March 16, 2017 (075/365)

"Follow your bliss and don't be afraid...” - Joseph Campbell

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, so French Friday seems kind of inappropriate. However, although it's still Thursday in Wisconsin, it's already Friday in France so voilà. Monday, March 20th is officially Le Jour du Macaron, but many bakeries are starting specials as early as Friday. Although, I'd loved to still be in Paris, I did recently find some wonderful macarons closer to home. Last week, I attended the Central States Conference for Teachers of Foreign Languages at the beautiful Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. In the hotel, there is a cute bakery called Sugar Bliss Pâtisserie that features an amazing assortment. Having recently indulged at both Ladurée and Pierre Hermé while in Paris, I opted for some non-traditional -- perhaps uniquely American --flavors. I tried toasted coconut, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla birthday cake, strawberry lemonade, Irish Baileys (in honor of the imminent holiday), and yes, you read that correctly -- Fruity Pebbles! Pourquoi pas? Apparently, Sugar Bliss is a franchise opportunity with only two locations in Chicago. Anyone want to open one in Delafield?!