Digesting 2009
Can it really have been TWO years already? Two years since I started writing this blog, on a New Years’ Day when W was two and sat on the countertop peeling garlic cloves for my soup, and Lou didn’t even exist. Looking back over the past twelve months I can’t compose any sort of impressive retrospective – I didn’t make any people, run any marathons, make the New York Times best-seller list or appear on Oprah, but my dad survived a heart attack, my sister and her kids moved in across the street, I visited Vancouver, the Okanagan, Tofino, Vegas and Toronto (where I shoved a ham up a turkey on national TV) and on the career front I was asked to join the team of bloggers on Good Bite, and I landed a position as the new food editor of Parents Canada magazine. The book thing is hovering in purgatory, so I can’t say I’ve pulled that off. Other than that we mostly ate a lot, and I got to hang out here. It was a good year.
Yesterday I saw 2009 out the door in the best way possible – as a guest on Breakfast TV for Dave Kelly’s very last show. I can’t think of a happier place to be than puttering in the BT kitchen, feeding guests as they came to share with the audience things that they know or have learned – a great gathering of people and their thoughts on life, and a suitable goodbye (from the morning show, anyway – he has started a production company with his brother, so we’ll be seeing more of him I’m sure) for one of the very best people I know.
I made scones using the last of the eggnog (just swap eggnog for the milk or cream in your favourite recipe), and served them with mandarin jam. I made espresso brownies (to justify eating them before 9am) and bread pudding from extra loaves of crusty French bread and stollen. But the very best part was the poutine bar – wedge fries roasted until golden and crisp in the oven, a pitcher of gravy, white cheese curds (from Springbank Cheese – you can also buy them at Say Cheese in the Crossroads Market) and a slow cooker full of pulled pork to load on top-yes, pulled pork poutine. Come to mama.
My only mistake was deciding to bring homemade butterscotch sauce (did you know? Butterscotch is the new chocolate) to serve warm as fondue with sliced apples and bananas and those little one-bite cream puffs, which are the very best addition to a fondue party I know of, and which I ate approximately a dozen of, dipped in butterscotch, before 9am. I have my New Years’ resolutions cut out for me. #1: wean self off cream puffs and caramel. Also whipped cream, bread, butter and Toblerones. (The mistake part of it was that there was little distinction between the jug of gravy and bubbling butterscotch, so when Dave broke his 10 year French fry dry streak -the outcome of a successful decade-old resolution- he had his dipped in butterscotch.)
Everyone in the blogosphere seems to be summing up 2009 with their best recipes, and who am I to stay off that wagon? Flipping through food memories is as good a way as any to reminisce about a year gone by. Eat up, and thank you for being here. I wish everyone the very best for the coming year.
EATING 2009! A few of our favourites (in alphabetical order):
Browned Butter & Rosemary Shortbread
Brussels Sprout Slaw with Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette & Maple Pecans
Butter Turkey (or Chicken) with Spinach
Goat Cheese Truffles (on a Big Salad or not)
Mac & Cheese with Bacon & Chard
Pretzel Rolls & Soft Pretzel Buns
Pumpkin Stout Gingerbread with Cream Cheese Frosting
Roasted Tomato Tarte Tatin with Goat Cheese
Sunken Chocolate Cake with Berry Fool
Two Bite Brownies (with less fat!)
Vietnamese Chicken Satay & Fried Rice
Yogurt (homemade!)
December 31 2009 05:47 pm | leftovers
Terri on 01 Jan 2010 at 3:13 pm #
Perfectly lovely. Wishing nothing but good things for you and Mike and Willem for the year to come and the years after that.
Buddiegirl on 01 Jan 2010 at 3:30 pm #
Every one of your recipes could easily become a favourite. Wishing you and your family a year of health, happiness, great joy, love and laughter and most important, time for yourself.
I hope 2010 brings you and all the readers of your blog great success, no matter how it is defined.
Cheers!
Angela on 01 Jan 2010 at 4:00 pm #
Those were alot of yummy recipes you made in 2009
Saw you on BT yesterday, ten years without fries. Why would anyone do that to themselves?!
Cheryl on 01 Jan 2010 at 4:03 pm #
What a great year it’s been! Thanks for being a part of my life, as mentor, friend, and inspiration!
