Mardi Gras!!!

Yesterday was Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, the last day before the season of Lent. In the past, our family has observed Lent and I always like the idea of Lent. Though I think we should ALWAYS be reflective of the sacrifice of Jesus and our preparation for His second coming. But we don't always "give up" something! It's a lot harder than it sounds! I've even tried to pick something easy to give up and have failed! So it really can make you appreciate the meaning of the word sacrifice.

And I've always been fascinated by Mardi Gras. We don't usually go to any of the festivals--especially not New Orleans! New Orleans is enough of a carnival without the holiday! LOL Nor do we get drunk, gorge and act like loons (no more looney than any other day of the year anyway! LOL) But we generally eat Jambalaya and King Cake and I wear my wig, mask and beads! When I was teaching, the kids always got a big kick out of it. Yesterday, I walked in to pick Brooke up from dance wearing it and of course, Kayti got embarrassed! It doesn't take much--she's at that age. But I'm using every opportunity to help break her of being embarrassed at things others do. Everyone knows I'm nuts, they don't think anything of it (or if they do, I don't care). It doesn't bother me to act silly so it shouldn't bother her. I know it will take time. Brooke did not care at all. She walked right out and said, "Hey mom! Can I wear your beads?!"

So after everyone got home, we ate our Jambalaya (it was YUM!) and then had our King Cake:

Wonder who will get "da baby?"



Does Dylan have "da baby?"



Does Kayti have "da baby?"



Does Brooke have "da baby?"



Nope!!! Dylan has da baby!!!



For those of you who don't know or are misinformed, Mardi Gras is NOT a pagan holiday. Though I wouldn't necessarily call the festivals today "Christian". But it is a faith-based celebration and cultural in nature. (And we DO have a lot of Louisiana relatives!) Here's a little history behind the King Cake:

The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th Century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the feast of the Epiphany, Twelfth Night or King's Day.

The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the circular route used by the Kings to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Herod, who was trying to follow the wise me so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes, a bean, a pea, or a coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day, or was said to have good luck in the coming year.

In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends on Mardi Gras Day (the last day to feast and party hardy before the Lent Season!) The beans, peas and coins have been replaced by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party.