“This Island is the bloomiest place.
I just love it already,
and I am so glad I’m going to live here.”
-Anne Shirley
If it has been rather quiet on the blog lately … it is because our family has made a rather large move — into another province!
Yes, we quickly packed up our lovely home in Ontario this past month, after it sold abruptly in a week’s time, and headed east … in the direction of our new home in “The Place in the Sun” — Prince Edward Island.
As I walk the little trails around our new Island property, smell the salty air, see the birds in the trees and pick another bouquet of wildflowers for the kitchen table, I am in awe and complete gratitude fills my heart. How did we end up here? It is just so lovely and so wonderful – a new home for an old soul.
It is rather surprising to me to still wake up and realize I am in another province and another home – I have lived in Ontario since I was a little girl – although I was born on the west coast of Canada. Being near the ocean has never been an option for our family, but here, suddenly, we are … sitting on the coast line of the Atlantic Ocean … with a little homestead to call our own. We packed up our chickens, our mini horses, plants and herbs, household belongings – and children! – and headed east with much anticipation. It was all rather a whirlwind of a move and definitely led by God – He answered so many prayers, opened so many doors and allowed many dreams to come true — even down to the timing. [We arrived in time to plant our vegetable and flower gardens – yes, that was a special request of mine!]
After traveling across four provinces with 11 people, a harp and cello on board, along with a rooster and hen combination (which missed the animal trailer, by accident– and wouldn’t you know, the rooster started crowing every single time the baby fell asleep in the vehicle!), two dogs, three bunnies, a trunk filled with shelves duct taped with various plants from home and a trailer full of herbs and goodies — not to mention three freezers full of food! – from my garden …. we finally made it to our new home.
Words can barely express our excitement as we toppled out of our rather over-crowded family vehicle and ran to the shore to see our new home …
We had purchased our home sight unseen – with the exception of the internet views – and much of the land still held a mysterious air to it. Watching the children run along the shore in utter awe and excitement was a moment I will never forget as a mother. Nine happy children, squealing at the ocean waves, picking up shells and giggling with excitement when they spotted their first jellyfish.
We slept the first night without beds or blankets or pillows, as our home goods would not arrive until the following day, but no one cared. It all felt like a dream come true …
Our little home, Calico Cove, is even sweeter than I an anticipated – and we immediately felt at home – there have been no regrets about leaving our favorite house in Ontario. Although I absolutely adored our last home – and it will forever hold a special place in my heart – I have realized home truly is where my family is – and we are all together, making more memories under another special little roof in our little house by the sea. [That being said, I will miss our Ontario friends and family and even more, our B.C. family that lives oh so far away!]
We still have a century home … but with farmland and we have grand ocean … we have fresh winds and chattering birds and fruit trees and a sparkling pond … we have a cozy kitchen and warm beds to sleep at night … we have our chickens and a large vegetable garden to grow and our animals to raise … we have salty air and beautiful sunsets …
… and we have red soil.
Here is a comparison of Ontario dirt against the red soil of the island. It has been rather fun to start our garden with the famous red soil of Prince Edward Island rubbing against our fingers and toes.
It feels a bit like we’ve landed in the Promised Land for our family.
I’m just going to soak it all up and completely enjoy this new chapter of our family’s story.
Won’t you join me in our new island adventures?
by Gigi
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