I was lucky to see Judith Jones speak at the old Rabelais bookstore in Portland, Maine when her memoir, The Tenth Muse, came out. I was in my 20s at the time, and I remember her saying, "So many recipes call for a lot of fresh herbs and that's nonsense, they're too expensive for young people! You can use dried." And that small comment felt very freeing as a young person who could not afford to buy a pile of fresh herbs at my NYC grocery store in February.
Judith Jones also pulled The Diary of Anne Frank out of the rejection pile - what an impact she had on our world.
not me crying at work over Phoebe graduating! First discovered DALS right as I was leaving college and entering the world myself, and to think that Phoebe is the same age I was as I splattered my DALS cookbook with oil in my first attempt at crispy chicken cutlets... nope, I refuse to believe that time is passing! But as someone who feels like they grew up under your watching eyes and guiding hand, Jenny, I know Phoebe is going to do amazing things with you and Andy behind her. <3
Congrats to your daughter and her loving family! "look at her, look at us, and all we’ve been able to give her..." Tears...but what we all hope for as parents, right?
Absolutely loved The Editor...binged it last week - and then was sad when it was over. Immediately bought copies for my mom and MIL so we discuss.
I never read it -- but in this book, the biographer says that Jones, a naturally private person, wasn't forthcoming with many personal details of her struggles (her marriage was not always perfect, she could never have children, she had endometriosis, and later in her life breast cancer) and got not-so-great reviews because of that. The funniest was Judith's reaction to those reviews -- something like, "I expected that, but not everyone has to know everything!" Very amusing for a legendary book editor who clearly understands what makes a book great, and to not "go there" anyway! I am, however, very intrigued by the follow up she wrote after her husband died, called "The Pleasures of Cooking for One" which was supposedly much more personal even though it was mostly about food.
The Pleasures of Cooking for One is fantastic - it really taught me how to manage a kitchen and think about meals ahead. A great read even if you are cooking for a crowd. Don't let the organ meat section put you off, there are lots of other great recipes to try.
The Editor was great too, I was sad when it ended and impressed with her life and work - a tribute to what a woman can do if she believes in herself. So interesting she rarely asked for a raise and was hesitant about doing so - it made me a little mad on her behalf.
Congratulations on your daughter's graduation! We're just back from celebrating our oldest son's in New Orleans. It was 99% sweet, though I admit to feeling pangs that neither of my parents are still here to celebrate this milestone. Grateful for all the great NOLA food recs in the comments here on DALS!
I absolutely devoured the Judith Jones biography! What an amazing career and life. I went back to search archive essays she had written for Saveur needing more Judith!
Congrats to Phoebe and her family! Hopefully she'll continue drawing comics as she figures out what comes next-she's so talented and I really enjoy her Instagram.
Congratulations on Phoebe's graduation! It's always such an awesome occasion.
My first encounter with Judith Jones was actually in a chapter of Christmas memories and recipes that came out in the very late 1980s. And the story was written by her husband, detailing Christmas in Vermont. Since then, I would occasionally encounter an article about her in various magazines and I thought she was a fascinating person.
Getting back to Phoebe, it's also pretty cool to enjoy your kids as they get older too. Sometimes they even listen to you more!🐱
Congrats to your daughter! Those college years fly by, but you'll all love this next chapter too.
What type of salmon do you recommend? I'm never quite sure what to buy...also curious if you would recommend using mail order for frozen salmon. Thanks!
I live in Canada where we don’t have Trader Joe’s, and we get golden berries in regular grocery stores and farmers markets here! Usually in the late summer / early fall, if I’m remembering correctly. You could also sub cape gooseberries (sometimes just called gooseberries) which are a little bit bigger and a bit more tart, but a similar texture and flavour!
I was lucky to see Judith Jones speak at the old Rabelais bookstore in Portland, Maine when her memoir, The Tenth Muse, came out. I was in my 20s at the time, and I remember her saying, "So many recipes call for a lot of fresh herbs and that's nonsense, they're too expensive for young people! You can use dried." And that small comment felt very freeing as a young person who could not afford to buy a pile of fresh herbs at my NYC grocery store in February.
Judith Jones also pulled The Diary of Anne Frank out of the rejection pile - what an impact she had on our world.
