Happy Birthday!

05-06.10.2013

Here I am, a Sweet Sixteen once again!  Oh dear, I do believe the numbers got scrambled a little...

 

To celebrate such a special day, we decided to take the entire week-end to do fun things since one day just isn't enough.  I quite like celebrations that last a long time! 

 

Started off with an orchid show at the Abbey de Fontfroide close to Narbonne.  Although there were orchids for show and sale from around the world, the displays had an Asian theme.  We toured segments from Taiwan, Malaysia, Ecuador, Brazil, etc. as well as closer to home from Italy, Switzerland and France.

 

 

 



A grand entrance to the Abbaye de Fontfroide.

Entrance courtyard.

There were also some Bonsai on display.

 This one was very old, and very expensive.

There were orchid-themed "side tables" displaying dishes, jewellery, and special containers for orchids.

This plant is a carnivore and eats insects that come close.  It has a scent that attracts the unsuspecting "lunch".

We just appreciated looking at all the variety of orchids and their vivid colours.

 

Not orchids, but "epiphytes, broméliacées, tillandsias".  These have no roots and hang on to trees, rocks or anything that will provide support.  They survive with the humidity that is absorbed through their leaves.

 

 

A winner that seems to float in the bowl, without an anchor.

Tiny orchids that are perfect in miniature.

 

Hall after hall of these beautiful displays!

 

Unusual and oh, so intricate and beautiful!

The silver medal winner.

If you really look, you'll find my signature hearts everywhere, from lanterns to doors!

 

 



 

 

 

 



After viewing the orchids, we were invited to view the rest of the Abbaye de Fontfroide.

 

 

 

 



 

Whenever I see columns with a bit of a crack, I think of the origin of the word "sincere".  It is commonly believed that the word comes from two Latin words - sine "without" and cera "wax".  Some say that during the Republic of Rome, craftsmen would cover imperfections in the stone with wax, much as modern unscrupulous antique dealers might rub wax to hide a scratch in wood.  When the wax melted, the columns would shift and structures collapse.  The claim that something was sine cera would be an important guarantee.  Today, when we sign a letter Sincerely, we mean that we are being honest and not hiding anything.

 

 



Pomegranate Tree

 



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Karl bought me a beautiful orchid from Italy for my birthday.  It is very tall and I think it's beautiful!

 

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We had heard very good things about the restaurant "En Bonne Compagnie", so we wanted to save it for a special occasion.  Today qualified!

Happy Birthday, my love!

Olives marinated in garlic oil and spices arrived with a basket of bread.  I continued with warm chèvre that was sitting on half a fig and wrapped in filo pastry (a little baked purse) with a side of baby greens.  I'm becoming addicted to goat cheese!

 

The supreme of Guinea fowl with girolle mushrooms and a Marsala sauce.  Shredded lengthwise zucchini and carrot as well as mashed potatoes with black olives.

Karl had the duck slices piled on top of the olive potatoes, with carrots and zucchini on the side.  Wonderful sauce which invited a dip of the bread...

 

 A gratinée with lemon and lime and a splash of vodka that really cleansed the palate.

I had the peach crumble with crème anglaise served on the side.  The crumble had a sparkly candle in the middle and the owners, Craig Charlesworth and Valerie Fisk, delivered the desserts while singing "Joyeux Anniversaire".  A surprise and such fun!

 

 Karl had the banana soufflé and they poured a generous helping of crème anglaise in the centre.

Craig Charlesworth, the chef, worked in two Michelin-starred restaurants in London, aboard the Queen Elizabeth II, as well as other prominent addresses.  His experience was definitely on display tonight!  What an exquisite and delicious dinner for my special celebration.

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Sunday morning, official birth day, saw us attending Mass at St. Vincent.  I was asked to do the second reading and thought - why not!  So I read "Lecture de la 2e lettre de St. Paul, apôtre, à Timothée (1, 6-14)".  Of course that meant that the entire congregation knew I was Canadian, so when Karl and I left the church, one of the Council members was waiting with his camera.  In his mind, being Canadian is akin to being a movie star!  We had a great little chat with him, his wife and a few parishioners.

We stopped at the rotisserie truck a couple of blocks away and bought a chicken and roasted potatoes so I wouldn't have to cook.  "Meals on wheels"!

The rest of the day was spent reading all the emails and e-greetings that came from family and friends halfway around the world.  How absolutely delightful!  Thank you so much for making my day incredibly special.

The icing on the cake was settling in front of the TV and watching the 4th episode of Downton Abbey, coming through our British satellite. The series will only start in January in Canada.  I'll not accept bribes to spill the beans on the plot lines - my lips are sealed.

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