Robyn: Gustav Klimt at Carrieres des Lumieres

A perfect autumn day in the south of France - St Remy de Provence

Anne treated Sue Rouault and myself to a day which I would put in the category of lifetime ‘gems’.

When wanting to come to France I was looking for amazing experiences to share with friends. What an understatement on both counts.



 

From the perfect weather, to the gold and rust tree lined drive, to discover Anne’s favourite chocolate shop...think violet, fresh mint, cardoman, thyme, bitter arbutus honey (26 flavours in all) encased in exquisite dark chocolate, to a surprise stop at the Clinique Van Gogh 





and then to the ‘piece de resistance’ the Quarry Light Show- Carrieres de Lumieres.



The quarry situated just behind the hill near the Van Gogh Clinic, is an experience that I found difficult to put into words.
The brochure reads “ Une Immersion extraordinaire”

A seasonal event this one runs to the 4th January. Titled “Klimt and Vienna. A century of gold and colours”

Projected onto the immense walls, the pillars and the ground of the quarry, presents the bright, colourful works of Gustav Klimt, his contemporaries and the artists he inspired.
This all set to the resounding music of Viennese waltzes and music from the time.

2015 season will be featuring Michael Angelo and his contemporaries.

Admission is a mere 10 euros. 

Matt, the cartoonist of the Daily Telegrah: women bishops

Daily Telegraph, Wednesday November 19, 2014

 

Thanksgiving celebration 2014 - with the punch recipe at the end

Peggy and Sylvia

Photo credits:  Peggy F, Sylvia and Jessica

Many thanks to Peggy, Sylvia and Jessica for capturing so many happy faces from this wonderful celebration.  Sorry that some wonderful shots do not appear - we are not able to post photos of children. 

A beautiful Fall day for AWG's annual celebration of Thanksgiving.  We have much to give thanks for:

Mary-Catherine and Robin C - on clean-up

A big thank you to everyone who came and brought delicious dishes to accompany our traditional turkey.  And of course for all the set-up (beautiful tables) and to those who cleaned up - a very big thank you.







And please put your hands together for Cerese, who did all the work in managing the event with her customary flair and aplomb - thank you from everyone, Cerese.  It is a lot of hard work.

Cerese

A big thank you to Sylvia, who, as a resident of Castries, arranged once again for us to use this wonderful venue for our lunch.




Thank you also to the Garden Group, who made the Thanksgiving decor at a session at Pam's.  And to Maggie, for putting together spectacular raffle baskets and gifts.  Funds raised go to FAWCO. 

Denise and Robyn prep the aperitif outside

Sue, Jan and Bruno

Peggy and Robin Joye

Susan R, Linda, Maquita and Julie

Mary-Catherine and Michel

Rachel and Sara and friends

The delicate task of turkey carving

Pastor John - Robin's husband

Christophe and Linda

President Jessica and VP Cerese, and Maggie in the background

Elegant tables ......

.... beautifully decorated

Desserts - an AWG specialty

It's raffle time - Christophe and Maggie

Rosie and one of the Thanksgiving baskets

Jan wears a fabulous raffle prize - a Patagonia jacket - the perfect colour for her

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE IN AWG

A message from our dedicated FAWCO Rep, Maggie:

There is a beautiful photo of raffle prizes in the album PegF sent around.  Could you add that photo to the ones on Scriveners?  And perhaps one with FAWCO books (and Linda)?  I particularly appreciate the photo of Jan wearing the Patagonia fleece, since it was a very generous donation by the Patagonia shop in Montpellier.  The retail price is 100 euros.  And I am SO glad it was Jan who won it.

Jessica has sent through the following pictures:

Noel and Rachel

Julie, Jan and Peggy F

Chris and Susan

Jan and Gretchen

Anne

Ron and Maquita

Jean-Phi and Noel

Jessica and Cerese - singing from the same hymn sheet

                                                                        #####

And here, from Denise, and by popular demand, is the Thanksgiving punch recipe:

Editor's note:  if you would like to print this recipe, send an email to:  awg.scriveners@gmail.com

© Petrina Tinslay Rosé Sangria with Cranberries and Apples Contributed by Jose Garces ACTIVE: 20 MIN TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 30 MIN Plus overnight macerating SERVINGS: 12 MAKE-AHEAD This strong but not overly sweet sangria is nicely spiced with cinnamon, anise and cloves and it has just enough crushed red pepper to give it a tiny kick.  More Sangria Recipes Related Recipes Apples Cranberries More ∨ 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 large cinnamon stick 4 allspice berries 3 whole cloves 1 star anise pod 2 cups cranberries 2 Granny Smith apples, diced One 750-milliliter bottle Spanish rosé 1/3 cup ruby port 1/3 cup Cointreau 1/3 cup cranberry juice Ice cubes, for serving In a saucepan, mix the water, sugar, crushed red pepper, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and star anise. Simmer the syrup over moderately low heat for 15 minutes. Strain into a bowl and add the cranberries and apples. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Strain the fruit, reserving the spiced syrup. In a large pitcher, mix the rosé with the port, Cointreau, cranberry juice, fruit and 3/4 cup of the spiced syrup. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Serve over ice. Make Ahead The sangria can be refrigerated for up to 6 hours. From A Chef’s All-American Thanksgiving, The Best Sangria Recipes Published November 2008 Denise notes:  this is the "official" recipe, which I then modifed to take into account the ingredients I could find and my personal taste.  I made the sirup as described, but did not macerate any fruit in it.  I used a French rose wine, tawny port, Triple Sec in place of the Cointreau and rather more cranberry juice as well as some apple juice to replace the apples.  If I were to make it again, I'd make it a little bit less sweet.