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.

Laundry Day Blues

Laundry rooms can be a fun place to be! So I like to treat them like they are an important room in a home. And I just love my big blue washer and dryer - so cool to watch do the work! Old painted tiles were collected over several years to form a backsplash over the washer and dryer. An old kitchen sink was refinished and given a new purpose in the laundry room. It's a great size for flower arranging or handwashing delicates. The vintage flower shop door was found and built into a shelving unit to showcase majolica. The old green painted cupboard provides lots of storage for flower pots and decorative containers. A collection of old french painted pottery sits above the washer and dryer. Baskets hold laundry and the usual selection of single socks waiting for a mate!
An antique chandelier shines brightly in the center of the room, creating romantic ambiance for the laundry experience. French linen water and scented lavender dryer towels make doing the laundry more enjoyable. It's a room I really don't mind being in - bright, good scents, and surrounded by things I love!

Critters Romance the Home

Fall is here, so the pumpkins are out and they look so cute with our fall squirrels, owls, and birds. The owls look adorable perched on top of one of our heirloom pumpkins, and the squirrels are running wild on our tablescapes! Our resident peacock is not impressed by the oohs and ahs the owls and squirrels are getting from our customers - it seems he has been ignored as of late, and has taken up with the hummingbird. Oh well, fall is short and he will reign supreme again as soon as the pesky critters have all gone on to their new homes.

Harvest Moons, Unbelieveable Foods, and Great Customers

Last night, we had our Romancing the Home Fall Kick-Off and invited our best customers, the best personal chef in Atlanta, and a group of awesome vendors. Representatives from Jan Barboglio and Bella Notte debuted new fall products. The store is full of new surprises, including antlers from Montana! And Lynda Sue, my friend from Atlanta, prepared some delicious new appetizers. Fall florals, lots of candlelight , and good wine made for a fun evening. The simplest dessert, and the no-brainer salami roll were the most requested appetizers of the evening, so here they are -

Simple Salami Appetizer

1 package 16 oz Wonton Wrappers

1/2 lb thinly sliced hard salami, from the deli

Lay a wonton on table so that a corner is toward you. Place a slice of salami on the skin. Roll up like a cigar from corner to corner, and moisten tip of wonton with a little water to hold together. Place on cookie sheet seam side down. Continue rolling the rest, and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Serve hot with honey mustard for dipping.

Caramel Apple Tartlets

1 T. Butter

2 granny smith apples, peeled and diced

2 cups caramel sauce

1 t. cinnamon

2 packages phyllo dough cups

Walnuts, finely crushed

Melt butter in saute pan. Add apples and cook until tender. Add cinnamon and caramel sauce, mix, and remove from heat. Spoon into phyllo cups, and sprinkle with nuts. Bake in 400 degree oven for 6 to 7 minutes to lightly brown and crisp the phyllo cups. Serve warm!

Absolutely Delish!!!!