A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-08-05....Fat Tuesday...Mardi Gras Fun at the Finest

dutchess

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Mama_bear, dutchess, Aquamarine,

It's Mardi Gras Time!

History

In Christian communities around the world, the 40 days preceding Easter comprise Lent, a period of fasting and penitence. It begins with Ash Wednesday, the day many Catholics go to church to receive the sign of the cross marked in ash on their foreheads, its purpose being to remind them of their own mortality. The Mardi Gras season begins on January 6 and continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. For much of the country the Tuesday before Lent is just that, a Tuesday, but in New Orleans this Tuesday is "Mardi Gras" or "Fat Tuesday", representing the last gasp of decadence before a period of austerity.

When French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne, Sleur d'lberville, landed on a plot of ground about 70 miles down river from the present location of New Orleans on Mardi Gras, Mar. 3, 1699, he christened it Pointe du Mardi Gras.

Masks, Music, and Mayhem

French royals, feather-covered showgirls, painted clowns, masked lions-you can find them all (and countless others) in the streets of New Orleans at Mardi Gras. By dawn on that most famous Tuesday, people have claimed the best spots on the streets to watch fabulous floats, outrageous performers, and visiting celebrities go by. Many travel hundreds of miles to be a part of the excitement. Marching bands, some of them founded more than a century ago, also take to the streets with music and festive dress. They open the day by spreading jazz music through the city before the more than 350 floats and 15,000 costumed paraders take over the scene. Crazy costumes and wild makeup are the order of the day for paraders and parade-watchers alike. The most lavish get-ups can be seen at the cross-dressing beauty pageants in the French Quarter, where bawdy costuming may reach new heights (over seven feet, in heels.)

Krewes: New Orleans Royalty

Mardi Gras has long combined wild street activities open to everyone with events organized by private clubs known as krewes. Today, thousands of people belong to about 60 krewes that plan the parades and balls of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The oldest krewe, the Krewe of Comus, was founded in 1857.

In 1872 the Russian grand duke Alexis Romanoff visited New Orleans at Mardi Gras. A group of businessmen organized the Krewe of Rex to host a parade for the occasion, and appointed a "king for the day" so that the grand duke could have a royal reception. Naming kings and queens at Mardi Gras balls has been a tradition of the krewes ever since. Another tradition began with that royal visit: the Romanoff house colors-purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power-became the official colors of Mardi Gras.

The Krewe of Iris, a ladies only krewe, was formed in 1917 and held its first parade in 1959. Today it has over 500 members.

Catch the Throws

The millions of colorful beaded necklaces thrown from floats are the most visible symbols and souvenirs of Mardi Gras. In addition, millions of cups and toy coins known as "doubloons" are decorated with krewe logos and thrown to parade-watchers. Some "throws" are especially prized: only the luckiest folks manage to take home the hand-decorated coconuts from the Krewe of Zulu.

Bals Masque and the King Cake

One of the highlights of Mardi Gras are the balls held by the krewes where a king is crowned. A huge cake, called the King Cake, is prepared and a piece is served to every attendee. In one of the pieces is hidden a tiny doll said to represent Jesus. If you are lucky enough to get that piece, you will have good luck for the entire year. Unfortunately, you have to provide the King Cake for next year's Bal Masque.

All Things Change

While families still flock to the parades, the demographics of Mardi Gras have been changing. Especially in the French Quarter, the festivities have taken on a Spring Break atmosphere, attracting visitors more interested in drunken escapades and flashes of nudity than Mardi Gras' cultural significance and storied pageantry.

A FR Finest Mardi Gras

We, the Finest Hostesses, invite you to take on the BEST of the traditions…..let's share our food, our company….and celebrate FAT TUESDAY FREEPER STYLE!!!!!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-7-04 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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Hall of Fame Thread #10 ~ 12/29/04

[dutchess]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America; and to the Republic for which it stands One Nation Under God Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

[dutchess]

It's Fat Tuesday, the final day of Mardi Gras....more importantly the last day before we enter the holy season of Lent. Please join us...and feel free to bring your favorite traditions, food or beverage. Gumbo is being served shortly!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday!

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Pippin]

HOWDY!

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy!

One of my pics is "too big" for this thread, so that post will be removed.

[dutchess]

Hope you noticed the pledge. Wanted to include our loved ones at rainbow bridge for our party and who better then to "PING"!!!! I'm sure Wienie is up there and organizing....we want a report sometime today....!!!!

[dutchess]

(((((meekie)))) Have missed you so much. Hope all is well friend!

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy. Doin' fine, thanks.

Dad came up today and I figured his taxes for him. And he
took me out to lunch to celebrate his imminent refund. :^)

Hope you are doin' great, too, my friend. :^D

[Diver Dave]

I noticed the pledge, dutchess. KEWL!

Fat Tuesday?!? Does that mean I'm Fat or need to be?

We had a lot of FAT people in our church - F aithful - A vailable - and T eachable. All part of the Evangelism and Discipleship programs.

[MEG33]

Lovely and informative thread and it's great seeing wienie in the pledge!

[Texagirl4W]

Hi, dutchess. I'd like to have a nice big bowl of rice and shrimp etouffee. Your Mardi Gras display is so pretty. Seems like I just took down my Christmas wreath and put up the Mardi Gras one. I can't believe it comes down tomorrow night.

[The Mayor]

February 8, 2005

What's The Connection?

Read:
Colossians 3:1-14

Whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, . . . meditate on these things. —Philippians 4:8

Bible In One Year: Exodus 38-40

The image on the TV screen captures our attention and we sit down to watch. As we flip from channel to channel, is there any connection between what we decide to watch and what is in our heart? Does our faith in Christ have anything at all to do with our TV choices?

In a world of falling standards, we must think through this question: How does our relationship with Christ affect our TV viewing habits?

One secular writer speaking about today's television programs said, "The notion of indecency has become obsolete." He is suggesting that a standard has been pushed aside. What is that standard? I believe it's the moral standard found in biblical teaching.

Most TV productions are not governed by the guidelines God wants us to follow. The Bible tells us, "Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:8). It's hard to do that when we're being bombarded by the ungodly images presented on television.

Let's ask God to help us make godly choices in what we watch on TV. —Dave Branon

Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny. —Anon.

Character is formed by making choices in one direction.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
What In The World Is Satan Doing?

[dutchess]

LOL...we had a few winter crisis things here and I'm just staring to "take down Christmas". I've always been bad anyway and I kind of thought why not leave it up so I don't have to deal with it next fall. My extended family and friends think that's over the top. Oh well.... It goes down next weekend!!!

[MEG33]

Sow a thought, and you reap an act;
Sow an act, and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit, and you reap a character;
Sow a character, and you reap a destiny. —Anon.


Thank you, Mayor.

[dutchess]

Goodnight everyone... Happy Mardi Gras... See you all in the morning...!!!

[StarCMC]

AWESOME thread! Very interesting stuff - I always wondered where the purple, green and gold came from!

[Aquamarine]

The gumbo looks good as does the Opening Post. :)

Won't be around this week but will be keeping everyone here in my heart and thoughts.

Happy Fat Tuesday to All!

[Gabz]

Character is formed by making choices in one direction.

Lovely sentiment.

My direction at this moment is my pillow.

Good night all - see you tomorrow.

[Victoria Delsoul]

H a p p y

[Victoria Delsoul]

Bumpity bump!