After the rush of the day died down and the ripped wrapping paper, assembly instructions, and cardboard boxes were disposed of, my husband and I sat down to watch the movie Julia and Julia. I was simply inspired by both these characters to live passionately.

I just loved it. Partly as a cook, partly as a blogger, and partly as a 30-something seeking my purpose in life. The premise; a young writer, Julia Powell, picks up feeling a bit lost in her life, decides to cook her way through Julia Child’s book Mastering the Art of French Cooking and blog about her journey. This wonderfully pleasant and uplifting movie parallels the lives of these two Julias and highlights the ups and downs they experience in their marriages, in the kitchen, and in their book and blog-writing endeavors.

As a home cook who has tackled live lobster, lambs kidney, and ox tail, I certainly don’t think I could have cooked 524 recipes in 365 days. And I don’t know if I could have attempted aspic. But I was so heartened to see such loving couples portrayed in the movie. It gave me hope that what my husband and I are doing in our marriage to support each other unconditionally will take us through all of our years. I was also delighted to see this young writer share her story and thoughts about cooking and life with her blog readers. And I was interested to see that both Julias lived their lives with so much passion in their hearts.

It made me think about this blog of course, and examine what kind of passion I hope to share here in this space. I think I had been writing for others. But this movie, and the real life Julia and Julia, upon whose lives the movie is based, inspired me to live my life for me and write about what brings light and passion to my life…I think I’ll do that.

So what inspires me? What am I passionate about? I love creating. I like innovation. And I feel compelled to integrate reflections of nature in my handiwork. Does this encompass the culinary world, the crafting world, the knitting world, and the homemaking world? Probably. It is my hope in organizing my life that I find my foundation of indispensable values that guide me through my journey here.