Sometimes you just need a change of scenery.
A few days ago, I packed a small picnic, loaded my kayak, and headed to the water. I wasn’t celebrating anything special. I simply wanted a few quiet hours outdoors.
Creating a solo picnic
I’ve always enjoyed creating experiences for other people, but every now and then it’s important to create one for yourself.
This picnic ended up being one of the easiest I’ve ever packed.
Instead of bringing containers full of different foods, I made two verrines. If you’ve never made one, it’s simply food layered in a glass jar. They look beautiful, stay organized, and are incredibly easy to transport.
For the savory version, I layered cottage cheese, spinach, shaved carrots, chopped tomatoes, cheddar, gouda, sunflower seeds, cornichons, and chopped peppers. Just before leaving, I added ranch dressing to the top.
The best part was how easy it was to eat. No balancing plates. No chasing ingredients around in the wind. Just grab a spoon and enjoy.
For dessert, I made another layered jar using vanilla cake, raspberry jam, and whipped cream. I added a little vanilla pudding mix to the whipped cream so it would hold its shape longer.
While walking along the shoreline, I spotted some ripe raspberries growing nearby. Of course I had to pick a few and add them to the top before eating dessert.
Sometimes the simplest additions are the best ones.
As I sat on the water, it occurred to me that these little jars might be one of the most practical picnic ideas I’ve ever tried. They take very little space, travel well with an ice pack, and feel a little more special than packing a sandwich.
What I enjoyed most wasn’t the food, though. It was having a few uninterrupted hours to myself.
No errands.
No deadlines.
No notifications.
Just fresh air, the sound of the water, and a chance to slow down for a while.
We often wait for vacations or special occasions to recharge. The truth is that a small escape can happen much closer to home. A park bench, a garden, a lake, or a quiet corner of your backyard can work just as well.
Bring a book. Pack a simple lunch. Sit in the shade.
Give yourself permission to disappear for a few hours.
I also used one of my favorite picnic essentials lately, I used our Rich Sangria infusion that I had infused with water ahead of time.
The infusion contains dried cherries, blueberries, lemons, limes, oranges, apples, and organic sugar. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. Once infused, it becomes a concentrated fruit infusion that can be used to flavor water or sparkling water.
I keep a jar in the refrigerator most of the summer. It lasts for months and is ready whenever I want something a little more interesting than plain water.
For this picnic, I added a splash to my water bottle before heading out. It was refreshing, lightly fruity, and felt like a small treat while spending the afternoon on the water.
Sometimes the simplest things make an experience feel a little more special.
On a personal note…
One of the things I hope Belle Pause encourages is the idea that beautiful experiences don’t always need a guest list.
A picnic for one can be just as meaningful as a gathering with friends.
Sometimes treating yourself to a few peaceful hours outdoors is exactly what you need.
And honestly, I think we should do it more often.