The weekend is a good time for grazing. This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who wrote them.

Food canning equipment, tool carts, compost bins, growing kits, cider and fruit presses, the Squeezo Strainer, food dehydrators, juicers, smokers, cold frames, greenhouses and so many more innovations contribute to making our lives organized and healthier and to turning our homes and properties into an oasis where the living is good.

All of these things exist because we are creative and because we have a unique ability to adapt to our environment. In truth, foodies, homesteaders and gardeners who write about their experiences are telling the ongoing story of our inventive spirit. On their pages, every tool and appliance is like a paint brush; ready to express a new vision.

You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.

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I wrote about Julia Child earlier this week, in honor of her 100th birthday. Food lovers, chefs, amateur cooks and even gardeners know exactly who this great dame of fine cuisine was. Even those who have never seen her television shows have a precise idea of who we are talking about.

There are timeless pioneers. Their teachings and example remain with us through the ages, as steadfast and immutable as our deepest traditions. For writers, bloggers, gardeners and lovers of the cooking arts, they inspire our explorations and musings, sometimes closely, sometimes from the deep recesses of the sub-conscious mind.

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Earlier this week, I also posted a spur-of-the-moment invitation on our Facebook page asking fellow bloggers to write an article about Julia and promised to include their posts in today’s review. I wish I had posted my invitation directly on this blog since not all of you are on Facebook.

The Sustainable Sweet & Savory Gourmet responded, saying, “I am up for a challenge.” On Wednesday, Julia’s birthday, she offered, Ode’ To Julia… “Bon Appetit,” an unexpected angle as the author’s first encounter with Julia Child occurred when she was a child. Yet this little girl watched and watched repeatedly and felt inspired to try and try, confidently, and with the carefree heart of a child who is not so much concerned with the results as with the joy of replicating, even pretending.

“My earliest memories of Julia Child was on Saturday and Sunday mornings; after cartoons, Solid Gold & Soul Train…’ begins the author. “Channel 9 (PBS) would host a series of cooking shows that included Jacques Pepin, Martin Yan, and of course…Julia Child!… I’d then try to recreate what I saw on TV, producing what my mom called a “stinky mess” in the kitchen… At the age of 8, watching these shows of Julia and friends on PBS gave me a little extra confidence to try something new… “

Reading the author’s perspective brought many thoughts to mind. As adults, do we not sometimes, perhaps often, take recipe books and instructions manuals too seriously? What if we approached more of our daily duties with the spirit of the child who imitates a great chef or a great musician or a great architect? What I mean is that we sometimes fail to get in the spirit of the moment and in the spirit of those who have come before us, our mentors, whoever they may be. It is as though we merely follow instructions, when we could settle in the mood and confidence of the master instead. [Read Ode’ To Julia… “Bon Appetit.”]

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Who else mentioned Julia this week? O Julia, Julia! Wherefore art thou Julia? Ha, yes…

Foodimentary reminds us that August 15, Julia Child’s birthday, is also National Lemon Meringue Pie Day.

And there, smack in the middle of a list of memorable August 15th events and birthdays, “1912 – Julia Child was born. American cooking authority, cookbook author, TV Cooking show host, etc. During World War II, she also worked for the OSS from 1941-1945 (The OSS is the forerunner of the CIA).”

She stands amongst other remarkable legends:  John Torrey (1796), first professional botanist in the New World; Crisco is introduced by Procter & Gamble in 1911; Sgt. Edward Dzuba (1943) receives the Legion of Merit award because of his talent to use food scraps in unusual and appetizing recipes.

People who leave their mark by way of their works and teachings may appear to stand alone, but in fact they are part of a continuum of industry and creative thought, marking history like sudden high notes on a music score. In doing so, they create the spark that ignites our own music and inspires our own accomplishments. Not all of us become famous, but we all make an impression. The only difference between them and those of us who feel “ordinary” by comparison, is that they dare. We need only dare.

[Read National Lemon Meringue Pie Day]

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In my search for this particular review, I checked every single blog we follow for entries dated August 15th. Not everyone has time to write in the middle of the week, but those I did find had an interesting twist.

Made by Mike offers, Beef Bourguignon – Way Back Wednesday. Do not let the title fool you, this tasty little article begins thus, “Today marks Julia Child’s 100th birthday. To celebrate, I’ve gone back in my archives to February 2010 to reintroduce you to the Everyday Food magazine version of her classic Beef Bourguignon. I’ve wanted to make this since seeing Julie & Julia…”

You’ll appreciate the Julia-related resources Mike offers to his readers. This is his thoughtful way of honoring a great and fascinating woman.

[Read Beef Bourguignon – Way Back Wednesday]

Voilà! Happy birthday Julia… until 101!

Also Read: Julia in The Kitchen With a Blowtorch

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Thank you for stopping by to read this Weekend’s Review. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the Blogs you enjoy, if you feel so inclined that is.