There is a garden in every childhood, an
enchanted place where colors are brighter,
the air softer, and the morning more
fragrant than ever again. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence
Welcome friends to another Tea Time!
Today I am sharing my visit to Avonlea Village which is located in Cavendish, PEI. I apologize beforehand for the lengthy post. I wanted to split this into two parts but I'm still trying to get used to my new computer. So get your cuppa and join me, won't you?
Many of you know that Avonlea played a big part in the Anne stories.
Aerial view courtesy of the Internet
Until this year, the village offered a glimpse into the world of Anne of Green Gables with shops and re-created buildings with a heritage feel. One was charged an admission to walk the grounds of Avonlea Village where there were actors dressed in costumes of that day.
But they discovered it was better to offer free admission and the houses in Avonlea have been transformed into restaurants, shops, etc. They also offer pony rides for the little ones and they still have music and entertainment at certain times of the day.
Join me for a quiet stroll down the street where we will see the school house where our famous author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, taught school as well as some other interesting sights.
It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. ~ LM Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables
We will begin at the train station where they sell Cows ice cream. Cows makes fabulous ice cream in a multitude of flavours and scooped onto one of their sugar cones, it's quite a treat! Inside there are souvenir shops as well. Anne greets you out front by the street light.
To the left of the station is the original Belmont School house where LM Montgomery taught her students in the years 1896-1897. These are her students with Montgomery on the right.
The school has been brought to Avonlea for preservation.
It is now renamed Moonsnail Mercantile which houses all manner of souvenirs. The really cool thing about this building is that the old black board is still intact on the back wall. I wanted to take a photo but there were too many people.
Across the street is Anne of Green Gables Chocolates where they make their own decadent confections. My youngest son loves their chocolate mints so I always send him a box at Christmastime.
Isn't this yellow house adorable? I love the picket fence! There is a dress shop in this house.
This is a quiet place to sit and reflect with a darling little lily pond behind it. It's hard to see but there is a lily in the pond nestled among the lily pads. One almost expects to see a frog prince jump onto a lily pad, the surroundings are so magical!
We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. ~ Jawaharlal Nehru
The lily pond
This one will remain as part of the Village. It is the Long River Presbyterian Church built in 1872 where Montgomery and her cousins attended.
As you enter the church, to the right is this door to the minister's office.
This is the view of the balcony, the pews, and the wonderful windows. They still hold special concerts in this church.
This young man is in the midst of making the crust. After we had eaten, I watched him make another crust.
He threw it up in the air and it got stuck to the ceiling.
Notice the scooter. As you know that is how they deliver in Italy. A nice touch we thought!
This review of Avonlea Village and the food at Piatto is totally my own.
Time for Tea!
In keeping with my Avonlea Village theme, I thought green would be appropriate, as well as a wee bit of pink.
Colclough teacup made in England
Aynsley teacup made in England
Pink roses because, "After all, the only real roses are pink ones. They are the flowers of love and faith." ~ Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables
Faded roses lend a vintage appeal.
"Isn't it lovely? Don't you think it must be glad to be a rose? Wouldn't it be nice if roses could talk? I'm sure they could tell us such lovely things. And isn't pink the most bewitching color in the world?" ~ LM Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables
Maxwell & Williams Rose Bud teapot
We can't have an Avonlea tea without Anne. This is my little sand doll which my father gave me years ago. She sits on a couple of Anne books.
When you have flowers, books, and tea, you are never alone. ~ Alexandra Stoddard
Ice cream because we all know how much Anne loved her ice cream.
M&W Rose Bud saucer.
I forget the maker of the little vintage bowl which holds the ice cream. I found it in an antique shop.
Johnson Bros Old English square plate
Happiness is sharing tea with a friend.
I am delighted you have stopped by for tea today and I hope you enjoyed seeing a little of Avonlea Village.
"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." ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery
This tea party is all about sharing your joy of tea time and you may be as creative, fancy, or as laid back with your tea time as you wish! Do you have a favourite teacup/teapot, coffee cup/coffee pot, that you would like to share with us today? I would love to see it and I'm sure others would too! A trip to a Tea Shop is always fun and if you have a tea time recipe to share, we would love to see that too. If you wish, you may do coffee instead of tea or the following is acceptable too: Hot Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate, Lemonade, Iced Tea or iced coffee, or Punch in a lovely bowl.
I am joining the following parties as well~
A Return to Loveliness
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Friends Sharing Tea
Tea Cup Tuesday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Home Sweet Home
Sharing from my heart~ Sandi