August 16, 2015

Last night, thanks to Grandma willing to babysit, the Hubby and I got to sneak away for a little early date night. His cousin’s band was providing live music at Carr’s Oyster Bar in Stanley Bridge, which is right on the water, so we stopped in for a bite to eat out on the patio and enjoyed the gorgeous weather and music. 

With only 2 hours left on the clock before Dominic’s bedtime, we decided to leave Carr’s a bit early and visit the PEI Preserve Company in New Glasgow for dessert. Their pies are simply scrumptious and it was on the way to Rustico. Originally we planned on enjoying these tasty treats out on a beach out in Rustico, a charming fisherman town with free entrance to a beautiful beach, and then go for a stroll on the beach, but the Garden of Hope there on the premises, intrigued us. Little did we know that such a well maintained and beautiful garden was hiding behind the parking lot and buildings. 

With many different gardens to explore, and live animals to see including goats, sheep, ponies, llamas, and rabbits, it’s definitely family-friendly and somewhere we’ll  visit again with Dominic next time. Admission is by donation and they even have a Butterfly House we have yet to visit.

As the warm summer evening sun stretched across the western sky, the wild grass dancing in the breeze just above the shimmering river, you could hear the faint mingling of live music, laughter, and mumbled words of a toast from the wedding reception at a corner of the garden. Walking hand in hand with my beloved, I could help but think this was very much an Anne of Green Gable-esque experience.

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So if you’re on the Island and wanting a place to visit that’s family-friendly, not only does the PEI Preserve Company serve food and have a great little gift shop, is a venue for weddings and concerts, but their Garden of Hope is definitely a highlight.

We stopped by Grandma and Grandpa’s to pick up our sweet little boy who was happy and tired from an exciting afternoon of swimming, exploring Grandma’s garden, and having gone poo-poo on the potty for the first time! We are so blessed with such loving parents who treasure our babies!

xoxo