Pancake Tuesday

If you've been reading these blogs for any length of time... you know I love pancakes.  Today is National Pancake Day - a way to celebrate the delicious all-purpose meal.

A few of the national pancake houses will have pancake specials today to commemorate the day.

When we lived in Augusta, the Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday, was the traditional dinner served by the men of the congregation with all-you-could-eat pancakes, sausages, applesauce, and coffee.

There was a certain order of things to the evening.  The first 8 years I took part it was my job to serve the tables or bus them.  To work in the kitchen was a spot for the elders of the community - you couldn't leave this pancake flipping to the newbies in the church.

Whether it's Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), or Shrove Tuesday - it's a day to celebrate before the penitential/fasting season of Lent begins tomorrow.

In the tradition of the day - pancakes were a way to use up the rich and fatty foods (eggs, milk, and sugar) that would be set aside during the Lenten season.  During Lent, food was not to bring pleasure - so no meat, dairy, or eggs.

A lot of folks enjoying some stacks of cakes are not aware of the religious today's significance.

Any day is a good reason to eat pancakes - as Christians - it  comes with a special meaning of preparing for a time of reflection and repentance.

Enjoy your pancakes today!  Happy Fat Tuesday - Happy Mardi Gras - Happy Pancake Day!