Once upon a time, my niece Ris’ birthday fell on Shrove Tuesday –i.e. the height of Mardi Gras! Ever since, her birthday – regardless of when that celebratory day fell – has been an excuse to find our “inner Cajun”! Mom decks out the house with masques and beads… Papa makes red beans and rice with anduille sausage. I usually make a chicken dish – this year I’m trying Dennis’ Chicken Creole; Jeff & Anita are bringing a seafood dish, Patty & John provide some fresh fruit and Rick & Stacey always bring a wonderful King's Cake (or two). It’s a fun buffet, and the kids (even the boys) enjoy wearing a few pounds of glittering beads. For years, we made sure that Ris got the baby in the King’s Cake (tradition says that whoever receives it hosts the next party) – the first year she was actually thoughtful, as well as fretful – “I’m not sure I can throw a party like this?!”; Papa reassured her, saying that she could just be the host. That first year I made her a “Winnie the Pooh” quilt; this year I bought her books about love-lorn vampires! Oh, they grow up so fast…