Saturday, July 7, 2007

Lakeside Lavender Farm Festival

We went to the Lakeside Lavender Farm festival this morning.


I read directions to Art as he drove along the country roads -- it was a short drive from our home.









This is the path that leads to a farm house with lavender fields on either side.













There were lots of interesting areas for the girls to explore. They were running here & there and literally rolling around in the grass.


I grew up on and around farms like this, so it pleased me to share this type of experience with them.







This festival was extra delightful because it was void of commercialism. This is a family farm, and you get the feeling that you are invited to help and partake in the harvest.










They say lavender can ease stress, induce relaxation, refresh, and even invigorate. It's called a "mood balancing herb" that possesses a sedative and calming effect; as well as an uplifting, refreshing and rejuvenating effect on the psyche.

Look at the uplifting effect it had on my oldest daughter!





Here you see it's calming effects...


and our basket full of lavender goodies!










LAVENDER
* sachets
* jelly
* lip balm
* tea cookie recipe & lavender buds
* bundles - snipped fresh by me!

They had lots more homemade lavender things: lotion, oil, spritzer, relaxation pillows, soap, cookies, honey, ice cream, already dried lavender, and more.




I picked up just enough for me, and a couple friends. One was hand delivered, and the other by mail.
I'm marking my calendar for next year, and I hope they continue this festival for many years to come.
Happy 7 * 7 * 7 !!! I guess today there will be lots of lottery tickets sold and many weddings to attend. For me, I got "lucky" with lavender. :)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mmmm...I love lavendar. The jelly sounds delicious!

Taylor said...

One of the most beautiful things I've seen was a lavender field in England - all you could see was purple ground rising up to meet the blue sky.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

lavender is one of my favorite herbs - it has so many uses!

Teresa said...

What a fun family outing! I have heard that lavender has many wonderful properties and uses. I just wish I knew how to actually use the herb to make something (lotion, jelly...) with it. Have you ever had lavender tea?

-Teresa

vko said...

Lucky you- what a fun day! And that pic with your kids & the basket of lavender, just too perfect. I love lavender in small doses because as I discovered years ago in an open market in Provence, I am allergic to lavender.

Mikaela said...

Lavender is just... perfect, isn't it? :)

Vegan_Noodle said...

What adorable pictures of your girls in their sun hats!! I love the soothing scent of lavender, looks like yall had a fun time.

theONLYtania said...

Oh what a neat festival, you got a lot of goodies there! I love the picture of your daughter running.. haha frolicking I might even call it.

Crystal said...

Nice! I love lavender. I use mine to make Lavender Strawberry Lemonade. Just simmer the lavender with some strawberries in water. Strain, add lemon juice and ice and serve!

-Crystal

Candi said...

I've never been to anything like that before, but I'd love to! I have slowly become addicted to all things lavender. I have baked with it too, and loved it.

Your sprigs on the door with a note are the cutest thing!! I'd love to come home to something like that. You're so sweet!

I'm glad you all have a great time, and thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Love the sprigs on the door! What a relaxing way to spend the day.

I'm going to have to get a buy the DVD -- your Fourth of July meal looks really great.

Your daughters are so cute (I also love how your husband got in on the blogging action in your absence).

Monika K said...

What a fun adventure! I feel more relaxed just looking at your lavender and remembering its smell...(-:

KleoPatra said...

i love all my lavender goodies! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to spend the day. Lavender will forever remind me of my mother. She used to always have lavender satchets around. She also had these really cool lavender wands that were something like this. http://www.therapeuticoils.com/lavender_wand.html You make them with the fresh lavender and then dry them. To release the lavender scent you just roll them in your hands a bit. They're so beautiful to have around the house.