Julie and Julia

Even though I have had a love and feel a true affinity for this woman ever since she blundered onto the TV instructional screen, I hold her in high regard and esteem. Julia Child is a food icon! She was a woman determined to dogmatically present her love of French food to the American audience, but thankfully her erstwhile sweetness always emanated from her very, if large, being. She was a lady who reached through the tube to teach us that, yes, we also could do these things. We could prepare true French cuisine for our families, too.

We went to the cinema when this film was released this past summer, at our neighborhood theatre. Even my husband laughed spontaneously and was equally delighted by the performances of Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Miss Adams played, Julie Powell, the blogger genius, who cooked her way through Julia Child’s book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Ms. Streep made me forget that I wasn’t really seeing Julia Child. She was this beloved icon and no one could ever touch her performance. Meryl is mesmerizing to watch, no matter what her role, and I have watched almost all of them. Amy brought such an earthiness and believability to her performance, that I immediately liked the real Julie Powell and could easily identify with her longing to write, her love of Julia Child and her cooking these recipes.

Stanley Tucci was a perfectly cast Paul Child and his and Julia’s relationship made this Dame real and even more lovable. Their mutual affection was inspiring and delightful to watch. I never really knew much about Mr. Child other than the fact that he died about fifteen years ago. It was enlightening to see a glimpse into their personal lives.

Julie Powell’s’ husband, Eric, was portrayed by actor, Chris Messina. I think I have seen him in some other films, but am not sure. He was very supportive in his role and was quite good, too.

My eldest sister gifted me with this DVD for Christmas and I watched it Monday evening. I teared up at the end …  again and I fully intend to view it later this evening. When a movie is this good, I must watch it again and again, to be certain I have missed nothing.

This is a film worth watching and performances worthy of winning awards. I highly recommend Julie and Julia and want to tell Julie Powell, thank you, thank you for writing such a great book.

My next eldest sister, told me when she dropped by Monday night to pick up some Pistachio Floating Island dessert, that one time, while she was working for Amtrak, she sat next to Julia Child on a train trip! Next to her! She even assisted her by carrying her bags. Well, what do you know! Wow!

New Year’s Eve Blue Moon

As a special treat for those with clear skies, together Mother Earth and The Man in the Moon have decided to present us Earthlings with a Blue Moon. No … the moon does not exhibit any type of bluish hue either. It means that during this month of December, we will get two full moons. What a cool way to bring in the new year 2010.

Do you all recall how much hoopla was made over year Y2000? There was so much frenzy about how all of the world’s computers were going to crash and we might never recover all of the data we had stupidly ignored leaving a paper trail about. It was neat that we saw another century end and the beginning of another. Pretty much though is was an anti-climax. Systems did not crash and data was saved and the next day was cold and a regular January 1st.

Tomorrow evening, I hope will be a good celebration for those choosing to party, but for those of us who are relaxing, after the last six weeks of presents, cooking, baking, gatherings and traveling, I find staying home is just what the doctor ordered. Rest, relaxation, being cozy and toasting the incoming year will be a sweet way to … well … be. No stress.

Happy New Year to everyone listening and everyday I think we should eash of us do something nice for someone who not only needs a little hand up, but to those who do not realize they either need or deserve a bit of special treatment. Pass along goodness and goodness cannot help but be returned to you. And, who knows, you might just deserve it too.

We’ll see … tonight.

The Fifth Day of Christmas

Grilled, Bruleed, Trifled and Flowered

Wondering About Boxing Day

I have always wondered about boxing day. This is a shot of my desk from across the loft, where my studio is situated. Funnily enough it is right next to some boxes, which we still need to go through and organize or shred the contents. More dreaded paperwork and receipts. I still have my first 1040 tax form, from my very first job. I was sixteen and a lifeguard. Actually, I had to get a work permit as I was fifteen in June and turned sixteen in August. I didn’t earn much money, but I sported a glorious tan that summer.

