Katharine: wine-tasting of reds from around the world

Michel duPF took us through the wine-tasting of reds representing an eclectic range of countries:
Morocco, Hungary, Portugal, USA (Oregon), Italy, Spain, and one from the Pic St Loup, Languedoc, just to remind us of where we live.  Caroline served a wonderful dinner of charcuterie with roasted asparagus, aubergines and red peppers accompanied by salad;  followed by a casserole of chicken in cream and aneth sauce; and finishing with orange spice cake, strawberries in port, and an almond tart.  A luscious evening of food and wine - thank you to Caroline and Michel for hosting us, and for everyone who participated and brought such interesting and provocative wines and delicious food to share.(Editor:  photos from Katharine and Caroline).

Leslie participated in the tasting this time, rather than leading it - but gave us background on the wines served.

Katharine, Patricia and Michel

Phil, Melissa, Michel, Leslie, Alexi

Alexi

Phil, Michel, Melissa and Caroline

Michel, Caroline and Elizabeth

Alexi, Katharine, Patricia

Elysa and Philip

Katharine: Shards of Light (a FOAL event)

FOAL's BookChat group presented an evening of prose, poetry and music at MLK in April.  The event was created and directed by Philippe Marchand of FOAL. 

Caroline, Martine, Christine and Art of BookChat

Members of Ochoeur (Elizabeth, Jon, Nigel, Anne and Brenda)  relax before the performance

Katharine J and Patricia K

Sunshine, Sue Ru, Dalene, Peggy F

Philip presenting Philip Larkin's poem, This be the Verse.  Katharine and Caroline look on

Ochoeur - If music be the Food of Love.

 

Art as a trial lawyer, asking questions.  The audience looks on, and Evie sleeps on Mary's foot.

Patricia, the Greek Chorus, flanked by Philip, Katharine, Caroline, Christine, Art, Katharine, Martine and Edwin

Kim: FAWCO Gold Medallion awarded to AWGLanguedoc Roussillon

AWG should be proud!
We have just been awarded a FAWCO Gold Medallion in recognition for our acheivements in the Target Program.

Maggie: Garden & Eat at Les Pépinières Ruiz in St. Aunes

Think garden, think plants, and Les Pépinières Ruiz in St. Aunes is definitely the place to find plants.  Some of the gardeners didn't even notice that there was another vast lot full of gorgeous plants out back of the greenhouse where we spent most of our time admiring and purchasing herbs and beautiful flowering plants.  I don't think anyone else noticed the third plant area at the far side of the car park.  Several of us plan to go back to purchase more plants.  The photos are worth a thousand words - and thank you to the passengers who allowed me to stop back at the Pépinières after lunch to take the photos.

Think garden, think food.  Lunch at the restaurant Le Patio in Mauguio was an extravaganza as well, although it wasn't warm or sunny enough for us to eat outside on the patio.  We very much appreciated the roaring fire in the dining room.  The "buffet d'entrées" was so varied, copious and delicious that most of us didn't even need a main course.  The desserts were delicious as well.

 

After lunch we tried to visit the plant exhibit at the Médiathèque, but it didn't open until 15h, so we had to content ourselves with a look at Les Lavoirs.  We wondered if some of the plants chez Ruiz had been forced into an early "floraison," but the beautiful peonies and other flowers in Mauguio put the lie to that idea.

Sue Ri, Anne and Peggy

 Sorry more members weren't able to attend the outing, but I personally am very glad that it was postponed from the originally scheduled date in early March.

Kim: Message from Paula Lucas

We Need Life Saving Minutes For Moms!

..a generous donor has already pledged a $1,000 match!

Every $1 raised gives an abused American mother in crisis overseas 1 minute on the international toll free domestic violence crisis line 866-USWOMEN with an advocate or case manager - minutes that save lives!

Your donations are more important than ever. The Violence Against Women Act, VAWA, the critical legislation that assists domestic violence organizations omits Americans overseas. Now, with the federal government sequester, the future of AODVC is uncertain beyond 2013.

We are holding Social Gathering Fundraisers around the world on Saturday, May 11th, the day before Mother's Day, to raise Minutes for Moms!

Please click here for more information on how you can participate: Minutes for Moms

Not able to hold an event but still want to help? Go to www.866uswomen.org to make a donation. 100% of all funds raised go to pay the toll charges on the international crisis line.

 

 

Katharine: Cancer Support Languedoc concert on 27 April 2013

 From Purcell to Pop


Un concert par Ochoeur, musique classique et populaire, au bénéfice de
l’Association Cancer Support France Languedoc
A concert by Ochoeur to raise funds on behalf of Cancer Support France Languedoc
La Croix Belle, Puissalicon
27 avril/18:15h 27 April/6.15pm
SPECIAL GUESTS
La Ligue Contre la Cancer
Entrée 20 euros par personne
Avec repas –
paella ou plat végétarien,
un verre de vin, dessert et café
Réservation à l’avance:
karencpowell29@gmail.com
TÉLÉPHONE: 04 67 89 46 51
Tickets 20 euros per person
Includes paella (vegetarian/dairy-free option
available on request),
a glass of wine, fruit and coffee
Advanced booking is essential:
karencpowell29@gmail.com
TELEPHONE: 04 67 89 46 51





Editor:  the winery, La Croix Belle, is in Puissalicon,  an easy exit off the A-9, and the winery is right there.   Here's a link to GoogleMaps' Directions:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200782322345250192389.00048ebadab8cd95ceee9