My mother always used to mix water and cake yeast and then let rise for at least four to five hours. Then she would make the mixture of eggs, milk, crisco, and sugar and mix. She always said if the yeast did not initially rise, the bread would never turn out. Well my yeast and water will not rise before I complete the mixture and therefore my bread (bobka) is a disaster. What am I doing wrong?

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2001