Fat Tuesday: a pretext to eat indecent amounts of nutella (the crèpes being pretty much incidental), caramelised apples and ice cream before not actually giving up anything at all for Lent, as I am rather selective in my observance of religious festivals. The general rule of thumb being if it allows for feasting, I’ll be there.
I have ten people coming over this evening for crèpes and cidre, and have visions of myself waking up tomorrow morning, face down on the living room parquet, with nutella in my hair. Possibly without eyebrows, if anyone decides to partake of a crèpe flambée, god forbid.
Mardi Gras also means that Tadpole wil be attending her third Carnaval at the mairie with the childminder this evening. Mr Frog is on collection duty tonight, so sadly I will be spared seeing the spectacle that is tata in her giant harlequin costume.
Of the three costumes Tadpole has donned so far for the Mardi Gras Carnival, today’s is without a doubt the most girly (although I did draw the line at pink).
First, there was the peapod costume she was crammed into aged 9 months, which had no legs, and boasted large, 3D foam peas which she fiddled with constantly, until one, inevitably, fell off. Apologies to the kind lady who loaned me that costume, but I did attempt to conceal repair the damage with superglue. One day I fear Tadpole will take me to task for inflicting ridicule on her when she was too young and helpless to protest. But oh, how we laughed.
Last year’s déguisement was a cuddly leopard outfit, and the surreal park experience which ensued while she was wearing it is recounted here.
For Tadpole’s last Mardi Gras in Paris we have a fantastic fairy costume, complete with wand and fluffy hairband, courtesy of Matalan (a snip, at £5). The wearing of which is not solely limited to festivals, as it has already had an outing during our weekend grocery shop, when an overexcited Tadople pirouetted around the aisles, narrowly missing shoppers and artfully dodging trolleys, all the while brandishing her sequin-covered wand and shouting “ABACADABRA” at the top of her lungs.
On that occasion we were given three complimentary Chupa Chup lollipops by the Franprix checkout staff, who were completely spellbound.
Not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I am weighing up the pros and cons of introducing fairy costume as compulsory attire for all future shopping trips.
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“a pretext to eat indecent amounts of nutella (the crèpes being pretty much incidental”
Hehe, we used to call that “Nutella mat engem Henkel” which translates to “Nutella with a handle”.
Comment by maradong — February 28, 2006 @ 11:59 am
Very cute photo! As for the Nutella feast I am going to copy you…
Comment by May — February 28, 2006 @ 12:04 pm
Utterly gorgeous!
Comment by Clare — February 28, 2006 @ 12:16 pm
I am learning French and we were taught about Fat Tuesday tonight in class.
I, for one, am a fan of fairy wings – for girls, big and small………
:)
PS: I am not giving up anything for Lent either – in fact, I think I’ll up my consumption of cocktails at my local pub on Thursday nights – I love open rebellion ;)
Comment by Kasey — February 28, 2006 @ 12:24 pm
That is a divine photo! Tadpole is truly gorgeous.
It’s Nutella Tuesday here in Italy as well, although the nutella is stuffed into fried “castagnole” rather than just smeared onto pancakes. Most of my work colleagues are not in the office after lunch because they’ve got to get ready to go dancing this evening. (One chap actually told my boss a couple of minutes ago that he couldn’t go to the funeral of an ex-employee as he didn’t think a funeral was in keeping with the carnival spirit?!)
As the whole 40 days of Lent thing is too much for the Italian temperament in my area half way through they have “Mezzaquaresima” which is 4 days of fun and eating accompanied by a travelling fair and market stalls throughout the town!!
Comment by Hazy — February 28, 2006 @ 12:25 pm
I’m quite careful not to post any pictures of Tadpole full face, at Mr Frog’s request, which is fair enough (and a lot easier, because I can’t get her to pose for the camera yet).
Comment by petite — February 28, 2006 @ 12:36 pm
I have always kept my daughter in non-foofy carneval attire… last year she was a 5 year old tiger. I was so proud that I managed to avoid the girly-show that carneval becomes. Well, I can brag no more. This year it was a full blown princess extravaganza. Pink… ribbons and bows…nail polish… lip gloss. How did this happen between 5 and 6??? I had the nail polish remover in hand within 2 minutes of walking in the door. Nail polish is CARNIVAL ONLY!!!
Of course, I need to go a little easy on myself…carnival fell ON her 6th birthday…it was impossible to say no to her wishes…and now the damage is done.
PS…I am attempting to give up “party smoking” for lent… of course, resolve will fade after sharing a bottle of red with Mr. Viking at mtn. cabin this weekend… grrrr.
Comment by nrg — February 28, 2006 @ 1:54 pm
I think little girls these days are assaulted by pink – I was a leopard for Hallowe’en the year we lived in the US, when I was eight – and I’m not entirely sure I even owned a dress that year.
Now there is nothing in the shops that is not pink, or maybe purple at a pinch. All male children’s garments have either a vehicle or an instrument of war on them somewhere, too. My clothes were bought with handing them down to my brother in mind…
Comment by katie — February 28, 2006 @ 2:40 pm
” Last Mardi Gras in Paris.” How many little girls can look back on that? :-)
Comment by fjl — February 28, 2006 @ 2:47 pm
Having been raised Jewish, giving up things for Lent was not something I did on a yearly basis. It was hard enough giving up a day of eating for Yom Kippur. What was fun was torturing my Catholic friends by eating a hamburger in front of them on Fridays. ;-)
Growing older however, I did give up religion for Lent as I discovered comparative mythology, and found new ways to look at things spiritual without the burden (IMHO folks, please don’t flame.) of an organized religion.
