"It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans." - Letter to Pamela Moffett, 9 and 11 March 1859, ~ Mark Twain

Maybe it is because 

of my birthplace...

the quaint little town of Franklin, Louisiana,

named after Benjamin Franklin,

and identified as one of...

two consecutive years.

Those cajun roots, 

regardless of my move to Texas as a mere babe,

always start to require attention around this time of year.

In college, it was an annual road trip to N'awlins for the weekend leading up to...

Mardi Gras.

Good memories...

but very relieved there was no Facebook back in those days.

Incredibly enough...

it took moving to Scotland...

to attend my first Mardi Gras party.

We were seated at the St. Charles table...

and had our very own king cake...

recipe here

baby and all.

As there were quite a few LA natives in attendance

the mood was festive indeed!

As usual...

in search for something beyond what is expected 

in a Mardi Gras post...

I came across this blog by Wendy Rodrigue,

wife of the famed artist...

Four for Mardi Gras, George Rodrigue


The George Rodrigue foundation
is a huge supporter of the arts and education of the arts in the classroom, going so far as providing lesson plans for teachers.

He also has a very cool app for kids...

to practice their counting.


I so wish I had found this...

Blue Dog Mask before the party!

Have a wonderful Tuesday.