SO yesterday was Shrove Tuesday - traditionally the day before Lent starts. A day to cleanse the soul, a day of penitence, a day of shriving.
A day of feasting before Lent too....feasting on pancakes.
That's the part that our village takes seriously...eating pancakes. For many years now, most villagers have got together on this day and have a party. A pancake party where lots of pancakes are made by the more able cooks here, and people from the next village come along too and bring the puddings.
Over the years it's been held at different houses at John and Annie's, Chris and Vonnie's, but for the last few years Rob and Georgina have bravely thrown open their home to about 70 people who are there to eat, drink and socialise.
Jules is the mastermind behind the pancake making junta .Capable, unflappable, expertly flipping one after another.
There's normally a varietry of different flavours to choose from -
beef and tomato smothered in a tomato sauce,
ham,leek and cheese pancakes in a creamy cheesy sauce and veggie ones too.
It's amazing how many we all manage to eat. I think the village record is 11 pancakes...and that record's been held by Jane for quite a few years. (You wouldn't think she could eat them all -she's lovely and slim!)
And then there were the puddings: fruit, lemon, sugar and cream toppings for sweet pancakes, a crumble, several cheesecakes, a huge pavlova, a chocolate torte ,a roulade and angel delight.
And of course to wash all the food down there was plenty of wine and water...
Of course the pancake party isn't just about feasting before lent - it's a fundraiser for the two churches ,one in our village , the other a couple of miles away. So that means a raffle,and with so many endless bottles and a few unwanted Christamss prezzies as prizes ,it takes ages .
The end of the raffle is the signal to leave...to say thanks to Jules and her team of stalwarts , to Rob and Georgina, to say thanks for the feasting...and after a brisk walk up the lane, home to think quietly about cleansing the soul.
And for a spot of penitence - about abandoning my local food rules challenge so comprehensively for the evening!
www.localfoodrules.blogspot.com
Meanwhile, some music.From Jack Johnson.If ever I'm feeling out of sorts, his smooth laid back songs always make me feel better.....
I give you...a lovely accoustic version of Banana Pancakes .....with Ben Harper on slide...
A day of feasting before Lent too....feasting on pancakes.
That's the part that our village takes seriously...eating pancakes. For many years now, most villagers have got together on this day and have a party. A pancake party where lots of pancakes are made by the more able cooks here, and people from the next village come along too and bring the puddings.
Over the years it's been held at different houses at John and Annie's, Chris and Vonnie's, but for the last few years Rob and Georgina have bravely thrown open their home to about 70 people who are there to eat, drink and socialise.
Jules is the mastermind behind the pancake making junta .Capable, unflappable, expertly flipping one after another.
There's normally a varietry of different flavours to choose from -
beef and tomato smothered in a tomato sauce,
It's amazing how many we all manage to eat. I think the village record is 11 pancakes...and that record's been held by Jane for quite a few years. (You wouldn't think she could eat them all -she's lovely and slim!)
And then there were the puddings: fruit, lemon, sugar and cream toppings for sweet pancakes, a crumble, several cheesecakes, a huge pavlova, a chocolate torte ,a roulade and angel delight.
And of course to wash all the food down there was plenty of wine and water...
Of course the pancake party isn't just about feasting before lent - it's a fundraiser for the two churches ,one in our village , the other a couple of miles away. So that means a raffle,and with so many endless bottles and a few unwanted Christamss prezzies as prizes ,it takes ages .
The end of the raffle is the signal to leave...to say thanks to Jules and her team of stalwarts , to Rob and Georgina, to say thanks for the feasting...and after a brisk walk up the lane, home to think quietly about cleansing the soul.
And for a spot of penitence - about abandoning my local food rules challenge so comprehensively for the evening!
www.localfoodrules.blogspot.com
Meanwhile, some music.From Jack Johnson.If ever I'm feeling out of sorts, his smooth laid back songs always make me feel better.....
I give you...a lovely accoustic version of Banana Pancakes .....with Ben Harper on slide...
