And the days and weeks fly by. Just realized that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. Downhill slide to Easter and Spring. Interesting how our lives seem to revolve around these holidays. St. Valentine still had chocolate on his breath when he was replaced by bunnies and baskets and egg coloring kits in all the stores.

I may scoff at the marketing of a holiday that won’t be celebrated until April 20, but I certainly buy into the food aspect of these things. By my side, as I write this, is a cookbook that I bought in New Orleans. Today is Mardi Gras, aka Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. The raucous celebration before Lent traditionally ushers in a period of solemnity and fasting.

Interestingly enough, it’s also called “Pancake Day” in a number of cultures. Probably because people wanted to eat heavily before the austerity began.

There won’t be purple and green beads around our necks, or King Cake for dessert tonight, but there might just be pancakes for breakfast!