Mardi Gras Party - 2008

February 2, 2008 marked the beginning of a new tradition.....Mardi Gras Masquerade Party hosted by the Krewe of Tilbury Court - me. (Thank you, Shane, for the koozies marking this patent).

As you will notice from the pictures below, EVERYONE took pride in their masks and costumes. The Mystics of Time in Mobile could not have done a better job if they had wanted to! From the very beginning, there has been much excitement and anticipation of this party. Many people had a cultural lesson with Mardi Gras as they had never been and certainly didn't know the history behind it. I dare say that a good time was had by all...

Of course, an event this large would certainly not have been possible without the help from my friends! Thank you Holly, Allyson, Charlotte, Jen, Heidi, Kelly, Julie, Shelley, Eric, Darren, & Brian for helping me make this such a memorable event!! Your hard work, culinary efforts, and creativity certainly paid off! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I could not have do this without you!!


Enjoy the memories......

THE BEST CONCERT!

Reba.....and Kelly......a FANTASTIC concert! This was definitely worth the trip to Tulsa....they were onstage together the entire 2 hours. Melissa Peterman (Barbra Jean from the Reba Show) was the opening comedic act and she was histerical!

Check out the Reba & Kelly concert on YouTube.com. The opening number Sweet Dreams by Patsy Cline, sung acapella by Reba, and then instrumentals and vocals added by Kelly Clarkson. They both then went into Sweet Dreams are Made of This by Annie Lennox....very chilling!

Good Friends & a Pre-Party

What wonderful friends I have been blessed with here in NW Arkansas!! They worked and worked Saturday night to help me get the house ready for the BIG Mardi Gras Masquerade Party next weekend. It's amazing what a good Shrimp Creole and Hurricane "taste-testing" will get you......Here are a few candids (with careful attention to NOT spoil the surprise....)

What are you measuring, Brian?????

Eric and Darren TRYING to get the cords the EXACT same length......they did an excellent job!

Shelley unveiling her "neon signs" that will designate what is being served at the "bar"

Holly, Heidi, Allyson, Julie and Jen taking a break from the hard work to "taste-test" the hurricanes.....

Kelly's idea of the PERFECT Mardi-Gras Party costume.

Jen thought it made a great costume, too....

The kiddos were all tuckered out after helping with the decorating....they were really into the a movie....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINA, COURTNEY, RYAN, AND MIKE!! It's not everyday that you get to celebrate your birthday with 30 of your closest friends! On January 19, four friends celebrated their birthdays. The party was kicked off at my house with cake and cocktails. Each birthday person had their own customized cake made by me....yeah, and there's a picture to prove it, too...ha! What happens when 30 people want to celebrate and there's a good band playing in a sports bar????? You turn the place into a dancehall! And that's exactly what we did.....

Dawning of a New Day

Well, "today is the dawning of a new day"...someone said that, but I cannot remember WHO! But, such as it may, today is a the turning of a new technological leaf for me....the creation of my first Blog. I never thought that I would do this, but it seems that it's the easiest way for everyone to get pictures from events and gatherings here in NW Arkansas! One thing about my friends here is that we like to get together, have a great time, and take pictures! When you live away from your family, your friends become your second family. These friends of mine are just that....family. So, here's to you, my friends. May we treasure these times in which we live in Northwest Arkansas!