Monday, December 14, 2009

Made with Love

Scott & I watched Julie & Julia this weekend. Julia was such a marvelous character, moving me tears on a number of occasions. I have known that they are many, many Julia fans out in the world. A few years ago, Scott & I were at Copia, in Napa, for her birthday celebration. I had a hard time comprehending peoples high, crazy admiration for her. I didn't really know anything about her, before that day. Her friends & fans at the museum that day, taught me some neat stuff about her. The movie has done more to help me understand her. I am starting to get it. I think I want to read "My Life in France". And, I now feel the need to own Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Even though, I don't think I particularly enjoy French food. I mean, aspic, pate, fois gras? Gah!! Julia really showed people the JOY of cooking. (Even though she wasn't the author of that book.) I love that.
We should live with passion. And joy. God made us for His glory & for His pleasure! We are made in His image & He made us to enjoy good things. I am so grateful for that. I am so grateful for good food.
Cooking is a way that I love to show tangible love. When you create something for someone, you are giving them a real part of you. I was facebook chatting with my friend Laura about this today. She called cooking a love language. How brilliant. God gave us so many beautiful, good things to show His love. How wonderful to be able to love others in the same way.
What do you like to give to your love ones, that is "part" of you? Something sewn, grown, written, cooked, baked, painted, drawn, crafted?

8 comments:

laura said...

Erin, you beat me to it! After our conversation on facebook, I totally wanted to write about food and love and all that kind of deliciousness on my blog, but, you've done it for me. :) I don't care much for french food either (I don't eat butter so that puts a damper on things), but the joy of cooking is still there. Kind of like how Eric Liddle said he felt God's pleasure when he ran...

Erin said...

You should still write about it, Laura. There are so many elements. You know I am not a long winded blogger. I didn't really say much. I have an idea for you. I'll send you a message...

Stef said...

I like to think my journals will be something fun to pass down to my kids. I still write in them every week. Its very personal and something that will live far beyond me... but will totally be me.
Otherwise I think we tend to pass down things we don't purpose to. Not in a bad way, just little every day things we never knew would leave a mark.

I think you two should create a cookbook :)

Stef said...

Erin, you've just given me a new idea for a blog header. I can be "the most long winded blogger!!" However, I think I've been beat out :(
I just thought that was funny and I think I'm going to try and figure out how to use it.

Melissa Joy said...

I love it! I totally agree about food & love - my mother has taught me that tangibly throughout my entire life! I think she will be loving us through her kitchen until the day she dies. Lord, bless her.

I think I have two particularly strong ways that I love my family and will probably leave some sort of imprint - whether on purpose or by happenstance.
One is very physical; it could be summed up by my nightly cuddles in the rocker with Gabriel before putting him to bed. Rocking, holding close, running my fingers through his hair, singing him the psalms - a very real, very physical, very precious thing we do every day. He loves it, I love it. And, if the truth be told, I love doing this with hubby too. :)
The second thing is very different; my words. I write to my loved ones. Poems. Journals. Letters. Sometimes they see them, and sometimes they don't. Every one of my children has poetry for them. And my husband and Gabriel get it on a regular basis. Whether typed, written, or simply spoken - I love to love with words.

And both of those "ways" are definitely ME. :)

Steph said...

I really enjoyed this post Erin! (I have not gotten my copy of Julia's book yet.. one day :) I, for one, really enjoy seeing the results of your creative love languages. They are always so beautiful and inspiring.
For myself, I love to cook for people. The creativity and hard work is enjoyable and then getting to share the food together as well puts it over the top!
I also LOVE sewing as well. To make something for myself or friends that can be enjoyed again and again is exciting and satisfying (well, as long as it turns out!). I am getting to a place in mommyhood where squeezing it in is looking a little more do-able and that is exciting. Making tons of cute dresses for Emma will be so much fun!
It is amazing how much I enjoy when my creative juices get to flow! I suppose another element of loving for me is caring for people. Trying to help in whatever circumstance I see isn't always creative but I am very passionate about it :)

Melissa Joy said...

I love it! I totally agree about food & love - my mother has taught me that tangibly throughout my entire life! I think she will be loving us through her kitchen until the day she dies. Lord, bless her.

I think I have two particularly strong ways that I love my family and will probably leave some sort of imprint - whether on purpose or by happenstance.
One is very physical; it could be summed up by my nightly cuddles in the rocker with Gabriel before putting him to bed. Rocking, holding close, running my fingers through his hair, singing him the psalms - a very real, very physical, very precious thing we do every day. He loves it, I love it. And, if the truth be told, I love doing this with hubby too. :)
The second thing is very different; my words. I write to my loved ones. Poems. Journals. Letters. Sometimes they see them, and sometimes they don't. Every one of my children has poetry for them. And my husband and Gabriel get it on a regular basis. Whether typed, written, or simply spoken - I love to love with words.

And both of those "ways" are definitely ME. :)

Steph said...

I really enjoyed this post Erin! (I have not gotten my copy of Julia's book yet.. one day :) I, for one, really enjoy seeing the results of your creative love languages. They are always so beautiful and inspiring.
For myself, I love to cook for people. The creativity and hard work is enjoyable and then getting to share the food together as well puts it over the top!
I also LOVE sewing as well. To make something for myself or friends that can be enjoyed again and again is exciting and satisfying (well, as long as it turns out!). I am getting to a place in mommyhood where squeezing it in is looking a little more do-able and that is exciting. Making tons of cute dresses for Emma will be so much fun!
It is amazing how much I enjoy when my creative juices get to flow! I suppose another element of loving for me is caring for people. Trying to help in whatever circumstance I see isn't always creative but I am very passionate about it :)