Hi from a Buckeye lover from Ohio!

Hello everyone! I'm a longtime home baker -30yrs ago I dreamed of opening a bakery or restaurant. That wasn't the path I followed in life so far...but I have cooked and baked at home since I started helping my mom around age 10?! Lots of fond memories of time spent with her in the kitchen...which brings me here. I'm a Polish/Slovak gal from Ohio and in search of the perfect Babka and polish rye bread ...along with the Vienna bread mom used to make. She also made a yeast bun that was filled with blueberries and had a little bit of lemon flavor to the dough-they are called jagodzanki or however it's spelled. I've found one recipe online but it was a disaster and nothing like i remember from childhood.

I have with trial and lots of error finally correctly deciphered the family recipe for Paczki and had amazing success this past Fat Tuesday. I was so happy-I had just ingredients and amounts (as with most of mom's recipes). So I'm on a mission to put together all these recipes for my kids who will one day -I hope-have interest in something they remember from growing up and from holiday feasts. Anyhow-sorry so longwinded. Looking fwd to learning from this community of amazing bakers!

I've also become addicted to Sourdough bread thanks to a recent trip to SanFrancisco and Napa. I've only so far tried the recipe that came with the sourdough starter I purchased from King Arthur Flour...after I tried and failed miserably for weeks to create my own starter. And from what I've learned it was my attempt to use water right from the tap that doomed me I think. Still not 100% certain but the starter I originally purchased is going strong still after 2yrs! Expanding and growing with each feeding along with my waistline! :-) Looking forward to participating here as my free time permits!