Monday, August 17, 2009

Québec encore



Looking at the St. Lawrence River
from the boardwalk in Québec City

I love Québec City, with almost as much fervour as I
love our little schoolhouse in Nova Scotia. The city is
endlessly beautiful. The lovely old buildings and
cafés are graced with the most lush flowering window
boxes I've ever seen in the world. Québecers care about
how buildings look. So the doors and trim are painted
in bright colours, and there are flowers everywhere
you look!!!

If you haven't been you must go. We visit twice
a year when we head out to Nova Scotia and when we
head back. Even fast food is beyond delicious there
because the people also care passionately about food. So what
else is there? Ah wine. I am usually there late at
night, and for breakfast, and maybe lunch, but one
day we must savour a marvellous dinner and enjoy
the wine.

Have a dreaming-of-Québec-City day.

6 comments:

Catherine Jeffrey said...

Thanks for the wonderful vignettes(the photos and the paintings) into your vacation life! Its so great to "see" the places people talk about. Your east coast experience sounds so idyllic,peaceful, and soul replenishing. I agree with you about Quebec. They genuinely care about food, wine, and clothes. And they care about their historical buildings.
I think,though, we need the best of both worlds. The energy and diversity of the city is also good for the mind and soul! Looking forward to more of your great paintings.

Melinda said...

Yes, thank you for sharing photos of your vacation. It is fun to see where you have been and to read how you feel about the area. I hope you've had a restful time and feel as though you've filled your metaphorical paint jars with enough oil (I mean acrylic) to get you through to the next vacation! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Barbara! I HEAR ya! Nova Scotia etches itself in your soul huh? We also stopped in Quebec City on the way home; love that city. It reminds me of old Europe right here in Canada. We were a little challenged in finding a restaurant for dinner on Sat night; so many tourists like ourselves lined up outside every pub...but in the end we triumphed and had a lovely meal in the artisans district. Loved reading your blog about your trip and seeing your photos.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Catherine,

Coming back is a bit of a shock. We're home now, and I'll be writing longer responses in a couple of days.

Thanks for your kindness.

Take care,

Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

The next vacation -- working one, isn't all that far off! But more about that later. I'm home now, and I'll be back to writing on your blog soon.

xoxoxoxoxoxBarbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much. I can't wait to have time to check out your trip on your blog. Glad you had fun. A week is way too short isn't it!

Take care,

Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!