Do you know the tale of Stone Soup? (watch video)

It’s a fable, I suppose. It is the story of an impoverished community, grown weary and fearful from hard economic times. The members of this community learn a simple recipe, and a lesson about life from a stranger.

The challenging economy we face today really got me thinking about this story and the simple moral it offered. So when the latest FoodBuzz 24, 24, 24 call went out I felt the timing was right. This fable could contain the message of hope we all need in our lives right now.

Our President knows his folklore. He is using language that evokes the lessons we all can learn from this tale. I believe his stimulus package is trying to achieve (on a huge international scale) the very same realignment of values taught in the story of Stone Soup.

It’s a simple lesson. One I wish we did not have to keep relearning. But it boils down to the idea that greed and selfishness is harmful, not just to you, but to your community.

(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.