PEI: My Second Home

This weekend was spent back at the place that is now my second home. The coolest part about this weekend was I got to share it with my mother. She was the one who introduced me to Anne of Green Gables and helped me begin cultivating my love for great stories. I will never forget the feeling or the moment my mom and I stepped around the corner and got our first glimpse of Green Gables. We just stood there, arm in arm, and reminisced about all those times we watched the movies together with a cup of coffee in hand. We envisioned Marilla and Anne sitting on the front porch chatting while Rachel Lynde hurried over to interject her opinion into their conversation. Being there with her was completely surreal.

Green Gables…Isn’t it stunning?!

And then…we actually saw Anne and had the opportunity to chat with her. She was “fascinated” by my mom’s fancy jewelry and my girls’ bright clothes. The girl playing her was so much fun. She stayed in character the entire time, and I was willing to allow myself to actually believe we were talking to the real Anne.

Mom, it’s ANNE!

To be honest, I always thought I would see Prince Edward Island on a romantic getaway with my incredible husband. But, I loved the way this has worked out. Sharing PEI with my mother, my own girls, and my mother-in-love was absolutely perfect. It’s hard to describe in words all the emotions I felt and sites I saw this weekend, so I’ll allow the pictures to do the talking…

The Red Cliffs

The Lake of Shining Waters

The beach we stopped at on our carriage ride.

Mom and Hannah on Anne’s beach.

Silver Bush…home of Lucy Montgomery’s uncle and her favorite place as a child.

Daisies are the happiest flowers.

My kiddos picking flowers off the road

All things Anne wasn’t the only thing we did this weekend. We wanted Aaron and the girls to experience part of the amazing countryside of PEI. The farms there are absolutely stunning. It’s hard to describe the beauty of its farmland, but imagine bright greens and yellows over a backdrop of the incredible red soil with a touch of brown in it. So, this time we went to Island Hill Farms and played with their baby goats, chickens, and bunnies while also watching them cut and store hay for the winter. Aaron was loved playing with the goats and watching the “big tractor” haul hay, and the girls were content to just sit and love on the bunnies. It was perfect farm experience for them.

Daddy, look at that tractor!

Sweet baby chickens

The baby bunnies were so soft

Acres of hay bales

I hug you goat!

And then it was on to the Butterfly House to actually allow the girls to be in the midst of a host of butterflies. (I’ll never admit this to KK, but it was a little creepy to me. 🙂 ) Let me just say, KK was in heaven. She has a love for fairies and butterflies. I came up and whispered: “Do you think there are fairies in here?” Oh, to have captured that smile would have been amazing. She just sheepishly grinned and shook her head “yes.” What a thrill it was to see her surrounded by her favorite “animal!”

Mommy, it landed on my finger!

This one loved Hannah…at least the urge the held.

Popi, the butterfly whisperer.

I don’t know how long it will take for me to get back there, but God willing, I will go back. Maybe this time it will be the romantic getaway I once imagine. But, if not, I’m totally okay with that. Sharing places you love with the people you love is one of those gifts of grace that is so precious. Until next time PEI…you have my heart!

The iconic lighthouse on PEI

One of the oldest lighthouses on the island.