Tuesday is Mardi Gras, and this year I managed to remember it far enough in advance to change my header to Mardi Gras. I have some fun ideas for you today, for your home, and my plans for this year. Let’s start by setting a festive table. Pull out everything you can find around the house in purple, gold and green and mix them up to create a carnival table. This table for two from a couple of years ago could be for breakfast, as we have a Mardi Gras party to attend this year for dinner.

This party is going to be fun! I made a suggestion of dressing in Mardi Gras colors and having some little prizes for the best dressed person or couple, but the board immediately pooh-poohed that idea. Men. It is a car club, but this is not a drive. I had to laugh, though, when the president’s wife started a campaign to do at least dress festively, and put the word out that she was scouring Amazon for some fun stuff. Then, a few days later, it was announced that there would be a prize for the most festively dressed man and woman. Gee, imagine that! What a great idea, LOL!! So, now the hunt began as my purple shell and green sweater would definitely need a bit more. And you know me, a hat needs to be involved. A couple of stops at big box craft stores yielded some purple tulle and a pack of feathers in appropriate colors.

This hat was my Easter hat, but I haven’t had any chance to wear it in several years. So, I pulled off the eggs and flowers so I could use it. I began with putting a glittery gold ribbon around the crown of the hat. It is glued down with hot glue.

Purple tulle was added, and I fashioned a bow for the back. I found a string of green beads that exactly fit the crown to complete the trio of colors. I cut the feathers in half so they were shorter, and stood them up on the back. I quickly decided this looked too much like a native American headdress, so I pulled them off again.

I put the feathers on the side, and was happier with that design.

All done and ready for the party.

The rest of the outfit will have a purple shell, a bright green sweater and a gold lame’ shawl. I found the earrings on Amazon HERE. I’ll wear my sparkly flats too.

I brought out my Mardi Gras mini quilt for the tabletop stand. See how I made it using a corn and beans block with added beads like a string was just tossed onto the block with this link – Mardi Gras Mini Quilt.

Mardi Gras calls for coastal dishes and seafood like this one from the Milk Street New Rules cookbook. This is Steamed Fish with Shiitake Mushrooms, recipe on that post. Fresh snow peas and jasmine rice complete the meal. Itadakimasu!

I often make Shrimp and Grits for My Sweet Babboo. This isn’t the best photo, but it is cheesy shrimpy deliciousness and best served in a bowl topped with a bit of grated cheese and chopped green onion.

My quick Weeknight Fish Dinner with fresh spinach and fresh tomato is a whole meal in one skillet, and cooks in under half an hour.

Serve some Fish Tacos, this post shows two ways to make them.  Shrimp tacos would be good too, and right on point for Mardi Gras.

Make some Mardi Gras cookies. These are my Christmas Vanilla Sugar Cookies (pdf download) with the cookies cut in circles like Mardi Gras coins and purple, green and gold sprinkles.

Of course, today’s activity will be centered around the Super Bowl. My post on Small Plate Meals and Super Bowl Food has great ideas for game day snacking. It includes links for my original recipes for sausage balls, Parmesan chicken wings and hot spinach spread, along with variations on nachos and more.

What are your plans for the Super Bowl Sunday and Mardi Gras?

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Find Mardi Gras party items, fun jewelry and outfit ideas at Amazon.