Today Julia Child would have been 100 years-old. When I think of her, I think of my mom (Janet). Watching Julia Child’s cooking shows with my mom, was our alone time. Today I toast to both my mom and Julia. Neither of them were known for their blackberry mojitos, but I chose this recipe for 2 reasons; it’s one of the best bevvies I make and blackberries always remind me of my mom. A year before she died, there was a cake contest at my Girl Scout troop. I wanted to bake a chocolate cake. My mom said, “how about we bake a cake that will knock the socks off the judges and anyway, everyone makes chocolate cake.” She sold me on baking a blackberry cake with her. Needless to say, she was right, it was the winner.
Like Julia, my mom was an amazing, fearless baker. Similar to Julia being tall and not being able to find frocks in the land of the french, my mom could hardly find shoes; she wore a size was 11 AAAA. My favorite Julia story is how she would interview EVERYONE in the french kitchens about what kind of meals they prepared at home for their families. It was just as important to her to ask the dishwashers as it was to ask the chefs. Just like Julia, Janet was every inch of pure elegance.
Thanks to my blogger friend Stephanie for the vintage blender cookbook. My mom would have thought you were rad.
Your brothers were totally hipsters before their time.
This is such a great tribute to your mom, and to Julia. I’m sorry for your loss – it sounds like she was a great lady as well as an award-winning cake maker.
Laura- Thank you soo very much. You are such a gem. My mom was a wonderful soul. Some say there are angels that walk the earth; she was definitely one of them. She never had a bad thing to say about anyone and had nothing but love in her heart. She saw only the good and potential of everyone. She would have really, really liked you and admired your positive, giving spirit as well. And she would have been fascinated and intrigued by your cooking and would have loved to have spent a day with you, learning.
Yummy blackberry delight! Lovely piece on mom and Julia. Beautiful story!
Elfuego- Namaste.. XOXO
I’m one of the lucky ones to have tasted these at Chez Sugarcube. They are just amazing on a hot summer night. But please tell me how you got that great blue color on the sugar. Just amazing color and taste.
Gary- I’m so lucky to have you as a neighbor AND a friend. The blue sugar is from Williams & Sonoma. It makes everything more fun!
Beautiful story, Jenny. Thanks for sharing the family photo too, it’s wonderful. I can feel the love with those blackberry mojitos of yours. Your mother was beautiful and she’d be very proud.
June- Thank you from the bottom of my heart. XO
What a cool photo and story.
Your mom sounds like an awesome lady. And those mojitos look delish!!
Rachel- She sure was an angel. Thanks sooo sooo sooo much.
Super cool mojitos! I will definitely do this one this weekend. I love the pic of you and your family on 6th Street??! At first I wasn’t sure if that was your Mom or Julia!
Thanks for always being creative and fun…
Mitzi- Thank you my friend. They sure did resemble. Thanks for all your continued support and encouragement.
So touched by this story, would have loved to meet both of these women, so inspirational. The photos are a sight to see, as usual!
Michelle- I wish my mom could have met you. Thanks a million for your kind words.
I found your writing so touching. Wonderful Janet, thank you for that sweet writing and I will go get some Blackberries!
Sibyl- Thank you sooooooo much! XOXO
Love the story. Have had the mojitos and will say they are the BEST!! Here’s to moms that can cook and raise a family to boot. Hats off to all the women that have raised the bar for us. Happy Birthday Julia.
Michele- Thanks a million. This means sooo much to me.
I love mojitos of every kind. These look great!
Thanks Lori.. Me tooooo! So refreshing in this heat.
Great story Jenny. Again, great way to connect food with a story, and in this case a duesy of a picture. Nothing like the annual family portrait with the Kodak for Easter, circa ’70.
Jim- Thanks sooo much for stopping by. Duesy? I think it’s FAB-U-LOUS!!
Love the story Jenny; CHEERS to your Mum for the blackberry conversion!
Thanks Alexi! XOXO
The turquoise pops magnificently with the pinkish drink. Great images, and great reflection on those 2 lovely ladies.
Cindy, thank you soo sooo sooooo much.
Now that’s a summer cocktail. Yum!
James – I’m right there with ya.. Thanks for stopping by and hope you’re staying cool in Portlandia.
These look fantastic – can’t wait to try them. And I promise to toast to your mother when I make them….sounds like she was not only a good cook but a great mom!
Kika- You and my mom would have been fast friends. Smooches!
You could make a poster out of these pictures! That blue rim is so vibrant. And such a lovely post about your mom!
Snehal- Your such a love. Thanks darling!!
You know i LOVE this one! XOXOXO Great post!
Queenie Bee- Thanks darling. Hope you are keeping cool in NY! You must let me know the next time you’re in LA.
Yay for Moms! Thank you for the touching tribute to two amazing ladies. Cheers to them!
Heather- YES!!! I could’t agree more. Thanks for stopping by.
Dear Jenny, I remember the cake contest at central Christian church when we were in girl scouts, I don’t know if we were in the same troop though, I remember you winning the cake contest, I baked a chocolate cake with white icing, and lost of coarse. So neat reading your story, thank you, your old friend Audra.
Audra- I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear from you. We need to catch up. Much love!
Hey Jenny,
My Dad passed away on the 6th. I know that if I made him one of these he would talk about it to his friends all year long.
Trish- I am soo sorry for your loss. Your dad sounds like a great man with a great sense of humor.
Jenny,
The tribute to Julia, wonderful! I love to watch her also. The picture of the family “priceless” and I’m sure your mom was special since you have become a great person! Really looking forward to trying the mojitos, they sound so refreshing.
Jenn- Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sweet compliment. I think the world of you!
It looks wonderful and incredibly hip! What a gorgeous tribute to both outstanding and inspiring women
Miss Butterfly, thank you and then some!!! xoxo
Great recipe coupled with a great story! I also loved watching Julia Child growing up. Hugs!!
Thank you Ariela.. Big hugs back to you!!
Such an awesome vintage family pic! And I love this recipe as a beautiful dedication to Julia and your mom.
Evelyne- Thanks a million doll!
Lovely story of your Mom – thanks for sharing with us. I’ll hope to sip on a blackberry mojito on my front porch soooon!
Thanks Meenal. I always think of you when I have a mojito! That was an epic birthday party of yours. XOXO
I love the story and the pictures! You’re mom would be very proud of you!!! XOXO
Holly- I’m tearing up, but in a good way. Love you my friend.
Such a great recipe! I love the pictures also. Your mom was a wonderful woman, just like you are now.
Ahhhhhhh! Thank you to the moon and back!
This is the sweetest thing ever! What a tribute to two lovely ladies. And such a sweet treat too.
Thanks Duo Dishes.. That means so much to me.