Next Tuesday is Mardi Gras — also known as Fat Tuesday (the literal translation from the French), Shrove Tuesday, Fasnacht Day, and Carneval. It is the last day before the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, in the days before Lent, people would eat up all the foods that were forbidden during Lent like meat (Carneval comes from the Latin words for "Goodbye meat") and butter and eggs.

It was also the last day for any pre-Lenten naughtiness before you moved into serious prayer and penance.

One of my favorite Fat Tuesday traditions is the fasnacht — a very rich doughnut without a hole. Don't even think about the calories!

Also, for you bargain hunters, on Tuesday, IHOP will be offering a free short stack of buttermilk panckaes to anyone who stops by.  They will be accepting donations for the Children's Miracle Network.  If you do take advantage of the offer, don't forget to tip your waiter or waitress generously.