(watch video) My second winner really dropped a bombshell on me. It comes from a man named Jonathan who lives in Niles, Illinois. Jonathan is not a blogger. He is a food lover (of sorts). He is a food lover with a very particular passion. That passion is Julia Child.

He “collects” information, books, letters, photos. Whatever he can get his hands on about the iconic chef. He regularly surfs the web for any little tidbits he can find out about her. I knew there were Elvis fans, and plenty of the Marilyn Monroe maniacs. But Julia Child? Who knew?

Anyway, in trawling for Julia Child mentions he discovered SippitySup.

I recently wrote about my mother. I passed along my memories of how Julia Child really influenced my mother, and therefore, was an important part of my childhood.

Since it is February, and I am doing re-runs. I thought it was a good time to remember my mother. She was born, got married, conceived me, and even passed away in the month of February.

The 1970’s were when my own awareness of food began to develop. My mother was a fantastic cook. She probably learned most of her skills during this same period and I’d bet that Julia Child, Simone Beck and the whole “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” craze were her primary sources of inspiration.

While other kids were scarfing down “Tuna Twist”, “Mug-O-Lunch” and “Shake-A-Puddin”, my mom was serving us Bouillabaisse, Duck a la Orange, Mousse de Foies de Volaille. She even taught my little brother and me how to make perfect little crepes so that she could have 2 or 3 pans going at once for her famous dinner parties!

I recall bringing celeriac roumalade to school in my lunch box. I knew the difference between a béarnaise and a hollandaise. We did not eat meat cooked beyond medium rare (even pork). Ever! So in many ways, you see, these are my comfort foods.

Yesterday I mentioned that I was not a huge kale fan. That’s not a crime. I am soooo glad to hear there are sooo many wonderful qualities to kale. I am soooo glad to hear sooo many of those uses from sooo many chatty people out there. To set the record straight, I did not say kale was the scourge of the planet. I merely said it had a certain “raw greeny-ness” that makes my teeth squeak when I eat it. No I don’t wear dentures, and I wouldn’t tell you if I did.

Please give me some credit for taking a veggie I merely feel lukewarm about and building (what I believe) to be a terrific soup around it. This shows “tolerance” on my part. It requires a certain “pioneer spirit” and proves once and for all that I am “fair and balanced”. Notice I am quoting from several of you jokers out there! Besides. I am a bit proud of what I came up with.

I devised a White Bean and Red Kale Soup with Italian Sausage. Now I admit I used some rather “rudimentary“ soup making techniques. I did not bust down any walls in making this soup. But, it is my own making. Still, that doesn’t mean I did not have certain gastronomic inspirations when I set forth my culinary ambitions on that pretty red kale. 

So it’s barely a week past thanksgiving, you'd think I’d want to turn off the stove, curl up with a good book and sit by the fire. But you’d be wrong, or at least part wrong.

Now I may live in Los Angeles, and you’ve probably bought into that ridiculous rumor…something about California having no distinct seasons. But you’d be wrong.

The holidays also make me want to see friends and family! That means more cooking. And I mean cooking December style!

It may not snow here (at least at sea level). But winter in Southern California can be bright and crisp and cool: and full of inspiration for a good meal.  I crave something warm and hearty, yet healthy and flavorful. 

What better time than now than to introduce what I am going to call Sippity Suppers!