Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Quebec City Trip, and Meeting A Blogger Friend

Bon Jour Mon Amis!
Hubby and I just returned from a quick trip to Quebec City, and I have tons of photos to share with you!  I don't want to bore you to tears, so I will be sharing them thruout the coming week.  We first visited Quebec City last Christmas, and absolutely fell in love with it, and couldn't wait to return! After a short 1 1/2 hour plane trip, we were transported to a quaint city, full of European charm and ambiance.  The city is oh, so French, with everyone speaking the language, and all of the streets (rues) and signs are in French as well.
The most well know landmark of the city is the Chateau de Frontenac, which is where we stayed.  It is amazing!  Perched high on a hill, you really do feel as if you are part of a fairy tale, and this is your very own castle!  At over 400 years old, Quebec City is the oldest walled city in North American, and truly has a European feel that we so love.  The city goes all out decorating for the holidays, and I snapped lots of shots of some great decorating ideas that I couldn't wait to share with you!
Check out these pretty trees.  You will never guess what they are made of!!
Look closely.  (You can click any photo to enlarge it.)  Look familiar?  Yes!  They are made of bubble wrap!!  You can't tell in the photos, but they are covered in a bit of snow (the real thing, it was very cold and snowy there!), and tiny lights.  Who would've guessed that bubble wrap could look so good?


A view of the snowy rooftops from our room.  I just love the European style architecture!!
Yours truly.  I bought this cute chapeau (hat) there, as it was sooooo cold!  Quebec City dwellers really know how to dress warm, and you will see everyone decked out in parkas, big boots, fur hats and of course stylish scarves.

Ok, I couldn't wait to show you these pretty trees and floral garland in the photos above.  All of the shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as businesses, really go all out in their Christmas decor.  You will never guess what these are made of!!!  Being the upcycling fanatic that I am, I could hardly contain my excitement when I first saw these.  Hubby and I were walking to breakfast yesterday (tummies growling) , and he just couldn't understand why I had to stop and snap these photos right then and there!  (Couldn't it wait 'til after we ate, he wanted to know?!)  Oh, no...............
Here's a closer look. They are made from silver backed bubble wrap!  Love!!  With the lights shining on the flower garland, it looked just magical! 
One of the highlights of the trip for me was getting to meet my blogging friend Debbie, at Love of the Sea!  Debbie was going to be in town for work the same time we were there, so we arranged to meet.
We had a great visit, and it was such a treat to get to meet in person!  We talked non-stop!  It's so funny, but it seems as though bloggers we meet on line are friends we have known for years, don't you think?  I am so thankful that thru blogging we all get a chance to meet kindred spirits (even if we never get to meet in person) that we may not otherwise ever get a chance to know! 
Hope you all are having a great week!  I will be sharing more photos of our trip over the next several days.  Now I need to get caught up on some serious blogging!  Even though we were only gone a few days, it seems as if I am so far behind!  
Have a great day!

18 comments:

Karen said...

Oh, how beautiful these pictures are! Love your new hat. So nice that you met a blogging friend...lucky you!

Tete said...

OH, MY! These photos are so beautiful. So, are you ready to trade in your glitter for bubble wrap? I would if I were you- this gives me such a wonderful idea for next year!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

This looks like a wonderful trip! Beautiful holiday decorations! And how fun to meet up with a blogging friend, too!

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh my gosh--this is all just breathtaking!!! And, I'm so excited that you and Debbie met!! That is so, so fun!!!
I'm so glad that you had such a good time!
XO
Cindy

mizdarlin said...

I am so jealous..here I am, a Canadian, and I've never been to Quebec ant all, especially want to see Quebec City..world famous as you said, and everyone who lives in this country knows that Quebecois are the most fashionable and elegant in the whole of Canada..I love your pictures..and it doesn't surprise me much to see what they use for decor..weatherproof, of course, but more importantly, lightweight, I think!
Looking forward to the rest of your photos..have a wonderful holiday season!

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

What a beautiful city! Love all the pictures. You look so cute in that hat! I wish I could wear hats. How great that you got to meet Debbie. Hi Debbie!

Christmas-etc... said...

Dear Donna,
Just lovely!! I haven't been to Quebec city since I was a little girl but I remembered the castle - isn't it the only one in North America? And how wonderful to meet a blogging friend!!Tell me, did you order up the snow? - it makes everything magical!
Have a lovely Christmas Week!
Ann

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

The city looks just beautiful!!

Also wanted to let you know that I included your adorable handpainted llighthouse ornament in my "Coastal News" weekend post -it's gorgeous!!! Actually I showed your decorated glass candle too in an earlier post -loved that idea!!!! Thanks for the inspiration, and Happy Holidays!!

Donna said...

LOVED this post!!! Saw Quebec City many years ago and it is an ingrained fantacy in my brain!!! It has such a European flavor and old world charm. The Frontinac is amazing and I hope to go there again someday. It looks gorgeous this time of year and the imaginative decorations are fun to see. Thanks for a beautiful tour and happy holidays!!! PS...Your hat is adorable on a cute girl!!!

Biljana said...

Thank for sharing this lovely photos:)
Hugs, Biljana

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

What a Wonderful Trip Donna! I Have always Wanted to see Quebec City. My Husband is Canadian and had Lived in Montreal. He Said Quebec City is a Little Piece of France! How wonderful to meet you Blogger Friend in Person!
Beautiful and So Much Fun I am Sure!
Have a Wonderful Weekend Donna!
Merry Christmas!
Hugs
Jill

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

What a beautiful city and the decorations are amazing. I would love to go there for a visit.
I will probably never get to France but maybe to Quebec.

I'm glad you had a wonderful time and got to spend time with a blogging friend.

hugs
Sissie

Leo said...

Donna - great photos! And your hat is so cute. It looks great on you!! Nice photo of the two of us -it was such a pleasure to meet you in person!!!

Scrappy Girl said...

Thanks! Looking forward to getting your package in the mail. I was so excited to win! Happy Weekend!

time worn interiors said...

Wow, great photos! Glad you had a wonderful trip! Merry Christmas!
Theresa
aka:tot

Kaybe said...

I too have had the pleasure of meeting Debbie in person. She is proof that bloggers are the nicest people on the planet. So glad y'all had a great visit. What a beautiful city. Thank you for the pics.

Musings from Kim K. said...

What beautiful photos. The setting is just so romantic. I simply love the bubble wrap trees. How gorgeous and clever. I'm getting caught up after being in Chicago all weekend.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful photo's, what a wonderful time you had and you shared so much with us.I adore these gorgeous upcycled trees. fabulous and inspirational for next year maybe ?
Hugs June x