The Squid Calendar

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the celebration just before Ash Wednesday.  It’s the day for getting out all that party fun before the penitent and serious time of Lent.

Live it up with masks, feathers, beads, parades, king cakes and more!

The Original Mardi Gras: Mobile, AL by sewjr24

Ah, yes, St. Paddy’s Day. You’ve got your Irish spirit showing – your green shamrock shirt, your silly hat, and green beads with a tiny mug hanging on the end. You’ve got your plate of corned beef and cabbage in one hand, a mug of green beer in the other, your leprechaun dressed buddy at your side, and you are watching the town mayor march down the street with a school band in front of him, and a firetruck behind.

And, most don’t really know why.

Well anyway….

If that image is not you, and you are the one home watching the kids, then you might interested in Looking For A Family Friendly Leprechaun Movie For St. Patrick’s Day?

Today is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday.  It is the day before Lent begins (which is tomorrow, Ash Wednesday).  The day is marked with celebration, much like Carnival, before the more somber season of Lent.

Costumes, masks, coins, King Cakes, beads, purple, gold, green, …

Of course New Orleans comes to mind with its great festivities, but Mardi Gras is celebrated worldwide.

Mardi Gras Posters Gallery by TylaMac
Crafts for Kids – Mardi Gras Crafts by Pastiche

(Photo by redfilter25)

It is January 1st of whole new year – 2010.

There are three things I do every New Year’s Day:

1. Watch the Tournament of Roses Parade on HGTV (which has much better coverage then the big networks ever do).  It is a beautiful parade like none others in Pasadena, CA. (Insider’s Guide to Pasadena, CA)

2. Finalize my New Year’s Resolutions – personal and professional.  Goals are good.  I try to have them. (The Ten Top New Years Resolutions for 2010 – Trying to Improve)

3. Get frustrated that the Philadelphia Mummers Parade is not aired until January 3rd.  WGN America was nice enough to show the parade…however they for some reason decided to hold it until January 3rd, and instead on New Year’s Day, they chose to show a Barney Miller marathon.  Interesting choice, WGN.  Anyway…The Mummers Parade is an amazing event.  This People’s Parade is about string bands, feathers, costumes, and strutting.  There are actually no brass instruments allowed.  If you’ve never seen it, then click here!

Happy New Year, everyone!

(Photo by honeyroastd)