Happy Paczki Day!

Oh man! Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Halloween is of course my favorite favorite, but GAH, this day just ROCKS.

Fat Tuesday. Or Shrove Tuesday. Or Mardi Gras. Or Carnival. Or how I grew up to know it. Paczki Day! Today is, the last day prior to Lent. Paczki's were made in an attempt to use up all the ingredients in the pantry to prepare for the fast. The last thing you want in your kitchen is sugar, custard and brandy... Growing up Catholic, this was the last day to gorge yourself in sweets and stuff that was considered an indulgence before giving it up. I was raised Catholic, however, I am not anymore. Yet, I still find it quite necessary to partake in this wonderfully pastry filled day.

My mom would wake me up at 6 am. We would venture out into the cold Chicago morning to walk the half mile trek to the Laramie Bakery. There we would take a number, and stand in line for what felt like a year of years. Then they would call our number. ZOMG! Two Dozen Paczki's PULLLEASEEEEEEEE!. We would get every flavor available. Raspberry, custard, (Two of my personal favorites), lemon, blueberry, prune (my mom's favorite), strawberry, apple oh the list could go on and on! We would share them with our neighbors and our family who lived close.

Germans may know them as Berliners. Austrian's call them Krapfen. Call them what you want. Just call on them often today. Because tomorrow they will be all gone.

This year I drove to my personal most awesome bakery. They are part of a Grocery store, but are so amazingly amazing. They are the one's who makes my multi grain bread with just the right amount of seeds, nuts and oats, and always let's me know when they are fresh from the oven. Bakes the best crusty rolls and apple bread and jalapeno cheese loaf and is the primary reason I have to go to the gym on a regular basis. What's not to love! I miss the neighborhood Bakery on Laramie, but I am reallllly thankful I have this bunch. Especially today.

Happy Paczki Day!