February 1, 2018

Mardi Gras Celebration

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Mardi Gras Celebration. Each year I try to host a small Mardi Gras Celebration. I love all things French, and my guys love all food cajun, so it really is the perfect opportunity to host a little party.

Since the weather here is absolutely chamber of commerce worthy, I decided to host the party outside on our party deck. I wanted to bring a little NOLA to the space, so I hung one of my old leaded glass windows on the pallet wall, and flanked it with black shutters on either side. For a pop of color, I draped an inexpensive feather boa across the top of the window. It was a simple backdrop, but it really did catch your attention! I used our wooden crates, galvanized buckets, and galvanized lanterns for height and more visual appeal on the bar as well. To bring in the green, gold, and purple colors of Mardi Gras, I added a few more feather boas, inexpensive beads, and some beautiful masks to the bar area. Printables from the Pineapple Paper Co. for Everyday Party Magazine party line were the perfect finishing touch to the party space!

Now that our space was decorated, I needed to focus on the food prep and party favors. My boys love, love, love Jambalaya and Étouffée. I like making both dishes because they are super easy, and a little bit goes a long way. To make my job a little easier, I picked up some Mardi Gras food and drinks fit for a king at my local {Clearwater, FL- click the link to find your local store} Cost Plus World Market. The jambalaya was different than what I normally make, but it was gone by the end of the evening, so it must have been a hit. I made a homemade Étouffée, with Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning {also from Cost Plus World Market} and it was SO good! I served both in my enameled dutch ovens, they are great for entertaining because they hold a TON of food, and keep it warm for a long time. I decided to keep the drink choices fairly simple, offering water, DIY Hurricanes with the famous Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane Drink Mix, and Swamp Pop Praline Cream Soda. Dessert was obvious, a tray of yummy Cafe du Monde beignets and King Cake! And, my party would not be a party without favors, so I picked up a can of Cafe du Monde French Roast Coffee for each guest family; I also made fresh Cafe du Monde beignets and packaged them in simple white lunch bags with printable party circle stickers attached. {If you want to do this too, don’t dust the beignet with sugar. They can be placed in the freezer and reheated in the oven for a few minutes at 350*, and then dusted with powdered sugar}