Mardi Gras!

Written on February 21, 2012 by LisaW

So what will you be doing today? Your last day of indulgence before the Lenten season begins? My celebration will likely be low-key, but here are some Mardi Gras related projects or events I might include in my day to keep in the festive spirit.

Cafe du Monde

Ever since we visited Cafe du Monde last summer, my daughter has been BEGGING me to make beignets. I might wake up at the crack of dawn to make them – according to Paula Deen, they take about 2 1/2 hours. You can find her recipe at foodnetwork.com. Or maybe I’ll pick some up at Hebert’s or the Wild Fork here in Tulsa- I’ve heard they’re wonderful!

After school, I think it might be fun for the kids to make their own Mardi Gras masks. There’s a pattern for the above mask at Twig and Toadstool. It’s so fun and colorful- my daughter would love this one and have so much fun wearing it to celebrate. Another great mask idea below is from Handprint and Footprint Art.

If decorating edible masks sounds more like it, the cookies above are beautiful! Follow the how-to at Sweetopia.

For kicks, it may be fun to have just one New Orleans inspired cocktail sometime after the crafts and baking are done. The following recipe for this yummy Hurricane is a from My Life as a Mrs.

Hurricane

Yield: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

2 oz grenadine
1 ½ oz light (silver) rum
1 ½ oz dark (gold) rum
1 ½ oz orange juice
1 ½ oz pineapple juice
½ oz triple sec
½ oz lime juice

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker or glass with ice and shake or stir well. In a tall glass, fill with crushed ice and pour drink over ice. Garnish with an orange and a maraschino cherry.

Photo from KTUL

And…if you make it past the Hurricanes and are ready to get out and join the party, Tulsa’s Blue Dome District’s Merchant Association is hosting its very own 3rd Annual Mardi Gras parade downtown. It starts right by McNellie’s at 7 p.m. Don’t miss it! And Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler!

LisaW

Lisa is a mother of three who works as a fashion and wardrobe consultant. As a former French and Latin teacher, the time she spent living in France has an ongoing influence on her style, both in fashion and interiors (she has the most comprehensive collection of plain white shirts you’ve ever seen!). She considers shopping a true hobby, a skill which was put to good use as she recently completed an addition and remodel of her family’s 1958 home in Midtown Tulsa. Throughout her home, you can recognize her emphasis on comfort with a few quirky touches that make it a true reflection of her family and their collective style. Lisa is old school and has yet to latch on to this whole “social media” phenomena