Larks

Larks (http://thescrumptiouslife.blogspot.com/2013/03/st-oliva-and-bread-larks.html):

6 cups flour (I am using half whole wheat and half unbleached white)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups warm water
2 1/4 tsp. yeast
1 tsp. vanilla extract
orange zest (optional)
cloves, raisins, or cranberries for eyes
sunflower seeds or whole almonds for beak

Mix the warm water, yeast, honey, oil, flour (a cup at a time, stirring well before adding the next), salt and the vanilla or orange zest (if using) together well. Knead about ten minutes. Place in a bowl and let rise until doubled in size.
Divide the dough into 40 pieces. Roll each piece into a long round shape. Tie each piece into a knot (we did not do this, but just formed it into a nice bird shape). Make one end into the shape of a head for the bird. The other end will be the tail feathers with a knife cut little lines. Put two cloves, raisins or cranberries (you can get creative) on each bird for the eye and a whole almond for the beak.
Bake until lightly browned atop, for maybe 20 minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. We didn't got 20 out of this batch, so I made 2 batches, in honor of the 40 martyrs of Sebaste.

For Sunday school yesterday, the older kids had been working on presentations of their patron saints (for about a month) and shared the poster boards they'd been working on with the younger children.  I think their Sunday school teacher took pictures and if so, I'll see if I can get them and share them.

I ordered a copy of this book The Hidden Garden as a present for someone.  

I plan to get some raw cashews from Trader Joe's to try this recipe this week.