Lundi Gras

     In the French nature of this holiday season here in southern Louisiana I would like to wish everyone a happy Lundi Gras and an early happy Mardi Gras, which is tomorrow. I feel very out of sorts with the holidays here and I miss being with my family this time of year. I haven't had a king cake yet and I can't believe I haven't made it to a parade this year. For the last few years I haven't been in the spirit of parties and parades. I do miss the time to let lose and enjoy music and food.
     Mardi Gras is actually known as a Catholic holiday where everyone celebrates the time before lent begins. When Rome embraced Christianity, the early Church fathers decided it was better to incorporate certain aspects of pagan rituals into the new faith rather than attempt to abolish them altogether. Carnival became a period of abandon and merriment that preceded the penance of Lent, thus giving a Christian interpretation to the ancient custom. In mid February the ancient Romans celebrated the Lupercalia, a circus like festival that we now in the New Orleans area celebrate as Mardi Gras.
     King cakes actually start on the third of January, all kings day, and go through Mardi Gras to celebrate the season. If you get "the baby" from a king cake then it is your responsibility to purchase or make the next king cake for the group, up until the end of Mardi Gras on Tuesday. Lent begins on the following day, Wednesday, more commonly known as "Ash Wednesday" and goes until Easter.
     While I'm not Catholic, have never been, and don't intend to be, I do like to celebrate with my family and friends. It's a great time to relax and enjoy our time together with good music and food. Maybe I can bring a little bit of Mardi Gras to my home this week.


--Ashley