in the shape of a heart

 

Heart-shaped rocks have been collected at our house since the girls were toddlers and we took afternoon walks. Wherever we went, we would fill pockets with interesting things that begged not to be left behind. Shiny bits, things fallen from trees, treasures from a day of meandering. Somewhere along the way we discovered heart-shaped rocks. In streambeds, alleys, beaches, gravel pits, playgrounds. Lined up on the front hall table, each one seemed more remarkable than the next. Little rocks with a nick in the top and a pointed tip. Jewels and gems. These are from Prince Edward Island 06.

For Mother's Day, my darling, adorable, sweet, dear and so very cute family gave me a trip to Prince Edward Island with Erin and Maggie for a girls' week. Worried about a mommy breakdown, the empty nest syndrome and all, they set it up so it would be right after Mo went  off to college. She would not have been able to go with us at any point that summer so September it was, just the three of us. In a cottage. For a week.

The girls and I were big Anne of Green Gables fans and we always said it would be fun to go there. Those girls, that man, I tell you, I am one lucky mom. It was just about the best week ever - for all the reasons you can imagine. We missed Andy and Mo- it seemed incomplete without them, but it was delicious to be just the three of us, tooling around the empty island, seeing every little thing, eating seafood, walking beaches, reading, knitting, kayaking, clamming, cooking, exploring, seeing the places we read about, and foxes, flea markets, a Celtic Ceilidh, and a village fair.

And collecting heart-shaped rocks. Starfish, seaglass, broken rocks. Dear, precious things.

 

 

Comments

[Jerusalem]

What a great memory! The gals in my clan have always loved Anne of Green Gables too and that kind of trip sounds delightful, what a beatufil gift! Thanks for sharing.

[Melissa]

PEI is a very special place to me. I was there in Sept a few years ago, and the amber waves of grain were delicious against the icey blue ocean. My father's relatives came over from Guernsey in 1806 and landed on PEI. How wonderful to stand on that very place and to see that it is named after our family! I'd love to go back again, especially in September.

[Crystal]

Aaaa! I am the biggest Anne of Green Gables fan!!! When I used to go on air for a pbs station, they specifically put me on during the Anne series they aired bc I loved it so much.

But I've never been so lucky to get to go to Prince Edward Island. Lucky you!

I "heart" the stones. What treasures...

[Anita]

Oh, are you as well beaten by the heart feaver that is going around in blogging land these days? I guess you are!
Those stone hearts are very nice!

[carolyn]

Heart shaped rocks such a nice thing to collect, ours is rocks with holes in them - not quite as seasonal as your beautiful collection.

[Gemma]

Ohh the utter utter jealousy! It is my dream to go there.

[Nonnie]

Oh what a wonderful sounding week. I used to love Anne of Green Gables when I was younger. Haven't thought about it for a long time. The collection of stones is very beautiful.

[Britt-Arnhild]

I am also a collector of heartshape stones :-) And plan to show a few on Valentine's Day.

[deb]

Charlotte alas, we are kindred spirits! I collect heart shaped rocks too. I've been lucky enough to go to PEI four times. My husband's family lives in Nova Scotia and we always sneak away for a few days. It's so beautiful. What a wonderful memory for you.

[Angie Grimm]

Charlotte,

What a lovely post and what wonderful daughters you have.
I don't want my babies to grow up but will cherish the thought of days to come such as you have described.
Have a great weekend!

[Heather]

Beautiful, touching post. I absolutely love it!

[Zabrina]

It makes me remember a ex teacher of mine, a very wise lady, a num. She travelled all over the world and every city she went she kept a little rock. In her studio, in a Catholic school, she had on a table all the collected rocks. And she labeled them with the names of the places.
Very nice!
I missed your blog. I like it very much! Those tea cups cozies are pretty! Very inspiring!

[kerry : k8tykat]

wonderful!!

[Mrs. Staggs]

Such a lovely post this is Charlotte! I've always wanted a trip to Prince Edward Island...maybe someday!
Your girls are lovely and so thoughtful.
Love the photo of the rocks of the February page.

[Daisy Cottage]

Charlotte, yes you are so blessed to have your wonderful, sweet family AND they are so blessed to have YOU. You are a great mom ~ showing them the "hearts" in stones, surrounding them with so much creativity, encouraging them to uncover their own ~ I'm so glad you had such a sweet time ~ and worry not, your nest will NEVER be empty ~ your baby birds will always fly home to be with you.
xo,
Kim

[Hanna]

I just wanted to say that I LOVE the last photo of the text and the heartshaped stones. lovely!

[teresa mcfayden]

Your heart rocks remind me of Sara Lugg. Love those! What treasures in that you found them with your family!!

[nel]

What a wonderful gift from a very thoughtful family...looks like you had fun and made some wonderful memories. Nel

[Char DeRouin]

Charlotte,
What a lovely post to share, and what wonderful memories for you all. I too, love Anne of Green Gables and everything Avonlea! Going to PEI would be a dream come true. . .hummm. . .time to get the dvd's out soon.
Best,
Char

[Janice]

What a wonderful gift. I am from Nova Scotia and we often "sneak" over to the Island when we are home for a day or two in a Bed & Breakfast. We always go in September too....we have the loveliest of Autumns in the Maritimes...something I miss dearly.

[GiGi]

This post brought such great memories of when I was a nanny. The kids collected heart-shaped rocks for their mom and when the little girl turned eight she had an Anne of Green Gables birthday. They decorated hats, had a tea party and rode around the park in a carriage...