Fat Tuesday

I awoke (a bit late) on Tuesday at 7:30 AM. I had taken the garbage out late last night so, other than today's stuff, I was good to go.

It just dawned on me that, not being at work, I will miss all the Paczkis (a Polish version of doughnuts and very big in Michigan on "Fat Tuesday"). Well, in my Catholic youth, today was called Shrove Tuesday (don't ask me why) or "Pancake Day." So, I guess I can still pull this off. The idea behind both customs is that you are facing 40 days of self-deprivation (Lent), so today you pig out!!

I posted the Blog and started the wash with the bedding. Then I addressed the mussels mess in the kitchen. I made a small pot of coffee while I was at it. We have the same damn 27 degree F. temp, but this time with light snow. It's supposed to be less than an inch so I'm not really worried about it.

It was almost 11:30 when I finally got around to taking my shower. By then, both cats insisted it was time...

The sun was out at noon, but by 12:30 PM, it was overcast and snowing again. I went out back and ripped up the remains of two loaves of stale bread for the critters and birds.

About an hour later, I noticed a hawk was out back, feasting on something he'd downed. But he was right next to the raised bed garden and my cheap-assed camera can't get out that far. I posted two pictures, but apologize in advance. He was beautiful, though, and as big as a small eagle.

I was gonna make my "Big Fat Chocolate Cookies" for my neighbors to thank them for plowing me out, but found I only had half the dark chocolate I needed. So, I switched to my pecan pie recipe. I made the pie dough and stuck it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Now, I do have a (I don't know what you call it) pie dough cutter (?) and tried it again today, but I think it's easier to just use your hands. You want pea-sized bits of butter for the dough.

When the timer went off, I went out and rolled the dough. I hung it over the pie plate and then cut off about 1/2 inch all around it. I folded it under and then pleated it.

I put in the filling and then arranged pecans around the top. It looks good! So, I stuck it in the oven for 50 minutes, checked it with a toothpick and baked it for another five minutes. I pulled it out around 4:15 PM and let it cool. Now, you are supposed to serve this with whipped cream, but I have no heavy cream in the house. So, I guess that's their problem. I did take a photo for you and posted it...

I walked it over to their house and Tammy thanked me.

Back home, I made pancakes for dinner, using that old family recipe. But I kicked them up a notch or two by adding an unpeeled diced apple. I topped the stack with some pecans (I was on a pecan roll), butter and real maple syrup. Then I went in to watch the Olympics until after midnight!!