Weekend Round-Up

Strong resounding words still today...

“When we think of liberty in 1961, let us not be content with the stately periods of the Fourth of July orations. Let us not just talk of liberty: let us act for it. Let us translate our devotion into deeds.”

-John F. Kennedy

The numbers were staggering Saturday in a global exclamation of solidarity as more than 1 million people rallied at women's marches in the nation's capital and in cities around the world to send an emphatic message to the President on his first full day in office they won't let his agenda go unchallenged. More than 600 "sister marches" were planned world-wide. Crowd estimates from police and and organizers around the globe added up to well over 1 million.  I marched in spirit with a niece in New York, another niece in Washington D. C, two nieces and a sister in St. Paul and many, many friends.  

The Washington rally alone attracted over 500,000 people, more than Trump's inauguration drew on Friday. And as night fell in the city not a single arrest was reported.  

Here in St. Paul, the state's capital, a crowd estimated between 90,000 to 100,00 formed a blocks long protest from the Cathedral to the State Capitol. They all marched for the moral core of the nation to take a firm stand of human rights and the need to overcome the platform of hate and division that exists today. Women carried signs with slogans that decried Trump's stand on issues such as abortion, health care, diversity and climate changes. 

These photos above were taken by my sister, Nancy. Her friend, Lois on the left knit many pink kitty hats for friends and was handing out extras during the march. Kudos to her for the extra effort knitting hats and many thanks to both of them for being active participants. 

The following poem was passed out to the crowd.  

Postscript: Check out this link for 10 Actions/100 Days https://www.womensmarch.com/100/

On January 21, over 5 Million of us worldwide and over 1 Million in D.C., came to march, speak and make our  voices heard. But it doesn’t end here - now is not the time to hang up marching shoes - it’s time to get our friends, family and community together and make history. That’s why a new campaign has been launched: 10 Actions for the first 100 Days.
Every 10 days we will take action on an issue we all care about, starting today

In honor of women's solidarity and my daughter's birthday yesterday I baked a celebratory cake. It was easy, moist and will definitely satisfy your chocolate ravings. Chocolate-Pecan Torte

   

Cook's notes: The simplicity of this cake with pecans, bittersweet chocolate and a splash of rum make it an irresistible dessert. Recipe adapted from cook'scountry.com   

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 6 tablespoons of butter, cut into 3 pieces
• 1-1/2 cups pecan halves, plus 20 or so for decorating outside rim of cake. 
• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp. Saigon cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. creme of tartar
• 4 large eggs separated
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar, divided     
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup rum 
• 1-1/2 cups chocolate glaze (recipe follows) 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease a 9 inch springform pan and line bottom with parchment paper.
• Microwave chocolate and butter in a bowl at 50% power stirring occasionally until melted.
• Process 1-1/2 cups pecans, flour, cinnamon and salt in food processor until finely ground. 
• Whip egg whites with 1/4 tsp. creme of tartar until soft and billowy. Gradually add in 1/4 cup sugar until soft peaks form about 2 minutes. 
• Whisk egg yolks,  vanilla and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Slowly whisk in chocolate mixture until combined. Then whisk in rum. 
• Using a rubber spatula fold half egg white mixture into half of flour pecan mixture. Repeat step until all is incorporated. 
• Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake 35 minutes. Rotate pan once during the baking time. Let cake cool completely in pan on wire rack. 
• Remove sides from pan and invert cake onto a wire rack. Place wax paper underneath and pour glaze over the top. Carefully slide cake to a serving dish. Arrange pecan halves along the bottom edge and crushed pecans on top. Refrigerate until set about 45 minutes. 

Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 TB. corn syrup
• pinch of salt 

Chocolate Glaze Directions:

Cooking tip: Plan to use the glaze right after making it.

Place chocolate in a bowl. Heat cream until it almost simmers and pour over chocolate. Let set about 3 minutes and whisk in all other ingredients and blend until smooth.