A Kansas Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras has moved north from Louisiana to Kansas

We've always celebrated Shrove Tuesday

by eating pancakes

But now we have a whole day of celebration!

And we Kansans know how to party!

We start the day with pancakes

Usually at home

But this year, we supported our local Kiwanis Club with their annual pancake feed,

held this year on Shrove Tuesday

And came back home to prepare a Mardi Gras lunch for some friends

Decorations are simple --

purple and yellow flowers

And mardi gras beads

My grandmother's china

And, of course, an individual menu at each place setting

We were gone yesterday and so I selected an easy luncheon

But one filled with New Orleans flavor

A low country black bean soup with a dab of sour cream and a sweet potato muffin

Dessert has always been bread pudding

(It's almost as much of a must as chili is on Halloween)

But instead of my traditional one,

I fixed Ina Garten's croissant bread pudding

Croissants and custard and it got rave reviews.

No bourbon sauce is needed!

We visited the afternoon away

and I just had enough time to do dishes and tidy the dining room 

For tonight is my third and last Mardi Gras party

It's a PEO fundraiser

And, of course, I'm bringing food

Muffaletta sliders!

I'll be there with my beads on -- ready to celebrate the night away

(or at least until 10 o'clock when the party will probably break up!)