Stop and Start Projects

I have a feeling that at least "some" of you are like me.
You start one project and turn around and find another that is just as interesting.

Meanwhile, the other is not done.

I am sure there is a psychological term for that...
matter of fact I know there is but
I am not going to get bogged down by terminology... not right now.

I know that I need to finish those jobs already started so back to the fireplace I go....
the bathroom is going to take time and may require more patience than I normally demonstrate
but it will get done.



I was really struggling with the choice of ceramic to place in front of the fireplace.
And, since I decided not to ceramic around the fireplace or add any specific detailing I wanted the
hearth to be fairly simple as well.

I played with a few fancy ceramics on the floor and after returning those I ran out and bought...
slate.... yep, charcoal grey-black slate.
And I am lovin' it.

It is a classic, and I figure that I will not tire of it....
Certainly not a jump up and down, wow perhaps.
But I think given the height of the fireplace it fits in perfectly.

And as you can see there is still more to do with that....
painting, painting and more painting.
That will require some warmer weather so we can open up the doors and keep the air circulating.

It is all details now, simple details.
Yikes.

The Web Reality

I happened to see this image floating around the Web and next to it a discussion about where this home might be located and possibly who lives there.

It was a relatively isolated discussion,
given the size of the Web but interesting just the same.
I did not know any of the names of the people involved in the discussion ....
but I certainly knew the home....

I was there for Easter...
It is the family home of my husband.
When we were there the lawn had not yet sprouted these lovely blue flowers...
but the vine was starting to turn green.

and at that point it was the small clumps of snow drop flowers that were taking up residence in the front yard.

It is strange to think that we are not there right now but that I inadvertently have a chance to see what the lawn looks like this year through a complete stranger on the Web.... an admirer that apparently takes photos every year.

Has anything like this happened to you?
no big deal really, just wondering!
Oh and happy weekend. I have something to share with you on Sunday .....in the project department

Road Trip PART FOUR

I know, I know.....2 posts in one day is highly unusual
but
I just want to get you in the door for souper because if you love seafood then you are going to enjoy a nice feast.

Fresh from the Gaspé coast and brought over to the north side of the St. Lawrence,
lobster is at a really good price and soooo delicious.
Oh and some fresh Matane shrimp for an appetizer.

So relax because while we are in Tadoussac we tend to sit around the table awhile....
and chat.

Yes, some of you figured that out pretty quickly.
We were in Tadoussac.
One of my favourite road trips.
Of course heading there means some time with family and friends
which adds in to the whole weekend.

I have posted about the Hotel Tadoussac before.
It was the location for the old movie, Hotel New Hampshire.

It is a definite landmark in the village
and where most people stay unless you are interested in staying at a small gite or auberge.

 And we always treat ourselves to breakfast here....at Café Bohème.

 


The weather was anything but normal with temperatures reaching 27c and Jack took full advantage of our time at the beach cooling off in the St. Laurent.

 Most of the homes are tin roofs with a common slope to allow the snow to run off easily.
The village homes all face the water with breathtaking views.

 And there is a whale theme going on since it is home to a variety of whales....
belugas, fins, blue, minkes....

They will be there all summer and we will be back up for a visit
in another month.

In the meantime.... enjoy the lobster.

Road Trip PART THREE

 Okay, I know that I am no better than most of you when it comes to geography
and really....
I don't expect you to know my part of the world
SO let me help you out...
we left Québec city and we stopped in lovely Baie Saint Paul.
That was what Part Two was all about.

Part 2 is here....

Now if you decide to go to a map and check out the location of Baie Saint Paul then you will see where I am and
where "we" are heading. Remember we are heading away from Quebec city.
OH and we will be having dinner here....

and you will understand that even though it is 26.5 celsuis,
the small lakes are still partly frozen. 
but not the mighty Fleuve St. Laurent. (St. Lawrence River)

To get to where we are going....you need to cross the Saguenay River...
and on the other side is our destination and a lovely dinner.

  
and some beautiful summer homes that are just getting opened up in anticipation of summer...

 Oh and guess what is for dinner...
yep, that time of the year!!
One of you already knows where I am. 

Road Trip PART TWO

Okay, well some of you figured it out....
Yep, we left from our home outside of beautiful Quebec city.
If you have not been here, then you really should make the trip.

Okay....so on  the road.
Oh and if you missed Part One...you can catch up here....
I will give some of you another clue... this is my favourite weekend road trip.

First stop is about 1.5 hours from Quebec city heading northeast...
a lovely little town full of artisan shops and wonderful restaurants and gorgeous countryside.

 One thing you need to understand about Québec is that every small town is usually marked by a very large Catholic church. 
They are massive.
The church ran the province for many years.
I won't go into the historical references associated with that as this is a road trip and I don't want to spark any debates right now.
I am trying to soak up this lovely weather after all.
But I will share with you a painting by one of my favourite local artists from this area.

Painting by Gilles Bedard

Gilles Bedard creates lovely paintings that represents the beautiful architecture of this area
as well as the countryside....
One of his paintings is on my list for our anniversary gift this year.

Given our love for this part of our province it only makes sense.

Every summer this town hosts a large international art festival.
It is also home to a hip ski resort which is owned by one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil.

The ski resort is more than just your average resort as they take on the concept of living well....
and
they now have a train that leaves Québec city bringing you to the ski resort and to this particular village with a gourmet breakfast on your way up and a gourmet dinner on your return.
A bit pricey
but hey....living well isn't always cheap!
Okay is this too easy or too hard?

So, name of the village and name of that body of water?
Do you know?