Halloween

... is over.  Already.  How is that possible?  This year has gone by too fast.  We turned the calendar over to November, and all of a sudden winter is here, with a killing frost this morning and several comforters piled up on the bed.  Someone pulled the curtain on Autumn.  I cannot help but be a bit melancholy about it.

We had a busy and fun Halloween weekend, and I'm happy to say that we terrified many a small child with our circus themed "haunted house" of sorts that we set up for the trick-or-treaters at our friend's house.  We all dressed up as creepy clowns and performed circus tricks in the yard while others jumped out of hiding places to make kids and adults alike squeal and jump out of their skins. 

Since we have yet to turn the heat on so far this year, I'm finding every excuse I can to turn on the oven.  Today I'm baking challah.  This recipe has gotten rave reviews, and I thought I'd share it so you too can heat up your kitchens and eat egg and butter-rich bread during these long dark evenings.

Challah

Combine 5 c flour and 2 tsp salt in a bowl.  I sometimes use 1 cup of whole wheat... there is a little something of a sacrifice in texture, but it makes me feel a bit less guilty about the next step....
Melt 6 tbsp of butter and let cool slightly.
Mix 7 oz warm water and a packet of yeast together with 2 tbsp sugar.
Make a well in the flour mixture and add butter, yeast mixture, and two eggs. 
Stir until forms a ball, knead until elastic and smooth, lightly coat bowl in oil/butter, turning ball of dough to coat, and let rise until doubled in bulk.
Punch down, form 3 or more strands of dough and plait together, pinching ends and tucking under to keep from unfurling. Let rise on a greased baking sheet until doubled in bulk.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix the yolk of an egg with a tbsp of water, brush top of loaf and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Bake at 400 degrees until deeply golden and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
Let cool before slicing (or, as I prefer, pulling apart in peices with your hands) if you can control yourself.