My focus these days is healthy, exercise and eating better and less, as I journey along to lose those extra pounds that have gathered... So of course I am thinking about Sven's Bakery...
Growing up in Pasadena, California, we had a bakery on Colorado Blvd., the street where the Rose Parade travels. Our home was about 6 blocks south. Sven's was a big bakery, right on the main corner. It smelled unbelievable, it was always busy and bustling. When you tasted what they baked, you would know why. The thing I loved the very best was an almond paste filled coffee cake. It was round and fresh and just melted like butter when it hit my mouth.
One day, years after I was married, had 3 kids, and we had moved to Texas, I was back in California, visiting my parents. They had since moved down close to the beach in San Juan Capistrano, but we spent a day in Pasadena. We stopped at Sven's, it was still there! We bought 2 of those coffee cakes, placed on white paper doilies into their nice boxes. Each cake served at least 8 to 10 people.
In the hour and 1/2 it took us to drive back to San Juan, I sat in the back seat and one pinch at a time, ate one whole coffee cake, down to the last crumbs. I had some explaining to do when we got home.
This detour today is very real... so real that I can almost taste it! Now Sven's has changed ownership, it's called 'Federico's', even the name sounds wrong, more Italian than Scandinavian... so probably that coffee cake doesn't even taste good anymore!
These days as I am intentionally eating healthier and less, it is not vegetables that I dream about... it's Sven's.
Speaking of exercise...
Did you see the funny quote in Good Housekeeping?...
"Why are my arms so weak? It's like I did that push-up last year for nothing!"...
Okay... end of detour ... think of all the calories I've saved today by writing about it instead of eating it! That thought makes me almost as happy as taking a big bite of it would... almost.
6 comments:
Oh Sonja!
My husband and I are trying to recall Sven's in Pasadena. We think we do. But we sure remember the Van de Kamp's. And, the Helm's bakery truck that would drive through our neighborhoods. I can still smell those glazed donuts when he opened up the drawers!!
Yes, like you, I am trying to live a little (a lot) healthier. I have some pounds that weren't here last year...
GOD BLESS!
Yes there are much less calories in recalling than eating. But it sure sounds good. As you know I am also trying to shed the extra pounds that crept up over the last few years. We can beat this and will!
By the way, my aunt (my dad's only sister) lives in southern California. She lived in Glendale for many years and now lives in La Crescenta. I'll have to ask her if she remembers Sven's. I know they also enjoyed going to the Rose Parade in Pasadena.
Love you,
Debbie
What a cute entry! Pinch by pinch, how funny but oh, how delicious! Almond paste is the best!
Good for you, eating healthier and exercising. Sounds like your 2013 is off to a great start!
Just the giggle I needed to start my day!! I'm talking about the visual image I have (and can well relate to) of you eating that thing one pinch at a time.
Giggling again.
And that quote was the icing on the cake.
Thanks for brightening my morning.
Think what it did to me to see that scrumptious looking coffee cake, especially since I had a cup of hot coffee. I love that you are honest enough to tell that you ate the roll one pinch at a time. That just made me like you more!
I could so understand your take on the healthy food and exercise now. At least we hold the memories of sweet rolls in our hearts. Fun post!
I am sitting here going down memory lane -- I used to live one block north of Sven's - moved in December 1983.
1983.
And I still yearn for this cream puff looking thing. A sealed bun, with bavarian cream inside. Covered in chocolate. I have lost the name of the specific pastry, but I would know it in a minute if it was said to me.
They also used to do these lovely Swedish "Christmas trees" made out of rich almond. They were always too expensive for me, and it was just me -- I didn't need to have that in my house.
I'd be like you in the back seat. All by myself.
Thanks for posting your memory. I'm of an age where I don't quite trust myself.
But your Sven's is my Sven's.
Man oh man, were those chocolate filled buns the BEST.
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