Julie & Julia
26 Aug
So, I went to see the movie Julie & Julia last Friday night. And I loved it. Mostly because the heroine is a blogger who achieves fame and fortune and it appealed to my fantasies, but also because I love to cook. I also despise the Joy of Cooking (my mother will be shocked and my husband will be shocked – he swears by it). I also love Nora Ephron and all of her books and Meryl Streep is simply brilliant.
I never really thought about Julia Child all that much. I might have seen her cooking show once, maybe twice? I don’t know. I like French cooking, but it’s a little heavy on the butter and the force feeding of geese for their livers. Deboning a duck? I don’t think I’ll ever try it. But I must admit it was a genius idea for a blog. Now that I’m jealous about.
I loved this movie, too. I remember Julia Child, and enjoyed the few times I watched her cook. I liked her, even if I didn’t want to cook in the French style. I’d always heard that French sauces originated to cover the taste of bad meat…. Julia wasn’t perfect and didn’t mind a mess. My 23-year-old son hadn’t heard of her. He’s a big fan of the Food Network and loves Alton Brown. I told him Julia was the first!
Once Julia made croquembouche with Martha Stewart (I just spent ten minutes looking for Martha Stewart’s old Christmas book with the recipe. In this book, Martha gilds cookies with gold leaf for heaven’s sake. What was I thinking? I never made any of the recipes.) on Martha’s show. It’s a ridiculous tower of cream puffs with a spun caramel glaze and lord knows what else. Julia’s pile of cream puffs slumped like a slag heap in a Welsh coal town. Martha’s stood upright and rigid, just like her. I’ve adored Julia ever since!
I admit to blog envy, too. What a great idea, even if it drove Julie crazy. My blog doesn’t have a great gimmick like that. It’s just random. Your blog is so funny. I feel as if I’m right in your neighborhood. Speaking of which, my husband and son are arriving in Bozeman tomorrow for their annual Yellowstone backpacking trip…
I love that story about Martha and Julia! Yes, the imperfect can be a lot more attractive than the perfect. You should see my three-tier carrot cake with cream cheese! Taste’s yummy – looks messy. Janelle
I loved the movie too. It definitely made me want to think of some crazy blog idea to try myself, but I’d probably go even crazier than Julie. Kudos to you Janelle for doing your awesome blog and keeping up with it. I’m jealous
Oh, you’re so sweet! Remember me someday when you’re a famous author.
I know – I don’t have time for crazy blog ideas. Just writing on a regular basis is enough! Janelle
I have yet to see the movie though everyone I know who has enjoyed it. I have my own personal relationship with Julia Child. When I was in labor with my second son, I was stuck in a room at the hospital and the TV was turned on. Julia Child was showing how to make Madeleines. I’m not sure which was worse, labor or listening to her voice. For the record, my son Ian loves Madeleines and even has that special pan!
Oh, that’s fabulous! Now I need to look up what Madeleines are … hmm. Janelle