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Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Monday 31 August 2015

An Avonlea Village Tea

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! 


There is much "scope for the imagination" here! The whole village is so very charming and it is a lovely place to spend some time on a lazy afternoon. 


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

I love this little church. Having been in the ministry with my hubby, I am always intrigued by these small country churches. Unfortunately, they are becoming more scarce every year.




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.


Between the dress shop and the church is a cafe but it was nearing supper time and we felt we needed a little more sustenance so we stopped to have a nosh at this Italian Piatto where their specialty is wood-fired pizza.



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!


Our pizza; the Siciliana. Fresh fior di latte mozzarella, spicy Italian sausage, fresh basil, prosciutto, roasted red peppers, garlic, and Grana Padano. And was it ever good! Drizzle on some flavoured virgin olive oil and shake on the spices. It was delicious! 


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
  The most trying hours in life are between four o'clock and the evening meal. A cup of tea at this time adds a lot of comfort and happiness. ~ Royal S. Copeland



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.

And some pound cake too.



Johnson Bros Old English square plate

A cup of Earl Grey tea.



A view of the setting.



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

35 comments :

  1. What a lovely post, and I'm grateful to you for sharing Prince Edward Island with us. I hope to visit there someday. Your Avonlea tea is wonderful!

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  2. Oh yes, my friend, I certainly enjoyed visiting Avonlea Village today and getting a peek of the beauty and history there. I would so love to visit in person, but this was the next best thing!
    Your tea is so lovely and reflects your visit. Thank you so much for hosting and enjoy the rest of your week, sweet friend.

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  3. Hi Sandi. That looks like a wonderful place to visit! Such fun! I love your Avonlea tea...especially the Aynsley! The doll is darling! Have a wonderful week. Thanks for hosting and linking with Tuesday Cuppa Tea!

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  4. Good Morning, Sandi. What a delightful post! I really enjoyed your Avonlea tea and touring Avonlea Village with you (and taking notes -- armchair traveler)! Beautiful teacups and beautiful post. Happy Monday, Happy Tea Day and thanks so much for hosting.

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  5. What a great and special place to visit, with so much history and yes, I love the church too. That pizza looks yummy!
    Lovely post my friend.
    Thanks for the wonderful party.
    Have a lovely week.
    FABBY

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  6. Loved the tour! Thanks for sharing, especially since I doubt we'll ever make it that far away to visit PEI in person. (:

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  7. Love Anne of Green Gables, I would love to visit this quaint village! Thanks Sandi, for sharing it with us.
    Since I live so far away this may be the only tour I'll get!

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  8. Hello Sandi,

    What a gorgeous village. It is so pristine and beautiful. I love the little area with the tables. Thank you for sharing such a sweet place.

    Janet

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  9. Sandi, what a sweet slice of heaven to drop in and see such a precious village. Thanks for sharing such a special place~
    Nancy

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  10. Beautiful post, Sandi! I really enjoyed that. Thanks for hosting...Christine

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  11. I love Anne of Green Gables and so enjoyed your post of Avonlea ! Thanks so much for sharing !

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  12. Avonlea looks a charming place with plenty to see and do. Lots of good things to eat as well by the sound of it:)

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  13. How wonderful to walk in the steps of Anne of Green Gables. The tour brings my imagination to life. The buildings are so charming in Avonlea. Thanks for the kind comments during visiting my blog. Hope your tea times are always sweet!

    Pam

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  14. Everything here is so lovely. My middle daughter Rebekah is an English Lit. major and although she works for a large ins. corporation this is her passion. If you ever received gift from her, she is quite creative and she also gives books such as Anne of green Gables. Very beautifully put together here. Thank you so much for sharing. Enjoy a lovely week. Hugs, Anne

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  15. Oh Sandi, another wonderful post of the island! I really enjoyed seeing "the village". The old Church is magnificent and your pizza looks wonderful! Your tea setting is cute too, I like how you added the bit about Anne and her ice cream, that makes me want to go watch the movie right now. I also like your sweet little Anne doll too.
    Thanks so much for sharing your island in photo with us.
    Gina

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  16. Thank you for hosting and giving us a tour of Avonlea Village. I love L.M. Montgomery's books--Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon were my favourite series--and also enjoyed watching Road to Avonlea when I was a child. The pretty green and pink teacups are also perfect for an Avonlea tea!

