The Rogue Speaks:
I LOVE Mardi Gras! I don't mean the French Quarter, or Bourbon Street--I mean the REAL Mardi Gras, with the parades winding through neighborhoods, little children sitting on ladders in seats with a bar across so they can't fall out, calling, "Throw me something mister!" It really is a family time. For many years we went to Mardi Gras and dressed in the theme costumes our krewe had decided on in November. The first year it was Vikings. I knew I would never get Rod to put on a hat with horns on it, so I had to sneak us in in sweatshirts that read, "Viking? We thought you said Hiking!" In later years, he actually went along with the costume idea.
One year we were Mexican bandits, and Rod didn't shave for two weeks beforehand. Every morning, when I woke up and looked over at him, I shuddered. Mardi Gras day couldn't come soon enough for me! One year we went as Mafia gangsters, well, except for me--I went as the Don's mother, gray wig,black skirt and blouse, and a long silver crucifix hanging around my neck. One year the theme was Mardi Gras goes to the circus. You can see us all in the picture above. The ringmaster is my son-in-law. Rod was the guy who got shot out of the cannon. He even had a bandage tied around his head with blood on it!
I love Mardi Gras beads! I just can't get enough of them! I usually come home with no less than 50 pounds of beads. Here is where October comes into the picture. I don't buy candy at Halloween. It's not that I'm cheap. I just think that kids get enough of that stuff, and if I bought it, Rod would find it and eat it before the kids. Instead, I give out Mardi Gras beads. I'm know in the neighborhood as "The Bead Lady."
The kids know that when they come to our house, they can dig their sticky little hands into my big cauldron of beads and take a hand-full. They love it!
We even dress Precious up as a princess who guards the cauldron. The kids just laugh at her, though, because she had rather priss around in her costume and show off.
Just so you know, the beads in the photo are from my personal stash. They are for special ADULT parties for a very obvious reason. I'll tell you more about that when we get closer to Halloween, but today I felt like sharing my beads with you!
18 comments:
Um, in order to get beads, don't you have to show off more than a good attitude?
Hahaha! Only in the French Quarter! The first year we went, I had a naked Barbie doll, complete with nipples, sitting in a little chair I had attached to a pole. It had a sign on it that said, "Throw me something, mister!" The guys on the floats tried to get the beads around her neck. Only one tried to feel her up, and he was pretty drunk!! They get that way after hours on the floats. Actually, so do the rest of us (except Rod--he's the designated driver back to our daughter's house.). One year I got puking sick after two screwdrivers on an empty stomach. I am VERY careful now!
What a good idea! We often have to go back for more candy; beads would be a great solution. And who wouldn't prefer a trip to Mardi Gras for Halloween treats over a trip to Costco!
ChrisJ, everyone should experience Mardi Gras at least once. You need to know someone in NOLA, though, so you don't get caught up in the commercialism in the city center. We have many Canadian friends who come and camp out at our daughter's house--in sleeping bags, no less!
Did Precious win any beads? If yes, what did she have to show? I love that you dressed her up so nicely.
You're such a fun lady. I'd like to trick or treat at your place. (Nothing personal, but I'd make sure to get some chocolate from your neighbors first. I'm sure those beads are heavy, and I'd need an energy boost to carry them.)
xoRobyn
Sarah, Precious has had her share of beads!! She wears pearls with her costume, but they make her a little fussy so she doesn't wear them for long.
Robyn, I always have a secret stash of dark chocolate hidden away for special friends. This does NOT include Rod, because he would eat it all and claim that the dogs got into it. I know it's a lie, because they would both be dead if they ate it. Men are so naive sometimes, aren't they??
Precious's outfit is prettier than anything I own!
I think the beads are a terrific Halloween idea. And that the kind of thing the kids will always remember, not the same ol' candy (although, don't get me wrong, I'm all about the candy!) But when I was a kid, there was this one lady who made candy apples and handed them out to just a few kids who came around early enough. See, I'm 42 and I still remember this. The beads are a treat!
Thanks for coming by my blog and reading my post on Disney. It means alot to me.
The beads look great and they really are fun to wear at parties. I once bought a Roaring '20's shimmy dress for a party and wore the beads and danced the dance. Yep, beads, chocolate and screwdrivers on a full stomach. Let's party!
Special adult parties?? Sounds like the kind of party a guy might want to go to.
HAHAHAHA! I don't know what the hell I was thinking with that choice of words! I attend or host one costume party in October, and occasionally go to another one. There are no kids there, and that can be pretty special to some adults.
Adult beads, I think I heard about those!!! LOL!
I posted some wedding pics that the photographer got out already two hours after she landed back in Portland, Or.
Pretty cool that girl!
Hope you enjoy. I'm off to the fair today. :-)
How do you get all those beads home from New Orleans?
Adding a comment, by palmer
We adore Mardi Gras too!
Have a great weeekend,
XOXO Lola & Nora:)
PS Many thanks for yr lovely comment over at our place!
It is definitely time for me to plan a trip to NOLA, but I think Mardi Gras might be overwhelming for me. Still, I love the idea of beads, beads everywhere. :)
Well, you finally got on! Yes, beads in the street, beads in the trees, beads around my neck!
Rod has been warned keep an eye on the dogs while I am playing golf tomorrow.
xoxo
The beads sound like a great idea! I love that the dog dresses up.
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