Feast of St. Basil

Today we lept back into routine.  O.K., maybe we didn't leap.  It was more like a slow motion, agonizing job to wake up unnaturally (that would be to our alarm clocks), take unusually long showers and silently ride to school with heads propped up against the windows.  Vacation turned routine has kicked our behinds.  However, at the end of the day, the kids admitted to being happy in seeing their friends again.  To help make the day more tolerable, I told the kids that I would have a surprise for them after supper.

Today is the Feast of St. Basil.  He was a Bishop in the early church - 4th century -  from Caesarea.  Basil was know for his compassion for the poor.  One of the stories attributed to him was when he went from house to house collecting jewels and gold coins to help pay the taxes of the poor to the governor.  After presenting this collection, the governor took pity on the people and demanded that Basil return these treasures to their rightful owners.  The problem was that Basil didn't keep track of what belonged to who.  So he baked cakes with the jewels and coins hidden inside.  The miracle took place as he distributed these cakes.   Each person received the exact items they had given.

To celebrate this Feast Day, I made a St. Basil cake.

Sorry about the messy plate.

A picture of the "jewels" within our cake

This idea (and directions for the cake) came from here.  It was easy to make and the finished product received many "oohs" from the kids.  It really turned out pretty.  Cucumber felt the need to sing while the cake was being passed out, so she led the family in a "Happy feast day dear Basil."  Very sweet.

Although I loved our time off, I am grateful that Monkey has a job, the kids can attend school, and I can return to the daily tasks that help make our house a home.  I will admit though, I am grateful for a short week.