Happy Birthday, Julia!

Remembering Julia Child,

sharing a memory, and serving dinner.

Julia Child

August 15, 1912 - August 13, 2004

Julia Child, very close in age to my mom, would have been 100 years old this August.   In honor of this legendary American icon I felt it appropriate to reprise a post I did as a tribute to Julia Child when I first began Hyacinths for the Soul.  

I rarely cook much any more because my husband does most of the cooking. That allows me the pleasure of  focusing my attention to setting a special table. True, the first 25 years of our marriage I did do the everyday grocery shopping, cooking, and clean up, while my "personal chef" saved his kitchen talents for weekend dinner parties and invited guests. My husband has long held a fascination with cuisines of the world, has a library of cook books, follows many of the Food Network cooking shows, has attended the occasional cooking school, and was a student at The French Culinary Institute in NYC.

Julia Child and Assistant, LaVarenne Cooking School at the Greenbrier

In December 1999 when I discovered that Julia Child would be a guest chef at Ann Willan's La Varenne Signature Series @ The Greenbrier in March of 2000, I signed us up. The week was one of pure delight! The Greenbrier, a National Historic Landmark, is a 6,500 acre estate nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. The southern charm of this national treasure was the perfect setting for a week of culinary classes and pampering by the staff at the Greenbrier. This national treasure has offered classic southern charm and outstanding amenities since the late 1800s.

Julia Child @ The Greenbrier Resort in 2000

As avid fans of the early PBS series THE FRENCH CHEF and later THE JULIA CHILD and JACQUES PEPIN COOKING @ HOME public television series, Julia Child has long shared her culinary expertise with us. The opportunity to attend a cooking session with Julia Child and actually meet her, was the icing on the cake! Or as Julia might say, "The butter on the bread!"

"Elegance with Eggs"

Hard Boiled Eggs, Eggs a la Tripe, Eggs a la Chimay, 

Poached Eggs, Poached Eggs in Aspic, French Omelet, and Cheese Soufflé.

The class we attend with Julia was entitled 

"Elegance with Eggs", and it was all about eggs! 

Julia's joie de vivre was infectious! She did not disappoint!

Julia Child with a Group of Participants

Photo used with permission of Greenbrier Photography

Here we are with Julia.  That's us on the far right.

Le Menu on Courage Brewery Cockerel Menu Stand

The menu is set, and the chef is at work in the kitchen.

CA Chef Mustard Pot and HB-Henriot Quimper Hen On Nest

Welcome to 

"A Casual Dinner for Two"

honoring Julia Child.

As the saying goes, "The rooster may crow,

but it is the hen that delivers the goods!"

Le Coq Quimper Pottery, French Faience Roosters, and Sunflowers 

So our table was set with a chicken theme, both roosters and a setting hen!

Henriot Quimper Le Coq Dinner Plate,

Blue Pinstripe Charger fromNeiman Marcus,

Flatware from Pottery Barn

The Crowing Rooster

A Fresh Baguette, a Basket of Cooking Tools, 

and a Rooster McCoy Planter with Fresh Flowers

A Geo Martel Desvres - Cockerel Double Salt

Fresh Bouquet of Sunflowers

Rex-Goliath Pinot Noir

Petite Tarts with Fresh Berries

Our table is ready and waiting.

Shall we pop into the 

kitchen and see what the chef is doing?

Looks like he is busy cooking our omelets. 

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable 

Julia recommends that the best omelets are made as single servings using only 2 to 3 eggs. Cook the eggs over the highest heat. Once a film of coagulated egg forms, begin to jerk the pan roughly toward you. This throws the egg against the pan and forces it to roll over upon itself.

Then you can slide your 

perfect omelet off onto a serving plate.

Top with a bit of chopped parsley and red bell pepper. 

Then add a simple salad of mixed greens.

 Voilà, 

you have dinner!

So here's to you, Julia Child!

Bon Appétit!

Thank you for allowing me to 

share some personal memories of Julia Child.

I appreciate the joy that Julia has 

brought into our home through the years.

If you have a personal story 

or remembrance of Julia Child, 

please share it with us in a comment.

Joining

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Cowgirl Up @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Tuesday Treasures @ My Uncommon slice of Suburbia

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe with an E

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

French Inspiration Thursday @ French Cupboard

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm

Potpourri Friday @ 2805

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally

Roos, Hens, & a Few Chicks Too

Roos and hens and a few chicks too.

Welcome!

