Julie & Julia

You know how things come into your life exactly when they are supposed to? Well, "Julie and Julia" has done just that. In a way it has done for me what MtAoFC did for Julie Powell. Way to pay it forward!

My awesome friend Sara mentioned the book to me a while ago...not sure how or in what context (maybe it was because I do a food/thoughts blog), but the seed was planted.

Months later, I'm in our office's kitchen watching the TV...most likely making tea or heating up some fabulous lunch item...when I see the ad for the movie. I'm all, "Hey, isn't that the book Sara was talking about before?" I, of course, forget to mention it to her (even though we work a few desks apart). Weeks go by, and I keep seeing the ad, forgetting to mention it and then one day we finally talk about it during one of our fantastic little desk-side chats, usually reserved for books and True Blood...and general silliness.

So, I go online and order the book from Barnes & Noble. It also happens to be the last day on a 20% off coupon I have there. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

This book has completely revived me and reaffirmed my dreams.

I too know what it's like to feel New York and mass transit suck out my soul little by little...and how tearing apart greens or cutting potatoes can restore it little by little...that and trips to Scotland. JOY!

Reading the book hasn't made me want to cook a ton of Julia Child recipes and write about them, but it does remind me why I started my own blog...and that following my bliss is really the only way to go. Another important lesson is that I don't have to be perfect. I can (and should) make lots of mistakes, improvise to make the journey my own, cry, get discouraged, curse a blue streak. No matter what, the road I pave is mine and will take me to where I should be. And if I keep my eyes on the joy...then it will take me to where I love as well.

So, Thank You Julie Powell!!


Part 2 of the Julie & Julia blog...

Sara and I went to see the movie last night! I'm a little bit in love with Julia Child now...I'll admit it. It was really cute...though I thought the book was much better. The Julia and Paul Child parts were SO sweet. I got misty more than once.

We followed our joy by having pizza and beer beforehand:





and Vodka Gimlets at an Irish Pub in Times Square after:



And how's this for a good sign? "The Whole of the Moon" by the Waterboys came on as we sipped on our first gimlet! This would be my joy, of course...but Sara appreciated my happiness.