Laissez les bon temps rouler!

I have at least ten years of photos from our Krewe of Cougar Creek Mardi Gras events.  These are from 2016.  We had such great times with so many friends and family.  Wonderful memories.  

Some years we had snow, lots of snow and others there was mud or worse  - the year  we had solid ice on the driveway, which made the parade loop treacherous. It didn't matter what the weather conditions were, we still celebrated.   Last but not least, the food was outstanding and everyone contributed by making one of the traditional Mardi Gras dishes.  All of the recipes were from Ann Wimberley.  My dish every year was the chicken gumbo.   I admit that prior to our first Mardi Gras celebration I had never made a roux.  It was especially challenging and after several years I did get better at it.

 

The Year of the Wood Dragon

 Today is the Lunar New Year.  Specifically, it's the Year of the Wood Dragon.  

Jon told me this morning about how he celebrated the Lunar New Year when he was in Vietnam. 

He  was invited to the celebration by one of his interpreters whose hooch (home) was in a small village.  He doesn't remember the name of the village.   Anyway, he and another intelligence analyst were invited for a meal.  He said that the women and children did not join in the meal, but were in the "background".  Although he can't remember what they ate he does remember that the hooch had a dirt floor and that the food was good.  They believed that if the first people you invited to your home on the lunar new year were prosperous, then you would have a prosperous year as well.

Dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)  If you were born during one of these years, this is your year!

Unfortunately, I was born in the Year of the Rat.  Therefore, all I can expect from 2024 is that it will be better than 2023.  I'll take it! This photo is of a cute rat.  I don't really think of them as cute.

Jon has the best sign.  I love the rooster.  He's very colorful.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Go San Francisco!