For the Love of Books......

Another post? I know! I'm on a roll....oh, writing, how I have missed you.

As I was driving nervous final exam takers to school last week, I remembered a movie trailer that made all the ladies sharing a girls' night out with me sit up and take notice. At the end of the clip we said in unison "oooh, that should be our next movie-and we should read the book first!" I wished my student passengers a big "good luck" and as they made their way into school, I headed to the nearest Borders.

When walking through the front door, the cookbooks lining the shelf caught my eye and I made a bee-line straight to the French cooking section. If you recall, "Julie & Julia" has just stirred up the writing juices again, so I wanted to see what was so great about this cookbook. I found a nice comfy chair and began leafing through the pages of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. After an hour, I returned it to the shelf. How on earth did Julie Powell cook every single recipe?? It would take me a year to finish reading through all the recipes, let alone create a masterpiece every single night AND blog about it! I was very impressed with this cooking hero. When the time comes for me to conquer French cooking, this will be the only book I will turn to. Thanks Julie.

So, back to the reason I was in Borders to begin with. Julia (Another J!) Roberts will be starring in a movie that is based on the book Eat Pray Love written by Elizabeth Gilbert. The introduction mentions that the number 3 is significant (you will have to read her book to find out!)-is this where the term "Things Happen in Three's" comes from? I wonder.....

Back to school I drove and waited for the school doors to spit out students after keeping them corralled for two hours. I picked up the book sitting on the passenger seat. I love the feeling of opening a new book; the smoothness of the cover and crispness of the pages. A new story for my eyes to scan and brain to digest. I only made it through the introduction before it was time to bring the kids home.

Once home, I grabbed a corner and read. This is going to be quite the journey with Ms. Gilbert.  Her story is actually broken out into 3 stories of her year-long quest in Italy (Eat), India (Pray) and Indonesia (Love). I have made it through Italy and have just arrived in India. 

I will keep you posted, but I have a feeling that I will end up telling you that this is a must read!

Wordless Wednesday

Girls' Night Out

 

I recently shared a much needed "Girls' Night Out" with friends. We went to a local place to grab a bite to eat and let me tell you- the food was F-A-B! We hit The Standard, a very swanky, retro restaraunt with Sinatra and the boys crooning for background music. The vibe just screamed "order a martini!", so I did. I don't drink martinis, but I decided to try one called the Stardust. (Maybe this will knock the cold out of me.) The waitress returned with a green concoction and surprisingly, it was pretty tasty! Food soon arrived, which was out-of-this-world good. After a lovely dinner and raves around the table that "we HAVE to come back here!" the girls and I departed to make our way to the movie theater to see "Sex In The City 2".

I was a fan of the HBO series and it was nice to be back in the "Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda and Carrie" over-the-top-lifestyle, ready to go through the emotional gamut these gals dish out with each story. I will never be a fashionista, but I can defintely appreciate their antics, outrageous outfits and Manolo Blahnik's.  As the opening panned across the Empire State Building with Alicia Keyes belting out "New York", I felt good things were in store. Despite the lukewarm reviews, I was pleasantly surprised that the girls were still as I remembered. I was thoroughly entertained for two hours; even laughed out loud on quite a few occasions.

We started out the evening with the "Rat Pack" and ended with the "Fabulous Four." Either way, I was with my friends and wherever we go, I can count on it being fun!

Can't wait for next time...

Wordless Wednesday:: Julie & Julia

Ok, I know that WW should have no words, but I would like to add some anyway...

I have been inspired to write again. I came home yesterday from work early in the afternoon because I was sicker than a dog. My throat was on fire, I had a fever of 101 and I ached all over. After taking a quick nap, I trudged into the kitchen to make homemade turkey soup. My daughter put in this movie for me as I made my way back to the couch and as I watched, I realized why I liked this film so much. Now, in all fairness, I read the book and LOVED it (more than the movie) but something about Meryl Streep made me enjoy the story in a different way.

I love food. I love to cook it and I love to eat it. There is something that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling when you create a dish that brings joy to others, which in turn brings joy to you.

The character Julie said that "Julia saved her" by giving her a goal, which at times, tested her patience, sanity and waistline. But, Julie perservered and made all 500+ recipes in 365 days, blogging each day of her adventure.

So, after watching a movie on cooking, blogging/writing and perserverance, I am ready to start striking these keys on a more regular basis!

Thanks Julie and Julia for "saving me".

Oh, and by the way, the soup was fabulous.