Pancake Day

If there ever was a day to indulge in the smooth buttery goodness of a pile of pancakes, today is it!  It's Pancake Day in the UK, otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday.  It's the day that marks the beginning of Lent, the fasting period when people traditionally give up dairy, eggs, meat, and all that 'unneccessary' stuff.  So, to get rid of it all and start fasting, you make pancakes!  "Ooo--kay," you're saying "but if I were going to get rid of butter, milk and eggs the first thing that comes to mind isn't a pancake made with...flour and water"  Indeed.  Over here, pancakes are more like crepes, made with lots of egg and milk.  

Of course in America the holiday this time of year is equally exciting, Groundhog Day.  I love it. The best part, though, about all these early-February holidays is that they stem from the ancient pagan "Cross-Quarter Day" -- marking the day that we are halfway to the Spring Equinox!  Halfway!  Have a pancake to celebrate.