Music Night at the Villa

Every Wednesday night I am invited to "Music Night" with a wonderful group of friends. Every week, I leave with a belly full of amazing food, a head buzzing with interesting conversation (and A LOT of great wine). Last week, "Music Night" was held at my friend Cathy Dorris' house in Talent, Oregon. Cathy and her husbands' lifelong love of traveling it is reflected in almost every inch of their home. Always a good sport, Cathy had no idea I'd be snapping pictures of her home that night but allowed me to explore anyway.

Dinner at the Dorris' feels like you've traveled across the world. Reflections of Europe and Central America can be seen in almost all artwork and fixtures. Not only is the home beautifully decorated, but also efficient. Cathy's husband, Gary Dorris, is a contractor who specializes in green building and "net zero" homes.

Last year, several folks from this group decided to make their own wine. They rented land from a local vineyard and planted, cared for, and harvested the grapes. Their "Cave Aux Vins" (bottom left) holds their barrels of wine and an elaborate process for aging and bottling. Once, I was even able to create my own blend from their different grapes.

After a filling dinner of hearty winter stew with delicious root vegetables and savory meat, Cathy gave me a quick peek into her studio and a few projects she's been working on.

After that instruments were tuned and the cups were filled with Bailey's, the music began.
I think one reason I particularly love "Music Night" is because I see this group of people, who are extremely busy with their lives, take the time to cultivate friendships. They are busy nurses, attorneys, musicians, artists, and contractors who set aside this one night to devote to their friends. They drive from far away, prep for large meals, leave work early, and lug their instruments to a different house each week. Every week feels like a celebration.

I highly recommend a "Music Night", "Art Night" or anything that creates a community like this. I'd love to hear similar things you do in your lives to feed your soul and stay connected with your friends and family.

Comments

[coach coupon outlet]

To offer a different perspective, I'm not sure that economics of transportation will ever drive us to become Locavores. Oil is but a sparse fraction of the cost of transport and distribution.
To me it is all about community and a healthy lifestyle. I would much prefer buying local even at higher cost because of the value to our community. And if we can get local volume over the threshold of economies of scale, then will be self sustaining. Unfortunately, Locavorism today is really on the fringe. In business terms, we need more market share - and then the economics will work too.

[Janis Blyth]

I so enjoyed sharing your pictures of the night. Our family was in Sayulita for Christmas and that was where I purchased one of the Papayaart cards. I checked the web-site thus finding this. We live in Naramata, B.C., which is a wine area as well.I am an artist that paints women and wine.You may want to check my site.Janis Blyth, www.janisblyth.com

[HeidiRenee]

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

In New Brunswick we call them "kitchen parties" - so much fun.