Here's To You, Julia! Bon Appétit!

Hyacinths For The Soul's Week of Roosters continues for Tablescape Thursday with our hostess Susan @Between Naps On The Porch.

Hope you enjoy dinner. The tarts are petite, so go ahead and have seconds!

A Tribute to

Julia Child

Let's celebrate Julia!

I'm not a chef; in fact I rarely even cook these days. My husband is the chef in our home while I get to dedicate my time to the tablescape! True, the first 25 years of our marriage I did the everyday grocery shopping, cooking, and clean up, while my Prince Charming (PC) saved his kitchen talents for weekend dinner parties and invited guests. He's long held a fascination with cuisines of the world. He has a library of cook books and books on the chemistry of food, has followed many of the Food Network cooking shows, attended the occasional cooking school, and was even a student at The French Culinary Institute in NYC in 2001.

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 at the Greenbrier in Sulphur Springs, WV 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!"

The class we attended with Julia was entitled "Elegance with Eggs", and it was all about eggs! Julia's joie de vivre was infectious! She did not disappoint!

"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.

Julia Chid with a group of participants.

I'm on the far right with my PC

Photo used with permission of Greenbrier Photography

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

So welcome to "A Casual Dinner for Two"

honoring Julia Child.

Le Menu on Courage Brewery Cockerel Menu Stand

Le Coq Quimper Pottery, 
French Faience Roosters, and Sunflowers

Henriot Quimper Le Coq Dinner Plate,

Blue Pinstripe Charger fromNeiman Marcus,

Flatware from Pottery Barn

The table was set with a chicken theme, 

both roosters and a setting hen!

As the saying goes, "The rooster may crow,

but it is the hen that delivers the goods!"

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

A Fresh Baguette, a Basket of Cooking Tools, 
and a Rooster McCoy Planter with Fresh Flowers

Geo Martel Desvres - Cockerel Double Salt

Fresh Bouquet of Sunflowers

Rex-Goliath Pinot Noir

Petite Tarts with Fresh Berries

Birds Eye View of Table 
Ready for Julia's French Omelette Dinner

Omelet Cooking

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.

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, and voilà, you have dinner.

So here's to you, Julia Child!

Bon Appétit!

As a long time loyal fan of Julia Child, it was no surprise that I was one of the throng of adoring Julia Child fans sitting in a theatre the first weekend JULIE and JULIA opened in theaters across the country. I was right there laughing my way through most of the scenes, and appreciating the joy Julia Child brought into our home.

Thank you for allowing me to share some personal memories of Julia Child. I recommend the movie JULIE and JULIA as pure entertainment! Please share a comment below, especially if you have a Julia Child story of your own. Then click here to join Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for more Tablescape Thursday posts.

To read a delightful post on the movie,

click here to visit Debbie @ Confessions of a Plate Addict.

See you tomorrow for Barb's "Show Us Your Roosters Party".

Click here to see the list of those who are participating. Last count there were 175 joining the party. Now that's a PARTY!

Outdoor Rooster Wednesday

Susan @ Southern Daydreamer hosts Outdoor Wednesday each week to showcase wonderful photos of outdoor beauty. Well, believe it or not, I found plenty of roosters ready to pose.

It's hot out today, so I've fixed you a tall glass of ice cold lemonade to enjoy while we stroll around and see what some outdoor roosters are up to.

If you've been following

Hyacinths For the Soul,

you know we are celebrating

The Week of Roosters.

I'm happy you joined us today!

This cheerful fellow sits high above on the top of a roof

crowing loudly each morning.

Doesn't he look stunning framed against

the bright blue morning sky?

These musical guys pick the guitar strings so fast

their feathers are all a flutter!

Can you hear the lively tune?

I think Old Red must be expecting something

important in today's mail.

Where IS the postman?

Or perhaps Old Red expects that this quirky guy

might drop by for a morning crow!

This is Topiary Ted. He enjoys the comfort

of his own shady garden spot.

And he doesn't CROW!

Oh, my! This fellow does have a problem!

When in Paris, a Montmarte stroll is always a delight.

One never knows whom you might meet

standing in line for a morning crépe.

J' adore fresh flowers for my table!

Oh la la, Le Coq... Priceless!

Chichicastenange Market Day, Guatemala

This feisty guy is kept on a leash.

And this handsome man is Roscoe.

Roscoe is a Barnevelder who lives at

my sister and brother-in-law's.

He lives the easy life in a coop full of lady friends.

I'd say these two make a handsome couple!

