Mardi Gras

We set out purple, green, and gold beads for Aunt Linda and Aunt Denise at lunch today. We wanted to celebrate Mardi Gras (which in French means "Fat Tuesday), and we wanted to celebrate this visit. Aunt Linda hasn't been "home" from Alaska for the past 10 years--so we were thrilled to see her! Captain has visited her twice in the interim during his work-related trips to Anchorage. But this was Polar Bear's and Winger's first time to meet her face-to-face. They know she has a son who plays hockey and that puts her high on their list for sending photos and email updates back and forth. I served salmon and white wine, which seemed even fancier because the twins set out the china, silver, and homemade name cards (by Winger) in Mardi Gras colors. For dessert, we served friendship bread with the King Cake baby hidden inside. We didn't have enough time to make a real King Cake, like we have done other years, but we still wanted to have the fun of the tradition. Winger was pleased when Captain won the honor of being our King for the day.