Dorie Greenspan

I went to see Dorie Greenspan speak tonight, with the direct intention of not buying another large cookbook, but I was so smitten with the event there was no way I could leave without it. I am now the proud owner of a signed copy of Around My French Table. Dorie Greenspan reminded of my grandmother and she reminded me of me, and of who I want to be. There was something euphoric about the atmosphere in that room tonight. My favorite food writer/idol Molly Wizenberg, who taught me about French food first, was in the audience. I got to talk with her about the Ballard Farmers market and tell her how fabulous I think she is. Tonight more than ever I know I must get to France. I want to exude the joy I feel from these people when they talk about Paris. I want to have my own stories about learning how to navigate the cheese plate, and making friends with shopkeepers. I want to know for myself that French butter really is the best butter. Like Dorie Greenspan said tonight, "a French life to me was a food life." For now I will settle for cooking my way through this book, but soon enough I will acquire some stories of my own.