I actually took this picture last week when king cake was served at our Teachers' Treats spread. I was the lucky recipient of the baby. I am posting the photo today on Shrove Tuesday, because according to Wikipedia, "The season for king cake extends from the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Twelfth Night and Epiphany Day), up until Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday;" the day before the start of Lent. The colors, beads and coins are meant to suggest a New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration. We could do with a little Mardi Gras since right now we are covered with a blanket of white. Snow, that is.
Now here's a tradition I knew nothing about. Is it an American thing? I guess finding the baby is much like us finding the sixpence in the Christmas pudding!! The things we learn about on 365?!
@Cherrill I have since learned that the real tradition is that the one who finds the baby is supposed to host next year's party. I thought it was supposed to mean good luck. Can I put the baby back?
@allie912@Cherrill Love your snappy repartee! As a 3rd generation baby born in New Orleans (though we left soon afterward) I've always heard about the King's Cake and the baby. Now that you mention it, I knew (in the dusty recesses of my brain) that "the winner" hosts next year's party. It was my understanding that. amongst folks in Nola, they like nothing better than a party, (and "back in the day" they had lots of household help) so it probably really was an honor to "break out the good stuff" and carry on the tradition!
