While we were visiting Mom & Dad on the east coast, D. and I took a few days for an overnighter to Prince Edward Island (PEI). We only explored one little corner of the Island, but already its soft and surprisingly varied landscape wooed us both, inviting us to explore it further.

Here are a few favourite photos from Day 1:

Confederation Bridge between New Brunswick and PEI,

seen from New Brunswick's Cape Jourimain Nature Centre.

(Note to self: next time allow more time to explore this wonderful centre and its hiking trails!)

We enjoyed lunch at the Landmark Cafe, in the beautiful (and tiny!) village of Victoria by the Sea. While we were there someone brought in the morning catch, fresh off the boat down the road, for the night's special. It doesn't get more local than that.

Canada's Smallest Library in Cardigan, PEI

Who knew? And could that view be any more cozy?

We discovered this gem of a beach by accident. It captured so many of the colours typical to PEI's landscape! A bonus? There were only three people on it, plus us.

Still at the same little beach. I loved how the dune grasses created a rolling landscape,

and how the sun lit them against the dark skies ahead.

We spent about an hour there with our cameras.

The view from our deck that evening. We ate Rick's Fish & Chips and drank

local Gahan beer (both delicious!) while we watched the sun set.

We stayed at the Inn at St. Peters in St. Peter's Bay.

The main restaurant at the Inn at St. Peter's, against the twilight sky.

That night we sat on our deck and watched shooting stars. Magical.

Day 2 delights to come later...

a piece in progress, playing with paints & paper

I hadn't picked up a brush in about five or six weeks. Last night, after a bout of despair came forth at the kitchen table, my husband suggested that I paint. So I did.

How easy it is for me to forget how important time at the art table is to my self-care regime.

Much like my Basics, if I avoid the art table for an extended period of time, my spirit takes a downturn. My happy-coloured glasses quickly become multiple shades of gloomy and I wonder why. So when my husband suggested that I paint, I knew it was the right thing to do.

I'm two days into an unofficial 5-Day Challenge; I'm calling it unofficial because I'm approaching it with a softer stance than usual. I'm not in it to defeat resistance, which is my usual motive, I'm in it for self-care.

Five days in a row I will show up at the art table and let my intuition be my guide. There's no pressure to finish anything or produce anything specific, or even to report back here, as I usually do.

All I know is that it's time to get out of my head, and the easiest way for me to do that is by moving onto the canvas.

So I will.

~~~

What's your guaranteed self-care activity? You know, the one you always forget?

Photo Pause: Prince Edward Island, Day 1

Getting Out of My Head - And Onto the Canvas