Bon Apetit!

I heart Julia Childs - I mean, really, how can you not? The woman exudes this contagious, bubbly, effervescence and speaks in a high pitched tone that you can't resist trying to imitate when she exclaims BonJour or Bon Apetit! One evening last summer, I forced Joe to watch Julie and Julia with me and to my surprise, he really enjoyed it - blogging, cooking, food - what's not to love?! Ever since then we have both been wanting to try to make Julia's Boeuf Bourginon. This past weekend, we finally got around to it! Now, I love spending time with Joe, no matter what we are doing, but I have to say, spending time creating something together in the kitchen to share with some of our dearest friends ranks pretty darn high on my list. Don't tell him I said this, but I think Joe is kind of adorable in the kitchen :). The way he plots and plans and problem solves and steals a few sweet kisses every now and then - it all just makes me melt. I have to say, I think the true reason that the Boeuf was extra tasty was because we added our secret ingredient - a whole lot of LOVE!

Ingredients for the Boeuf - 12 oz of bacon, 4 lbs. of organic, grass fed stewing beef, more pearl onions than a single person should ever peel by hand, flour, more onions, carrots, garlic, mushrooms, parsley, beef stock and a bottle (yes a bottle) of wine.

Patting the beef dry so that it will brown -we heard you Julia!

mmmmmm Bacon.

so, so, so, so many Pearl Onions- adorable but pesky little buggers.

mmmmm....Beef browned in bacon fat.

mmmm...Beef braising in a bottle of wine.

Mushrooms and pearl onions post butter bath.

et Voila! Le Boeuf.

Joe and Julia...I mean Lindsey :)

Laura showin' off her pearls :)

Kat getting to work on her candle napkins :)

A few of my favorites :)

Post dinner games :).
I simply love sharing meals with these people.