A Love Letter

Dear Baked Goods,

It pains me to say that we must part. While our love runs true, the liturgical calendar can not permit us to express our immense love and devotion. For the next 40 days (plus Sundays, because I roll like that). Yes, this Lenten season, you are what I've chosen to give up. Oh to sacrifice one of my favorite things...Couldn't I just be a Lent cheater and give up smoking? Or working out regularly? Or MySpace? Or my outlandish drug habit? Fine, fine. Jesus wouldn't approve. He would much more appreciate my sacrifice of sweetened, carbohydrate-filled goodliness, something that realllly brings me joy.

So here's to you, my dear friends. Perfect Brownie Pan, you've served me gluttonously well. Finally I was able to actually bake the perfect brownie instead of crumbled lumps of chocolate dough, and now you must retire to the back of the cabinet. Unseen, but certainly not forgotten.

Edgar's Bakery, we'd only just met each other, and while your chicken salad plate was lovely, it was the cupcake counter that won my heart. And the petit fours. Oh, and the stacks of cookies I've even yet to try. Would it be wrong to drive by late at night and long for your from afar?

Fresh Market, my dear neighbor...Your pillow cookies, be them raspberry or almond-filled were nothing but delightful. My kitchen counters and tummy will miss your presence immensely. Chocolate-cherry bread, we hadn't even gotten to know each other yet. You've disappeared since my first visit and have yet to return. Did you sense that I might eventually leave you? Did you want to save me the pain of denying you by leaving before I got the chance? You are too kind. (And yes, I know I'm not technically giving up bread, but once you add chocolate and cherries...There's no denying the dessert-like features).

Publix Bakery, oh my cherished, constant compadre. I think I'll miss you most of all, Scarecrow. Adieu to cream horns, two-bite cupcakes, cream cheese brownies and chocolate dollop-ed shortbread cookies...

And to the miscellaneous cinnamon rolls, birthday cake and doughnuts that may try to make their way into my life for the next month or so...Don't take it personally. It's not you; it's me. I promise I'll call when I've worked myself out.

Lots of love,

MEB