Special Events - Don't Say No

A Loon's Spoon Posting

It's only hard to attend special events if you make it hard - true if you're vegan or any number of other things that might make you self-conscious or different from the "average" attendee.  My thinking is that people are more worried about their own differences than mine.  

Last night Pete and I attended the 8th Annual Taste of the North in Minocqua.  This is a fabulous food sampling event that showcased about 22 different food and dining establishments in the area with 31 different items.  

The dishes included breakfast, appetizer, entree, pizza, cafe and dessert items, but not a one of them was animal-product-free. No problem; I anticipated as much and had a BIG lunch.  For me it was a time to enjoy the company, catch up with folks I hadn't seen for months and sip a few NAs.

People ask what do I do at special occasions that don't have vegan options.  I don't do anything - I don't eat, I don't complain and I don't turn into the vegetarian/vegan that no one wants to talk to.

The Taste of the North is easy; it's a walk and talk, grazing, come and go as you please type of affair.  A couple people asked me what I had to eat and I told them nothing as I had adopted a plant-based diet, but how great it was to see everyone. No muss, no fuss. 

A few folks tried to figure out if there was something I could eat and honestly, that was a great educational opportunity.  "Yes, eggs are an animal product." "No, I don't eat cheese anymore either." "Desserts? Dairy."  It's all about keeping a sense of humor and not attacking the eating habits of others.

 Vegans/Vegetarians should not isolate themselves.  Become comfortable with your decision and plan for social events ahead of time for your own comfort and those around you.  Sarah Hohn has a nice article on her blog, Homemade Levity titled Overcoming Isolation as a Vegan - good tips.

Pete, the meat-eater, and I had a wonderful time.  We left before the raffle drawings and I think someone must have forgotten to call us about our prize!

Apples Today

The 50th Annual Apple Festival is going on this weekend in Bayfield.  Pete and I made the drive up on Friday. The leaves were still at their peak and the town was just beautiful.

A festive downtown
I didn't know there were
dolphins in the Lake

Pete enjoyed an apple dumpling

We walked down the street and listened to the music of the Blue Canvas Orchestra, tasted apple treats and meandered through the crafts.

The Bay was colorful

and so were the
town's gardens

The visit wouldn't be complete without buying some apples.

On the way home from Bayfield we stopped and picked out a few pumpkins for Halloween.

Lots of pumpkins to choose from

Pete pays for
our pumpkins

Along with two pumpkins we purchased an acorn squash for dinner. I got out my trusty Alice Waters cookbook from Chez Panisse, Vegetables, to check on the baking time and temperature.

In doing so I found out that Ms. Waters enjoys baking the squash with cloves of garlic stuck into the flesh.  I took her tip and added to it.  After halving and scooping out the seeds I filled the two halves with garlic, sauteed onions and BUTTER! I baked the squash skin side down in a baking dish with about 1/4" of water (so the skin wouldn't burn) for 45 minutes at 400 degrees.

The squash was delicious, but what I'm really looking forward to is Pete's apple pie. He and Gwen have already had a telephone conference to discuss the ingredients and the methods. Today he is off to the store to get a few things, then this afternoon the house should be filled with apple pie aroma.  More on that later.

Summer Leftovers

We were all excited to watch the Packer game today at Noon. The dogs were in their Packer gear and so was Pete. Brats were on the grill, sauerkraut was on the stove and the chips were ready. When I turned on the television I was shocked to find out that the game couldn't be found.  Our local stations are out of Duluth so FOX opted to broadcast the Vikings game rather than the Green Bay game.

Nothing was going on inside; the dogs were bored.  We headed outdoors for a walk in the woods.

The leaves are starting to turn

Most are still green or yellow

We haven't had a real frost yet so there are still some flowers blooming, including wild purple asters along the roads and driveway.

A little color around
Net Lake.

Where are the Packers?

We've been out and about the past few weekends.  On Labor Day weekend Pete and I were invited to a customer appreciation picnic put on by the Pea Patch in Manitowish Waters.

Pea Patch Picnic on Rest Lake

This was a nice break for Pete, who was feeling a little closed in by the trees, woods and forests of the Northwoods. The lake was big enough for him to appreciate the wide open space.

Pete on Rest Lake, home of the famous Skiing
Skeeters Water Ski Club.

Last weekend I was working with a bass fishing tournament in Minocqua. Pete and I went to a wonderful Music in the Park on Sunday, September 11th. It was a beautiful night at Koller Park in Manitowish Waters. The music was perfect and the local fire company was serving food.

Bass Classic X
Anglers taking off at dawn.

Catch of the Day

A bag of bass
on the way to
weigh-in.

Music in the Park - Manitowish Waters

Boaters listened from the beach,

and so did a little Mastiff puppy.

Donations accepted
by the fire company

 This past week brought thousands of motorcycles into the Northwoods when Tomahawk hosted their 30th Annual Fall Ride for Muscular Dystrophy. I helped out at Northern Lights, the Harley-Davidson dealership in Arbor Vitae (25 minutes south of Mercer). We were trying to get the word out about our June motorcycle rally - Summer Thunder.

Bikers at
Northern Lights

They came up Hwy 51
from Tomahawk

Sunday morning in Tomahawk
only the Canada Geese were awake.

Back in Mercer, ready to enjoy an afternoon at home watching the Packers only to be thwarted by cable/satellite politics. A walk in the woods was the dogs' idea. The Pack will be Back! - next week.

 

Savoring the Summer

Pete and I had an eventful weekend.  On Sunday we drove down to Eagle River for the Festival of Flavors featuring Wisconsin food and drink. I met Troy Landwehr, a cheese carver and winemaker from Appleton. He has a national reputation and his portfolio is just amazing.

Troy Landwehr with King Tut cheese head

Over fifty Wisconsin food vendors, including cheesemakers, winemakers, chocolate makers and ice cream makers gave out samples of their products.

Pete enjoyed a beer
from Capital Brewery

Beth with itty bitty ice cream cone
from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

The festival was held at Riverview Park - true to name, the park had a pretty view of the river.

Beth with hydrangea in
Riverview Park

Pete in the park

The night before we attended Block Party 2011 at Trig's in Minocqua. We went with some of my colleagues from work to listen to music and enjoy a really nice summer night.

Beth & Pete in front of the Leinie Lodge

Jane, Kim and Dianna

Scott Kirby Band

Our host, Tom Chandler

On Monday night we caught the last showshoe baseball game of the season in Lake Tomahawk. They've been playing snowshoe every summer in the town since 1961 and the players have it down; it's astounding to me that there are very few falls. Check out their website Lake Tomahawk Snowshoe Baseball for more information about the sport.

This is the way!

"Is this for real?"

warm-ups

behind the bench

running for first base

While we enjoyed one of the last weekends of summer the dogs stayed home to guard the sofa.

Maddie Jo and Gracie