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  17. I LOVE Anne of Green Gables! Thank you so much for posting the pictures and story of Avonlea Village! Have a blessed week! Lynn

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  18. Thank you for the wonderful tour of Avonlea Village! I love the yellow house too. I hate to admit this, but I have not read Anne of Green Gables in its entirety. Awful, I know! You have sparked my interest and I may be heading to the library.
    Blessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse

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  19. What a scope for the imagination for sure! What a delightful shopping area. Thanks for hosting. Your tea is lovely!
    Sherry

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  20. I love anything "Anne" ! The shops look delightful and by the look of the sky, the weather must have been perfect for an outing like that.

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  21. Hi Sandi,
    What a lovely tour of Avonlea Village. The church is so very beautiful too! I do love your dear green Colclough and pretty pink teacup. Your pound cake looks delightful! How I love pound cake with tea. Happy Tea Day and Thank you for hosting Tuesday Tea Time! Have a wonderful week! Karen

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  22. This post has certainly inspired me to reread the "Anne" series. I would love to visit Avonlea one day and especially see the church and schoolhouse. Thanks for sharing this remarkable village with us along with your beautiful teaware. Your Rosebud teapot is just beautiful-great shape and pattern. Happy Tea Time, Nora

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  23. I've only watched the movies and the play in PEI. Maybe I'm going to res'd the books too, just in time when we can go visit PEI again:-)
    Lovely pictures and oh my, what beautiful tea cups, especially the pink one
    Maya: Tea in Sidi Bou Said

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  24. Sandi:
    I just arrived home last night after a 11 day trip due to the passing of my step father. Would you believe we spent 6 days driving, 1 in Virginia and 4 days in Missouri with my son and family. I watch Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea with y granddaughter so you post is so special. I would love to take her there.

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  25. I meant to say we spent 1 day in Virginia and we spent 4 days in Missouri. My favorite place was West Virginia - so beautiful!

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  26. What a lovely post! I have always wanted to visit your beautiful island. Hopefully someday! I would love to have tea with you in person! Your tea times are always so special. Thank you for hosting!
    Blessings, Nancy

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  27. What a lovely post! I have always wanted to visit your beautiful island. Hopefully someday! I would love to have tea with you in person! Your tea times are always so special. Thank you for hosting!
    Blessings, Nancy

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  28. Lots of lovely things to enjoy on your post today. Glimpses of Anne's world always makes me smile. Lovely photos.

    Wishing you a beautiful day and a lovely September ahead...
    Brenda

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  29. Your tour of Avonlea brought back memories from when we were on the island and visited there. I didn't remember that you had the MW teapot that matches our cups and it is pretty too with all the roses.
    Happy tea times in September Sandi.

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  30. A spectacular post, Sandi! Ii LOVE when you share a little about PEI and Green Gables, especially. It's a shame that the original museum purpose of the village conceded to commercial shops, but it looks as if the buildings are preserved and aspects of the history, too. Loved the photo of Lucy's class at the school. As to your teacups--the creamy colors of the green and pink are luscious. I have kept my eyes open for treasures like that--and transferware--which I'm also newly looking out for. Though my collection budget is shrunk with my book publishing concerns. However, I'm sharing today about a teacup exchange I'm participating in and am very excited about.
    Joy!
    Kathy

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  31. Hood Morning :)
    I love this post. I so wish they still had the actors but am thankful we got to see them and Rilla had her picture with Anne, Diana, Marilla and Ruby...she had such a fun time there.
    love your tea setup. so pretty.
    Have a wonderful day. It's so pretty this morning. but 8 degrees! brrr lol
    love
    Denise of Ingleside

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  32. Sandi, what a delightful tour. I would love to visit some day!! I'm glad you had such a fun day. The shops and buildings are just charming! I love both your green and pink teacups, and that J. Bros. square plate is gorgeous! Have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  33. I love all these old houses in Avonlea! I read LM Montgomery's journals last year, and saw that she spent a good portion of her married life here in Ontario (not far from me). Apparently, her old home is now a museum, but I have yet to visit there. I think I'm the only one in my family that is interested in that tour ;)
    Your tea cups are so pretty, and the roses really are perfect!
    Wendy

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  34. Lovely. Visiting PEI is on my bucket list. Thank you for the tour. Love the roses quotes. Angels to you.

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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