That sounds like an incredible experience, thanks for sharing!
not me crying at work over Phoebe graduating! First discovered DALS right as I was leaving college and entering the world myself, and to think that Phoebe is the same age I was as I splattered my DALS cookbook with oil in my first attempt at crispy chicken cutlets... nope, I refuse to believe that time is passing! But as someone who feels like they grew up under your watching eyes and guiding hand, Jenny, I know Phoebe is going to do amazing things with you and Andy behind her. <3
Congrats to your daughter and her loving family! "look at her, look at us, and all we’ve been able to give her..." Tears...but what we all hope for as parents, right?
Absolutely loved The Editor...binged it last week - and then was sad when it was over. Immediately bought copies for my mom and MIL so we discuss.
Congratulations to all on your daughter's graduation!
I hope you enjoy the next stage of parenting as much as I do. Watching my 20-something my daughters make their way in the world is incredible.
Thank you! From your lips to God's ears...
I read & loved Judith Jones’s memoir so I didn’t think I needed to read this bio … but maybe now I will!
I never read it -- but in this book, the biographer says that Jones, a naturally private person, wasn't forthcoming with many personal details of her struggles (her marriage was not always perfect, she could never have children, she had endometriosis, and later in her life breast cancer) and got not-so-great reviews because of that. The funniest was Judith's reaction to those reviews -- something like, "I expected that, but not everyone has to know everything!" Very amusing for a legendary book editor who clearly understands what makes a book great, and to not "go there" anyway! I am, however, very intrigued by the follow up she wrote after her husband died, called "The Pleasures of Cooking for One" which was supposedly much more personal even though it was mostly about food.
The Pleasures of Cooking for One is fantastic - it really taught me how to manage a kitchen and think about meals ahead. A great read even if you are cooking for a crowd. Don't let the organ meat section put you off, there are lots of other great recipes to try.
The Editor was great too, I was sad when it ended and impressed with her life and work - a tribute to what a woman can do if she believes in herself. So interesting she rarely asked for a raise and was hesitant about doing so - it made me a little mad on her behalf.
Congratulations on your daughter's graduation! We're just back from celebrating our oldest son's in New Orleans. It was 99% sweet, though I admit to feeling pangs that neither of my parents are still here to celebrate this milestone. Grateful for all the great NOLA food recs in the comments here on DALS!
I hadn't heard of Judith Jones but loved Anne Helen Peterson's interview with the author (here on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/annehelen/p/an-extraordinary-intergenerational?r=1vp5l&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Congrats on graduation!
I absolutely devoured the Judith Jones biography! What an amazing career and life. I went back to search archive essays she had written for Saveur needing more Judith!
Congrats to Phoebe and her family! Hopefully she'll continue drawing comics as she figures out what comes next-she's so talented and I really enjoy her Instagram.
Thank you, and thank you for following her :)
I discovered Judith Jones (or the idea of her) in the wonderful show “Julia”, I can’t wait to read The Editor. Thanks for the recommendation!
Congratulations on Phoebe's graduation! It's always such an awesome occasion.
My first encounter with Judith Jones was actually in a chapter of Christmas memories and recipes that came out in the very late 1980s. And the story was written by her husband, detailing Christmas in Vermont. Since then, I would occasionally encounter an article about her in various magazines and I thought she was a fascinating person.
Getting back to Phoebe, it's also pretty cool to enjoy your kids as they get older too. Sometimes they even listen to you more!🐱
Congratulations!!!
Just pre-ordered your cookbook. Thanks for all you do!
Congrats to your daughter! Those college years fly by, but you'll all love this next chapter too.
What type of salmon do you recommend? I'm never quite sure what to buy...also curious if you would recommend using mail order for frozen salmon. Thanks!
As a Brit, I'm intrigued as to what the tea sandwiches are?!?
a few cucumber sandwiches as well as a smoked salmon-herb butter one
Ah! Thanks for replying so quickly. A sandwich is for many occasions, not just for tea but glad to see they're represented.
Nice
What are the little yellow berries in the salad?
"golden berries" procured at Trader Joe's
No TJ near me. Oh well. Thanks though.
they are not crucial to the salad, you can use regular yellow cherry tomatoes once they start popping up at the market, or just omit altogether
I live in Canada where we don’t have Trader Joe’s, and we get golden berries in regular grocery stores and farmers markets here! Usually in the late summer / early fall, if I’m remembering correctly. You could also sub cape gooseberries (sometimes just called gooseberries) which are a little bit bigger and a bit more tart, but a similar texture and flavour!