While a freshly-baked loaf of traditional Serbian Christmas bread (Česnica) cools, Cooper and I make an excursion to nearby Mary Holmes Park. We find the morning low of 1ºF has moderated to 27ºF. Cooper enjoys a carefree romp in the woodlands. I take pleasure in the crunch of snow underfoot, even as the arctic air leaves love bites on any exposed skin surface.
Meager late afternoon sunlight does little to add comfort. We quickly decide the better part of valor is to head home, where aromas of freshly baked bread and pork roast quickly mellow adversities of winter. Soon our family will gather for dinner.
Grandfather Ilija and oldest grandson Maximilian will break the Česnica to start festivities. In turn each family member will tear off a piece of the sweet bread. Everyone, but especially the grandchildren will quest the good luck coin Baba Melanie baked into the Česnica. According to tradition, whoever finds the coin will be blessed with good fortune in the year ahead. Mir Boži, Hristos Se Rodi...God's Peace, Christ Is Born.
© Ilija Lukić 2018
© Ilija Lukić 2018
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| Serbian Česnica |
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