"Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world." ~ LM Montgomery - "Anne of Green Gables"
Welcome to my Anne of Green Gables Tea, my dear kindred friends! I am so happy you have joined me today!
Tucked away on a little island on the east coast of Canada is a charming place called Green Gables.
It is not a figment of her imagination, but a real place, which our famous author Lucy Maud Montgomery brought to life in her stories, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, among others.
LM Montgomery's redheaded heroine, although she is a fictional character, is famous the world over and she brings to Prince Edward Island thousands of tourists every year.
Anne courtesy of the Internet
Anne's imaginative spirit delights both young and old alike and the dear old farm house and pastoral grounds are open to the public so one can follow in her footsteps should you visit Cavendish, PEI.
This is a view of the back of Green Gables. The handsome gentleman sitting in the old carriage is my hubby.
One can take a tour through Green Gables and imagine where Anne and her beloved Matthew and Marilla lived.
In the kitchen is a wonderful hutch filled with dishes.
The old cook stove.
This is Anne's room.
After you visit the house you might want to take a stroll through the Haunted Wood and Lover's Lane, actual places which LM Montgomery made famous in her novels.
This is the view of Green Gables from the Haunted Wood.
"Lover's Lane opened out below the orchard at Green Gables and stretched far up into the woods to the end of the Cuthbert farm.
''Not that lovers ever really walk there," she explained to Marilla, "but Diana and I are reading a perfectly magnificent book and there's a Lover's Lane in it. So we want one, too. And it's a very pretty name, don't you think? So romantic! We can't imagine the lovers into it, you know. I like that lane because you can think out loud there without people calling you crazy." " ~ LM Montgomery - "Anne of Green Gables"
This couple was walking ahead of us and I took their picture.
As one walks the paths through these wooded areas, one can almost hear the giggles of Anne and her bosom friend Diana as they romped about and dreamed their girlhood dreams.
Now, how about a nice cup of tea? Anne and I have been expecting you.
My Anne doll was the last Christmas present my father ever gifted me with and I treasure her. Her red hair is braided and she wears her straw hat, a sweet pinafore, pantaloons, and black shoes.
I was happy to add some blue and white to my collection!
"I can just imagine myself sitting down at the head of the table and pouring out the tea," said Anne, shutting her eyes ecstatically. "And asking Diana if she takes sugar! I know she doesn't but of course I'll ask her as if I didn't know." ~ LM Montgomery - "Anne of Green Gables"
I was going to gather some Queen Anne's Lace for a bouquet but my sweet hubby surprised me with this pretty red, white, blue, and yellow bouquet. He had no idea it would be perfect for my Anne tea today. It picks up on all the colours of the transferware!
I have Summer Raspberry tea in the teapot.
It is a black tea with hibiscus and natural raspberry flavour which I found at Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, Avonlea Village, PEI.
The blue plate is Blue Willow made by Churchill.
Would you care for a sandwich? I have made chicken salad stuffed croissants.
And egg salad on homemade white bread.
For your sweet tooth, there is ice cream and strawberries.
I had planned to make Plum Puffs for our Tea today but, alas, I had another little accident on the weekend so I thought Anne's favourite strawberries and ice cream would be just as welcome.
"This day's done and there's a new one coming tomorrow, with no mistakes in it, as you used to say yourself. Just come downstairs and have your supper. You'll see if a good cup of tea and those plum puffs I made today won't hearten you up." ~ Marilla to Anne in "Anne of Green Gables" - LM Montgomery
The pink depression glass pitcher holds Raspberry Cordial.
Says Anne, "I just love bright red drinks." ~ Anne Shirley
Raspberry Cordial is made and bottled here on PEI. Would you like to try some?
Mark Twain once said of Anne Shirley, "...the most moving and delightful child of fiction since the immortal Alice."
Anne of Green Gables takes you back to a simpler time; a time when manners were still in fashion and every meal laid out on the table was homemade.
Life was more about community in those days where neighbour helped neighbour.
It was a time when a wedding or the birth of a new baby brought the whole town together. There was cause for great joy and the occasion was indeed celebrated with plenty of good food and good wishes.
Those were also the days when church was the center of the community and most everyone turned out on a Sunday to worship and have fellowship.
The church below is the Presbyterian Church {now United} in which LM Montgomery's husband, Rev. Ewan Macdonald, served as pastor in Cavendish, PEI.
"Some people go through life trying to find out what the world holds for them only to find out too late that it's what they bring to the world that really counts." ~ LM Montgomery - "Anne of Green Gables"
Yes, those were the days! I do enjoy our author Lucy Maud Montgomery's endearing stories which transport us back to another time and place.
Have you read the Anne books? If you haven't, then I strongly recommend you do. They make for delightful reading.
Anne of Green Gables was first published in 1908 so the author had first hand knowledge of that day.
There is a small museum on the grounds of Green Gables which houses many artifacts from Montgomery's life. Below is a favourite teapot and teacup of the author's.
This is the typewriter on which she used to type her lovely stories.
I have many other pictures but it would make this post too long. I hope you have enjoyed those which I have shared with you.
"'God's in His heaven, all's right with the world,' whispered Anne softly." ~ LM Montgomery- "Anne of Green Gables"
Anne and her bosom friend Diana courtesy of the Internet
Thank you, my dear bloggy friends, for coming to tea today. It's always such a pleasure to have you join me.
NOTE~ Your post this week does not have to be about Anne but anything you would like to share with us. Please link up your favourite tea things, coffee mugs, teascape or tablescape.
If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or any of the following is acceptable: Hot chocolate, hot apple cider, lemonade, Iced tea or iced coffee, or punch in a lovely bowl.
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High;
To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning,
And Thy faithfulness by night." ~ Psalm 92:1-2
I am joining the following parties as well~
Inspire Me Tuesday ~ http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
A Return to Loveliness ~ http://www.adelightsomelife.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday ~ http://www.marthasfavorites.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea~ http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Tea In The Garden ~ http://blog.bernideens.com/
What's It Wednesday ~ http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Home Sweet Home ~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Sharing from my heart~ Sandi