Fat Tuesday

We have a very large population of people with Polish ancestry in our area. Many of them live in Hamtramck, a small city within the borders of Detroit. Because of them, we have been able to enjoy lots of wonderful Polish traditions. Ash Wednesday is this week, which of course is the start of Lent, and tradition being what it is, the Poles brought the celebration of Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday, with them and we here in the Detroit area have embraced this day with a vengeance.

We splurge on Packzi!

Paczki, pronounced (PUNCH-key) plural or Paczek (PUN-check) singular, is a large filled pastry that resembles a donut. Paczki are deep fried and filled with everything from lemon, raspberry jelly, strawberry jelly, apples to cream or custard. They can be covered with powdered sugar, glazed or plain. You can pick them up anywhere, and I mean anywhere. Bakeries of course are the best place to get them, but you can also find them at grocery stores, convenience stores, drug stores, even gas stations. Unless you go into a bakery where you can purchase just one (I don't think I know anyone who has gotten just one!) you end up buying a box of six or more and you know what that means...you have to eat all of them before midnight Ash Wednesday! With each Paczek having between 420 and 600 calories each, no wonder it is called FAT TUESDAY!!

After the gluttony of Fat Tuesday, we tend to refocus on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. This is a time of reflection for me. Talking with my brother Phil this morning, you can read his blog here, he made the suggestion of doing something for the Lord, instead of giving something up. I like the idea of both. I need to get my thoughts, actions and words off myself and onto what God wants and to rededicate myself to His way of thinking. To live and love like Jesus.

In the meantime, I am going out tomorrow morning and buying three paczki for the three of us to celebrate. Hmmmm...I just may have to get a box and that means six...