I do appreciate the idea of a good party though, and it seems that all religions know how to do that at one point or another. I used to look forward to the Chanukkah gatherings at my aunt’s house in Brooklyn, as they were usually festive occassions. Of course there were the odd moments when my mother, aunt, and grandmother would start arguing…….in Yiddish………and then all look at me simultaneously…….
While I have never been to Mardi Gras here in the States, I did used to go to the West Indian Day carnival in September in Brooklyn, which was held close to where I used to work. (I know they have something similar in London every year.) It was pretty close to the same idea, though for cultural, rather than religious reasons. I do miss the good roti and jerk chicken I used to be able to get there!
Tadpole by the way, even in profile, is incredibly cute. I’d start worrying now about when she gets older and starts bringing home boys for your approval.
Comment by Dave of the Lake — February 28, 2006 @ 2:57 pm
nutella is the food of the gods — all hail nutella!
oh, and never underestimate the power of adorable children to get you free stuff. with great power comes great responsibility.
Comment by franko — February 28, 2006 @ 3:36 pm
She truly is incredibly cute. Do you think the cute wand and fluffy hairband would work for someone slightly older?
*makes note to visit CostCo to see if adult version available*
Comment by Cleavers — February 28, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
Oh dear, a few pancakes with lemon and sugar this evening does seem a bit lame in comparison with cidre, castagnole and dancing.
I usually give up something I don’t like. Much the easiest.
Comment by Paola — February 28, 2006 @ 4:01 pm
Ah, well, in that case I’m giving up aniseed and liquorice this year. And all aniseed and liquorice flavoured drinks, including absinthe.
Easy.
Comment by petite — February 28, 2006 @ 4:18 pm
I’m assuming you’re not wearing the fairy costume.
Not that you couldn’t pull it off of course but anything a lollipop? ;-)
Comment by greavsie — February 28, 2006 @ 4:43 pm
that photo deserves no caption. so cute I just had a diabetic attack
Comment by nardac — February 28, 2006 @ 6:11 pm
My grandmother used to announce each year that it was much more positive to do something you wouldn’t usually do for the whole of Lent rather than give something up.
The whole renouncing pleasures is all a bit too Puritanical for my liking! :o) Also it doesn’t go with the Italian lifestyle.
Comment by Hazy — February 28, 2006 @ 6:36 pm
From one petit to THE petite: enjoy your blog!
kasey: i am learning french, too but didn’t dawn on me that today was FAT Tuesday! :-( I guess i’m still stuck on la grasse matinee, fat morning = sleeping in. haven’t made it to the day yet… :-)
Comment by petit_foufou — February 28, 2006 @ 9:30 pm
Taking the cute kid shopping can work wonders. We were recently at a market with a friend who was buying some soap. The stall owner gave my son a soap of his choice. We’ve also scored fruit in the past.
Comment by jen — March 1, 2006 @ 12:42 am
Nutella, fariy wings, in Paris, ABACADABRA at the top of her lungs–Perfect way to celebrate anyday! What a sweet capsule you gave us of a child’s life on Mardi Gras!
Comment by Tongue in Cheek Antiques — March 1, 2006 @ 12:49 am
<Ug>
I don’t think I have had a cider hangover since I was sixteen years old.
I think it was the Loïc Raison – naturellement trouble, au caractère charpenté – that finished me off…
</Ug>
Comment by petite — March 1, 2006 @ 12:11 pm
How are your eyebrows? Did they survive the pancakes?
Comment by Hazy — March 1, 2006 @ 12:28 pm
Eyebrows present and correct, if in need of a good shaping session.
Thanks for asking.
Comment by petite — March 1, 2006 @ 12:40 pm
I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t haselnut spread made as an alternative to chocolate during WWII? I just find it strange that my kids prefer the ersatz to my fair trade organic chocolate spread. Does anyone know what shrove means?
Comment by J — March 1, 2006 @ 5:13 pm
Quelle est jolie ta petite fée! Love your blog – had to read some of the old posts to catch up ;)
Comment by Eastern Butterfly — March 1, 2006 @ 7:01 pm
well, I’m guessing your fair trade spread has rather a lot less sugar..?
And a search of t’internet tells me that shrove is derived from shrive, meaning to confess your sins (to cleanse yourself before lent). But as I’ve been a very good girl – and I’ve already told you about that bath thing – I can’t think of anything ‘fess up to, sadly.
Comment by petite — March 1, 2006 @ 7:56 pm
children in costumes on ordinary days just break my heart. I think because I wish I had the courage to wear the same thing.
Comment by Lauren — March 1, 2006 @ 11:31 pm
What a pretty little fairy you have!
Comment by redlady — March 2, 2006 @ 11:25 am
What an adorable munchkin you have. : )
Did you finally get migrated over to a new server? I was noticing you were down yesterday. COngrats if you have.
Cheers!
AlieMalie
Comment by AlieMalie — March 2, 2006 @ 5:16 pm
Fairy wings rock…what an adorable little diva in the making. :0)
Comment by Dina — March 3, 2006 @ 6:06 am
Happy Mardi Gras from la Louisiane-well belatedly, anyway.
We spent our Fat Tuesday in the still-recuperating Nouvelle Orleans. It was phenomenally feel-good this year. Even the floats poked fun at the political ineptitude surrounding the destruction of the hurricane.
Comment by UbercoolEve — March 5, 2006 @ 7:31 am