Pathwalkers herb gardens - Gypsey Website

Weekly PathWalkers.Net e-Newsletter #113 :: PathWalkers.Net Interactive :: Helping you along your path
"That is the great secret of the Winter Solstice." The Old Wise One touched the baby's cheek with her
wrinkled hand. "Every year the Sun King must come to the sacred grove during the darkest days of
winter where he dies. I take his spirit to the Mother who gives him new life again. This is the way for
all creatures, not just the Sun King."
" You mean everything lives and dies and lives again? the Faeries looked down in wonder at the baby
Sun King, nestled in the arms of the Mother.
" Yes, Little Ones," answered the Old Wise Crone. "There is never an end to life. This is the great
mystical secret of the Winter Solstice."
The Faeries laughed because they were so happy.
"I think the little Sun King should have gifts," said Rose. "I will show him where the wild roses bloom
in the early summer."
"And, I will teach him to call the birds and listen to the songs of the wind," exclaimed Dandelion.
"When he is older and stronger, " said the Mother, "then the flowers will bloom at his touch, the birds
will return to sing their songs, and the air will be warm from his breath, and winter will be gone for a
time. Then the Sun King will run and play with you in the forest."
The little Faeries sang to the Baby Sun King, songs of the coming spring, the sweet smelling flowers,
the bumbling bees, and all the secrets of the forest. And all the creatures within the sacred grove sang
with them. Then the fox took them back to their snug home under the roots of the giant oak tree where
they dreamed wonderful dreams, waiting for the warmth of spring and the fun they would have with the
little Sun King.
==========================================================================
RECIPES - Yule Recipes
----------
"Swedish Yule Bread"
1/2 teaspoon saffron
3 tablespoons hot water
2 envelopes active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
1/4 sup sugar, plus 1/4 teaspoon
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
4 cups sifted flour
2 tablespoons melted butter
any combination of currents, candied fruits, nuts, raisins, chocolate chips, equaling 1 1/2 cups
Soak the saffron in the hot water for 1 1/2 hours. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1/4 teaspoon
sugar in the warm water. Mix the milk, remaining sugar, butter and salt; cool. Add the egg, milk
mixture and saffron to the yeast, beat until smooth. Sprinkle your combination of goodies with two
teaspoons of the flour. Mix until evenly coated. Mix the rest of the flour with the yeast mixture...fold in
your combination of goodies and put on a well floured surface and kneed until smooth.
Place in greased bowl, turn once, let rise in warm place until doubled, about an hour.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Knead dough twice.
Next it's your choice...devide into 24 pieces and roll into small buns...or...devide in half and bake as
loaves or roll into log shape and bake...cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake for about 10 minutes,
reduce to 350 degrees and bake another 10 minutes..brush the tops with butter and bake 5 more
minutes...always check to be sure it's cooking properly as depending on which way you decide to make
http://www.pathwalkers.net/interactive/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=457 (12 of 18) [12/25/2005 12:11:37 AM]