Cooking Challenge

Recently Jaynee and I went to see the movie, "Julie and Julia" (rated PG). I enjoyed the story line despite the brazen "in your face" outburst of vulgarity and cursing. This movie is the true story of two women and their love for cooking. Julie, a young woman who idolizes Julia Child, decides to cook her way through Child's cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" in a year. She cooks at least one recipe a day and blogs about it. Julie succeeded and went on to write a cookbook of her own and thus the movie.

"Julie and Julia" has made me think of the many women in my life who have taught me to cook and bake. Beginning with my mom of course, who still effortlessly puts on a spread at a moments notice, to my sisters Jaynee, Lana and Lezlie who have taught me about popovers, French Bread and zuccini relish. I remember spending days with a friend named Theresa, cooking, baking and yes best of all... eating. My mother-in-law was (and still is) my inspiration for Fried Rice, SukiYaki and the best ever Apple Crisp and Christmas Peanut Butter Balls.

Then there are my spiritual sisters in TFC. How many meals have we shared in one another's homes? How many church suppers, bridal and baby showers have we attended? Happily, too many to count. It's pretty much a sure thing that at least one woman will walk away from any of these events with a recipe in hand. I know many times I have. Isn't it great? When I make a recipe given me by another, I almost always think of that person at some point in the cooking/baking process. I love that!! For me it is an important connection with another woman. It is a reminder that I've needed others to help round out my life, to teach me, to share with me their stories, their recipes, their techniques, their very lives.

So now I've decided to embark on a cooking challenge of my own. For the next year I am going to work my way through our church cookbook, "Homemade With Love." I've decided it is time to stop glancing through this book, and really get down to trying the recipes and in a small way get to know you all better. I won't be cooking a recipe a day. It will be more like 2-3 a week as I incorporate a few recipes into one meal.

I'm looking forward to this as I often find myself in a bit of a cooking rut. I'll be sure to let you know how it's going. Until then, as Julia Child would say: "Bon Appetit!!"