I tend to keep papers I haven’t needed for years. We have ten boxes to sort through between now and Wednesday. We made a pact, not to begin next year with any of these unnecessary, old documents. It will be yet another huge relief to rid ourselves of this stuff.

So, getting back round to boxing day, I keep thinking about it as a day of sports, of two men boxing. That isn’t it. It is when the lord of the manor would give his servants a box, the day after Christmas. Usually, it contained cake or a few coins and sometimes a particular object, especially for one of their workers, who might have done something special for their mistress or master.

A little friend of mine has the right idea. Her name is Daisy and she exhibits what comes to mind, whenever I hear the words Boxing Day.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

A Quite Remarkable Gift

Pieta-a, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Time stands still whenever my eyes alight upon a piece of artwork that catches me unawares, and just like a stare-me-down-contest, I find it hard to tear my eyes away. It matters not if it is a painting, a woven tapestry, a photograph, an intricate piece of jewelry, a fashionable garment, a decorated room, a clay pot, a sculpture, a quilt, an English garden or a particular shade of pink ribbon in a little girl’s hair. Once the object d’art has stopped me in my tracks, I’m hooked and must drink in its beauty, appreciate the craftsmanship, labor of love and most often experience the bared soul of the artist.

Years ago, my Father and Mother took Mary and me to The New York World’s Fair. My it was grand. A few years prior to this, our family lived not five miles across the bay from Manhattan, on Staten Island, NY. Happily we were once again in my beloved New York City.

There were so many things to do, new foods to try, a Belgian waffle with sweet strawberries and whipped creme fraiche. There were modern and scientific displays and moving sidewalks, upon which the public would stand to be moved automatically through another country of the world.

We entered the country of Italy as Mother wanted to see a display about great Italian artists. After standing in line for what seemed like hours (I was young and impatient), we were allowed to walk up to the important section. I knew it was because they had placed red velvet ropes with brass clips to keep the public back and away. A hush ensued and there were signs telling us that we were not permitted to touch anything.

As we moved closer to the focal point we beheld the most breathtakingly magnificent sculpture. I was taken aback and stunned that any human being could make marble look like that. Had no idea such a rendition of this existed, yet here it was. Not ten feet away from where we stood transfixed, was the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus, after he had died upon the cross.

How had someone thought this up let alone tapped away, day after day on cold hard marble, to produce perhaps the finest work of art in the world? Her sorrow and hopelessness had been captured … her son was gone. It was evident to all who passed by in hushed reverence.

The artist was Michelangelo, and his sculpture was called The Pieta`. He was just a young man when he sculpted this masterpiece, his most important work.

Standing there I felt my cheeks damp with hot tears … for His death, and for her sadness, yet inside, I was elated to see what a tremendous gift God had bestowed.

I sincerely wish that one day you might stand in the presence of something so grand and beautiful that you are captivated and cannot look away.

Merry Christmas.

* Revised from my original post April 25, 2007.
Original and not to be duplicated.

Genoise Chocolate

Genoise Chocolate, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Cakes

Genoise / Vanilla and Chocolate

This is a whole egg sponge cake. Genoise au Beurre is made with butter, has a richer taste and texture.

Genoise Ordinaire has no butter. Both are incredibly delicate and sometimes tend to fall or not rise at all.

4 large eggs strained
4 oz sugar
—————
4 oz cake flour
pinch of salt
vanilla to taste
—————
1/2 oz clarified butter (important that it is only tepid)

Variation: Chocolate Genoise sift 1/2 oz with the flour.

1) Eggs and sugar into mixing bowl. Whisk by hand over hot water bath for a few moments to liquify the eggs and melt the sugar. Do not cook the eggs!
2) Attach bowl to mixer and high speed to whip until quadrupled in size. When stops rising stop the mixer. You can deflate the eggs as they are very fragile.

