The new digs: Lac Beauport

We've been in the house for 3 weeks now. Renos are in full swing (when we're not at work of course): de-nicotinizing and cleaning are nearly complete, the office/guest room and kitchen are painted, Rob is tiling the kitchen floor, and our new appliances and bed arrive today. (Yay! - no more relying on the BBQ and a cardboard box in the basement). It's slowly and surely shaping up into a snuggly little home :)

As you can see our resident carpenter is in heaven, with a domain to roam, a workshop of his own, and projects to dream up. New decks, river access, a wood shed, an overhaul of the bunkie to make a studio, and a butterfly garden are on the planning table so far.

Last week saw an unprecedented, coincidental nexus of friends come through town. In a 7 day span, after two months of no visitors, I saw four pals from former lives — it was fantastic! Erin came to visit for the weekend (my hiking and crafting buddy from my last Toronto neighbourhood, Parkdale). We had a great time showing her the area, despite the rain and the chaos in our house. That same weekend, Mike and Steph were passing through, en route back to Ottawa from dropping their kids for a visit with the grandparents in New Brunswick. Rob, Erin and I met up with them for a lovely brunch overlooking the fleuve St. Laurent. So amazing to catch up, and I hope we'll meet again soon for some camping. Then Christie (friend from our former TO stitch n' bitch) was here from Vancouver for a conference, and we hooked up for a dinner and a stroll in old Québec. Now that we can better accommodate guests, I hope that more family and friends will be tempted to head this way.

(Hint: no members of my family have made it to Québec yet. You know who you are!)

Despite the crummy weather so far this "summer", we've been getting out and about to enjoy the surrounding area. It's a plein-air (outdoor) paradise, with endless options for hiking, biking (with our new mountain bikes, squeee!), and any other form of exploring. There's a ski resort across the street too, for winter enthusiasts who want to plan a visit!

Hiking the "Sentier Horizon" here in Lac Beauport, with Josh, Céline, 
Ann, and Sam the incredible Bernaise mountain puppy.

A picnic with my local knitting group (Tricothé à Québec)
on the Plains of Abraham, for "World-wide-Knit-in-Public Day".

La Mauricie National Park, near Shawinigan (after a lunch
rendez-vous in Montreal with Rob's Mom, Claudette).

I had to include these shots from our St Jean Baptiste day camping trip to Parc des Grands Jardins — to remind myself that there have been a couple of nice days lately. (Even if the most sun we've seen this summer is from the 1970s mural in our living room... to be torn down ASAP).

I feel so lucky to be living here: right on a river, surrounded by trees and mountains, yet only a 20 min drive from downtown. We're pretty much in a state of shock and bliss!