Pretzels are the new donut
I know, those be fightin words! But, hear me out. I must relay to you a story from last year March 2022 before defending the pretzel title.
As an Author one thing I enjoy doing is exploring new worlds. From Fantasy to Mystery. There are endless possibilities in my mind for just about anything.
There are times when I need to get out of my head, to seek real life experience before writing another story. Introverted as I am, I too reach a point where I want adventure in the great wide somewhere.
Today I want to share my short experience with the St. Josephs Altar festivities. I will not be sharing the history, or full story. You will have to do your own research for that this time.
March 19, 2022
After the 6am Mass, my sister and I headed over to the auditorium a few yards away from the Chapel. Walking close behind the multitude of fellow Catholics heading to see the St. Josephs Altar.
If only I could plug my memory into this blog. To keep it short, I was amazed by the sheer beauty of over 12 tables spilling over with decorations, food, trinkets, and gifts. The first table you come to explains what you are about to experience.
“Welcome to the St. Joseph’s Altar”
Holy Smokes!! Where has this been my whole life??
Either I have a bad memory or I’ve skipped this festive gathering for the past 25 years. That one 45 minute walk inside the auditorium made me realize something.
I have been missing out on so much fun, beauty, and history of my Catholic Faith. Not anymore!
Fast forward to today, March 19th, 2023.
Of course, I left my phone in my frozen car so I will do my best to describe the experience to you.
6 am Mass ended, the parish early birds leave their pews heading over to the auditorium with cash in their pockets and God in their hearts.
P.s. it was a cheery 19 degrees this morning so the hustle from one building to another was real.
As I am still learning about this wonderful feast day, I do not know the reasoning behind it all yet. It’s a goal for me to learn as much as I can about these festivities a little bit more every year.
The Fava Bean
A few years ago my Mom handed me a small brown see through pull string baggie with some weird looking beans in it. She said something like, these beans came from the St. Josephs Altar. They are a reminder that growth is always possible with God. Or at least something to that extent.
I was confused, since I was oblivious at that time of the entire history.
Here’s a short summary of the Legend of the Fava Bean that you see at the St. Josephs Altar.
The Goodies all Around
As a contribution and in Thanksgiving to St. Josephs help, this Sicilian festival includes:
Prayers, holy cards, statues of St. Joseph, mini altars all around. Food spilling over table tops, especially breads in cross shapes.
Each church celebrates St. Josephs feast day similar to this tradition of tables with food and statues of St. Joseph.
The Church I attend has a small bizarre where you can purchase some baked goods, gifts, and more.
I ended up buying a bottle of wine, a cake pop, loaf of amazing cheese and herbs, and a oatmeal chocolate chip dessert. Not too bad right?
Pretzels are the new donut
Now that you know the above story, I can explain the Pretzel situation.
Have you ever made a donut?
I have. And it sucked. Now, I’m not exactly a great baker, so that could absolutely have something to do with the not so delicious donut experience.
During Lent it is a tradition to make pretzels with your family or by yourself.
Why? Because the shape of the pretzels symbolizes a persons arms crossed in prayer.
I decided to give pretzel making a try. I’ve wanted to for a few months, but with my baking skills lacking (you can ask my sisters, they know many stories) I overthought it.
The St. Josephs Altar was coming up and since I’ve seen bread of all kinds there the decision was made. Pretzels here I come!
I followed this AMAZING recipe below by Salley McKenney
**Full credit and disclosure, this blog is not sponsored or affiliated with Salley McKenney and her blogs. I tested her recipe, loved it, and want to share it because it works!**
Here’s how my pretzel’s turned out:
I made some normal butter and salt pretzels. Some chocolate chip ones, cinnamon sugar pretzels, and garlic herb pretzels. Yes, I spent all afternoon and half my evening going PRETZEL CRAZY!!! They blew my mind with how easy and fun it was to make.
Thank you Salley McKenney for sharing your recipes!! 10 out of 10!
I made a few to donate to the St. Josephs Altar and next year I hope to do more!
And there you have it, dear readers. Pretzels are easier, faster, and to me, more fun to make than donuts. I do love donuts, just not baking them. 🙂
*This blog is not sponsored, I am in no way affiliated with Salley McKenney. I share because this pretzel recipe because it works and tastes Amazing. Sharing is caring.*
2 books down, and who knows how many more to come.
Thank you for reading until the end. As a new blogger any and all support is appreciated! Have a comment or thought to share? Type away in the comments. 🙂
Write on~
Cecilia
