Our Homestead in PEI (Part 4 of 5)

After driving for three days and twenty hours, we arrived here. Our "homestead" for the next week. It was right out of a magazine. A total dream come true!

This was one of our views from the back of the house overlooking the ocean.

This was another view I woke up to everyday...Are you kidding me?

This place came equipped with everything...movies, boardgames,

even a washer and dryer with TIDE and Bounce sheets...lol...

This was the game zone...

The kitchen was stocked with oils and everything

you don't bring with you 2500 km away from home...

These were our closest neighbours... It was truly heavenly...

We saw the most beautiful sunsets every night...

It was amazing to see how fast the sun starting coming down

and how different the sky looked in a period of ten minutes.

This is why it was so hard to leave this place.

Total relaxation watching this sunset on the deck with a glass of red wine in hand...sigh....

I couldn't resist showing you the outdoor shower... Owen and Briannah are in here washing the salt off after their daily walk to the beach... They are seven...too cute!

I was hoping to wrap up the PEI blogposts today, but I think I will need one more day to make it complete... The next post will be Monday... I'll be back to my regular posts next week. A lot has been going on around here...Mass Exodus of stuff...A purging... I FINALLY painted and finished Owen`s BIG BOY room and I am planning to paint and re-organize my studio as of Monday... Thank goodness my Mama offered to help me...I need to make this studio functional before I get painting again...

Have a FABULOUS weekend everybody! Hope the sun is shinning wherever you are! xo

Anne of Green Gables (PEI-Part 3)

Many of you grew up with Anne of Green Gables. I was also one of those girls who was smitten by Anne's wit and charm. I used to watch the reruns on tv when it played on CBC here in Canada. Going to this museum was like stepping back in time. It was heartwarming.

This is a picture taken of the author when she was 40 years old

Over 100 years ago, Louise Maude Montgomery wrote Anne of Green Gables. The story of Anne Shirley, a spirited red headed orphan adopted by the Cuthberts. Anne has become a Canadian icon and an international treasure.

I was surprised to learn that this book was rejected numerous times by publishers. (so was Harry Potter...oops!) Ms. Montgomery stored it away for a couple years before sending it out again. It was finally published in 1908. This book just celebrated its centennial anniversary. It just goes to show that you should never give up on your dreams... Sometimes you hear no before the YES...

First edition books signed by the author. I SO wanted to touch them!

This is the house the author grew up in.
It is the house that inspired her writing.

Many books were for sale here, including some very old and very new.

I was lucky enough to purchase one of each.




The 100th Anniversary book on the left.
And "Emily of New Moon", almost 100 years old on the right.

This is the lake of Shining Waters

We all went on a carriage ride to view the grounds. It was beautiful!

All in all, this little stop did not disappoint. It is clear to me now that Louise Maude Montgomery captured the essence of this island so magnificently with the images she helped create with her written words. Here's to 100 more years of Anne of Green Gables. A strong young girl who is not afraid to hold her tongue and speak her truth.

How do you feel about Anne of Green Gables? Are you a fan? Did you follow this series as a child?


Tomorrow I will show you the place we stayed in...the sunsets I experienced and the food...oh the food....

My Love-Hate Relationship with Water (PEI-Part 2)

We were lucky enough to share a private beach with only a couple other families. Most of the time we were alone because we were up before everyone else... There is something so magical and powerful about water... Its vastness, like a sheet of blue as far as the eye can see. This sheet covers another world that is often unseen and still unknown compared to what we know about space.


These waters bring treasures to the beaches. Beautiful weathered driftwood, sea shells and soft stones...all for the taking. Gifts from the sea. I still marvel at these treasures that come from Mother Nature.


Owen and I walked the length of these beaches. He looked for jelly fish, while I searched for a new collection of treasures to bring home. This was his favorite part of the trip. Walking down to the beach everyday, exploring, playing, experiencing the island through the its waters and sands.



I dipped my toes in the water while Owen swam without fear, even while the waves came in...
Was I born with this fear of the sea or did I learn to fear it growing up. Afraid of what lies beneath, what could be seen... Afraid of what could happen, afraid of the water pulling me in... I stood there full of fear as my son swam without any. (Don't worry, we were not alone...our friends were with us...) I grew up with lakes as a child and I played in them every summer. But, there has always been a sense of fear that lied beneath, something difficult to articulate but clear inside by body.


The ocean is different. It is unknown territory to me...It is beyond huge and powerful and lifelike. It is the loveliest thing to see from a distance, from the deck, from the shore...



Do any of you feel this way about water? Does the ocean scare you or are you one of those surfer girls that can't get enough?

For me, I will continue to be in awe of this majestic wonder. I will not however be taking a cruise anywhere no matter how many times Steve asks....

The beauty of PEI (part1)

I am back from a 13 day trip to beautiful PEI. This is the small island province that is situated on the East coast of Canada. It was my first time venturing to the east coast and to say that I was MOVED by the landscape is an understatement. It took 20+hours of driving to get us there. But it was all worth it.



We had to cross a 13km bridge over the ocean... It is the longest bridge in the world over the icy waters. I am not a good swimmer, nor am I am lover of sea creatures...so I have to admit that I had a little anxiety travelling over this monster bridge. However, once across, I was transported into a new world. A landscape of rolling green hills. Chartreuse, lime, forest greens...it was complete overload for my eyes.




I now understand why this province has become an international destination. Once you cross that bridge you physically slow down, you unplug, you are transported back in time when life was more simple, not easier I am sure, but more simple.




For one thing, PEI has the most churches per ca pita and equally the most liquor stores...I thought these were some interesting facts to share... I took many pictures of the churches. They were all so different and picturesque sitting on the green fields and shaded by trees. Furthermore, they are known for their yummy potatoes!



