Mardi Gras Season Has Begun!

Our wonderful neighbors, the Ritters, brought over a King Cake today as a thank you for taking care of their pets over the holidays as well as to usher in the start of the Mardi Gras season. Last night marked the Twelfth Night and the official start of the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday on February 20. To quote the insert that came with the cake:

The Mardi Gras season officially begins on the Twelfth Night of Christmas, or January 6th, known as the Epiphany - or Little Christmas. Since the third century, the Epiphany has been observed as the day the Three Wise Men finally found the infant Jesus. King Cakes therefore were initiated to celebrate this holy day and a small baby doll is placed in each cake as symbol of "Finding the Baby Jesus."

King Cakes are oval shaped and decorated in carnival colors of green, yellow and purple. As the cake is cut, each person looks to see if his piece contains the small baby. The person who finds the baby brings the next King Cake to the next celebration.

The Ritters happened to bring over my favorite King Cake in town, made by Meche's (pronounced "meshes") Donut King. Although not made from the same dough as traditional cakes, I prefer it because it is moister and usually filled with something like fruit or creme cheese (this one is filled with chocolate!). I love Louisiana festivals, but I've been looking forward to Mardi Gras most of all since I moved back to Lafayette this past summer.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!