Gorgeous blue and white ceramics in the shop! Have a look!
Winter wonderland – let it snow…
It is snowing again today making the villages near where I live in Alsace in France extra beautiful.
I can’t bear to be without you xx
Happy Valentines Day!
7 hidden facts – Crêpe story
Looks like there are 2 pancake days in France, thank you very much merci beaucoup! And this year they are both in February.
The first pancake day, otherwise known as “la Chandeleur” falls on February 2nd every year and is exactly 40 days after Christmas. It celebrates the date when Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem this day was marked with a candlelit procession that culminated in placing the blessed candles in the churches. Galettes (savory crêpes) were handed out to pilgrims and so the jour des crêpes was born!
The second pancake day, otherwise known as “le Mardi Gras” falls on what the British call Shrove Tuesday, and is 47 days before Easter – February 13th this year. The idea here is to use up stocks of meat, eggs and butter before Lent and began with the ancient ritual of parading a large ox through Paris to remind people that meat was forbidden during the Lent period.
On both days pancakes and crêpes – sweet and savory are eaten for breakfast lunch dinner or as a snack! Lots of great recipes here and here!
My favourite topping has to be lightly sprinkled with sugar with lemon juice, what’s yours?
Hidden facts –
* In France it is the the custom flip a crêpe holding the pan with one hand whilst holding a gold coin in the other and making a wish. If the crêpe doesn’t land on the floor your wish will come true!
* The Crêpe Suzette was invented in 1903 by the “king” of French chefs, Escoffier, and for the first two decades of the 1900s was considered to be the ultimate in luxury desserts.
*The French fold their crêpes, they don’t roll them – they think this stops the filling from leaking or falling out.
*During Mardi Gras, people disguise themselves putting on crazy masks. *It used to be a tradition to light a candle in the church and carry it home without the flame going out – if you managed this you’d live to see the next Chandeleur –Celui qui la rapporte chez lui allumée. Pour sûr ne mourra pas dans l’année’
*Eating lots of pancakes on la chandeleur -after 8pm – ensures a good crop. ‘Si point ne vert de blé charbonneux Mange des crêpes à la Chandeleur’
*If it rains on February 2nd, it will rain for 40 days ‘Quand il pleut pour la Chandeleur, il pleut pendant quarante jours’.
Happy pancake day!
He’s 93 and still singing!
Charles Aznavour – one of Frances’s vintage best!
~Click on his photo below to hear him sing~
French Candy Vintage 