By Megan Lardie
Let the Good Times Roll….before Lent starts! I don’t know about you, but by the time the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) rolls around, I have had just about enough celebrating!
Centuries ago, Mardi Gras or Carnival celebrations began on either January 6th or January 7th and lasted until Ash Wednesday. Today, it is celebrated mostly on one day, but several places around the world make a long week or weekend out of the celebration.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a festival that takes place before Lent begins. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” which refers to the practice of the last night of indulging in eating rich, fatty foods before making sacrifices and fasting during the season of Lent.
Mardi Gras is also called Shrove Tuesday. Shrove comes from the word “shrive,” which means to administer the sacrament of confession. Many people take time to reflect on what sacrifices they should make during Lent.
While not celebrated nationally in the United States, some historically ethnic French cities in the south have huge celebrations. Most people think of New Orleans, but Mobile, Alabama also has huge celebrations, as it was the first city to ever celebrate Mardi Gras in the US.
These celebrations often include parades and people in costumes. The costumes are much different than Halloween costumes and include the colors green, purple, and gold. People dress as fairies, animals, clowns, people from myths, various Medieval costumes, or as Native Americans.
Pancake Day
In Ireland, Mardi Gras is called Pancake Day. Up until recently, fatty foods such as eggs and dairy products were forbidden during Lent, so the day before Ash Wednesday was a perfect day to use up all eggs, butter, and sugar in the house.
In some parts of Ireland, in earlier times, single people were considered negligent and were encouraged to “match up” and get married before the beginning of Lent. In the towns of Blarney and Cobh, it was acceptable for men to tie up unmarried girls with rope and take them out to Skellig Michael, a small island, to get married. Thank goodness this is no longer a common practice, but Pancake Day is still a thing!
Kids in the Kitchen
For the best homemade pancakes, try making these delicious pancakes on a cold winter morning or on a Snow Day (if you are lucky enough to get one)!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups milk, plus more if necessary
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled, plus more for cooking
- Vegetable oil, for cooking
Directions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until evenly combined.
- Pour the milk/egg mixture and the melted butter into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. If the batter seems too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons more milk.
- Heat a griddle or nonstick pan over medium heat; coat it lightly with vegetable oil and swirl in a thin pat of butter. Ladle or drop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately ¼ cup for each pancake; cook until the first side is golden brown, or until the top surface bubbles and is dotted with holes. Flip and cook until the other side is golden brown.
This happens quickly so peek after 30 seconds and watch carefully! Adjust the heat setting if necessary. Wipe the griddle clean with a paper towel between batches. Serve immediately with maple syrup.
Literature Corner
Who Got the Baby in the King Cake?
By Johnette Downing
The king cake tradition is an homage to the Three Kings. A charm or a plastic baby is hidden inside the cake and whoever finds the treasure is then crowned king or queen for the day. In addition to that honor, the winner is also expected to host the next king cake party! For ages 4-7, 32 pages.
Liberty
By Kirby Larson
Set in 1940s New Orleans, two unlikely boys form a friendship that blurs racial lines and forms at the Higgins boatyard, as inventors unlock secrets to help engineers build the crafts that might just end World War II. Ages 8-12, 240 pages.
Q. What is a frog's favorite day of the year?
A. Leap Day!
Q. What is the best music to listen to on Leap Day?
A. Hip Hop
Marriage
Will you marry me? = An bposfaidh tu me? (pron: on boes-igg two me)
Speech by Mary Lou McDonald at “Preserving Our Past, Rising to Our Future” Moore St conference
Megan Lardie
*Megan is a Reading Intervention educator with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. She has a BA from Hiram College and BA+ from Ashland University. She resides in Avon Lake with her husband, Joe, and their five children. She can be reached at [email protected].
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