Pancake Day!

Today, Tuesday March 7th, is the day before the season of Lent begins in the Christian liturgical calendar. This day has many names, such as Shrove Tuesday, but for many people in English-speaking countries it is PANCAKE DAY! People did not want to eat rich foods like eggs and butter during Lent, so they made pancakes the day before to use them all up.

Here's a recipe for American pancakes, the small, fluffy kind. They are meant to be eaten with butter and maple syrup on top, but you might also think they are good with your favorite jam or even a sweet spread like Nutella.

First, make sour milk. Put a tablespoon full of white vinegar in a measuring cup. Then add milk until you have 3 dl of liquid in all. Let it sit on the kitchen counter for five minutes.

Now mix all these things together in a bowl:

• 3 dl flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (natron)
• a dash of salt
• 3 dl sour milk
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 egg

Mix with a wisp until there are no more lumps.

Let the batter sit for about 15 minutes. Then use a large spoon or a small ladle to pour small amounts of the batter into a hot frying pan. When the top is bubbly and dry, flip the pancake over and fry until it is brown on both sides.

A film about Thanksgiving

Donald Duck - Trick Or Treat - 1952 (English)

Halloween

This morning I saw pumpkins at the supermarket! Five years ago, we Americans who live in and around Oslo special-ordered our pumpkins for Halloween from a farmer who grew them for us. Now he and other farmers grow many more of them and sell them like any other vegetable. Halloween has become common in Norway, at least in Oslo and Akershus.
Some people do not like this. They feel Halloween gives children permission to destroy property and scare people who don't want to be part of the game. Others believe it is something shopkeepers are pushing so they can make more money. But children seem to enjoy the holiday. Some adults say it is a welcome break in the long dark autumn.

What do you think? Do any children in your neighborhood trick-or-treat? Did you dress up when you were younger?