See more posts at Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life
In addition to the Slice of Life Challenge, I am writing a poem each day with a Facebook group for Laura Shovan’s annual birthday project. This year we are writing about food. The prompt yesterday from Laura herself was sourdough bread. Not having much experience in sourdough bread, the baking or the eating of it, I took the option to write about any bread.
I am currently in New Orleans with my girls celebrating Mardi Gras. A staple pastry during the Mardi Gras season is King cake. King Cake is symbolic of Epiphany, the season of the church year following Christmas. On Epiphany, the three kings arrived to worship Jesus. The dough is baked in a circle symbolizing unity of faith. The frosting is colored sugar in purple, gold, and green. Gold represents power, green is associated with faith, and purple illustrates justice. (Southern Living)
Of the many Mardi Gras traditions, this is one of my favorite. In our small town of New Iberia, there is a donut bakery that makes King Cakes like a donut. My son-in-law brought one yesterday that he swears weighs more than his 2 month old. It’s infused with cream cheese and strawberry jam. There are two more on the kitchen counter each with its own flavoring and pastry recipe. The tradition is that a plastic baby is placed inside the King Cake to symbolize the search for baby Jesus. Whomever gets the baby in their piece is obligated to buy the next King Cake for the next celebration.
I’ve decided to forego my no carb diet just for this weekend. Let the good times roll!
Reflections on the Teche 
I love how food is so integral to celebration. Thanks for sharing the info about King Cake and your delightful poem. The repetition of sugar seems particularly apt and the ending is perfect–with echoes of “let them eat cake!” Enjoy the festivities!
I would be right with you Margaret. What a great reason to get off the wagon.
Bonnie
I LOVE these traditions and how integral they are to a region’s identity. I am glad you are embracing the carbs today in this delicious celebration. King’s Cake is a must eat part of a celebration with your family. Love the poem, too.
Yummy-I love this tradition and would really enjoy indulging in the loaded carbs this morning. I did not receive notice of Laura’s challenge this year so I just wrote to her about it. Thanks for sharing the goodies-what a scrumptious foodie poem.
I may have already told you this story, but… My sister-in-law lived in Louisiana for several years. She sent us a King Cake one year, and we still have the baby. We hide it in different places for others to find. Once you find it, you get to hide it. It has shown up in sock drawers, backpacks, shampoo bottles, and so many other places. I currently have it, waiting for the perfect hiding place! I should have saved this comment for a slice! 🙂
You haven’t told me this story. I love it! Such a fun tradition for your family.
Your post is perfectly timed… I was just telling Randy all about king cakes, but I couldn’t remember all of the specific details. Your post is an excellent overview!
I have heard of King Cake but did not know the tradition or the story! I have to admit, when I think of New Orleans I do reflect on delicious food! And I’ve never been down for Mardi Gras! Enjoy!
I love King Cake & I had no idea that the colours each represented something. I love the poem, too – especially “Sugar sugar sugar.” 🙂 Enjoy New Orleans & Mardi Gras. I’ve only been once – with a friend whose family is from there – and I loved every minute of it.
Food and celebration…the perfect dynamic duo! I can only imagine that donut that weighs more than the baby! (And congrats on being a grandma, by the way!) Enjoy the King Cakes and everything else about Mardi Gras!
I agree…let the good times roll for the weekend. I’m not the only one that enjoyed your sugar, sugar, sugar line! Makes me think of the song Sugar, Honey Honey by the Archies. 🙂