Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

“Let the good times roll!” Supposedly, my title to this post is the Cajun French saying that is popular always in New Orleans, but especially around Mardi Gras. This year Mardi Gras and Valentines fall in the same week, so I had to make decisions about my tablescapes. Regardless of which theme that I chose, I had quite a bit of snow to get up from last week!

Some of us who work with the youth at church are planning a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, so I have chosen to do a Mardi Gras table this week. I have Mardi Gras on my mind right now as I am preparing for this event. I will also sprinkle in some of the trivia questions that I am preparing for the youth, so go ahead and test your knowledge!

The colors of Mardi Gras are green, gold, and purple (more about that in a minute). I am trying very hard not to spend any money on tables for a while, so I used what I already had, for the most part. My Thomas Kinkade china is green and lavender, so this was the obvious choice for a Mardi Gras table.

#1: What do the colors of Mardi Gras represent?

I used my gold chargers to bring out the gold for Mardi Gras. You probably remember that The Napkin Lady made these napkins for me especially to match this china. The green edged in lavender is perfect for the Mardi Gras color scheme.

#2: What is the English translation of the words Mardi Gras?

For the centerpiece, I chose two of my brass candlesticks since they look somewhat gold. I found two purple candles leftover from an Advent wreath long ago. Then I added a playful Mardi Gras mask that my mother-in-law gave me recently.

#3: Why are pancakes the traditional meal for Fat Tuesday?

I also used my black candlestick with a purple and green variegated pillar candle. David brought this candle home from a yard sale, and its color is perfect for the Mardi Gras theme.

#4: In Brazil, Mardi Gras is called Carnival. What is the translation of the word Carnival?

I must confess that I did spend a little bit on this tablescape, although I had planned to not spend anything. I purchased the gold tinsel at Dollar General this morning for a quarter. It was on the Christmas clearance and worked perfectly for the Mardi Gras centerpiece.

#5: What is Ash Wednesday?

I used my lavender goblets for this table to continue the color scheme.

#6: Why is the day called Ash Wednesday?

I also used my San Remo flatware for this place setting. I am very pleased with doing my Mardi Gras table on the cheap! More questions with answers below. More Mardi Gras trivia to come later! Hope you score well!

#7:  When does the season of Mardi Gras begin?

#8: Where do the ashes used for Ash Wednesday service come from?

#9: How long is the Lenten season?

#10: Why is the period of Lent 40 days long?

Answers: #1: green-faith, gold-power, green-justice; #2: Fat Tuesday; #3: In preparation for fasting and lean meals during the Lenten season, all of the fats in the home must be eaten. Pancakes use up the oils, fats, eggs, and dairy in the home and are therefore a good meal for Fat Tuesday; #4: “Farewell to Meat;” Many Christians choose to give up eating meat on Fridays during Lent; #5: The beginning of the season of Lent; #6: During Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross on a person’s forehead with ashes; #7: Epiphany, or King’s Day, January 6; #8: The ashes are created from burning the palm fronds from last year’s Palm Sunday service; #9: The entire season is 47 days long,the 40 days of Lent plus the 7 Sundays during Lent. #10: The 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days that Christ spent in the wilderness in a time of fasting and preparing himself for ministry.

I am joining: A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday (vignettes, tabletops, tablescapes), Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life (decorating, gardening, recipes, collecting), Vintage Thingie Thursday at Colorado Lady,   Sunny Simple Life (decorating, projects), Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday (tablescapes) and Metamorphosis Monday, Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage (crafts, home decor, thrifty finds),  Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday (deocrating, garden, projects),  Under the Table and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase (any project or idea made by you this week), Gratitude Sunday at A La Carte, The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home (home & garden), Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish (tablescapes), Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours,  Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill (home decor, projects, recipes), Cottage Style at Lavender Garden,   The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday (tablescapes),The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday (thrifty decorating, tablescapes), What’s It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants; Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now (recipes, crafts, home décor), Meet Me Monday at You Are Talking Too Much (projects, decorating, recipes),  Spotlight Saturday at Classy Clutter (recipes, crafts, home décor), Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage (decorating, crafts), Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous, Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound (anything pink),You’re Gonna Love It Tuesdays at Kathe with an E (recipes, crafts, home décor), Mop it Up Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor (projects, decor, recipes), Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style (recipes, crafts, home décor),  Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House (decor, projects),Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style,  Farmhouse Style at Green Eggs & Goats,  Creative Things at The Vintage Farmhouse,  Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring (decor, projects, recipes),  Tuesday’s Treasures at Uncommon Suburbia (projects, decorating, recipes),  Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life (home decor, projects), Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters (centerpieces),Open House Party at No Minimalist Here (crafts, home décor), Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage (memories, projects), Tips and Tidbits at The Stone Gable(projects, home décor, recipes),Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine’s Corner (projects, home décor, recipes), Sizzle into Summer at DIY by Design (home décor, projects)