Madri Gras

Many of us have with a bit of sadness put away all the Christmas finery and in many parts of the country the weather is more cloudy than sunny. The time between the bright lights of Christmas and the fun that is spring can a be a long few months. Are you looking for a way to extend the festive times of late December?

Around the world, people are doing just that. From Epiphany, which is January 6, until Mardi Gras (also called Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday) the day before Ash Wednesday people are celebrating with parties, costumes, parades, floats, and special food. Many of the most famous Carnival or Mardi Gras celebrations are in Brazil, New Orleans, Venice, and the Caribbean. Traditionally Madri Gras is the last big party before the time of fasting, which takes place during Lent.

Hosting your own Mardi Gras celebration is a snap. Many retailers have the party ware and other favor items including beads and trinkets - which are often thrown from floats to the crowds as they pass by. The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are green, purple, and gold.

A staple at Mardi Gras parties are King's cakes. Traditionally a King's cake is made with braided strands of dough topped with icing and green, purple and gold colored sugar. The shape symbolizes the unity of religions. Inside the cake is a figure of the baby Jesus - or King's crown. Whoever gets the the figure in their slice of cake is responsible for bringing the cake to the next party.

Mardi Gras parties are a time to enjoy food, family and fun. The menu is versatile and it is a great way to get kids involved. A trip to your local library is all it will take to find a few books, music CDs and DVDs, which will not only be inspirational for the fun but also a great way to learn more about the international flavor of a very festive time of of year.