Pancakes, Baby Cakes and Beads

Someone told me that today is Fat Tuesday and when I looked in the mirror this morning- by golly- they were right! 
It really didn't help that I was wearing my gray Saran Wrap pajama pants, my husband's 2XL shirt, holey socks, and donning a giant. static, pillow-induced fro.
I tried that old trick of lifting the jowls and tucking them behind my ears, but then I looked like a fat oriental woman/chipmunk.
But, I brushed my hair, pulled on my trusty green sweater and decided to give the day a good try.


Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" - referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. 
It is also Pancake Day (which explains the fat part). I like mine with tons of real butter and saturated with high-quality syrup. (And then I'm miserable for three hours).

Fat Tuesday. That idea sounds so familiar. I do believe I've celebrated several Fat Sundays... Eating rich, fatty foods before the fasting diet starts on Monday.


My sister-in-law from Baton Rouge once brought a huge King Cake with her on a visit. (It's another one of those Catholic traditions associated with Lent- and since I'm southern Baptist- I'm not even going to try to explain what it symbolizes. Google it if you don't know).

Anyway- inside this unattractive-looking cake (that is an oxymoron, isn't it?)- there is a little plastic baby. The person who finds the baby gets special privileges and must buy the next King Cake.

(I tried to start my own tradition like that- if you find the egg shells, you have to make the next cake- but it didn't take off as well as I had hoped.)


We know all about Mardi Gras- the festive masks and costumes- the celebrations in the streets- food and fun -the girls showing their boobies for ten cents worth of plastic beads. 

I had a dream last night that I was in a Mardi Gras parade. And- NO!- I wasn't dancing for beads on the street corners!

I was eating my way through a King Cake, trying to find that poor baby...

So, enjoy your Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day, or whatever religious connotations that this day holds for you. 

Make life fun- even if your reflection says otherwise!


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Right now I want to say thanks to everyone of you who have taken the time to leave me comments. I know personally how time consuming it is to blog-hop and leave a note on every blog you read. 
I try to start my day reading all my favorite blog sites so that I can steal your ideas motivate myself. And although I don't always leave a comment, I always enjoy what is being shared. I truly respect those who have taken the time to write from their hearts, post photos, or give instructions. You all have brought laughter, tears, and wisdom to my otherwise dull and dreary world. Thank you all.
Next, I want to thank my sister Linda for being a faithful follower even when she would rather have been sitting on the porch smoking cigarettes, drinking Mango Margaritas, or watching Nascar. Linda, I treasure all your comments and it keeps me going on days when I think I couldn't type another word. Love you! (And you, too, Jewel!) (And Tina!)
I know there are others out there that lurk around, but seldom comment- and that's okay. I hear you breathing and it brings new life to my writing. I appreciate your presence.
I know this sounds like some sort of goodbye, but it's not. It's actually a great big "Hello!" that says, "I hear you, I see you, I thank you, I love you."

Now...let's carry on.

Pass the syrup, please.


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