Am just so sick of rain. Rain gauge on the terrace is overflowing again. Wind blows, mould grows.

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day?

Shrove Tuesday's origins relate very broadly to the beginning of Lent and the last feast of 'substance' - flour, eggs, sugar - before the fast. Somehow they turned these three ingredients into a last meal.... but why pancakes?

And these are to be differentiated from pikelets, especially 'scotch' pikelets - which were a favourite of my aunt. She made them by the millions(!) and we all had a bag in the freezer ready to gorge on when something warm and buttery was required - yum! Great before and after all sorts of things!

But now for pancakes and really, what is the difference between pikelets, scotch pancakes, pancakes and (because I live in the south of France) - crepes! Basically they are all flour, eggs and liquid - which might be milk, water, or ... dare I say champagne!

Himself made 'crepes' for Valentine's Day - flour, eggs, champagne - and they were to die for, especially filled with dried fruit which had been marinating in brandy since I couldn't be bothered making the Christmas pudding! Fabulous!

Tonight we are having pancakes for pancake day, aka Shrove Tuesday - but this time flour, eggs, and milk. Served with orange juice and sugar. Should be excellent!

I'm thinking about those pikelets -and I'm going to find the recipe and create some. I am sure the ingredients aren't too different but its the combination which tells each story! Flour, eggs, liquid - and whatever else you want to give flavour!

Happy Shrove Tuesday.

my first blog!

I have decided I need to join the world of blogging so this will be my space for observations, random thoughts and general musing - and maybe an occasional rant! Today though, a couple of snow photos - its almost disappeared since falling the day before yesterday, but it was so beautiful and I may wish to return here in the summer.......

Pics show our terrace, the view from our terrace over Monaco, and the view towards the Alpes from my atelier window! So picturesque, but the ice makes for slippery walking, especially for someone with little sense of balance!I

And I'm very excited as my parcel from Sydney posted in November has just arrived, along with some pearls I've ordered for my jewellery making - better get to work.......