J+J Squared

Yep, saw Julie and Julia movie again. Can't believe how "new" it seemed. Of course I remembered the basic story from two-and-a-half weeks ago when I first saw it. But I had forgotten fun moments, like the red-and-white sight of raspberry Bavarian creme swirling in a bowl, like Julia thoroughly charming and being charmed by French market vendors, like the various Valentine postcards Julia and Paul sent, like loving toasts to supportive spouses in both stories.

Even having watched the REAL French Chef DVDs of mousse au chocolat and omelettes as recently as last night, I had a little trouble telling whether Julie was watching one of those or a do-over by Meryl Streep for the movie.

I'm not inclined to debone a duck (sorry, Julia and Julie), but omelettes, mousse au chocolat, and raspberry Bavararian creme a la Julia may be calling my name.

Signs of the Time (Flying)

My wonderful husband planned and brilliantly executed a surprise birthday party for me Sunday. The meal was provided by Le Titi de Paris, which seems to be a frequent mention in this blog. What can I say? Le Titi is always a highlight of life.

The wine, some of the best I've ever tasted, has unfortunately given me a headache. When did that start happening?

In today's paper's birthday column, both Adam Samberg's and Christian Slater's photos appear. Feeling very hip to actually recognize familiar celebrity names in this column, I now feel very unhip to realize I don't know whose picture is who.

Am still chuckling over the stupidest Jim Carrey quip in the movie Yes Man. He's dangling from a bungee cord under a bridge when his cell phone rings. "Oh, just hanging around," he tells the caller. Oh so predictable, oh so lame is what any sharp critic would say. I find this hysterical, however. The older I get, the sillier I like.

J+J+J+J = Joie de Vivre

Judy and Jane enjoyed the much ballyhooed Julie and Julia movie today. The Julia part hit highlights of My Life in France, though the book is well worth reading for the rest of the details. Though I haven't read Julie's blog, I suspect its main points were also well represented in the movie. The acting in all roles was fabulous. Humor and real-life sad/glad/mad/scared moments abounded. People in our theater showing cheered and hooted at several points in the film. And they sat around afterward talking about it, I suspect because they can identify with both Julie and Julia.

The link I was most touched by was both women's perseverance. The movie showed more of Julie's meltdowns, but Julia spent eight years ~ that's EIGHT YEARS ~ creating, testing, typing, mailing, and retesting recipes for a book she envisioned before she knew there'd be an outlet or demand for it. She followed her passion. She didn't just like the idea of sharing French cooking with American cooks, she did what needed to be done to accomplish her dream. And she did it with excellence.

I love Julia Child's elan, panache, joie de vivre.

Ta-Da! Today's opening day.

Finally, the big day dawns. Today, homage to my heroine Julia Child will be watching some of her French Chef videos. I believe I'll choose Queen of Sheba Cake, Mousse au Chocolat, and The Omelette Show. The Spinach Twins intrigues me, so I may watch that too. My sister Judy called; she got the tickets for the movie tomorrow!

One, But Who's Counting?

Big big buzz at Borders today. Racks and racks of Julie & Julia books, My Life in France books, different editions, a package of white cloth with cute black French designs on it ~ maybe an apron, although oddly, the package didn't say. Also gift sets of MtAoFC, as Julie abbreviates it in her blog/book. I watched a video trailer for the movie on a small television. I laughed a lot. Then I watched it again. I'm even more eager for the whole movie on Saturday. [My other belly-laugh at Borders today was a New Yorker cartoon of a guy on his cell phone: "Can you hold on a sec? I think I just took another picture of my ear." I can identify!]

Two, But Who's Counting?

There's something so satisfying about seeing my air-drying mixer bowl and food processor bowl and blades in the sink.

First, I have a sense of accomplishment. Sure, I forgot to add the brown sugar to the applesauce oat muffins, but a little dish of cherry-peach jam at the table will rescue the muffins. They're tasty, otherwise. And sure, I haven't actually baked the broccoli timbale yet since that's for tomorrow's dinner, but Julia Child would have been proud ~ I tasted the mixture as I progressed through her steps, and it is awesome. I spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen, but I did it! I'll be able to feed my hubby a tasty treat. AND, the equipment drying in the sink means I've cleaned up. My mom always said you're not done cooking till you're done cleaning up. Guess I'm done then.

Second, I have a sense of anticipation of the aforementioned timbale a la Julia at tomorrow's dinner.

Third is the satisfaction of addition. I hope I've added something delicious to my repertoire. I'm grateful I can add one more tribute to Julia Child's legacy in my life.

P.S. Two days till opening day for the movie!

Three, But Who's Counting?

Now only three more days till Julie and Julia opens. Four till I see it. This week I'm making something from Julia Child's groundbreaking cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking ~ a timbale. I was going to pick something I'd actually heard of before, but this appealed to me. Webster's defines timbale as a creamy mixture baked in a mold. I've eaten these little molded mousses in French restaurants, most recently at Le Titi de Paris. So smooth and flavorful, so subtly flavored, such a decadent way to get my greens, oh my. Julia's recipe is for asparagus, but I'm going to use broccoli.

Four, But Who's Counting?

Just four days till the Julie and Julia movie opens. I don't remember ever in my life counting down to a movie opening ~ or even knowing the date a movie would be released. But I have had August 7 on the brain since the buzz began. My Life in France is one of my very favorite books.