Mardi Gras!

Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnivale....

It is last day to eat galette des rois, the last day of festivities before Ash Wednesday and Lent.

For us, far beyond Paris, we will be enjoying the last days of merriment, parades, and parties with hats.

 

La Chandeleur -- le jour des crêpes

For this crêpe maker, every day is le jour des crêpes.

The Catholic feast day, La Chandeleur, celebrates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple 40 days after Christmas, on February 2nd.  It is also referred to as "Candlemas" or Candle Mass for the blessing of beeswax candles used in the church all during the year.

In France the day is celebrated with crêpes which must be eaten only after 8:00pm.  If the cook can flip a crêpe while holding a coin in the other hand, the family is guaranteed a prosperous year.  The many rituals and superstitions surrounding this date include the Groundhog Day test of whether or not the little animal sees his shadow.

We always have crêpes (if I am not traveling), and Holly goes out for her crêpes with friends.  I think that my photo is going to give you two days of feasts in one as Sunday (February 5) is World Nutella Day!  I think that I will have my crêpes with bananas, Nutella, ice cream, and a little dollop of Chantilly cream.  It is after all a feast! 

Will you have savory or sweet crêpes?

Rue Mouffetard

75005, Paris 

Joyeux anniversaire

Not from a pâtisserie, not made by the hands of a baker, not in Paris (but "beyond"), made and assembled by little hands in love and celebration.


Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas