The Barefoot Contessa
Have you ever been told you look like someone else? Someone famous?
Recently several people have told me that I remind them of the Barefoot Contessa. Wow, I’m flattered!
Don’t you love the way she lays down on that mat while being worshiped for her face and fame? Yep. That’s me in a nutshell.
Then yesterday I got a comment from a new reader Jennifer. She said, “And in my head your voice sounds like Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, which makes your blog all soothing and calm all the time. ”
Ina Garten? Who’s that? I’ve never heard of her. She should be on Dancing with the Stars…then I’d know who she is. Like Apolo Ohno. I never knew him, now I love him.
I decided I needed to see what this Barefoot Contessa is all about. So I YouTubed her.
OK, so maybe that is the Barefoot Contessa everyone is saying I remind them of. Bummer. I wanted to be a Spanish Cafe Dancer on a millionaire’s yacht.
But you know what? Ina Garten DID kind of remind me of myself. Except the cooking part. No one will be calling me to create cooking products.
But I am very soft spoken and calm. Her movements were a lot like mine, which was weird to watch.
Also, she was very opinionated about her cookie crunchiness. I, too, have strong food opinions. Take the chocolate chip cookie, for example. There must be the perfect ratio of chocolate to cookie. And no nuts. Absolutely no nuts.
Another thing I liked about this woman is how she kept correcting that skinny, under-informed woman that was interviewing her. I would do exactly the same thing.
She was a little cheerier than I am. I’m mellow. I’m not overly smiley. I’m cheerful, just not peppy. I have a friend that tells me I need to smile more when I am public speaking. Add to that my extreme sarcasm and sometimes it’s hard to tell if I’m kidding.
Even my own husband can’t always tell when I’m kidding. “Hon, did you make that important phone call I asked you to make?” I look at him with shock, “Oh shoot! I completely forgot!” Then he gets all upset for about 5 seconds before he realizes I am joking. Oh, I do enjoy messing with his head.
So, of course like any good homeschool mom, I will spend today showing the children videos of the Barefoot Contessa and asking them if she reminds them of me. Maybe if I let them watch a whole episode I can say it’s homemaking and call it a day.
Or maybe I should YouTube myself and let you all decide.
I watched the videos and as your sister, I have to tell the everyone who imagines that you are like the Barefoot Contessa that I can’t see it at all. You don’t really use your hands when you talk like she does and you don’t I don’t see the same mannerisms at all. If someone wants a better picture of you, they need to watch this You Tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqmdXr6s1Ec&feature=related
While I’m laughing at what Jenni said, I TOTALLY see you in the Barefoot Contessa clip. Sorry. You DO talk with your hands just.like.that. ::smile::
Of course, you are SO much thinner. And more gorgeous. Probably WAY more talented, too. Does that make me nicer than Jenni? ::cheezy grin::
I agree Lisa, clearly my little sister still sees me as I was in 1977.
And you definitely win the nice prize. LOL! Lisa~
Leave it to me to burst your bubble!
Yes Jennifer….you ruined my dream. LOL!
Really, I thought it was so funny when you said that. A bunch of people have told me the same thing. You were right, there are similarities. Even my kids thought so. 🙂 Lisa~
I love the barefoot contessa….watch her show most afternoons on food network
I like your line of thinking with the homeschooling and the youtube. Remember-EVERYTHING is school :).
Not only do you look like her, but you write like she talks. I thought that since the first day I started reading your blog — which I thorougly enjoy.
I was puzzled when I saw the first video – then I got it. 🙂
From the day I first visited your blog I’ve thought you look like Ina Garten! She always has the nicest smile and she has the sweetest disposition. Oh and how I love to cook her recipes all the time! She has very good taste and I know you would *love* the style of her Hampton’s house. (Do Texas folks know what the Hamptons are? Or is that a regional thing?)
Yes, i would say skinny, underinformed and annoying reporter…
I found it amazing that her picture was a LOT like your picture. she was resting her chin on her hand, you were resting your cheek/chin on your hand. Now, honey , you just order up some of those boxes of amazing cookies…and well you know the rest of the story. Merry Christmas!!
Okay, I am late in joining this discussion because we could not get the videos to load until now. As the clip of Ina Garten began, my youngest ran toward the computer and shouted, “Wow! Is that Mrs. Pennington?” 🙂 Sorry Jenni.
At first I was thinking “Does she mean Ava or Ina?” 🙂 Wouldn’t we all love to be Ava. But yes, I do see the Ina resemblence. I was introduced to hercooking a few years ago by my cousin Tara who just LOVES her. Last July when I went for a visit she made me white truffle pasta and her raspberry cake which truthfully I still dream about. You can find her cookbooks at the library and of course at places like TJ Maxx. If you really look at her photographs she is exquisitely lovely. Lucky you. I like that she cooks for real people.
Hey! So I read this a while back but thought of you tonight and needed to come over and comment. This post cracks me up. And you do remind me of her. Or she of you. Either way…you’re wonderful, cheery or not! 🙂 shaunna (oh….and that mall video was pret.ty. cool.)