Something for everyone

Happy Shrove Tuesday and Happy Mardi Gras!

And just like the day the two different holidays associated with it represent the two fellas of our focus on OMG.

Shrove Tuesday - is all about the pancakes and who is the Pancake Man?

Jakey Jake.

He's talked about pancakes, has been seen out eating pancakes (even in NYC recently) and talked about that G's celebrate with pancakes.

While Jake surely loves a tall stack dripping

you know he goes for the Dutch Baby

 And Mardi Gras is about everything over the top, big flashy jewelry, hell just flashing in general, hot and spicy, jolly drinks, having a great time and losing your shirt

Who does that sound like?

Something for everyone.

Bead Me Up

Sorry for the delay, technical issues ie the computer and I have been fighting,  

Before the last trucks sweep up the streets of New Orleans someone needs some beads.


And since it's Tuesday you know who that is:

That's right.

So here's a few to get you started big guy.
 

And for the fella who some how lost his shirt how many times?
 
 
On Screen
 
 

Off Screen
 























At least once a month it seemed like
 
 And you've got the mask .... hey you've done this before.
 
 

Whoa!
 
Alrighty you got the big beads for that one.
 
Now bud...what are you giving up for Lent?
 
And shirts don't count.

Full Stack

Jake gave Maggie some sound advice about the Oscar race:

"There isn't actually anything at the end of the rainbow," "It's a lot of fun and enjoy it in that spirit. If you make it mean too much more than that, you'll probably go astray."

And with today being Shrove Tuesday,(Pancake Day) feel like we must pass on some advice ourselves. The rainbow is your own journey. But pancakes we got to step in. Because when uncle cred can't save them, that's bad, really bad, you got things stack up against you.

So Jake, listen up? Here's some pancake advice.

Go Fresh - Use the freshest ingredients you can get your hands on. And maybe not go for the scratch, and just break down and use a mix like the rest of us.

Don't Batter the Batter - Don't over mix. Pancake batter should be mixed just until the wet and dry ingredients are combined. Don't worry about lumps. You want them. They'll cook out on the griddle.

Get a Griddle - Cast iron or electric griddles make great pancakes because they heat evenly and give you plenty of room to work.

Go Easy on the Greasy - A light coating of oil or non-stick spray at the start is all you need for most pancakes.

Ladle with Care - Using a quarter-cup ladle held very close to the griddle, pour the batter gently so that it spreads in even circles.

Keep it Neat - Don't let pancakes merge into each other, and avoid moving them while the first side is cooking - they'll brown more evenly if you leave them alone.

Flip with Finesse - Pancakes are ready to flip when their surface is covered with bubbles, their edges look dry and a peek at their undersides reveals a golden brown color. Turn them gently, barely lifting them off the griddle.

Finish with a Flourish - Presentation makes all the difference. Warm the plates. Serve pancakes with real maple syrup, warmed slightly, and softened or whipped butter. Garnish with fruit or nuts.

Know When to Hold 'Em - Keep pancakes warm by placing them on a cookie sheet between layers of cloth towels. They'll hold in the oven at 250°F for up to 10 minutes till you have the whole batch done.

Of course you could just go out for a Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity and be done with it.


Or maybe head over Ikea get you Swedish on.



Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving, when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest and recieved forgiveness before the Lenten season began.
Historically, Shrove Tuesday also marked the beginning of the 40-day Lenten fasting period when the faithful were forbidden by the church to consume meat, butter, eggs or milk. So if you had these things what do you do? Use up the milk, butter and eggs no later than Shrove Tuesday. So you add with the addition of a little flour, and do you get... pancakes..

"... as fit as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday." William Shakespeare (All's Well that Ends Well)

Who would have thought that The Bard was a pancake kind of guy.

And to all the pancake deprived. Happy Mardi Gras!

Let it Roll!

Too much Gras in my Mardi. Or maybe too many pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Or mayb e because the cable people had to come out again!
Thanks for your patience.

Today is all about living it up one last day before many start Lent. It's the time to have fun and not worry. The time for reflection starts tomorrow.

So Laissez les bon temps roulez!

From what we know it seems like Austin can enjoy a good party, and from the pictures so can Jake when he has the right company. Would it be the Pantless Prince with a Santa hat or the " 'scuse me while I lose my shirt" southern gentleman who would get the king's ransom of the beads? Would love to see Jake be the monarch at the Orpheus Krewe Parade. Take note Bruck - Prince of Persia - celebrating Mardi Gras next year ---a Persian float. But who would he throw more beads to?
There is something to be said about Mardi Gras and its debauchery and celebration - no one is worried about anything. There is nothing that can't wait. Sometimes we need days like that, where you stop and let it all go even if it's for just one day you can get back to all the dramas that life brings later.

So put it all aside, and enjoy. Just for one day - or may half of one by the time this post is done. Cause tomorrow -it will be all there for you to find.

And the King Cake? I think Jake and Austin would have no problem making one of those. They already know how to hide the baby.

My Big Fat Super Tuesday

What happens when you combine Mardi Gras and the biggest primary voting day for the Presidential campaign in the United State? My Big Fat Super Tuesday.

Mardi Gras the last hurrah celebration before the beginning of the 40 days of Lent, is celebrated all over the world, but Mardi Gras in New Orleans is synonymous with many. Parades, parties and the pursuit of beads is the agenda. Food, (beignets, perhaps?), drink (definitely some Hurricanes), and song (Jazz and Zydeco), combined and stirred into a bacchanal orgy of indulgence. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! Yes beads are thrown to everyone, but tradition has become that those who flash get the most beads. And it's not just for the ladies. Hmmm Jake is his Jarhead dance gear shaking that moneymaker could bring home the beady bling baby. But what would the boy named after a good time libation be doing? After spending many many years in Louisiana half dressed and on the lakes, he knows exactly what to do Pinch the Tail and Suck the Head. Come on now, you know that's how you eat crawfish. ; )

But what is so Super today? 24 states in the U.S will be voting today in Presidential primaries.The theory to many in political circles is winner take all from today. The Mardi Gras approach capturing the Democrat or Republican nomination. Because after tomorrow the field will be narrow down even more, and some cases might be determined as the official "yet to be officially nominated" candidate for President of the United States. And this year is historical because for the first time either a woman or African American will be the official Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

And the guys? Jake and his family have always been politically active in helping people get out to vote and support of the Democratic party. But this year it is Austin who popped up first showing his support for Barack Obama in the Yes We Can video. Back as brunette and looking fine and very dandy. Fingers crossed that we get to see more of him out campaigning for Obama. Jake has yet to disclose who he is campaigning for, perhaps waiting for the Democratic candidate to be chosen.

You Tube: Yes We Can(Barack Obama campaign)

But it is important for anyone in the US to participate in the process of choosing our leadership. If there is a primary in your state and you are a registered voter get out and vote and participate! If you have not registered to vote, make sure that you do before the Presidential election in November. You have a opportunity to make a difference for yourself, for others, and for the world in that one name you choice. There is power in voting.

Pictures: IHJ and Austin Media