Turn down speed to 1/2 speed and mix another 4 to 5 minutes.
3) the batter will deflate a little. The air bubbles get smaller and closer together, more uniform and the batter will increase in size once again and get smooth and shiny. Add the vanilla and mix 1 1/2 minutes more.
4) Reduce the speed to the lowest setting and “walk the batter”. this is the safe zone. and you can walk for a while before stopping the mixer.
5) Silt flour while continuously gently folding shake, fold, shake fold, etc. Be quite sure all of the flour is folded in prior to adding clarified butter.
6) Add the 1/2 oz butter in stages. Against the spatula and jiggle it to spread it over the entire batter. Fold in and repeat. Do not over mix.
7) pan the batter 8″ x 2″ well greased and lightly floured cake pans.

Bake 360º 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on reck 5 minutes before wrapping in plastic wrap.

Freezes for a month and best to use in recipe next day. Or, use today with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Yield 16 portions.

I’m Dreaming of A White Christmas

Real christmas tree, originally uploaded by Gudmann.

We finally got our tree today and it was just waiting for us to find him. I can imagining him saying, “Glad these two knuckleheads finally showed up, I have been buried by the snow for two days or more!”

There was our tree alright. Covered three-quarters of the way with snow and only the top portion sticking out. My husband didn’t want to be bothered because it had too much snow on top of it. I fully admit that I was a bit dogmatic and undiplomatic about it. Okay, I was emphatic that this tree was ours, so I jumped into the pile of the undisturbed white stuff and started shaking the tree by wrapping my hand around the trunk. I shook and then I shoveled scoops of snow with my gloved hands.

It didn’t take long before Joe got into the mood and pulled the tree free, to stand it upon the concrete. We were at Home Depot. We bought our beautiful, perfect tree for $30.00 and change.

After Joe carried it up four flights of stairs, we vacuumed the rug and moved things about in order to position it in just the right spot. I had purchased some brand new big fat colored lights. (I am grinning from ear-to-ear) Joe got the surge protector extension and I hurriedly wrapped the colored globes about the branches. One-two-three … Lights! Beautiful lights.

Well, we turned them off because Joe said the tree will drink a lot of water, about a gallon within the first 24 hours, and we want it to be feeling full before we turn them on again.

I am so happy. I love this time of year and soon it will be time to read all of my babies the Christmas story.

Eat Cake

There are two cakes I baked yesterday for Half Hour Meals Festive Cakes.

Snow Update

I have another cake in the oven for Half Hour Meals Festive Cakes Event.  Look in Community Discussion. I’ll be over there shortly!

Let It Snow

Breakfast On A Muffin

When I am feeling under the weather, I find that soft fried eggs (in butter of course) over toasted English muffins, is just the right stimulus package needed to make me recover.

My First Basil Plant … Died

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My 1st Basil Plant, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

I don’t understand what happened. I got this plant the day before Thanksgiving and in three weeks it was deader than a doornail. I am so sorry!

Yellow Cake

Basic Yellow / Butter Cake

First: Prepare your baking pans

(all ingredients at room temperature)

8 oz butter softened

16 oz sugar

4 large eggs

1 t vanilla

—————-

1 T baking powder

12 oz cake flour

1/2 t salt ———> all sifted together

——————

1 c tepid milk

—————–

Instructions:

1) Cream butter and sugar in mixer.

2) Sift dry together into bowl and set aside.

3) Beat eggs by hand a little.  Add some eggs; mix, repeat.  Don’t beat too much air into batter.

4) Alternate dry and wet, mix and end with dry.

5) Pan batter 1/2 full.

Bake 350º about 35 minutes or until done.  Rise brown,  Pull away from sides, clean toothpick.  Cool on rack in pan for ten minutes and remove.

Note* If you are using very large pans, reduce the temperature by 25º.  Slower baking provides a more even heat distribution.

Cakes can be cooled in pans overnight,  wrapped.

Yield 2  (8″ pans greased and floured).