It's Mardi Gras!!!

 Hey everyone, iiiiiiit's Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday!!! What's that? Well you can click here for a brief history of this holiday. And yes, in Louisiana, it's a holiday. That means kids get to stay home from school and SOME business close early.

 Growing up in southern Louisiana meant you knew how to say, "Throw me something, Mister!" by the time you were 4 years old. You understood that whatever you caught quite possibly had a resale value or you saved all your best ones to show off at school. That was better than showing off your new Nike shoes or FUBU jacket. When I was older I was allowed to go to the more "adult" parades and instead of getting beads and plastic coins I was thrown underwear and roach clips with bright feathers attached. Oh those were the days!

 Mardi Gras is NOT what you see on Bourbon Street. I mean, yea, there are parade routes that cater to your wilder side and on the French Quarter I'm sure any place with a bar makes a killing, but I can remember going with my grandparents and sisters to The Little Rascal's parade. A GREAT non-profit krewe centered around the city's youth. Click here for pictures of the parade and more info.

 Did you know that Mardi Gras isn't only celebrated in New Orleans or Louisiana? Even here in East Texas people celebrate it. They have different versions like Muddy Gras, where you can go muddin' in your four wheelers or trucks through the mud and pretty much just have all out redneck fun, or some places, like Jefferson, TX, even have their own parades. Outside of the U.S. there is Brazil. They celebrate Carnaval and is the most traditional sense of Mardi Gras rooted in Roman Catholic rituals.

 So, did you learn something today? Do you understand the difference between saying going to Mardi Gras and going to a Mardi Gras parade? (chuckles) That's good. Now, get your groove on! Mikah and I will probably be making Mardi Gras Cookies. I'll update this post if it works out.

Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler! That means, " Let the Good Times Roll!"