Le Chateau Frontenac

While in Quebec, we stayed at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac , an absolutely beautiful hotel built in the 1800's for customers on the Canadian railways, as they traveled across the country. The view from our room was of the St. Lawrence river and the town below. A funiculaire, a fancy elevator, carried you up and down the cliffs to the town below. The exquisite ballroom was added in the 1930's and has huge chandeliers. But the food in the hotel was unbelievable. My husband and I ordered a creme brulee to share one evening and it was served in a large soup bowl, and garnished with the largest blackberry that I have ever seen. The chef in the hotel grows his own vegetable and herb garden on the roof of the third floor. I would highly recommend this hotel, and be sure to take the tour about the hotel's history.

There is a sweet story about 2 young lovers that visited there in the 1930's and each made a secret wish while descending the beautiful staircase outside the ballroom. Sixty years later they returned with their children and grandchildren to the Le Chateau Frontenac and realized that they had both wished for the same thing, children and a lifetime together. As we left the tour guide at the top of the same stairs, he also had us make a wish as we descended the stairs. Wonder what Mr. RTH wished for? Probably for a great day of fishing!

Windows in Quebec

During our trip to Quebec, I was enchanted by the incredible window boxes and brightly colored roofs. It gives me inspiration for my own home, especially for the holidays. I loved the red roofs and doors, so very cheerful and welcoming.

Thanksgiving before Halloween?

My husband and I spent a long weekend in Quebec City last week, and it just happened to be the Canadian Thanksgiving. The narrow cobblestone streets were lined with boutiques that were decked out to the nines with fall decorations- I can't imagine what they do for Christmas??? I loved the pumpkin on the hand of the angel at the top of a very tall statue- I wonder who climbed up there.

Pumpkins, white lights, and sometimes unexpected things - like chairs - embellished the fronts of stores. The most astonishing arrangement was of succulents, mums, and mosses attached to chicken wire to form the shape of an urn. Ghost walks and haunted gardens were packed with tourists. The architecture, the restaurants, and the rainy weather created a surreal atmosphere perfect for a fall get- away. More to come on the architecture later.

White Magical Pumpkins

Fall doesn't always have to be orange, brown and rust. Sometimes a party just calls for light and airy. We set a buffet table for an engagement party using white pumpkins, large crystal bobeches, and gilded elements. While the white pumpkins set a fall mood, the sparkling crystal and gold made the celebration more elegant. Old gilded frames served as trays, while we used old lamp parts to create the bobeches. Lots of unique candlesticks flickered softly to enhance the romantic atmosphere.