a little lagnaippe.

Haven't blogged in a while!! I'll catch you up on my world later, but for now, enjoy a little history from Louisiana! This is the history of the Mardi Gras holiday.  Mardi Gras was introduced to New Orleans in the 1700 on the banks of the Mississippi River.  The date of the actual day of Fat Tuesday is determined by the church calendar that is used to determine the date of Easter.  Fat Tuesday, the other name for Mardi Gras, is always celebrated 47days before Easter.  As everyone knows the colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green and gold. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold power.  The King's Cake is an oval cake in honor of the kings who came to visit the baby Jesus.  The oval shape represets unity of faith.  The small baby inside represents the Baby Jesus. The season of Mardi Gras begins on January 6 which is also known as Epiphany.  Epiphany is the day that the kings arrived with gifts to visit baby Jesus.  Fat Tuesday is the day right before Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent.  Lent is a 40day season of preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the day we know as Easter Sunday.  During this 40 day period many Christians choose to make a personal sacrifce by giving up something that they enjoy or could fast from.  Lent is 40 week days before Easter Sunday.  Typically it is and has been something sweet.  Many denominations celebrate a Fat Tuesday pancake supper. This ends Epiphany and the next day, Ash Wednesday, begins the Lenten season.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are usually derived from burning the blessed palm branches left from the last Palm Sunday celebration. The ashes are blessed, sprinkled with holy water and fumigated with incense. This reflects the central ritual of this holiday, the placing of ashes on the forehead to symbolize mourning and penitence. 

Ok so this is my history lesson for today!!! Enjoy!! Remember what Jesus did for each of us by dying on the cross and taking away all of our sins in that one instant, not just during this Lenten season, but everyday!!! 
Lassiez les bon temp rouler!!!!!!!!