My daughter rented the movie “Julie & Julia” last night. Being a busy mom, I don’t go to the movies that often and I had no idea that the movie was about other people who are insanely passionate about food. So, I didn’t see it in theatres or rent it. And I had no plans to rent it.
But in one of those weird twists of fate (un caprice du destin), my husband and I walked in from a romantic Valentines Day 
dinner out, just as Meryl Streep, as Julia Childs, is about to learn that her book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” is not going to be published. It’s too long, and the publisher doesn’t get why it’s so important to publish 700 pages of French Recipies.
At the same time, her modern counterpart in the movie, Amy Adams’ character, Julie, is gaining fame about her blog “A Race to Master the Art of French Cooking”, which is all about Julie’s quest to make all 524 of Julia Childs’ recipes in 365 days. (a true story, I’ve learned)
An editor from another publisher receives Julia’s manuscript and is immediately taken with the idea of French Recipes for American Women. As she cooks Julia Childs’ Bouef Bourguignon recipe, and tastes how good it is, it strikes her that she wants to cook like that, and that she CAN cook like that. So the book is published.
As I write this, I am blown away by the coincidence of it all. My desire to start this blog, Cooking with Sugar, arose out of a knowledge, deep within me, that women want to cook. That women need to cook. That their husbands want them to cook. That cooking is one of the things that make my marriage amazing and passionate and that me and my entire family are healthy and happy because of it. And I planned to write the first entry in my blog, before I knew I was even going to stumble into this movie last night.
More women would cook if they realized that they can cook and what amazing things will happen in their lives and their marriages if they would just try it. This is my passion. This is my mission. This is my muse. It’s not enough that I can cook. I want all women to know how to cook. To want to cook. To realize that when they do get back in the kitchen, it will empower them and enrich their lives.
Julia childs learned to cook because she loved her husband and she loved food. In one of the funnier scenes in the movie, she tackles what most would regard as the height of difficulty in cooking – boning a duck. But she very calmly tells her viewer to simply take their knife and “confront the duck.” Cooking isn’t difficult. Cooking is passion. Cooking is sexy. Cooking is Amazing. What are you waiting for. Confront the duck!
Here’s the trailer:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love, love, loved Julie and Julia! I’m so happy you’ve got your site going and looking forward to more and more….give me more!!!! LOL!!! Love you Sugar!!
Tammy in Texas
You are so sweet. I still have a lot to do with the blog but I will keep you posted. Hugs
I loved this movie. It wasn’t what I was expecting but it unfolded into a great story.
I also think it’s fantastic to be able to cook a meal from scratch. I enjoy the process and the reward of plates scraped clean.
My mom’s side of the family is Greek so food was always a big part of growing up. My mom would plan huge Greek feasts for their friends to enjoy, we didn’t eat like that all the time, but when I knew she was planning another big meal (her preparations started about a week before) I would get so excited. Food full of rich flavours like garlic, lemon, oregano, cinnamon, nutmeg and mint. Mmmmm. Makes me hungry just thinking about it!
I love being able make a fantastic meal full of flavour to enjoy with friends. I love that they all go for seconds ’cause they enjoy the food so much. It makes all the hours of preparation so worth it.
I absolutely agree with you, there’s no reason for anyone not to be able to cook. Not all meals take hours to prepare. Most of the meals I make take maybe 20 mins of my time but they’re full of flavour (I can’t stand a bland meal). My only problem is learning to eat less of the food I make!!! (This year’s goal) My husband always looks forward to a meal I’ve made, even if it’s a simple sandwich for lunch, and that gives me a huge feeling of happiness.
Confront the duck!
Loving your blog, looking forward to reading more
Mandy,
Thank you for your feedback. I love hearing that other people share my love for cooking and family. I hope we can spread that so that other people can know the joy it brings. God Bless.