Mastering the art

I recently watched Julie and Julia, starring the inimitable Meryl Streep and wonderful Amy Adams. I thought I'd enjoy it - yeah hello, it's about food - but I didn't think I'd adore it! It delves into much more than de-boning ducks and sauteing mushrooms, it's about love, relationships, purpose, career, and so much more. It's funny, touching and really witty. Here are some fab facts about Julia Child...

* Julia was born on the same day as my Mum (August 15, a LEO, no wonder!) and lived until two days before her 92nd birthday. A long life with so much butter... I think there's a lesson right there peepsies.
* She was a spy (I say, watch those Leo's) and worked for the precursor to the CIA before she found French food.
* In 1966 she won an Emmy for her TV show The French Chef. She once explained her popularity in an interview: ''I fell in love with the public, the public fell in love with me, and I tried to keep it that way.''
* Mastering the Art of French Cooking is now in its 49th printing. Sheesh.
* As the New York Times so brilliantly phrases her influence: "She brought cassoulet to a casserole culture."

Thanks Julia.