Octobers

“I'm so glad I live in a world
 where there are Octobers.” 

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Lavender & Tea Time

 

It's already the end of June. I'm still blogging at The Traveling Teapot this month. You're invited to stop by and read about the adventures of the little plum teapot. I've been having fun hosting this month. Today's post is about tea time during alone times.

 

“Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven't the answer to a question you've been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you're alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.”

Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

Craftin' with Lavender

The lavender is beautiful in June! It's time to make lavender crafts! Years ago my children's Suzuki piano teacher taught me how to make lavender wands. She was a very special person, believing in embracing the whole child. Not only did she teach appreciation for music and how to play it well, but how to incorporate the little things of life --- like flowers, fine food, and beautiful art --- into one's scope.

After mastering the art of weaving lavender wands, it was easy to learn how to make lavender bottles, mussie tussies, and lavender baskets.

Today "the traveling teapot" and I teach how to make lavender wands --- step-by-step --- on the Traveling Teapot blog. You are welcome to stop by!

Garden of Thoughts and Dreams

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment.  My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams.  The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful.  Abram L. Urban

The bouquet ~ John F. Kennedy Rose with lavender.

{Please stop by the Traveling Teapot blog. The little plum teapot shares history with Sacajawea today.}

l a v e n d e r * l o v e * k i t t y

The small, cultivator lavenders are in bloom. I love their vivid color and sweet fragrance. It is natural for me to swipe my hands through the plants as I walk by them in the garden. The fragrance clings to my hands and I enjoy the soothing and tranquil smell. Although they do not have stems as long as the Grosso lavender, a good selection could be found, so I decided to cut some stems and create something. A small cluster of lavender in hand was carefully arranged. I secured the cluster with a small rubber band, right below the blossoms. Then, I measure down about 2 inches and marked the stems with my thumbnail. At that mark I folded each stem upwards, leaving a sharp crease but not cutting the stems into pieces. A length of ribbon was used to weave in and out of the stems, creating a "basket" of lavender blossoms. I added a piece of ribbon around the base and at the top of the basket. A bow was tied and added to embellish. It was a fragrant craft! So small and cute! It's drying now, and once dried I will adhere a small magnet to the back. It will become a fridge magnet so that it can be enjoyed for years ahead. Have you ever made a lavender basket?

The rest of the cut lavender was formed into a small bouquet and place into a milk glass vase. This is a 'no water' bouquet for me. The lavender will dry in the arrangement and can add charm to a shelf or sill for weeks to come. More of the striped lavender ribbon was used to tie around the neck of the vase. Old kitty was happy to see me in the garden and came to say hello. Meow!

Can you see kitty peeking past the lavender bouquet?

Lavender is in the mint family, as is cat mint (catnip). I wonder if Old Cat was as interested in me as in the lavender? I like to think he was. He's such a sweet kitty.

Do you grow lavender? Is it blooming yet? June is the month for lavender to bloom around here. The spring flowers of May will now be accented with an abundance of lavender in June. I can hardly wait!

Blueberry-Lavender Jam

Blueberry-Lavender Jam

2 Tbsp. dried, organic lavender flowers
12 ounces frozen white grape juice concentrate
3 cups fresh (or flash frozen) blueberries, washed and drained

Make a lavender sachet by cutting a piece of cheesecloth into a 6" square. Place the lavender in the center and tie into a bundle with kitchen twine or twist.

Place the lavender sachet, grape juice concentrate, and blueberries to a boil in a heavy saucepan. Stir constantly to prevent sticking. The berry mixture will 'jell' after about 20 minutes. You can test if the mixture has jelled by placing a teaspoonful of it on a place and allowing to cool at room temperature. After cooling, lightly touch the berry mixture with your finger to see if it has the consistency of jelly. If necessary, cook for 10 more minutes. When done, cover and steep for 2 hours. Then, remove the lavender sachet and discard.

