It finally clicked when Janelle brought home a box of donuts (the kind that does not deserve to be spelled "doughnuts"). When I asked what the occasion was, she commented that Freddy's was no longer selling paczkis, so she had to settle (Now, why would Freddy's sell paczkis during most of late January and February, but then stop just before Fat Tuesday?!-- those Philistines). I resolved, then and there, that those generic donuts would not be our paczki substitute. And so, today after school, I stopped by Moose Is Loose--our local high quality/high price bakery--and picked up some of their quality doughnuts ... you know, the kind that Grandma and Grandpa used to make ... and my uncles and aunts ...
Sure, you might have your own way of celebrating Mardi Gras, but this was quite tasty ...