It's been a full day! Let's stop for a little Tex Mex

at our favorite cantina.

On Wednesday evenings el gallo y su senorita

will be dancing on the patio.

Thanks for stopping by today. Please leave a comment so I'll know you visited, then click here to join Susan @ Southern Daydreamer to see a list of other Outdoor Wednesday posts.

Hope to see you tomorrow for Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. HFTS will feature a tribute to Julia Child, complete with a special meal planned in Julia's honor. And there will be more roosters!

Two More Days!

Countdown to

Show Us Your Roosters Party

with Barb @ Bella Vista

barbsgoodlife.blogspot.com/

3 or More Roosters I Left Behind

It's Three or More - Tuesday with Tam @ Gypsy's Corner.

Join me as I lament 3 or more roosters that I've left behind at shops. I'm consoling myself with a piece of chocolate. Go ahead, have one!




I didn't intend to post anything today, but I remembered these photos from a recent trip. I think you'll agree that these are some pretty wonderful roosters.

Too sad that they didn't strut their way right into my luggage!

Oh well, no doubt they are living the good life in a beautiful home in another part of the country!

Let's celebrate them today for the

Week of Roosters @

Hyacinths For The Soul!

Look at this lovely vignette of three metal roosters. I was enchanted with each one!



This one looks very French to me. I suspect he was modeled after a weather vane seen perched high on a roof top in the French countryside.

Have to say there is some wonderful detail on these two!

Look at this lovely guy! His crisp black and red would really add some punch to any kitchen.

How about this guy? He's a hand sculpted glazed clay delight!

Thanks for stopping by today. Please leave a comment below so I'll know you visited, then click here to join Tam @ Gypsy's Soul for Three or More-Tuesday. Don't forget that Hyacinths For The Soul is celebrating with a Week of Roosters. See you tomorrow for Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Southern Dreamer.

And mark your calendar for Friday the 28th.

You won't want to miss the

Show Us Your Roosters Party!

Blue Rooster Monday

Welcome to Blue Mondays hosted by Smiling Sally. I hope you'll help yourself to a refreshing blueberry treat.

It's not only Blue Monday,

but here at Hyacinths For The Soul,

It is the Week of Roosters!

Large HB-HenRiot Quimper Folk Art Rooster;

Small HB-HenRiot Quimper Rooster; Montgolfier Rooster

So come along and join the fun of Blue Rooster Monday. The parade is about to begin.

Small HenRiot Quimper Pitcher, Large HB Quimper Charger,

HR Quimper Porringer, HenRiot Plate

My blue roosters have been crowing incessantly! Once they heard that Barb over at Bella Vista was hosting a Rooster Party on Friday, they just couldn't wait. They wanted to have their own special day. Well, it is BLUE MONDAY!



These little blue guys are very useful around the house. Just pull the green ball, and you have a tape measure.

Once you've finished measuring, push the blue eye, and the tape rolls back into the box.

How about that!

Most of the time these little guys live in my sewing basket,

but on Mondays . . . . .

they like to wander about on the shiny table top to admire their reflections in the morning light. You know how vain roosters can be; especially BLUE ones!

Unmarked Quimper Heart Shaped Snuff, Blue Iron Rooster, HenRiot Quimper Plate

These blue feathered friends each have their own special roosting spot, but often like to gather on the table as a centerpiece.

This proud and regal French blue rooster is King of his very own castle. Imagine that!

French Faience Tea Caddy Produced in Desvres

Parade of French Faience Snuffs: Quimper, Malicorne, Quimper, Desvres

These cocky French fellows parade across a tray on a shelf in my office bookshelves, but flew downstairs this morning to join in the fun. You have to just love the blue polka-dot cockerel.

Wait!

What have we here?

It's Mr. Krinkles!

I suppose he heard all the crowing going on and pecked his way out of the box of Christmas ornaments. Yes indeed, he wants you to know that come December, he and all his fine feathered rooster ornament pals will come out to preen and puff their feathers.

You see, here at Hyacinths, the roosters have their very own tree.

If you've enjoyed the Blue Rooster Monday Parade, please click on "Comments" below to let me know you stopped by for a visit. Then click here to hurry on over to Smiling Sally's for more Blue Monday posts. A big "Thank You" to Smiling Sally for hosting Blue Mondays!

Come back Wednesday for more rooster fun celebrating Outdoor Wednesdays hosted by Southern Daydreamer.

And mark your calendar for Friday the 28th.

You won't want to miss the

Show Us Your Roosters Party!