Fat Tuesday and.... Pancakes???

I still don't get it. It's an Episcopal tradition - I realize that, but I still don't get it. Where I grew up, we had Mardi Gras - floats with masked revelers throwing moon pies, beads, doubloons, and candy, followed by marching bands, and maskers on horseback. My hometown had Mardi Gras in 1704 - before New Orleans was even founded - and late winter / early spring was a great time for all.

And in the south, you were either Baptist, or Catholic - there were no other choices... so I was something else, naturally. But one thing we did NOT do was pancakes. Pancakes are good for about 10 minutes after cooking. After that, they're a greasy chewy mess, and the batter doesn't store well. So when the 'pancake supper' is finished, what's left to donate to the local shelter/soup-kitchen?

That's why in the home of the Mardi Gras - the Mother Of The Mystics - we always had Fat Tuesday Jambalaya. A hearty seafood gumbo with rice and andouille sausage (spicy) and beans - the leftovers from this would warm the heart of even the most cynical street denizen. So while we have 'pancakes' here in the NW, I always make a point of distributing beads, and shaking my head silently as the night progresses.

The next day? Ash Wednesday. Remember: YOU are "Butt Dust".
(Happy Belated Mardi Gras!)