Vivian on 01 Jan 2010 at 4:11 pm #
Wishing you and W and M, a wonderful year ahead. Less trauma and sadness, more light, love and success!
Melanie on 01 Jan 2010 at 4:53 pm #
Congratulations on such an amazing, real life, year! All the best to you and your family in 2010!
Denise on 01 Jan 2010 at 6:17 pm #
What a year…yum!! Can’t wait to see what is cooking in 2010…all the best in the year to you and your family.
robin on 01 Jan 2010 at 6:27 pm #
your food and photographs are fabulous! 2010 will be amazing! happy new year :O)
thepinkpeppercorn on 01 Jan 2010 at 7:01 pm #
What a yummy year it was!!!!! I can’t wait to see what you introduce us to this year. And I am still scratching my head trying to figure out HOW ON EARTH I missed those biscuits! WHOA. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Carolyn on 01 Jan 2010 at 7:02 pm #
Julie — thank you for your blog and all of your contributions to make this world a better place -your posts and recipes brighten my life. I wish you and your family the very best in 2010.
Laurie on 01 Jan 2010 at 7:20 pm #
Angela, with regard to: “ten years without fries. Why would anyone do that to themselves?!” The answer is in order to live. Life without fries is way better than life with thrombosis, or stroke, or heart attack, or blood clots,or lack of life from one or the other.
Julie, all the very best for 2010. I hope it brings you what you want the most, plus lots of love and laughter.
Laurie
Brigitte on 01 Jan 2010 at 7:21 pm #
I’ve been a faithful follower since the beginning. I always look forward to reading your blog.
Thank you!
Wishing Peace and Love for 2010!
JulieVR on 01 Jan 2010 at 7:25 pm #
The great thing about fries is that you can make them yourself out of thickly sliced unpeeled potatoes and canola oil and a hot oven, and they are fantastic! I feel a post coming on…
Manon from Ontario on 01 Jan 2010 at 7:26 pm #
Happy New Year Julie, and many many more for your blog:)
I’ve just finished watching Julie & Julia, and OMG, I’m even more in awe of you and your talents, cooking and writing! I thought of you all through the movie, and discussed you with my husband while we were enjoying the movie.
I’m soooooo glad I got to see you on Canada Am and followed up by looking up your blog, not disappointed at all my friend. I’ve got to know a wonderful person, an amazing cook and a great writer, I’m so blessed.
It’s funny how your name comes up in many of my conversations with my husband and friends, you have become a happy part of my life, and I want to thank you for that, from the bottom of my heart.
Please continue sharing your awesome blog with us all, you are quite the phenomenon girl, you rock!
As you can read, I admire your talents, and most of all You!
Hugs and kisses to you and your family.
Your #1 fan
MFO
bluejeangourmet on 01 Jan 2010 at 8:09 pm #
wow. I’ve got a lot to cook in 2010
cheers!
Lauren on 01 Jan 2010 at 8:31 pm #
You’ve had a great year! I cannot wait to see what 2010 brings to you =D.
margo on 01 Jan 2010 at 10:45 pm #
I say ditto to all the warm comments already written; you are a household name around our place. Blessings to you and your family this 2010!
Donna on 02 Jan 2010 at 12:17 am #
Best wishes for 2010 for you and your family, Julie.
Our year started with a birthday tea which included your mincemeat cake.I know where to look for great recipes – your blog and your cookbooks !
thank you
Alona on 02 Jan 2010 at 3:12 am #
I’ve read these pages only some weeks yet, but I like them very much! Thanks for tasty recipes! Happy New Year! Good Luck!
June on 02 Jan 2010 at 6:56 am #
Happy New Year Julie! Checking out your blog is one of the ways I start every day. Keep up the good work & all the best in 2010.
Joni on 02 Jan 2010 at 8:29 am #
Happy New Year Julie! I’m so glad your blog is still here because it’s something I look forward to every day. And yes, please do a post about exactly how you made the fries in the photo from the BT studio… I can never get them just right!
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2010.
erin on 02 Jan 2010 at 9:13 am #
Happy New Year!
Thank you, Julie, for taking the time to write this blog – I also look forward to it every day.
