Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler

Happy Mardi Gras! When I was growing up, my grandma would have a traditional Fat Tuesday pancake dinner every year and it was so much fun. She would decorate the table with brightly colored masks, feathers, and beads, and we would feast on flapjacks, sausage and bacon, eggs and fruit syrups. It was always a highly anticipated occasion for me and my sisters.

I decided to put my own spin on the tradition this year by whipping up a batch of sour cream pancakes (using this insanely delicious recipe) and served them up alongside sausage patties, scrambled eggs, fruit salad, and fresh squeezed blood orange mimosas. The best part was the real maple syrup (something that I rarely splurge on). The planning and shopping were just as much fun as the finished meal, and who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?






Remember last year, when I gave up coffee and chocolate for Lent. Yeah, that was pretty crazy. Well this year, I've decided to take it one step further and give up sweets and alcohol. I'm also going to try and make it a nightly habit to write something that I'm thankful for down in a journal. Wish me luck!

Do you celebrate Mardi Gras?

Kneading in Action

Excited for oodles of homemade Christmas cookies when I get home on Friday. The rolled out sugar sand tarts are a family favorite.

The Great Pumpkin

I'm celebrating tonight by watching my all-time favorite Halloween movie and trying not to overdose on fun-size candy bars. What are you doing?
Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Sunday Sweets

I love Sundays, especially in the fall. M and I have a regular routine where we wake up and go to one of our favorite bakeries for coffee (and sometimes a sweet treat). We plan out all of our dinners for the week and then go straight to the market to get the shopping out of the way so we can make it home in time for football. I love it because it's something to look forward to, plus it saves a lot of time with making dinners during the work week. This morning we had iced coffees and I stole a bite of M's old fashioned cinnamon roll. It was so good, and reminded me more of a cinnamon-sugar donut.

Do you have any Sunday routines?

End of Summer Crab Feast

On one of my last nights at home, we had a big crab feast at my house, complete with grilled pizzas, blueberry cobbler, key lime pie, and, of course, Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. It was a fun way to catch up with David & Tiane and Lauren & Ryan (and their adorable baby, Jackson). I hope this becomes an annual tradition! For more pictures check out Tiane's blog.

Apple Orchard Adventures

Today marked our third annual apple-picking trip to Barden's Family Orchard in northern Rhode Island. It was a perfect fall day, and early enough in the season that it wasn't too crowded. We picked a peck of apples and a white pumpkin, and shared homemade cider doughnuts. I love our little traditions like these-they're so much fun to look forward to!

Flap Jacks

I just polished off a short stack in celebration of Mardi Gras. When I was a kid, we always went to my grandma's house for a huge pancake dinner. I'm trying to keep the tradition going (I not-so-secretly adore traditions). I forgot how good pancakes can be, especially at dinner time. Also, I'm not the religious type, but in a moment of sheer weakness, (and because I love a good challenge) I agreed to give up coffee for the next 40 days. It was Tiane's idea. At least we'll be miserable together!

Are you making any Lenten sacrifices or resolutions?

Confession: my pancakes were made from scratch-loosely based on this recipe-but I forgot to take a picture. Oops!