Celebrating the Good Things of Life - Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday, Carnival, February 21

Mardi Gras King Cake with the Baby Jesus 
ready to be hidden, a French Tradition

Are you ready for your favorite Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday, Carnival Treats? There are so many of them.

 Mardi Gras in New Orleans features King Cake, Gumbo, Hush Puppies, Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, Red Beans and Rice and more. Bob and I are going to a Mardi Gras fundraiser for St. Benedict's Church on Tuesday evening. There are sure to be some of these New Orleans dishes.

Pancake Tuesday in England, Ireland, and other countries features, of course, pancakes! But one of my favorite activities of Pancake Tuesday in England is the pancake races. This year on Tuesday, February 21, the Better Bankside Pancake Race takes place in London near the London Bridge. If you are interested in viewing it the information is here: Pancake Race for Charity 

My very favorite pancake race is this one between the ladies of Liberal, Kansas, and Olney, England. It began in 1950 and will take place again on Pancake Tuesday!

Here is a link for you to read all about it, Liberal, KS, Olney, England, Pancake Race

A dream of mine is to see businesses 

Pancake Tuesday, Better Bankside Race for Charity 
London, England

embrace the pancake race for charity on

Pancake Tuesday here in the United 

States. I think there are a number of 
young men and women college students and workers of all professions that would   have great fun

tossing pancakes in a race for a

worthwhile charity. Many businesses require their employees to volunteer a few hours in the community to give back. This is a perfect way to have fun on Pancake Tuesday and give back to the community. 

2018 Competitors of the Liberal, Kansas, vs. Olney, England 
Pancake Tuesday Race

This picture appeared in a  2018 Catholic News Agency article by Perry West. It is a number of women who competed in the Liberal, KS, pancake race. For the full article, read here Liberal, KS, Pancake Race  I would love to see the pancake race simplified for Catholic school children and home schoolers. They could receive pledges from Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle Tim and Aunt Sue to sponsor an individual or team on or near the Pancake Tuesday date. Again the funds would g to a favorite charity. Small prizes would be given to the winner(s) of the race. Let's not let this pancake race tradition die out; rather let's expand it!

Venice, Italy, is known for its Carnival celebrations which include men, women, and children dressing up in very elaborate costumes with masks. Some of the masks cover only their eyes; while others cover their entire face. The city of Venice's schedule of events takes place from February 3 until February 21. The Square of San Marco is a popular place to watch the many Venetians and visitors in full costumes with masks parade their regalia. Many shops are dotted on side streets with large displays of masks to purchase. You can read about the history of Carnival in Venice here, Venice and Its Masks

Chiacchiere or Crostoli is a cookie very popular in Italy during the Carnival season (Italians call it Carnavale.). I include the recipe in last year's blog on Mardi Gras. Crostoli

My personal favorite treat for Mardi Gras, Carnival, Pancake Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, or whatever you wish to call the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is beignets. Beignets are a lovely French pastry found not only in France but in New Orleans and many fine restaurants. They are simply fried dough dusted with confectionary sugar, but it is the ingredients in the dough whichC makes them so scrumptous. Here is a recipe I have made a number of times. Beignets

While we are enjoying our Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday, and Carnival Traditions, it is good to thank the Giver of all the wonderful foods, materials, and money that go into the various customs and traditions that are meant to be enjoyed before the Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. 

God has created this beautiful world with all that creation has to offer us. We enjoy its bounty in the celebrations of Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday, and Carnival, but at the end of Tuesday evening, it is time to set aside some of the good things of the festival in imitation of Our Lord. 

We can spend Lent imitating His generosity in various small ways. For some of us it will be setting aside favorite foods and alcoholic drinks. For others we will be more generous with our time, helping family, friends, and others in our community. Some of us will attend an extra Mass on a weekday, or pray the rosary, or read Scripture or listen to a podcast. There are many ways to observe Lent with love and reverence, so while you are celebrating Mardi Gras reflect a little on what good thing you can set aside or do in imitation of the Giver of all good gifts.

For the rules on fast and abstinence for Lent, Lenten Regulations in the Catholic Church

Previous Mardi Gras posts in this blog with recipes can be found here Mardi Gras Scroll through the posts.

Mardi Gras masks, beads, feathers, etc. can be found at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, General Dollar, and Party Stores. 

Wishing  you an enjoyable Mardi Gras Celebration!

and a Holy and Blessed Lent!