Susan R. Opel
Yep, Fat Tuesday (also known as Shrove Tuesday), and no, I’m not calling you fat!
Protestants around the globe are preparing for the beginning of Lent tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday is known as the traditional last day of decadence before the 40 days of fasting associated with Lent.
Many associate this day with Mardi Gras in New Orleans complete with King Cakes, parades and beads. Back in 2005, my sister and I took an amazing Spring Break trip to New Orleans, and though we missed Mardi Gras, we were still able to capture the vibe of one of the coolest cities in the country!
One of the highlights of our trip was eating authentic New Orleans cuisine Emeril Lagasse-style!
My sister, Beth Opel, created this layout about New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
You can see more New Orleans layouts from our trip here and here.
But I digress! When I was growing up as a little Lutheran girl, my mom liked to celebrate Fat Tuesday by serving pancakes for dinner (yummo!). You see the word fat is in reference to the idea that all of the remaining sugar, fat and eggs needed to be used up to herald the fasting of Lent. That’s not to say that we fasted, but an excuse to eat pancakes for supper? Count me in!
Another yummy Fat Tuesday tradition in my family came from the large Polish Catholic community in my hometown of Bay City, Michigan, (let’s just say Krzysiak’s was one of our favorite restaurants in town). Paczki (pronounced punch-key) are deep-fried pastries much like a jelly doughnut. There was nothing like licking the dusty powdered sugar off my sticky fingers.
A pile of paczki. Do you see what I’m saying?
And so, after all of those calories and all of that fat and gluttony, Lent begins. You may know of the tradition of giving something up for Lent. It’s not a requirement for Lutherans, but I often choose something. It’s a good lesson in self-control, ya know? And that certainly never hurts. And then, once those 40 days are done, the ultimate is here! Easter! And hopefully full-fledged spring!
My What I *heart* About Easter Sunday layout as seen in Creating Keepsakes magazine, April 2009.
Speaking of spring, today the March/April issue of Paper Crafts magazine hits the newsstands! Dig inside for amazing ideas to bring abundant fresh air into your February life!
Click on the cover image to order your copy today!
Giving you permission to eat paczki and pancakes today!
Susan
Happy Fat Tuesday! Loved those layouts….
Wish I had a couple of Paczkis or even some of those pancakes for breakfast but at beginning of year I decided to take a few pounds off so I guess as I eat this boiled egg, breakfast bar and plain old black coffee. I will pretend that it is pancakes and paczkis.
I’m originally from Poland, but now I live in UK and I miss my mom’s paczki so much!
Happy Fat Tuesday!
I actually picked up my copy of the magazine last night and have time set aside today to leaf through the pages and plan my next projects. Enjoy the day! The sun is shining here at the moment but snow is expected later today and overnight–6 to 8 inches. Spring can’t be far away I hope! Anne, yourmainestamper
Wow I had know idea that Fat Tuesday was here! I remember when we lived in Louisiana all the awesome parades that I attended on this day!
Happy Fat Tuesday to ya! Those pancakes and paczki look mighty good…I had my usual boring toast and coffee for breakfast. Looking for my copy of Paper Crafts – hopefully in today’s mail!
Can’t wait for this bright cover to arrive in my mailbox.
I was in New Orleans for Christmas.
seeing your pictures makes me want to go when the flowers are in bloom.
that cover looks amazing!
I love paczkis! We Catholics are also getting ready for Lent.
paczkis purchased and consumed, check!
and holy WOW on the restaurant name, my {Polish} mother-in-law’s maiden name is Krzysiek!!!!!
Looks good so far -cant wait to see the whole issue!
I have only been to New Orleans once, but it was amazing! I am thinking of giving something up for Lent as well. I’ll talk with the hubby and see what he can support! Surely, I will need the support!
Ash Wednesday is more a Catholic thing than a Protestant one. I remember saving all the sweets I got between ash Wednesday and Easter. I’m looking forward to spring. We had snow again today!
Great LO’s. New Orleans is still on my “to visit” list. I’ll look forward to the new issue.
Eveline.
Thanks for the permission Susan. I’m going to use that for that chocolate cake I brought to work for a mid-afternoon snack…. (let’s pretend that it lasted past 9 am).
Loved my latest Paper Crafts magazine. I was so excited when I saw it in the mail…
I love my March/April magazine! Have read it two times already!
Happy Fat Tuesday..
Love your layouts!!
Love Emeril’s in New Orleans! We went there once, our daughter was off at camp, so our then 4 year old son came along. They do not have a kids menu there, so I was planning on sharing my meal with him. The waiter said “Oh no ma’am, pick what you want and we will make your son ANYTHING he would like to eat” I thought that was the best customer service ever! They even made him his own dessert.
I tried to give up caffeine during lent once, and I had the worst head aches so I have to be more realistic on what I choose to go without.
New Orleans is a great city, but it gets CRAZY during Mardi Gras! I love your layouts!