Celebrating Martin Luther King Day...

My children are clustered on the floor playing one of those games where you try to catch the fish. I am trying to figure out how to celebrate Martin Luther King Day.

Because it is something to celebrate.

My oldest daughter's very best friend is the most darling little African-American girl. Emily isn't colorblind, as some people say. She loves that her friend's skin is like chocolate, as she says. She thinks that it is beautiful. She also thinks that her own skin, which is "bright", is beautiful. And I agree. I also love to hear her pretending to speak Spanish, as she slowly learns, and I love that she has friends named Fabiola and Jahir.

Martin Luther King Jr. said,“…I have a dream that my children will one day live in a nation where they are judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin!”

I dream that, too.

In honor of the day...

Frederick Douglass' favorite food, Split Pea Soup
1 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 pound dried split peas
1 pound ham bone
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste

1.In a medium pot, saute onions in oil or bacon grease. Remove from heat and add split peas, ham bone or chopped ham. Add enough water to cover ingredients, and season with salt and pepper.
2.Cover, and cook until there are no peas left, just a green liquid, 2 hours. While it is cooking, check to see if water has evaporated. You may need to add more water as the soup continues to cook.
3.Once the soup is a green liquid remove from heat, and let stand so it will thicken. Once thickened you may need to heat through to serve.

I will be doing this in the crockpot, on low, all day long, and serving it with rolls on the side. I can't wait.

And for dessert, we'll be serving Martin Luther King Jr. favorite food:

Pecan Pie
1 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy, and stir in melted butter. Stir in the brown sugar, white sugar and the flour; mix well. Last add the milk, vanilla and nuts.
3.Pour into an unbaked 9-in pie shell. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until done.

Edit: So, dinner was wonderful! Although we ended up with split LENTIL soup. (Already in the pantry = not having to go to The Valmart with The Childrens = :) ) and chocolate silk pie since one of our dinner guests was allergic to nuts. It's all about the spirit of the thing. We also assigned everyone a part and something to wear for a costume. Everyone read a short page about their person, with their best accent, and our guests included Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Abraham Lincoln, and--of course--Martin Luther King Jr. We have a tradition. Next year, expect pictures. ;)