Mardi Gras Madness

Mardi Gras seems to grow in popularity every year.  After years of knowing it as "The Big Party in New Orleans" (if you've never been to New Orleans, you know that they don't really need a reason to have a big party:), I decided that I wanted to learn more about the actual history of the event.    

Essentially, Mardi Gras (translated Fat Tuesday) and Carnival is the celebratory time leading up to Lent.  A time to lose yourself in costumes, rich food, dance and maybe a few cocktails:)

Beginning in medieval Europe, the tradition of Carnival is linked to a time that was the epitome of the "haves and have nots".  Peasants would come out in the early spring and parade past nobility, entertaining them in the hopes of receiving a meal after a long and sparse winter.  Other accounts claim that it was the peasants way of making fun of nobility...maybe it was little of both...or possibly, it was merely fables passed through time.

The tradition evolved throughout Europe, in the 17th & 18th centuries, with the Celebration of the Boeuf Gras or Fatted Calf, that began at France's ruling House of Bourbon (hence Bourbon Street) and made it's way to France's territories.

The first US Mardi Gras came with the brothers Jean Baptist Le Moyne de Bienville and Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville.  King Louis XIV had sent the brothers to claim the area that was Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.  The first Mardi Gras (1702) was celebrated at their settlement point in Mobile, Alabama....lots of interesting here, should you choose to delve further.  The brothers had very different ways of dealing with Native Americans of the region and some of that would translate into the "secret society" that is now the, "Maris Gras Indians".

...And the rest is our usual, over the top, American way of turning most things into a party:)

For great info on modern day Mardi Gras (including pertinent travel info and schedules, as well as historical info) visit MardiGrasNewOrleans.com

Mardi Gras Jewelry from Mi~Kollectibles on Ruby Lane  

I love these Colorful Rocks Glasses from

Prairie Wind Antiques on Ruby Lane

Visit Pinterest for Mardi Gras Recipe Ideas

&

Visit BetweenNapsonthePorch for Mardis Gras Tablescape & Party Ideas

Thanks so much for reading and Enjoy your Mardi Gras...wherever and however you celebrate!