Mardi Gras-Fat Tuesday-Fastnacht

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day, Shrove Day, Fastnacht, 

it's all to celebrate the last day before Lent which begins with Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras literally means 'Fat Tuesday" in French. The roots lie in the Christian tradition to feast on the day before Lent and use up the fat, eggs, and dairy before the fasting and abstinence of Lent begins. It's the 'last hurrah' and pancakes are often served. That's where the name of my (Fat) Tuesday Pancakes came from. I adapted the recipe found in an old New Orleans church cookbook.

Picture above with recipe link.

Today I'm making German Kreppel.

Here they are on my Mother's old glass 

pedestal cake plate, waiting to be devoured.

The German tradition is to make Kreppel for Fastnacht (Fasting Eve). Kreppel are a type of German donut. It's a yeast dough that is left to rise then rolled and cut into circles and left to rise again. Then they are fried in hot oil until puffy and golden.

They are removed from the pan and drained on paper towels. 

Then rolled while still warm in sugar.... 

and eaten right away.

 Kreppel are very similar to French Biegnets, that are so popular in New Orleans. Sometimes they are filled with jam, but we preferred them the traditional way with just a light sugar coating. They are light as clouds.

 My Mother and my Aunt in Germany would always make them on Fastnacht Day
 and everyone would wait patiently for one to be just cool enough to handle and eat.

 In Germany, family and friends always stop by my Aunt's house on that Tuesday  knowing that she would be making lots of Kreppel and the coffee pot was full.

It's fascinating how this tradition shows up in these variations all over the world.
So on Fat Tuesday have yourself a plate of pancakes or a coffee with a donut if that's your pleasure and carry on the tradition.
I love food traditions. Don't you?


The recipe has been posted on Rita's Recipes .
(as soon as I licked the sugar off my fingers!)

Links: A Stroll Thru Life, Coastal Charm

Who Left The Doors Off?

I haven't put the doors back on my cabinets.

I'm getting accustomed to the look.

 I removed them for Christmas and papered
the back of the cabinet with gift wrap.

The better to see my Christmas dishes.

More pictures of how I did it HERE.

Then I left them off for Valentine's HERE.
The better to see my heart dishes.

And now....the Winter Blues.

 I'm just keeping some of the blue and white 

everyday dishes in here.

 There are four mismatched sets.

I've been thinking if adding some paper to 

the back of the cabinet as I did at Christmas 

and for Valentine's Day. 

Even with the doors back on again

 it will look nice when I open the cabinet.

 On the counter below. The large blue and
 white biscotti jar was found at a police benefit
yard sale for $1.00. It's coming up again in
 March. I like to do my part.

That's where I'm keeping the doggie's cookies.

Behind the jars is the printable I made.

You can get that HERE. 

Have a good week!

See more kitchen cabinet monthly makeovers;

Christmas (December) cabinet HERE

Valentine (February) cabinet  HERE

St. Patrick's Day (March) cabinet  HERE
Spring/Easter (April) cabinet HERE

Links: The Girl Creative,
My 1929 Charmer,
The House In The Roses,
Between Naps On The Porch

I Heart Breakfast

Heart shaped waffles were perfect for

 a Valentine breakfast.

 Served with fresh strawberries, sprinkled

 with powdered sugar and drizzled 

with a little maple syrup.

 Served on heated plates with my 

favorite frothed coffee.

Yes, I definitely <3 breakfast!

Please pass the syrup!

Try the photo collage maker HERE.

Cheers!

For My Favorite Waffles recipe

click on Rita's Recipes.
See other breakfast favorites  by
clicking HERE.
Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
The Charm of Home

Sentimental Shaggy Heart Wreath

You can make a shaggy rag wreath using 

fabric scraps from old clothes or
any leftover material.

I made this heart wreath using a piece of
fabric from a window treatment that I made
 for my Mother's bathroom years ago.

I used a wire hanger. I Clipped off the hook
 end and bent it into a heart shape.
I ripped long strips from the fabric
and cut them into about 6" lengths.

 Then I just tied them onto the wire until it
was nice and full. I did this while watching an
appropriate Valentine movie,
'Sleepless In Seattle'....again.

Done.

I attached a ribbon and hung it on
my back kitchen cabinet.

 A free little wreath with
sentimental value...

priceless.

Happy Valentines Day!

Links: Coastal Charm, BNOP,
Savvy Southern Style,
No Minimalist Here, Finding Fabulous,
At The Picket Fence, Common Ground,
My Romantic Home, French Country Cottage,
Tip Junkie, The Blackberry Vine

Valentine Vignettes

It's almost Valentine's Day and

 we are ready here!

 Family room sofa table cloches.

 A string of wooden hearts and stars are

just strewn on top of the pinecones on

 the family room coffee table.

 Refrigerator magnets.

 The top of the fridge.

 Valentine apron in the kitchen.

 Hearts and Pines salt & pepper set.

 My white spray painted branch is normally

 used for Easter eggs, but now it's hung 

with heart ornaments. I store the heart 

Christmas ornaments in a separate basket.

That way they are easy so to get out again 

for Valentine's Day.

 Silver chargers, Hearts and Pines china 

 ruby red salad bowls.

 I have used the good sterling silver and 

Waterford crystal these two weeks too. 

The white heart tray on the bar counter.

 A few hearts are added to the branches on 

the cobbler's bench in the living room.

 Garland hearts, one tinsel and one fabric. 

I made one last little craft project last night

while watching a movie. So easy. 

I'll share that tomorrow.

XOX0

Links: A Stroll Thru Life,
Coastal Charm

Rainy Saturday Lunch

After doing our usual morning to-dos we
headed out for a long 1-1/2 hour brisk walk
 before the rains came.

 On our way back home the conversation
rolled into what we could have for lunch...
a typical topic for discussion.

 It was a good day for a classic:
grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.

I quickly made a batch of tomato soup with
fresh basil and parmesan on top and
 Larry grilled the sandwiches using
whole grain bread and slices of good cheddar.

Also a good day to start the new best-seller
I just picked up at the library or watch DVDs.
Maybe even make popcorn.

Cheers!

Links: My 1929 Charmer

February Mug Shots and Muffins

An assortment of heart mugs.

 I found three while thrifting last year.

Coffee always tastes better in a holiday mug.

 Heart shaped muffins in a heart shaped 

Longaberger Valentine's basket.

Warm  from the oven Cranberry Orange Muffins.   

Coffee and muffins anyone?

Cheers!

Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
Common Ground, My Romantic Home,
At The Picket Fence