The Christmas Tin (Melomakarona recipe ....)

 "CHRISTMAS is LOVE in action. Every  time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas." -Dale Evans (1912-2001)

 Deep in snow. One day it arrived. A tin. In a box. The Post Office had reigned supreme.

 I pondered and wondered about that tin.

It was packed full of something that smelled like honey.

 A Christmas gift from back east. From a dear friend many miles and moons away.

 A wonderful Christmas gift that sent the mind reeling back to other Christmases .

 Wrapped in crinkly parchment paper.

A treat beyond all other treats.  Something that brought back fresh memories of Christmases full of laughter and love and friendship. Gathered round  a table . Paper hats. Carols in the background. And deep snow outside. Like this year.  Our families were as one. Across the miles. Across the country.   The miles melt. Just like these Honey Dainties. It’s  Christmas again.....

 MELOMAKARONA ( Greek Honey Shortbread.) 

 3 cups flour,1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda , 1 cup olive oil,  ¼ cup sugar,

½ cup brandy, ¼ cup orange juice,1 tbsp grated orange rind, ½ cup chopped walnuts

1 tsp cinnamon

 SYRUP: 1 cup honey, ½ cup sugar, 1 cup water

 1.In a bowl, Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and mix well.

 2.Combine oil, sugar, brandy, orange juice and orange rind.

 3.Mix this into the flour. Dough should be soft and pliable when kneading.

 4.Roll out and cut in oval shapes about 2 ½ - 3 inches . I shape them by hand.

 5.Place on greased baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes till browned

 6.To make syrup, mix all ingredients in small pot and boil for 5 minutes. Let cool.

Dip HOT shortbread into cooled syrup, place in container or on serving plate and sprinkle with chopped walnuts and cinnamon if your wish.

 **Store shortbread without syrup. Freezes great. You can make the syrup for a later date. But I have found that they taste great without the syrup as well

 "Christmas is not an external event at all,but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart." -Freya Stark (1883-1993 Italian explorer and travel writer)

 This recipe comes from my wonderful friend, "M". We first met in Petawawa, Ontario,Canada. That would be around 1988/89 Her oldest son used to take piano lessons from me. My first memory of him was at his beginning lesson, where he promptly stood on the piano bench and tried to climb in, so he could get a better look, he said………and we’ve all been “family” ever since……

 "Faith is salted and peppered thru everything at Christmas. I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness  of that time that's set apart  to celebrate LOVE, FRIENDSHIP,  and GOD's GIFT  of the CHRIST child." -Amy Grant

Photographs; M McConachie  Woods 2016