Hot Cross Buns ... Hot Cross Buns ....

Today, while grocery shopping, I was met by a table full of Hot Cross Buns. Immediately I had memories of course of Easter, but also of my Mom. Hot Cross Buns were a staple in our house during the Easter season. I HATED them. How could something with such a beautiful cross usually made in the form of frosting top such a 'yucky' bread? I remember tasting them every year hoping and anticipating that perhaps someone got the recipe 'right'. But.... each year they tasted the same. My favorite memory however, is of my mom and her sister Audrey sharing a plate of buns, hot coffee and good conversation at the table after a full afternoon of candy hunts and ham dinner.

I picked up a pack out of nostalgia - and had one this afternoon. The iced cross is as good as ever .. and you know what, the bread was wonderful. I guess I have truly crossed the boundary into adulthood - because I LOVED it :) - after I took my first bite, I immediately called my mom for the good conversation. :)

Here are some interesting facts about Hot Cross Buns (from Wikipedia):

A hot cross bun is a type of sweet spiced bun made with currants and leavened with yeast. It has a cross on the top which might be made in a variety of ways: it could be pastry, made from a simple flour and water mixture, cut from rice paper and glazed onto the bun, iced, or simply cut into the bun itself. In many historically Christian countries, the buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion.

chocolate version of the bun has become popular. They generally contain the same mixture of spices but cocoa is added to the dough and chocolate chips are used instead of currants.

A little piece of 'home'

I followed a car from Minnesota on my way home after dropping Lexi off this morning. Maine is home - but Minnesota is where my heart is :). Instead of feeling sad about the things I miss from Minnesota - my thirty minute drive home was actually fun as my mind ran through all of my and Jay's old romping places, our favorite restaurants, our favorite drives, Lake Superior, 'The Lakes', the smell of boat fuel on the water :), the noise of jet skis, Matts Bar, pickled herring, General Store in Minnetonka, Nicollet Mall, BRITS PUB!, Daytons 8th floor Christmas auditorium, The University of Minnesota, KIKOGOWA, Leaning Tower of Pizza, OUR HOUSE ON HAMLINE AVENUE, Summit Avenue, late night drives around the city, The Minnesota State Fair, the farmers market, 1280AM The Patriot, Afton Apple Orchard, The Minneapolis Institute of Art (where Jay and I were engaged), Crabtree Kitchen, "Ya Sure", OF COURSE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! I could go on and on .. but I think you get the idea :).