Gift Bread

Baking Christopsomo today for gifts. I get such a kick out of making this cool bread that looks like the bow is baked into it. After the second rise, I called the girls over to see, saying, "Look how nicely my bread has risen." J promptly responded, "Christ is risen!" Ah, yes, God is with us!

Christopsomo (or Greek Christmas Bread) - adapted from the Sunset Cookbook of Breads [The bow idea is from the same book, but for the recipe for German Kuchen]

blend:
2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water

Combine:
1/2 cup scalded and cooled milk
1 cup butter
4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt

Add yeast mixture and gradually add 6-7 cups unsifted flour.
Knead for 10 minutes on floured board
Let rise 2 hours or until double.

Punch down and divide into 6 small balls. Brush butter around outside, and tie each ball with a strip of brown paper (the same width as your ribbon - for small loaves like mine use a skinny ribbon) and place on greased baking sheets. Let rise 1 hour or until doubled. Bake 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Serve warm, or toasted with honey.

Read good books a little at a time.

I am continuing to listen to Fr. Evan Armitas's class, "I'm a Christian, Now What?" exploring Fr. Thomas Hopko's 55 Maxims. This year in our homeschooling, I have already noticed the truth of this maxim. Sometimes its tempting to stay up all night reading a new book (as my 8 year old is wont to do). Reading slowly through good books helps you stay in the story longer, reveling in it, and so, getting to know the material more intimately, you remember it better. The girls and I have been slowly reading Royal Monastic. There is so much history that needs explanation for them, so it takes us more time to get through each chapter. Yet, now, we've been living with Princess Illeana for so long, I do feel so endeared to her.

This is maxim number 16. If you're looking for other places to read about the 55 maxims, check out Fr. Stephen's post (and comments) here. Hope you enjoy this little printable!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Ordering Fine Art Prints

I have prints available of some of my small paintings here or at the link in the sidebar. I've had a crash course this week in scanning artwork, and the geek in me is finding it pretty fun. The print above of St. John Orthodox Church is to scale with the original and shows the rough texture of the canvas and thick paint nicely.

I've included a few oils and watercolors, and a few illustrations as well. Prints can be ordered in several sizes, on greeting cards and a few other products. My Old Testament Timeline is also available here, and I recommend the 17x24" poster.