It's quite amusing to see the different reactions when I tell people that "Julie and Julia" is one of my favourite movies... of course, some of the people I've said this to have never seen the movie, so of course their reactions are simple polite interest. Others have seen it and missed the point completely or hated it outright, so they cannot see why I would like it so much. The last group (for there tend generally to be 3 groups in all these kinds of stories) have seen the movie, have enjoyed the movie and almost all seem to think that my passion for the story stems from my desire to be the next "Julie" and have my blog conquer the world.... I'll admit, it would be an interesting ride and (in case the universe is listening) I wouldn't say no, but that's not why I love it so much. For the record, those who are close to me know that I love most movies, love cook and plan to conquer the world anyway :-)
The truth of the matter is that the movie so wonderfully illustrates that anyone with a little enthusiasm and a fearless approach to a challenge and an ability to read and follow a recipe CAN be a great cook. It's about the fact that food can be fun and a challenge and a conversation starter and a gap filler and a passion... did I mention that it can be fun? It also shows how a woman "back in the day" could find freedom and express herself doing something she loved and excelled at and how a "modern" woman could find the same passion for cooking despite a tight budget, small kitchen and little available time. It just proves that if you WANT to do something, anything is possible.
It may come as a shock to know that I'm not a chef... hee hee. Even Miss Twinset and the Other One are chuckling a little at that as it can hardly be a revelation to you all. The truth is that I cook what I like, the way I like to eat it. I do it because it is fun and I don't cook things that I don't eat. So you're unlikely to find me cooking fish or crustaceans and I will NEVER bone a duck! Excuse me while I wait for the dirty minds in the corner of the kitchen to stop sniggering into their glasses. Done? May I continue?
Miss Twinset would love to actually be Julia Childs.... she figures that she has the pearls already and the "look", but I have had to explain that she's too short :-) The Other One said she would rather hire Julia Childs, but I don't think Julia would've taken slurred direction very well... As for me, I am happy and content to be ME. I admire famous cooks and chefs and feed this admiration by reading and my not too subtle addiction to the Food Network and other cooking channels, but I like being me. And I'm often happiest when I'm busy in the kitchen, toiling over bubbling pots and pans like a demented suburban witch.
I said WITCH.... not bitch. Behave or no more vodka for either of you!
I figure that women fought hard for the right to make choices. The right to have a voice. Well, if that's right, then I choose to LOVE being domestic. I chose to love cooking, baking and making preserves. I choose to love gardening and being creative. I even choose to put up with the Tarts... 'cos Lord knows we all need a little light entertainment in our lives! I run a business and this is a great outlet for me :-)
Now, Miss Twinset has suggested that we challenge the Other One to get into the kitchen and get her hands dirty. I'm sure it'll be highly entertaining, but I need to check if my insurance covers me for that first. Oh... and trawl through my recipes to find something for her to try :-)
So... I guess I'll love and leave you for now!
Until next time....
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It LIVES!
You may be forgiven for wondering if I had decided to give up on the whole blogosphere due to my continued silence. You may be forgiven for losing interest in the blog due to my disappearance and you may be forgiven for wondering just what exactly I had gotten so wrapped up in that I seemed to have forgotten all about you. For the record, I never forgot about any of you and held conversations with you daily. Oh happy the day when you can blog direct from brain to internet without first having to find time to boot up a pc, but I digress. As usual.
For those who wondered, I wasn't kidnapped by aliens or locked in the Tipsy Tarts wine cellar (although it would be an interesting way to go)... I wasn't even trapped by an overgrown Venus Fly-trap bent on world domination... I was - to put it bluntly - held hostage by "life". It's that unavoidable thing which lays waste to many a well-laid plan (and dinner table) and leaves you wondering just exactly where the last two months have gone?! I'm back now though and hope that you will forgive the interruption in our regular visits. I know the Tarts have missed you and Miss Twinset has a whole wardrobe she'd like to run past you. The Other One has even managed to master the art of "boiling water" since we last spoke, but chuck an egg in there and she's hopelessly lost!
The garden is looking good, even though the extreme heat and humidity has taken its toll on some of the plants. On the whole, Phin has kept them going nicely and I'm so grateful to her for all her efforts. I bet she's looking forward to Autumn when she can start to ease off a little on her "to do" list :-) I know Ruby's in her element because during a recent baking project (over Valentine's), I found the kitchen covered in edible glitter. I checked and my supply was untouched, so I think a certain romantically inclined pixie had a bit of a decorating lark at my expense. It was very pretty, but as you know, glitter is a devil to clean up!!
Now... you may remember that I got a fantabulous Kenwood mixer for Christmas. I confess that I haven't quite finished jumping up and down in delight over it yet :-) I knew that I loved it when I first saw it in its box, but having used it now for baking cakes, cupcakes and biscuits, I can tell you that I absolutely ADORE it :-) It makes my life so much simpler and to be able to continue with any prep work while the batter keeps mixing is a Godsend! Of course, I don't let either of the Tarts near it... Not only because it's mine, but because they're usually soused :-)
There are so many fabulous projects ahead that I'll be sharing with you, from gardening exploits to the challenging of baking bread that is actually edible :-) but for now, I'm going to head back outside to enjoy the breeze that's finally come up to break the heat. Tonight promises to be another evening where the scent of unnaturally sweet flowers hangs heavy in the air, where a nice glass of wine wouldn't go amiss...
Until next time...
For those who wondered, I wasn't kidnapped by aliens or locked in the Tipsy Tarts wine cellar (although it would be an interesting way to go)... I wasn't even trapped by an overgrown Venus Fly-trap bent on world domination... I was - to put it bluntly - held hostage by "life". It's that unavoidable thing which lays waste to many a well-laid plan (and dinner table) and leaves you wondering just exactly where the last two months have gone?! I'm back now though and hope that you will forgive the interruption in our regular visits. I know the Tarts have missed you and Miss Twinset has a whole wardrobe she'd like to run past you. The Other One has even managed to master the art of "boiling water" since we last spoke, but chuck an egg in there and she's hopelessly lost!
The garden is looking good, even though the extreme heat and humidity has taken its toll on some of the plants. On the whole, Phin has kept them going nicely and I'm so grateful to her for all her efforts. I bet she's looking forward to Autumn when she can start to ease off a little on her "to do" list :-) I know Ruby's in her element because during a recent baking project (over Valentine's), I found the kitchen covered in edible glitter. I checked and my supply was untouched, so I think a certain romantically inclined pixie had a bit of a decorating lark at my expense. It was very pretty, but as you know, glitter is a devil to clean up!!
Now... you may remember that I got a fantabulous Kenwood mixer for Christmas. I confess that I haven't quite finished jumping up and down in delight over it yet :-) I knew that I loved it when I first saw it in its box, but having used it now for baking cakes, cupcakes and biscuits, I can tell you that I absolutely ADORE it :-) It makes my life so much simpler and to be able to continue with any prep work while the batter keeps mixing is a Godsend! Of course, I don't let either of the Tarts near it... Not only because it's mine, but because they're usually soused :-)
There are so many fabulous projects ahead that I'll be sharing with you, from gardening exploits to the challenging of baking bread that is actually edible :-) but for now, I'm going to head back outside to enjoy the breeze that's finally come up to break the heat. Tonight promises to be another evening where the scent of unnaturally sweet flowers hangs heavy in the air, where a nice glass of wine wouldn't go amiss...
Until next time...
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