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Shelia @ Note Songs

Heart of Home Party

Roosters and Chickens ~ Honored Guests

Summer in Texas

I think the sign says it all . . .

So come into the cool of the AC, and grab

yourself a refreshing glass of iced tea.

And let me tell you about a great book

for those of you who favor feathered friends.

THE ART OF THE CHICKEN

by Linda Arnaud

More than just a cookbook, in addition to 85 of the author's favorite chicken recipes, the pages of this book are filled with gorgeous photos of hundreds of chicken collectibles. As the publisher says, "A barnyard of delights for collectors of folk art, kitchenware, and cookbooks." Need I say more?

You'll find a copy of this book available here on Amazon.

Another unusual recipe book is one written in French, but also full of delightful photos of chicken collectibles, including many pieces of French faience.

It's no secret that here at HFTS one finds

a collection of French faience in many forms.

And tucked among pieces of faience

are other small treasures that often

fall into the category of feathered friends.

Egg Cups and Covered Dishes

Chicken Inspired Vignettes

At Various Times During The Year

Pottery Barn Chicken Wire Tray

You can read the story of these

delightfully hand painted eggs here.

They were a gift from the very talented and generous

Priscilla @ Letter from the Northwest

Vintage "Take Courage" Card Stand From England

Folk Art by New Mexico Artist, Mark Kluck

Note Cards to Write a Party Thank You

to Our Hostess, Shelia of Note Songs

Does your mother know you're out partying?

Grab a partner and dance on over to join

all the other roos, hens and chicks at the party.

Click here ~ Shelia is expecting you!

Also joining

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

REDNESDAY @ It's a Very Cherry World

Bunny Hop Wednesday @ Bunny Jean's

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Barnyard Bash ~ English Style

Detail of Hand-hooked Pillow

Welcome to the English countryside for the 

First Barnyard Bash 

hosted by Happier Than a Pig in Mud.

~ Barnyard Bash English Style ~

Detail of Dinner Plate by Royal Stafford

It's nearing the end of the 
day in the English countryside.

The farm animals have 
gathered around the table to celebrate.

Big beautiful sunflowers

Held in a Black Toile canister, 
set the stage for a shared meal.

The toile tells 
the story of the farm

Where roosters and hens 
scratch about while song birds flitter above.

Sweet furry bunnies nibble on the fresh green grass, 

and baby chicks look for tasty bugs.

White Porcelain Egg Holder by Kaldun and Bogle

The rooster crows to spread the word that there 

are fresh eggs a plenty from his brood of hens.

Petite Cow Pitchers Made in China

Gentle British White Cattle 
roam the table.

These beautiful creatures 
are known for their gentleness

Which begins before birth.

Royal Stafford Dinner Plate

The table is set with plates of Royal Stafford featuring 

a beautiful transfer-ware scene of the English 

countryside produced in shades of black.

The borders are laced with bands of rope 

and clusters of fruit and blooming flowers.

And layered above white 

Vintage Garden chargers by Ambiance 

which are placed on woven black ruffled placemats.

Vintage flatware with sterling ferrules 

is marked Universal L.F. and C.

Crisp white napkins layered with napkins 

in a black and white paisley are held together 

with pewter napkin rings.

The the color of the bold sunflowers 

is echoed in the embroidery of the initialed napkins.

Individual Butter Tubs by Sadek

Various little farm animals in the form 

of individual butter tubs are gathered for the occasion. 

First to the table is this little piggy.

Small Square Plate in Dotty Black by 222 Fifth

The baby calf seems 
to be tired after a long day.

Butter Spreaders Made in Italy

One of the 
many resident poultry.

And even a small bunny 
has joined in the fun.

So pull up a chair 
and join these little critters . . .

As they gather 
round the table . . .

For the First Barnyard Bash!

Blue Ribbon Vignette by Debi Raitz

Thanks for joining me for my first Barnyard Bash, and a huge thank you to Happier Than a Pig in Mud, our hostess for the First Annual Barnyard Bash. I hope you will also join me at Quimper Club International for a Barnyard Bash ~ French Style. There you find everything is French faience much like the pieces in the farm scene above. This award winning scene, using French faience figural open salts, was created by my friend Debi Raitz. Debi won a BLUE RIBBON on this vignette. Click here to see Barnyard Bash ~ French Style.

Hope to see you there!

This post is also linked to the following weekly memes. Thank you to each of these gracious hostesses.

Cindy @ My Romantic Home

Laurie @ Bargain Hunting & Chatting w/ Laurie

A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch

Tablescape Thursday