Overall, I took 600+ pictures in the seven days we were there. I couldn't help myself. Every turn we took was another beautiful vista that I HAD TO HAVE. I have to admit that the landscape spoke so loudly to me that I plan on painting my interpretation of this island...



PEI is known for their RED SANDS. It is a gorgeous contrast against the blue waters and green fields. It`s the iron in the sand that becomes oxidised by the sun. I have never seen this color of sand before. Our car is still covered with it as it got into all the cracks.

I miss getting up in the morning and having my coffee out on the deck overlooking the ocean and hearing the birds. I miss the slow pace of life that is so accepted and welcomed. I miss the rolling hills depicting every hue of green possible. I miss you PEI. I wasn`t ready to let you go.






More tomorrow on the ocean, the beaches and more vistas. I plan on sharing pictures over the next four days. There is just too much beauty not to show you. Anne of Green Gables post along with the pictures of where we stayed. Hope you`ll take the journey with me this week.

Thank-you for returning and not forgetting about me. I am looking forward to getting caught up with all of you! xo

Fifteen Things I have learned lately...

Here are some things I have learned in the last couple of months...



1. When you are on the right path, the Universe does not let you doubt yourself for long.

2. My workspace/studio is still not functional (enough).

3. The more I peel back the layers and expose the truth that sits in my heart, the more I am reminded that I am not alone and that we are all connected.

4. I can't do it all-ALL at once.

5. I like vegetables...even more than fruit... This is huge people!

6. My ART is helping people to heal and this has been the most rewarding surprise.



7. I am exactly where I need to be and I am grateful.

8. I need to meditate again to clear the jargon and turn off the constant brainstorm in my head.

9. When you live your BLISS others follow...

10. I DESERVE to be happy and I finally BELIEVE this!

11. No matter how much you love someone, you can't take away their pain.

12. Everyone and everything has a time and a place...I know this...but I still get impatient.


13. Personal integrity is not always a popular choice.

14. ART continues to express the stories in my heart while my writing represents the pain that is etched inside my soul.

15. It has become CLEAR to me that not risking it is far more painful than risking it and possibly falling flat on my face.



I am off on vacation for the next two weeks... I am heading to (PEI) Prince Edward Island where we have rented a house on the beach with our closest friends and their kids... I am SO looking forward to this trip. I cannot wait to unplug and let my mind wander, PLAY, explore, be silly... I cannot wait to take in the new landscape and discover a part of my country I have never seen before...I cannot wait to see how it influences my creativity...

I will be back with LOTS to share with you. Thank-you ALL for being on this journey with me thus far. It has been an amazing ride... More to come...

Have a safe and FABULOUS two weeks wherever you are...

LOVE,

Summer Festivals...

Well I`m heading out today for day two of the Northern Lights Festival... It`s the largest festival the North of Ontario has to offer and the weather this weekend is sunny and HOT. Good music, food and of course ART.




As many of you already know, SO much work goes into preparing for a festival or a show. This week I have been working long hours trying to get everything ready. I was offered a table to help represent the new ART Gallery, Creative Spark here in my hometown... I was unable to refuse such a great opportunity.




I still marvel at the reaction my big eyes girlies are getting as they make their way into this world. People are appreciative of their presence and their positive messages. So far, I am enjoying the festival very much but I am looking forward to next week too...





I am going on vacation with my family to PEI, Prince Edward Island... I hear that Regis and Kelly are there this week...lol. I am SO looking forward to going there with friends and family to see a part of Canada my eyes have never laid upon... The landscape is so completely different from this part of the country. I look forward to seeing how this trip will influence my creativity.




But for now, I am going back into festival land. Where the people are kind and grateful for long summer days, loud music and even big eyed girlies...

Hope you are having a wonderful summer weekend too! What is your favorite summer festival...Would love to hear about it!

Pre-LOVED faves...

I dropped off three large boxes today at our local Value Village (our second hand store). The boxes were full clothing that belonged to all three of us and I was happy to drop them off and clear more clutter. Usually, I NEVER go into the store after dropping stuff off because the last thing I want to do is fill my house up again with more stuff I don't need.... But, it had been SO long since I visited the store...

I wanted to share with you the top five things I cannot walk away from and that I NEED to SAVE from the landfill...

1. Linen Aprons...How I LOVE you! I love that they are worn and soft and that they were so loved in the past. I LOVE putting them on my kitchen table...It just feels so homey and I wouldn't want a kitchen table without it!

2. Cotton and Linen handkerchiefs...ohhh how you make me HAPPY! When I see them sitting there in a bunch so little and pretty, often with hand embroidery...I just can't leave them there...





3. Vintage Fabric...How I am trying to stop myself from buying you... You have a power over me...I have stopped sewing since closing my store called mimi & lulu last summer.... BUT, I cannot leave this fabric without making it mine...



4. Cotton and lace doilies...How you have become my friend! The thought of women sitting around and crocheting these in the good old days makes my heart burst with glee! I ADORE you and your rounded perfectly shaped ways...




5. And finally, my BOOKS...my sweet, worn, weathered, insanely addictive books... You are the first things I look for when I enter the doors and the last thing I revisit before I leave...The content is not always a pre-requisite...sometimes I just fall for the color or the linen covers. I am at your mercy...I LOVE YOU ALL!




So there you have it...The top five things I can't leave behind when I walk into any second hand store... I have some big plans for some of these in the next couple of months... The store I used to own with my cousin was all about reusing pre-loved items and making new ones with them...This will always be a part of my creative process...

What about you? What are your favorite vintage things you can't live without? I would love to hear about them...