Sunday, February 28, 2016

My Life in France by Juila Child // Review

 
Just speak very loudly and quickly, and state your position with utter conviction, as the French do, and you'll have a marvelous time! - Julia Child on French dinner parties.

FEATURED AUTHOR RECIPE  Julia Child:     Julia Child's  Boeuf Bourguignon: I have loved Julia Child ever since watching Julie and Julia several years ago,  and falling so in love with it and both women, and as a result, I ended up hosting an elaborate French party just to have an excuse to show the movie to friends. Earlier this month I was catching up with a favorite youtube channel, and Petie heartily recommended "My Life In France." I've read several other books per Petie's suggestions on her blog, and loved every single one of them. So I ordered "My Life In France" from the library and was excited to read it. But I wasn't expecting to fall quite so in love with it. How could a book rival Julie and Julia? But this book is insanely adorable. One of the things I loved the most was the way Julia describes her experiences with food. She's not just telling stories about food, but she makes it almost as though the reader is experiencing the dishes with her, through her pen. It's not just a meal, but every bite of food was an exquisite experience for her. I find it amazing how she remembers every detail of different meals and dinner parties, right down to the sauces and particular bottles of wine.Another favorite aspect was Paul and Julia's relationship. It was interesting, because they met later in life, and married around 35 and 45, but never had children. But their relationship was sweet, fun and inspiring. She whole-heartedly supported him in his work and dreams, while he cheered her on right from the beginning. (He wrote to his twin Charlie, "Julie's cookery is actually improving. I didn't quite believe that it would, just between us, but it really is.") And they seemed so compatible. They both had their separate talents, interests and dreams, but they also shared a lot of the same interests, and they found great ways of meshing together and complementing each others strengths and weaknesses. Julia had so much energy. She was always off attending a professional lecture by some renowned Chef, exploring through the marketplace for the absolutely perfect mortar-and-pestal, or starting her own private cooking school, or a tv series, or traveling back and forth from the States and France. (Not to mention perfecting her mayo recipe, and using 200+ lbs of flour to find the perfect way to make french bread in a standard American oven. :) All in all, I loved this book so much. It was entertaining, funny, inspiring and entirely enjoyable.  {5 stars}      

Sunday, February 7, 2016

It's a girl thing // black and floral

I am pretty excited about this skirt. I bought it last  week for 1/3 of the original price. I've been looking at it every time I went into Fred Meyer over the past three months,  falling more and more in love with it, but couldn't justify the price, considering the quality isn't that good, but I love the print and length. So when I found it on sale this week I couldn't resist anymore. ;)




This pendant is my favorite and I don't really even like peacocks. (At least real ones. ;)

Outfit:
Sweater: Target{20.99}
Skirt: Fred Myers{14.99}
Tee: Kohls{8.99}
Heels: Payless {19.99}

Set my heart, O dear Father,
On Thee and Thee only,
Give me a thirst for Thy presence divine.
Lord, keep my focus on loving Thee Wholly,
Purge me from earth; Turn my heart after Thine.

A passion for Thee
O Lord, Set a fire in my soul,
And a thirst for my God.
Hear Thou my prayer, Lord Thy power impart.
Not just to serve, but to love thee with all of my heart.

Father fill with Thy Spirit, and fit me for service
Let love for Christ, every motive inspire.
Teach me to follow in selfless submission
Be Thou my joy and my souls one desire.

A passion for Thee
O Lord, set a fire in my soul
And a thirst for my God,
Hear Thou my pray, Lord Thy power impart
Not just to serve, but to Love Thee with all of my heart. 

This hymn has been stuck in my head lately. I've been thinking a lot about serving God in all things, big or small, and having a consuming passion and desire for Him, not just going through the motions, or serving with my hands; but truly loving and seeking to bring Him glory through everything I say, think and do.I think sometimes I get caught up in doing things because I know it's right, (like reading my bible, or praying, etc.) But not necessarily out of love and total devotion and passion for Christ. 

Anyway, that's just what I've been thinking about lately. :)