Luscious Fibers, Food and Family

incredible courage

Tonight Grant and I were privileged to attend the Smithsonian, National Museum of American History event, Running Against the Storm, to honor the four brave young men who took a stand (well a seat) in Greensboro, NC on February 1, 1960.

The Greensboro 4 were given the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for their demonstration for justice and equality and their lifelong commitment to education and tolerance.

It was an incredible event. Not only were we able to hear from each of the four men (David L. Richmond Jr accepted the award for this father) who spoke so humbly and gracefully of their experience and their continued work for justice and peace, but we also heard from Congressman John Lewis, who for a man of small stature can fill a room to the brim with his presence.

After the event we attended a reception on the second floor of the Museum, right beside the display that brings you back to that moment, the counter from the Woolworth store. Grant and I were fortunate to speak with Dr. Franklin McCain, one of the Greensboro 4 and Congressman Lewis. It was quite an experience and one I'll never forget.

My understanding is that CSPAN will be re-airing this event today and there will be a live webcast with the Greensboro 4 today as well.

Here are some more pictures from the event and from the little snow storm we woke up to this morning.

every little bit

Today I headed to the Takoma Park Farmer's Market to contribute to and help with the DC Vegan Bake Sale for Haiti. A fellow vegan organized the sale and I helped by baking blueberry and pumpkin muffins and some chocolate/chocolate cupcakes. Lot's of area vegans baked amazing sweets (blueberry crumb bars, chocolate chip cookies, vanilla coconut cupcakes, chocolate peppermint cupcakes and so much more!)

Even though is was cold and dreary, folks came out and supported our efforts and the sale made $400 all being donated to Food for Life.

on the farm and veggie dogs

grant picking potatoes, originally uploaded by suz4t.

Grant and I took a nice drive to Howard County to visit a U-pick farm. Though we didn't know, it looks like James was riding on the same roads with us. The drive was lovely. It was nice to escape the city for a few hours. I don't think either one of us realized how nice it would be. Rolling hills of green and many flowering trees.

Once we got to Larriland Farm we decided, I decided it was too hot to pick so we went to the barn to buy some peaches, blueberries and veggies. As you can see above, Grant did get in some picking. The potato field was close to the barn so he decided to do some picking. Dad, don't you think he would have done well in The County?





Later in the afternoon we headed to Sticky Fingers for the DC's first annual Veggie Hotdog Eating Contest. It was put on by Compassion Over Killing, a local animal advocacy group. Grant and I weren't really in to the hot dog eating part (you know I was afraid of people vomiting) but we each enjoyed a veggie dog in celebration of the contest.

Here are some more pictures from our day...

Soup and Salad (and me on TV)

 

Last night for dinner Grant and I had one of our favorite soups, Quick Ginger Carrot, from Sarah Kramer's book, La Dolce Vegan!  I also made my famous (which I got off all recipes.com a few years ago) holiday salad (with a few too many toasted almonds) and we had some garlic toasts leftover from our party.  Everything was quite yummy and it was nice to sit at the table for the first time in over a month (previously the table was covered in wedding planning stuff) and enjoy a meal together.

Oh and see the card in the background? That is an adoption certificate for the turkey we adopted this weekend. Her name is Cicada (completely appropriate for us as we have an odd affinity to cicadas.)  There are lots of turkeys to take care of if you'd like to adopt one too.

Lastly, Grant and I were on the news this weekend while at the Celebration for the Turkeys. Ok, so we were not interviewed or anything and we actually didn't realize we were in the clip until someone else mentioned it. Take a look and you'll see us at the end. News story for Celebration for the Turkeys.

Fun on the Farm

Grant and I had a great weekend in NY. The snowy drive was a bit stressful at times, but it was more than worth it.  The celebration for the turkeys started off with an amazing VEGAN potluck at the Watkins Glen Community Center. There were about 150??? people there and everyone brought a vegan dish to share. The food was fabulous and it was great knowing anything I chose was animal free - yeah!

I also got to meet Colleen Patrick-Goudreau who has been an incredible inspiration to me during this past year as I've made my journey to being vegan.  She signed her book, The Joy of Vegan Baking, for me and we had our picture taken.  Interestingly, we also found a friend (actually she found us) who we hadn't seen in a couple years and we happily had dinner with her and her partner and were able to catch up.

After dinner and presentations, we headed to the Farm Sanctuary and spent the afternoon celebrating with the turkeys and visiting the other animals.  It was in incredible event and hanging out with the animals was amazing. They are such wonderful creatures and we are so happy to spend time with them.

We took lots of photos of the animals and the farm. You can see all the photos on my flickr.  Also, this time we remembered to take some video. So check out the videos below. Grant with the cow is typical Grant....

Celebration FOR the Turkeys

 

Today after work Grant and I are heading north to Watkins Glen, New York.  We are going to the famous Farm Sanctuary (a place I've wanted to visit for a while now) to spend the weekend celebrating Thanksgiving with the Turkeys (and other animals).

For more than 20 years the Farm Sanctuary has held a Celebration for the Turkeys where rescued turkeys are "doted upon and presented with festive platters of stuffed squash, cranberries and pumpkin pie". This year one of my favorite speakers and animal rights advocates, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is speaking and signing her new book, The Joy of Vegan Baking.  Both Grant and I are very excited to finally meet the person who engaged us, got us thinking about our food choices and supported us as we became vegan.  Her compassion, incredible knowledge and calm speaking voice make her podcast one that can't be missed.

Factory farming of turkeys is cruel and horrifying. You know that ultimately I'd prefer everyone serve up some yummy tofurkey on their holiday table this year, but if that is not something you're not willing to do, please try to get your turkey from a local farmer.

DC Emancipation Day and Representation for All

Celebrating the freedom of enslaved persons in the District of Columbia...

It was 145 years ago today that Lincoln signed a bill ending slavery in the District...nine months earlier than the Emancipation Proclamation.  I suppose Lincoln figured why not start with change close to home and make known his intension for the future.  More than 3000 slaves were freed upon the signing of this bill. In 2005 former Mayor Williams declared this day a District public holiday and it's also why everyone in the US has an extra day to file their taxes.  Speaking of taxes...

Another major event happening in conjunction with this District holiday is the March for DC Voting Rights. In case you didn't know...and many people don't, the District of Columbia, a place where I live and pay federal taxes, does not have voting representation in the House or Senate.   Does this sound crazy and unbelievable to you?  Yeah, me too.  Remember the slogan from the 1760s "No Taxation without Representation"...well it's alive here in DC.  Even if you don't live in the District, please consider calling or writing your state Congress Rep today and urge them to support the DC Voting Rights Act and give our city a voice.

Want to learn more? Check out the DC Vote page and check out the TV ads. I also encourage you to listen to one of my favorite groups, Sweet Honey in the Rock, sing about DC voting rights, or lack of...

Give The People Their Right To Vote by Sweet Honey In The Rock. Lyrics, Music & Arrangement by Nitanju Bolade Casel

We Want The Vote by Sweet Honey In The Rock. Composed by Ysaye Maria Barnwell.

 

Image Credit: National Archives.