Day of the Dead

For some time now my daughter Kali has encouraged us to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, Day of the Dead. Being a multi-cultural family who heartedly embraces other beliefs & customs, we figured, why not? With such a devastating loss this year, it seemed the perfect time to do so.

We always make an altar for Samhain honoring those who have moved on....





This afternoon each of us will visit Mom's grave, decorating it with flowers and pumpkins, lighting a candle and visiting with her.

Then tonight we will set an extra place at the table, inviting the spirits to join us in a feast. I'll be making Pan de Muerto alongside Mom's Vegetable-Beef Stew, not really a recipe per se but if anyone wants it I'll be happy to share.



Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead)

Ingredients
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup (half a stick) margarine or butter, cut into 8 pieces
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup very warm water
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted
• 1/2 teaspoon anise seed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions: Bring milk to boil and remove from heat. Stir in margarine or butter, 1/4 cup sugar and salt.

In large bowl, mix yeast with warm water until dissolved and let stand 5 minutes. Add the milk mixture.

Separate the yolk and white of one egg. Add the yolk to the yeast mixture, but save the white for later. Now add flour to the yeast and egg. Blend well until dough ball is formed.

Flour a pastry board or work surface very well and place the dough in center. Knead until smooth. Return to large bowl and cover with dish towel. Let rise in warm place for 90 minutes. Meanwhile, grease a baking sheet and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Knead dough again on floured surface. Now divide the dough into fourths and set one fourth aside. Roll the remaining 3 pieces into "ropes."

On greased baking sheet, pinch 3 rope ends together and braid. Finish by pinching ends together on opposite side. Divide the remaining dough in half and form 2 "bones." Cross and lay them atop braided loaf.

Cover bread with dish towel and let rise for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix anise seed, cinnamon and 2 teaspoons sugar together. In another bowl, beat egg white lightly.

When 30 minutes are up, brush top of bread with egg white and sprinkle with sugar mixture, except on cross bones. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Seeking Happy Thoughts

photo by isabel bloedwater

Engaged By Cheer
Leo Daily Horoscope

It may feel as if the weight of the world is resting on your shoulders today, causing you to devote your mental and physical energy primarily to serious and deep matters. Should you find yourself presented with an opportunity to spend time with people as somber as yourself, you will likely be quite pleased by the prospect. Yet the concerns that have likely inspired this solemn mood may not be as dire or as permanent as you imagine them to be. If you allow yourself to have even a touch of lighthearted fun today, you may discover that life looks much brighter because your overall outlook has improved.

A bit of lighthearted conversation can work wonders to dispel a serious mood as the fun we share with others through dialogue permits us to invite them to adopt a mind-set as cheerful and playful as our own. When we are fully engaged by these jolly musings and emotions, it is difficult to devote much time at all to mulling over deep or weighty topics with any real conviction. Instead, our thoughts turn to more pleasant matters and we feel compelled to spread our upbeat mind-set among our family, friends, and colleagues. As we show the people we care about and respect how much there is to be happy about, any lingering seriousness we might have felt will disappear. Your heavy mood will turn to one of delight today when you choose to immerse yourself in happy subjects that enthrall you and inspire your creativity.


It's been 4 months today since the passing of my mother and I am indeed in a somber mood. There are moments when the grief is as fresh as the day we lost her, the pain literally bringing me to my knees.

We have a fun evening planned with family, am hoping I can do as my horoscope suggests and put aside the sadness for a while.