Have you ever wondered what Mardi Gras is all about?Roots of Mardi Gras - Mardi Gras, literally "Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the "last hurrah" before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. That's why the enormous party in New Orleans, ends abruptly at midnight on Tuesday.
What is less known about Mardi Gras is its relation to the Christmas season, through the ordinary-time interlude known in many Catholic cultures as Carnival. Carnival comes from the Latin words carne vale, meaning "farewell to the flesh." As early as the middle of the second century, the Romans observed a Fast of 40 Days, which was preceded by a brief season of feasting, costumes and merrymaking.
The Carnival season kicks off with the Epiphany. Epiphany is also traditionally when celebrants serve King's Cake, a custom that began in France in the 12th century. Legend has it that the cakes were made in a circle to represent the circular routes that the Wise Men took to find Jesus, in order to confuse King Herod and foil his plans of killing the Christ Child. In the early days, a coin or bean was hidden inside the cake, and whoever found the item was said to have good luck in the coming year. In Louisiana, bakers now put a small baby, representing the Christ Child, in the cake; the recipient is then expected to host the next King Cake party.
The best-known celebration in the U.S. Mardi Gras came to the New World in 1699, when a French explorer arrived at the Mississippi River, about 60 miles south of present day New Orleans. He named the spot Point du Mardi Gras because he knew the holiday was being celebrated in his native country that day.
These beads were given to me by someone who went to Mardi Gras several years ago. I've never been and don't expect to. I would like to visit New Orleans someday when it has been restored from the Katrina disaster.
Alyson married Dave February 25, 1984. They have had such a happy marriage! They have personafied a true Christian marriage. I'm very proud of the way they have reared their children by being excellent examples.
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations." Psalms 100:4, 5
Violets are very popular! Since so many of you have made positive comments about my violets, I want to share my other violet tea cups and saucers. These two tea cups and saucers are gifts from my husband. In 1997 he went on a trip without me and went into a gift shop to buy me a tea cup. He liked the Monthly Tea Cups and was going to buy me the one of my birth month. He liked some of the others too and couldn't make a decision, so he bought me all 12 of them!! I was so shocked when he gave them to me! My first thought was where will I put them! I already had so many in my collection! I now have nine of them displayed on a shelf on top of my kitchen cabinets.
This table covered in silk fabric with a shawl over the top is in the master bedroom. My husband bought me the pretty little tea set at Cracker Barrel one time when he was driving home alone from Indiana. This table is beside the armoire in the bedroom.
Happy Valentine's Day! I'm sending a special greeting to all my internet friends who read my Yellow Roses Blog! Thank you for your interest in the "things I enjoy" and post for you to enjoy. I try to post something daily if possible.
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