Teresa on 02 Jan 2010 at 10:10 am #
Happy New Year! Julie & family
Thank you, Julie, I like many others look forward to reading your blog everyday! All your recipes have become our families favorites! Can’t wait to see what the new year brings to the table…
Cheers,
Teresa
angiebean on 02 Jan 2010 at 10:56 am #
Thanks for two years of wonderful recipes! I truly enjoy every posting and the pictures are always amazing. Wishing you a happy new year!
Aimee on 02 Jan 2010 at 11:44 am #
Happy New Year, Julie! All the best to your and the family for 2010.
stacey snacks on 02 Jan 2010 at 12:55 pm #
Julie,
I don’t comment often on your blog, but wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your weekly recipes.
I love your Romesco sauce and I have tried a few other recipes and they are always terrific!
You have such a busy full life!
Just wanted to say hello and wish you a happy new year!
Best,
Stacey Snacks
pauline on 02 Jan 2010 at 2:00 pm #
Thank you Julie for a great year of bloging. You certainly make my day when I get to read about your escapades you are a wonderful person. You have shared with us all your tips on cooking and taken taken us on the ride with you as you find the easy way to make things. I just made your black bean soup the other day mummmm good. I would never have thought to top it of with feta cheese deish. Happy New year to you and all the family.
Barb on 02 Jan 2010 at 2:17 pm #
Another year gone already? Time really does fly – of course, I’ve been having fun. Cooking is a fun, stress releasing, pass time which You very much help to keep me inspired at.
Happy New Year! Keep on doing what you’re doing.
Sharon on 02 Jan 2010 at 5:18 pm #
Happy New Year Julie to you and your family. I love your blogsite and check it every few days for new recipes. I have made quite a few of your recipes – actually its my favorite food blog on the web! Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your updates in the coming year!
ajdoula on 02 Jan 2010 at 8:28 pm #
Julie,
Thank you for your dedication to good food, family and friends. Your unrivalled enthusiasm for all three resonates in all you do and makes a difference in the lives of others. Happy New Year!
glenda on 02 Jan 2010 at 10:08 pm #
Thank you Julie, for the time and effort you put into this blog – it has brought me some good food, some inspiration, and more than a few chuckles. all the best in the new year to all at your house!
(tried the turkey-potato cakes – with a little leftover gravy mixed in – and the eggnog caramel sauce…both were delish!)
Erica B. on 03 Jan 2010 at 12:04 am #
2009 was definitely a rollercoaster year!
Thank you Julie for sticking with DWJ when you could have been forgiven for putting it on the back burner. I enjoy coming here and learn something with every post.
All the best to you, Mike, Willem and Lou, and your newest neighbours for the new year and always.
CathyD on 03 Jan 2010 at 1:20 pm #
You are simply the bestest! You are my go to girl for all things recipe, I don’t think there’s another blog I recommend more! You do such a wonderful job.
Looking forward to another year of reading. See you soon!
Cathy
Robyn in Mountain (Ontario that is) on 04 Jan 2010 at 6:51 am #
Happy New Year to you and your family, Julie! And continued success and happiness in 2010!!
That was a lovely walk down recipe lane. I can still remember the oohs and ahhs when I made your maple rosemary ribs — bone-sucking if I remember correctly.
Finally got to see Julie and Julia. We rented it while visiting the in-laws. I remembered your blog when she started to make the boeuf bourginon. Brought a tear to my eye. Also caught a glimpse of “It’s just food”. I yelled out to my husband to come and watch — “it’s Julie from dinner with julie”.
Thanks for all the fun in 2009! Looking forward to more in 2010.
Cheers!
Robyn
Jess on 04 Jan 2010 at 10:29 am #
A very happy second birthday to your lovely blog. How far she’s come, how much she’s grown in such a short time. You’re terrific Julie. Wishing you many happy blogging days for 2010.
Laurie on 04 Jan 2010 at 1:13 pm #
Yes, happy birthday to your lovely blog. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
jann on 07 Jan 2010 at 11:22 am #
So now our family tradition of making curried turkey with the left overs has gone by the wayside…thanks to your recipe that my son tried and loved!!!
Check out his gourmet food photo’s at photoboom.ca and see his version of your recipe!
Now I can’t wait to try it too! Thanks for sharing.