Category: Mardi Gras

  • Happy Mardi Gras!

    Happy Mardi Gras!

    Everywhere else it is just Tuesday, but not in New Orleans! Here is a little bit about Mardi Gras and Carnival and Krewes and parades and well, the whole mystical, magical, crazy, fun season. Oh, and don’t forget the music! A Little Background The Carnival season begins on January 6th which is known as Twelfth…

  • Happy Carnival

    Happy Carnival

    Mark Twain observed, “… I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans.” It’s Monday morning in New Orleans and this Monday that means Lundi Gras! In the blink of an eye, Carnival will be over. In most places, tomorrow…

  • Dinner at the Ball

    Yesterday, I shared my experience of being in a Carnival Krewe and riding in a parade. Today, I wanted to show you some of the tables from a Masquerade Ball. This is a fun event with everyone dressed so elegantly in their ball gowns and tuxes. Masks are required and must be worn until dinner.…

  • Let the Parades Roll!

    We are in the full swing of Carnival here in New Orleans. The beads are flying, the bands are marching, the floats are rolling, and it is truly something incredible to behold. As I mentioned in a past post, I was lucky to get to be a part of the  fabulous Mystic Krewe of Nyx…

  • Carnival Dinner

    It’s always fun to set a table for Carnival. Lots of beads, a couple of masks, napkins folded as fleur de lis, all set the china and crystal aglow. Come have a seat at the table and see what fun we can have . . .

  • Mardi Gras Jambalaya

    Mardi Gras Jambalaya

        Mardi Gras Jambalaya Print Recipe Good and easy to put together with whatever you have on hand. I had andouille sausage, smoked sausage, and some leftover ham. CourseRice and Pasta Servings 6 people Servings 6 people Mardi Gras Jambalaya Print Recipe Good and easy to put together with whatever you have on hand.…

  • Let Carnival Begin!

    So this Wednesday is January 6th which is the date of Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany. In New Orleans, it is the official beginning of Carnival season and we kick it off with a few parades and parties and the consumption of King Cake. Twelfth Night is the end of the Christmas season and…

  • Rex Paraphernalia

    Rex (or the School of Design as it is officially named) is the big parade on Mardi Gras day.  Its monarch serves as the King of Carnival.  The organization is quite civic in nature, with its Pro Bono Publico foundation donating over two million dollars to local public school initiatives since its inception.  Over the…

  • What is Mardi Gras in New Orleans All About?

    If you’ve never been to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, you might find things a bit confusing. Since moving to New Orleans, I know, I have found myself explaining to friends all over the country about Mardi Gras and Carnival and Krewes and parades and well, the whole mystical, magical, crazy, fun season. The Carnival…

  • More Carnival Ball!

    As promised, here are more pics from the Nyx Myx Masquerade Ball. First, let’s talk food.   Did you notice the hot pepper jelly vinaigrette mentioned for the salad. It was incredible, so I had to find a recipe for it. I found this recipe online and it was very good. I made it with…

  • Carnival Dinner

    Since we are taking a timeout for the Superbowl, I thought I’d take a look back at a Carnival table from the past. Even if you aren’t in New Orleans, you can create Carnival wherever you are! More decorations to come! Thanks Susan for hosting: Today’s Lagniappe: Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice Something warm…

  • Deck the Halls with Carnival Color

    Carnival parades start in earnest this weekend, so I figured it was about time to decorate the house.  Purple, green and gold (especially purple) tends to clash with my décor, so the challenge is to achieve a festive look that you can live with for a couple of weeks. Here is the dining room centerpiece,…

  • Dancin’ to the Mardi Gras

    Music is the essence of Mardi Gras – you can’t have a parade, a carnival ball, or even a party without it.  Our carnival music reflects our joie de vivre spirit, our desire to let the good times roll.  The classic hits range from funk to R&B to brass band, but they have one thing…

  • Masquerade Ball

    Carnival Season in New Orleans is a wonderful time. Then entire season assaults your senses with colors and sound. One of the most sensational events, for me, is the Nyx Myx Masquarade Ball. It is invitation only and formal tux and floor length gowns and masks are required. I have lots and lots of pictures…

  • Report from the Rex Den

    The central command post for the Rex parade is housed in a nondescript industrial building.  For most of the year it just serves as a workshop for float construction, but really comes alive with activity as Mardi Gras day approaches.  I recently attended “Ladies Day at the Den”, and wanted to share some photos with…