Lemon and sugar.

Today is Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras or Carnival.....or if you're English - Pancake Day.

Yes, while in other parts of the world there is dancing, samba, disguises, dressing up, night time revelries, alcohol etc the English get excited over pancakes covered in lemon and sugar.
English pancakes are more like French crêpe than the thicker American versions, and are not a traditional breakfast meal, so tend to be eaten less over the year, making Pancake day more special.

There is an art to making the perfect pancake, my Mum used to make the batter in advance and cool it in the fridge. Then there is heating the pan, and pouring in just enough to cover the bottom of the pan - not too thick, not too thin.
Then of course there is the 'Flipping' or 'Tossing'. A great skill, that usually involves the kitchen ceiling or floor at some point during the evening.
Traditionally there races that are held all round the UK with the participants  tossing pancakes as they run. These started in Olney and have now spread across the UK. Here is a clip of our politicians (the House of Commons v the House of Lords) doing their annual race for charity.
(It is quite long, you don't have to watch it all!)

Then there is the fillings or the toppings. Savory pancakes are good, my friend does a lovely ham and mushroom filling, but the favourites are, of course, the sweet ones. In France the obsession for Nutella spreads onto crêpes, as well as jam and just plain sugar. Me, I love the traditional combination of lemon and sugar - the tartness of the lemon, softened by the sweetness of the sugar, as well as the softness of the pancake mixed with the crunchiness of the sugar, how can you beat that?

If my friends Facebook status' are anything to go by, then the adults are enjoying this day as much as the children.
There is something joyful about celebrating a tradition, something that you remember from your childhood. It is comforting and nurturing and brings back good feelings and memories, all the family sitting round in the kitchen cooking, eating and enjoying ourselves. All this from a simple mixture of flour, milk and eggs. Truly something to celebrate.

I am grateful for anything that helps us feel better and keeps us in a good feeling place and vibration, I hope you all have your comforters that help you feel good too.