Earlier this week, I posted about the beginning of the Carnival season that starts with Twelfth Night (the Epiphany) and ends with Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). Of course the end of Mardi Gras begins the season of Lent.
So, with the beginning of the Carnival season beginning this week, I created a Carnival Tablescape to go along with it!
Let the Carnival begin!
The beads, the masks . . .
all the Carnival colors.
Add a little candlelight.
Oh my, there is snow in the background 
Ready for the fun.
Who is that behind the mask?
Baubles and beads.
And, the Mardi Gras tree.
Okay, I’ll have to admit, I’m thinking the Mardi Gras tree may be a little tacky. However, I’m just loving it. I’ll have to look for some purple lights.
Hope all of you are having a wonderful beginning of 2010 and the Carnival season!
One more quick note: If you are on Facebook and enjoy Mardi Gras and like Arkansas come join us at The Royal Krewe of Razorbacchus. The group is open to anyone and is just for fun!
Go over and see a lot of creative and fun tables at:
with Between Naps on the Porch
Today’s Lagniappe: Creole Calas
A New Orleans tradition – fried rice fritters. It was a popular breakfast food in the early twentieth century when Creole street vendors sold the fresh hot calas in the city’s French Quarter, with the familiar cry, “Calas, belles, calas tout chauds!” – (“Calas, beautiful calas, still hot”).
* 2 cups cooked rice, cooled
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 to 1 cup flour, just to make a good batter
* oil for deep frying
* confectioners’ sugar
In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and baking powder. Add just enough flour to hold batter together. It should drop from a spoon and stay together. Heat oil in the deep fryer to 365°. Drop batter by heaping teaspoonfuls into the hot oil. Fry in small batches until golden brown and crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and generously sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Your table looks great. I usually see purple lights out at Halloween – you may have to wait this year but put a note on your calendar to look for them in Sept/Oct.
Christi…what a fun table. I love the purple and green colors together! I don’t think we do enough “fun” tables in Blogland so I’m loving this one!
Such a sparkly table! Have fun with Mardi Gras! ~ Sarah
Cute and fun Mardi Gras tablesetting. BTW, I LOVE the tree.
Carolyn
How Fun! What a festive table!
~Liz
Wow, another reason to keep out lights, gold and rich color. Your tablescape looks fantastic, love the mask too.
Blessings in 2010!
I have family that live in Pine bluff and Jonesboro!! One question, do you have a place you orderd Kings Cakes from during Carnival season? I can’t decide which one is the bes.
thanks,
Valerie
I think your display is fun and elegant. How do you get your pictures with candle light to turn out so pretty?
How fun and festive! Maybe it will keep the snow away!
Charla
Oh I love the tree.
What a way to start the new year~ your tablescape looks fantastic.
The table is so pretty and puts you right into a carnival mood! Love the food and fun of the carnival. Thank you for sharing.
What a fun table! I live in Arkansas, too! Thanks for sharing!
I knew it ended on Fat Tuesday, but I didn’t realize it began so early. What a party!
- The Tablescaper
Gosh it’s hard to believe that it’s carnival time already! I love your fun tree and table!
Wow… the mask
Wow the fried rice!
Wow…the centerpiece!
Happy New Year~ Maria
So fun and festive! Love it…
Gold and rich colors- sounds like something I would like to participate in! Christi- I just love to come and see what you are doing! This celebration sounds like so much fun!. The masks are very beautiful!
Yvonne
Wow! Your Mardi Gras table is so cute and fun. Thanks for sharing and happy TT to you!
How fun is that! Love your snow comment right in the middle of it all!
omgOSH…this recipe sounds so so good. I will try it, for sure.
Your table setting is awesome…