Julie and Julia – Book Review, Sort Of

I just finished reading Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. It’s a memoir about a woman who cooks her way through Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking…in a year. I’m sure you’ve heard of it – who hasn’t? Meryl Streep played Julia Child in the movie, so…if you haven’t heard of it you might literally be living under a rock.

Anyway, it’s recent to me because I just read it, but actually the book is like 8 years old. I was thinking two or three years at the most – but I just looked at the copyright date and my copy was printed in 2005. Which was 8 years ago – which is a crazy thought unto itself. Where have the first 10 years of the 2000s gone? One moment I’m in the 6^th grade picking popcorn out of my braces as I celebrate the millennium with my best friend, and the next thing I know I’m almost 25, working in a cubicle under florescent lighting, and it’s half way through 2013.

But, I digress.

This book was good. It was laced with profanities – and there were moments when I wanted to shake the author by her shoulders and tell her to take care of herself. But more than that it was kind of inspiring. She was working a dead end temp job, started a cooking project and it effectively changed the course of her life. In the meantime, she didn’t mind her job so much because she had something else bringing her joy. I guess I’m on that quest.

I realized today that even if I moved up the “corporate ladder” at my job, it would still be just that – a corporate ladder, which is almost the most repulsive thing I can think of. I like the people I work with (mostly) and the job pays well for how easy it is (mostly) – so I’m going to try to turn that into a blessing and use my extra brain space to start a new project. The possibilities are endless.

Any suggestions?

Unattainable – Little Joy

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

I really loved this band (Little Joy) when they first came out in 2007 – to the point of listening on repeat and becoming mildly obsessed. And then…I forgot about them. Poof, gone. Until today. I was looking up Binki Shapiro online (a newly found enjoyment) and realized that she did all the female vocals in this beloved band of mine. I hope you enjoy it.

Yours,

M.

Furr

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

We’ve been hearing this song a lot at our house lately. This band just opened for Belle and Sebastian in Austin, so they’ve been on the local radio stations a lot, too. I like it.

On Inspiration, and Clubbing Things

“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.”

– Jack London

Out on the Weekend

I’ll freely speak for everyone in my little family when I say, we had a good weekend. Saturday morning we woke up early and took Ashen downtown to a little French crepe place (he’d been asking if we could make crepes the night before). Brent and I have been there a few times, and when we manage to wake up early enough to avoid the normal downtown pace, it always hits the spot.

After breakfast we went swimming and laid out in the sun, played some card games, watched Benny and June, went for an evening bike ride, and made a late night run to P. Terry’s for a burger. Basically, the perfect summer day.

This morning we hosted Brent’s parents (and Silas and Sadie!) for “church” and breakfast; I had a lot of fun making this (I added blueberries). We drank coffee and talked a little bit about our personal relationships with God, and what is, and is not, beneficial to each of us. I always enjoy getting together with Brent’s parents. They’re such an encouragement.

This afternoon we took the dog out for a walk, and played on the jungle gym at the playground down the street. Brent and I couldn’t even get across the monkey bars – monkey bars are no joke as an adult. I feel old.

All in all, it was a really great weekend. We’re trying to be more active, and so far, I think it’s been really great. I love spending time with Brent and Ashen, getting out of the apartment, and enjoying the place we live – even if it is 103 degrees in Austin.

Yours,

M.

Oh, and Brent came home from the grocery store with these on Saturday night. ❤