Friday, November 4, 2011

French Friday: Julia Child Night

Happy Friday, friends!  And what an extremely happy Friday it is, indeed!  Why, might you ask?  Well, because tomorrow is JULIA CHILD NIGHT! 

My aunt Barb and I at the inaugural Julia Child Night
Those who have read my blog for awhile are probably familiar with this tradition.  You can read about the 1st event here, and the 2nd event here. 

Voila!  Julia Child's Paella was a hit that first year!
And here we are - preparing to host our 3rd Annual Julia Child Night!  I am actually not quite sure how this tradition got started.  I think I made an aside comment about my desire to learn how to make some Julia Child recipes, and the event was born. 

My mom, me, and my aunt Barb at the 2nd Julia Child Night, wearing our beloved Anthropologie aprons
My aunt is the true maestro of this event.  She researches and plans and experiments with recipes.  She is an amazing cook and a mentor of sorts to me.  Through the planning and execution of this event, we have become incredibly close.  Our bond has truly transcended the typical aunt and niece relationship - the bond we have now can only be described as magical!  We share a love of French food and we love to share that love with family and friends.


The main course last year - Beef Bourguignon, puree de pommes de terre, and hericot vert

So tomorrow night, we will gather in her home.  We will don anthropologie aprons and cram into her kitchen, oo'ing and ah'ing over the smells coming from her stove and oven.  We will taste french cheeses, spread olive tapenade on gluten free crackers, and toast over French 75's.  We will enjoy a main course fit for kings!  We will toast to loved ones, both near and far, and we will embrace the joy de vivre that the French truly embody with their approach to living.  And we will toast to the Julia Child events of the past and the ones that have yet to unfold in the years to come.  Life is good, my friends!
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23 comments:

  1. RunToTheFinishNovember 4, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    what a blast!! i am not a super chef, but that looks fun anyhow

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  2. Marisa A.November 4, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    That is so fun! And I loovvee your anthropologie aprons. My friend and I are trying to start something kind of like that, only with baking. I can bake, cooking....well lets just say I need an Aunt like yours to help me along!

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  3. MeganNovember 4, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    I love this, but I especially love how excited you are for it! :D

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  4. missrisNovember 4, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    That food from previous Julia Child nights looks AMAZING! Have a great time!!

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  5. Kyria @ Travel SpotNovember 4, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    That looks great! And of course I love the aprons, but you knew that. I notice you have a non-striped shirt on in the first photo. We will be having none of that this weekend, young lady. Stripes. We need stripes!

    You guys are going to have a blast! Bon Apetit!

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  6. NoraNovember 4, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    Sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!!! I think I need to add this to the list of things I need to come and do before I'm 30! Attend Julia Child night with Lisa & family/friends =) Maybe next year we can make it happen! Can't wait to hear all about it. <3

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  7. abbiNovember 4, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Looks like great fun (and great food)...Enjoy your Julia Child Night tomorrow!

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  8. Nilsa @ SoMi SpeaksNovember 4, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    I'm pretty sure your Julia Child meal is going to be waaaaay better than the pizza we plan to order tomorrow night. Ha! What a phenomenal annual feast ... you're kicking off the holiday season with a bang!

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  9. AmberNovember 4, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Love that you guys do this every year and that it's turned into such a big tradition and event!! I wish I could be there, take LOTS of pictures please :)

    And I giggled at Kyria's comment, yes! Where are the stripes the first year?! Haha

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  10. MarlysNovember 4, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    Beautiful post! My sister Barb not only shares her love of cooking with you but you both love music so that makes your ties even closer! I envy you being able to live so close to her! I shan't forget to bring along my apron!

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  11. Lauren @ Sassy MolassyNovember 4, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    This sounds so fun! Can't to wait how everything turns out. I got a few recipes for some stuffing in my latest Cooking Light and I really want to try them out this year. Maybe this weekend?

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  12. crystalNovember 4, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    I cant wait to drool over your pics this year! :)

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  13. Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap)November 4, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    What an awesome tradition! Really, I just love all traditions because of the meaning behind them and how they do help people become closer :) I will say I'm not much of a French food person so maybe you'll have to convert me someday!

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  14. Cherry BlossomsNovember 4, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    I couldn't think of doing anything more fun than this! Looking forward to hearing all about it.

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  15. Jamie and MissyNovember 5, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    I can't wait to read about it!

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  16. UnknownNovember 5, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    I was too busy cooking yesterday to get to my blog reading!!!! I am so excited the day is here! Al, (Lisa's uncle) helped with the consommé preparation last night. Such a fun tradition!!!

    Love you!

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  17. ShoshanahNovember 5, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    I think this is such an amazing idea! I only wish I lived closer so I could come too!

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  18. AbbyNovember 5, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I must say I'm a little envious of the tradition you guys get to share together every year! You're so blessed to live close to family.

    Have fun tonight! Can't wait to see pictures. I already know the photos of the feast will have my mouth watering

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  19. MandyNovember 5, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    I really, really love that you all have this tradition. I know how special it is for you and your family. Have so much fun!

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  20. OhNovember 5, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    First of all, I love, no, LOVE the aprons! and I restrained myself from sneaking the one you gave to Nor into my linen cabinet when she wasn't looking!

    And who takes the pictures? these are great pictures of the 2 and 3 of you.

    As for the haricots verts, I have a bag of fresh ones in the fridge that "Michael" decided to buy the other day but am not sure how to cook them - I don't like it when they're tough, stringy or not quite cooked yet I'm not fond of mushy ones - let me know what you Julia's think/recommend!

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  21. Jolene - EverydayFoodieNovember 5, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Fun!!!!! I want to have a Julia Child night!!!

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  22. Lisa-MarieNovember 6, 2011 at 5:18 AM

    I have been looking at your Facebook updates of this and drooling. I can't wait for the proper post!

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  23. BeckyNovember 6, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    I know I'm super late to commenting on this, and I saw some twitter pics the other night - can't wait to hear/see how this turned out!!!

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