Laissez les bons temps rouler

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday or as the french say Mardi Gras.  And in true Mardi Gras tradition we certainly like to practice Laissez les bons temps rouler or "Let the good times roll."

For those who live in Pensacola, all the way across to New Orleans, the festivities of Mardi Gras are a yearly tradition.  We have parades and parties and balls and celebrations denoting the season.  Mardi Gras actually represents the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which is the day that commemorates the start of Lent, most people associate Mardi Gras with the entire Carnival atmosphere that takes place from Twelfth Night through to Ash Wednesday. 

The point of Fat Tuesday was simple.  You have to give up something for Lent.  And since the period of Lent goes from Ash Wednesday through to Easter Sunday people got into the habit of getting all of their partying out of the way before it started.  Well that is a very basic and overly simplified way of saying it.  Lent is the season where true believers practice giving, prayer, penitence and the big one, self denial.  (I know right?)

If you have never experienced Mardi Gras in New Orleans you are missing out on a truly amazing and awe-inspiring Carnival.  I am not talking about all of the drunk college kids and the girls showing their breasts for beads.  I am talking about the street performers, the parades, the food and the music.  Jazz to be more specific.  It is truly a site to behold.

Sadly this year we will be missing it.  No King Cake for us.  But no worries, I brought some beads with me and as long as we can get a Hurricane or a Bushwhacker we should be good to go.  If not, than those will be the things I give up this year for Lent.  Win-Win!  What are you going to give up for Lent.

PS  I know for Patty it won't be chocolate!