter on Wednesday from Auntie Ember telling me that a snowstorm hit Larksville last week. While small letters and packages may be delivered as long as the weather allows, most of the roads are now buried in snow. This means all travel by coach to and from town has been halted, so …I am left without means of passage back home. Oh, dear reader, I was so disappointed when I found out...
But it seems I will not be on my own for the holiday. When I told the Humes of my spoiled plans, they both insisted that I celebrate with them for all twelve nights. Goodness, it was such a generous offer! I told them I didn’t wish to be a bother, but the Humes would hear none of it. They assured me that they were already having guests, that I was delightful company, and so the more the merrier. I am very grateful. It all feels a bit overwhelming, but I think Wysolice with the Humes will be lovely.
Oh, but now I have so much to do! In trying to be a good guest, I asked if there was anything I might be able to help with, and Mr. and Mrs. Hume agreed I should make the Wysolice cake. It seems they really enjoyed my baking. Hmm, maybe I shall decorate the cake with some of the candied peel I made last week, and then I think I shall package the rest in wax paper to send home. That way everyone will know I am thinking of them. Oh, and it would be nice to make some small treats for the Humes and the other guests. Gift giving is a tradition and I do very much want to fit in.
I am enjoying being busy, what with making the sweets and all. But earlier today, as I sat at my work table, I took a moment to just watch the snow fall. From my window I can see it, gently covering all the trees in a coat of glittering white, and I think what a strange and beautiful place the forest is. Last week, I decided to gather pine branches to decorate the cottage for Wysolice. I know the forest is said to be protected by some sort of magic that keeps the villagers from cutting down the trees, but I didn’t want to cut any. I only hoped to collect some from the forest floor. Still, easier said than done. All I could find were old dead sticks. And then as I was beginning to lose hope, a few branches fell off the tree right in front of me. Oh goodness, I was so startled and just stood there staring. I looked at the branches and then at the tree. They hadn’t seemed to fall for any particular reason, and at first this made me raise an eyebrow, but then I laughed out loud and teasingly thanked the tree. Maybe the forest was giving me a little gift, and I certainly wasn’t going to refuse it. So I picked up the branches, took them home, and arranged them into a wreath. And oh, it looks so pretty and has such a beautiful smell. It fills the whole cottage.
Dear reader, at first I thought it would be difficult to stay in good spirits now that I cannot go home, but there have been so many wonderful surprises! …finding the branches, the invitation of Wysolice with the Humes. They fill my heart with such joy. I will focus on those things and enjoy the season for what it is rather than what it might have been.