Mardi Gras

This weekend brings the return of an honored tradition in the Klima household: the Mardi Gras party. We hold the party the Saturday before Mardi Gras since that's when everyone was available (Tuesday night being rough when pulling people together from NY and NJ).

Typically this is a lot of eating an drinking. This year, I suspect it will be more about the eating since our little girl will be there. Not to mention our Guests of Honor Bill Shunn and his lovely wife Laura will have Ella the wonder dog with them. So, babies + dogs != lots of drinking for the hosts.

Regardless, it's always been a fun time replete with Cajun yummies and potent potables. This year will be no different. We're bringing back Hurricanes since the first party we threw (and someone, who will not be named, had too many Hurricanes and barely 'lived' to regret it) and also adding Sazeracs. Sadly, no absinthe at the moment to make real Sazeracs, but maybe for next year.

For food, we have the standards like gumbo, barbecue shrimp and pralines and beignets. We always tried to do something new every year. We've made Hoppin' John and alligator sausage, but this year we're trying Maque Choux. Our local seafood monger carries alligator chunk on a regular basis, so I think for next year...

No King cake this year either; we couldn't/didn't (and when I say 'we' I mean 'me') get organized in time to order one. One of the local grocers carries/bkaes King cake, but it's apparently a St. Louis version, not a New Orleans version. Who knew?

Regardless, it will be much fun. Bill and Laura are making their first trip to our home, so we'll see what they think of IA, eh? I doubt that this trip will be as unique as the last time Bill and I got together, but it should be just as much fun.