Celebrating Julia Child
Julia Child’s Affectionate Top Two Floor Apartment, “Roo de Loo” at 81 Rue de L’Université
This Monday, August 15th, is Julia Child’s birthday. I have had it noted on my planner for some time. She means so much to me, as I am sure she means so much to all of you too. Her life and accomplishments are well documented and cemented in history, as well as her loving marriage to Paul Childs. What a duo!
Visiting Paris back in spring of 2015, I walked to the street, and sought out the apartment building, the two top floors where the Child’s resided in their post World War II days and Julia embarked on her culinary passion and adventures. It was really important for me to see their building in person, and my husband thankfully was very obliging in this walkabout. To my knowledge, there is no plaque mentioning Julia Child near the building for various reasons, the French bureaucracy, and Julia Child was much more revered in the United States, ironically than in France. Truthfully, I think Julia Child would have preferred it that way. One only has to use your imagination to scan your memory for all the book and movie details made on her glorious life. Knowing she was here, is enough for me.
Rue de L’Université in 7th Arrondissement in Paris, France
I love so many aspects of Julia Child, and her quotes on food and life always give me a chuckle. By the way, Julia Child who cooked everything, yet it is well known her favorite lunch at home was tuna fish salad on a toasted English muffin.
Wonderful Julia Child Quotes:
“People who love to eat are always the best people.”
“I believe in red meat. I’ve often said red meat and gin.”
“A cookbook is only as good as its poorest recipe.”
“It’s so beautifully arranged on the plate, you know someone’s fingers have been all over it.”
“The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook.”
“I am not interested in dishes that take 3 minutes and have no cholesterol.”
“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook—try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all have fun.”
“With enough butter, anything is good.”
“Cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy.”
“Life itself is the proper binge.”
“You’ll never know everything about anything, especially something you love.”
“If you are afraid of butter, use cream.”
“A party without a cake is just a meeting.”
“I enjoy cooking with wine, sometimes I even put it in the food…”
“The measure of achievement is not winning awards. It’s doing something that you appreciate, something you believe is worthwhile.”
This Monday, please make a special culinary nod to Julia Child in celebration of her birthday, and touching us all with her passion.
Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie
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