• Home
  • About
    • Meet Kristin
  • The Book
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Turquoise Table Stories
    • Recipe Collection
    • 5-Day Meet Your Neighbors Challenge
    • Conversations
  • Spiritual Direction
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • About
    • Meet Kristin
    • Meet the Team
  • Start Here
  • Join the Community
  • Register Your Table
  • The Book
  • Podcast
  • Blog
    • Turquoise Table Stories
    • Suppers for Sharing
    • Recipes
    • Conversations
  • Media
  • Speaking
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

The Turquoise Table

Kristin Schell

  • Start Here
  • Register Your Table
  • The Community

in Uncategorized

Market Monday: Babette’s Feast

 

I spent the weekend convalescing after a minor out-patient procedure on Friday. Since the doctor performing the deed was the one who first held each of my newborn Littles I needn’t explain to him that ‘take it easy and rest this weekend’ might not go off as smoothly as he directed.

I did my best. Secretly knowing that neither my doctor nor my mother would approve of my definition of ‘rest’.

One of the most extravagant indulgences of the weekend was the hour and a half I laid in bed watching Babette’s Feast. It’s been ages since I’ve seem the film, but when asked I always include it on my list of favorite movies.

 

With the Oscar’s fresh on our minds from last night, it’s worth remembering the Academy bestowed the honor of Best Foreign Film (Denmark) to Babette’s Feast in 1988. From the IMBd website a synopsis of the film:

This delicately told and moving story about the two devout daughters of a Danish Lutheran minister and their French servant is one of the finest European films of the 1980s. Set in a small, remote, austere Danish seaside town in the mid-19th century, the daughters devote their lives to continuing the work of their father in service of God, and in care for their needy townspeople. One of the daughters had turned down a promising opera career — and the love of her French voice coach (a famous opera singer himself) — to remain with her father and the town. Many years later the French singer sends a woman (Babette) — who had lost her family in an outbreak of civil war — to live with the sisters. She turns out to be an excellent cook, housekeeper and a shrewd shopper. The story culminates in a sumptuous feast prepared by Babette coinciding with a memorial to the reverend minister’s 100th birthday. This delicious screenplay was adapted from the Isak Denisson (pen name for Karen Blixen) short story originally published in the Ladies Home Journal.

The film was just what I needed. The pace is slow and reflective. If you are a fan of Merchant Ivory films you will enjoy the sensory journey of Babette’s Feast. The subtle comedy and strong messages ring clear for such a quiet film. It also made me want to rent Waking Ned Divine again…another brilliant foreign film if you find yourself convalescing, or just in need of a cheap European get-away.

 

I also re-read The China Study this weekend. Ouch. It was just as shocking the second time.  I’m still processing Dr. Campbell’s claims, but so wish I could flip a switch to transition to a plant-based, whole foods diet. Where’s that easy button?

Have y’all seen Babette’s Feast? Or read The China Study? Or am I alone on this island? 😉

Love,

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Academy Awards, Babette's Feast, Best Foreign Film, film, food, movies, Oscars, The China Study

« Market Monday: Betelnut in San Francisco
Forks over Knives »

Comments

  1. Maggie Tate says

    at

    Oh, say it isn’t so! I am interested in the book, but in reading the excerpt on it’s website, I am disappointed to learn that wheat and soy protien are good, since I am allergic to both! I do agree I need to eat a plant based diet though it’s hard to do in my household. How did you find the book?

  2. Kristen C. says

    at

    Interesting timing as I just heard of this book a month ago and have been slowly working my way through it. The “easy” switch would be nice in this instance, but it’s definitely motivated me even more to increase the plant based foods and decrease animal products. Planning to try your granola bar recipe this week with the girls. Hope you’re feeling well! 🙂

Meet Kristin

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here.

I'm on a mission to love my neighbors. I put an ordinary picnic table in my front yard, painted it turquoise and invited neighbors, friends, and even strangers to hang out and do life together at the Turquoise Table®.

I hope you'll join us!

About Kristin

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

The Book

Buy Now

The Podcast

The Turquoise Table Podcast with Kristin Schell

Listen Now

Join the Movement

  • Start Here
  • Join the Community
  • Register Your Table
  • Your Tables

Subscribe for Updates

Quick Links

  • Media
  • Contact
82 years young! Happy Birthday Mia- we love you so 82 years young! Happy Birthday Mia- we love you so much! 😍🎉🎂🥳
My people. 🫶 My people. 🫶
Celebrating Sarah! Our final HP graduation 👨🏻‍🎓 👩🏻‍🎓👩‍🎓 👩🏻‍🎓We love you SBS!
Hook ‘em Ellie! We’re so proud of you, our lif Hook ‘em Ellie! We’re so proud of you, our lifelong Longhorn! Congrats on graduation —we love you so much and are so very proud of you! 🧡🤘🏽🧡
Final kindergarten chapel to final senior year cha Final kindergarten chapel to final senior year chapel. So grateful for St Matthew’s and Hyde Park for loving and raising up our four. If you need me I’m the mama crying buckets for the entire month of May as we celebrate two milestone graduations.
This lil nugget is 18! Oh Sarah how we love you! H This lil nugget is 18! Oh Sarah how we love you! Happy Birthday baby girl 💕🎂🥳🎁🎉
Follow on Instagram

Copyright ©2005-2023 Kristin Schell · Site by Erin Ulrich Creative