Divide the jam between two pint jars. Cover and store in a refrigerator for up to one month.

*The mountain in the background is Mt. Adams*Can you see it?

Rain & Tea

Rain

I love rainy days with

a blanket and a cup of tea

and a book.

Thousand Days Red Jasmine

Mighty Leaf Tea Company

www.mightyleaf.com

The lavender is in bloom!

Baked Apple Delight with Lavender

This is a wonderful gluten-free version of an old favorite. The delightful flavors in this mixture meld delightfully.

Baked Apple Delight

4 apples

2/3 cup almonds

1/8 cup flax seeds
1/2 cup coconut

juice of 2 oranges

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup agave syrup

1/2 cup dates, chopped
lavender and mint

Core apples, cutting deeply into center so that space can be made for filling.

Grind almonds and flax seeds in food processor until finely ground. Place mixture in a bowl. Add coconut, orange juice, vanilla, cinnamon, agave syrup, and dates.

Place a small amount of filling in the bottom of a baking dish (or dishes). Use the remaining filling to stuff each apple.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 minutes. When apples are tender and baked through, remove from oven. Drizzle with more agave syrup for decor. Garnish with mint and lavender.

*The lavender enhanced the flavor --- allow little buds of lavender to mix with the filling.

Purple Mountain Majesty

There's something very majestic about a snow capped volcano. When you can turn around and see another one directly behind you, the magnificence if multiplied. On a recent visit to see Brandon and Sally, they suggested that we go visit a lavender farm nearby. Of course we were interested! 

It was an added treat to find that the lavender farm was situated in a hollow with Mt. Hood in one direction and Mt. Adams in the other. Bright sunshine and blue skies only accentuated the beauty of the mountains. 

[Mt. Hood, Oregon]

As you can tell, we weren't the only ones distracted away from the lovely lavender by the mountain peaks!

[Mt. Adams, Washington]

Hood River Lavender Farm, Odell, Oregon

Ointment of Lavender

"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of lavender, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." 

~Luke~

Photo: Hood River Lavender Farm

Lavender Peach Iced Tea

Makes about 6 servings

3 tea bags of black tea (decaf or neutral herbal blend)
5 or 6 sprigs of fresh lavender
2 tablespoons honey (or to taste)
4 cups boiling water
3 cups chilled peach nectar

Place tea bags, lavender, and honey in a one-quart glass jar and pour on boiling water. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes and stir. Strain into a pitcher and chill until cold. Stir in the peach nectar and serve over ice in tall glasses.

Sweet Summertime

Sweet summertime! The days may be hot, but the automatic sprinkler system faithfully works every night to water the gardens and lawn. The reward is a lush, green paradise in the midst of tumbleweeds and sagebrush in the fields nearby. This is the time of year that lavender sends forth long stalks of lavender blossoms. Whenever I walk past a lavender plant, I cannot help but brush my hand on the buds and sometimes even squish them between my fingers to release their glorious scent. I know, I am a bit crazy about lavender, but who wouldn't be! While out and about in the yard, I not only see and smell lavender, but I hear the mournful yet soothing sound of the mourning doves. They nest in the pine tree near the corner of the house each summer. At the first dawn they start cooing back and forth, calling to one another in gentle tones. To some this might be bothersome, but it's a sound I enjoy each summer day. "Our" doves have discovered the bird feeder outside of the kitchen window. They fit right in with the sparrows, juncos, black-birds, and goldfinches. The grain from the feeder has made them silky and fat! I think we have the fattest mourning doves in the neighborhood! They are plump and beautiful. Doves and lavender. A delicious cup of chilled tea in the garden. Such simple pleasures that sweet summertime brings. What pleasures do you find in nature during this season?

Lavender Blue, Dilly, Dilly

"Lavender blue, dilly, dilly

Lavender green

If I were king, dilly, dilly

I'd need a queen."

It's lavender season! Karleen and I decided to take advantage of a hot summer day to drive in a cool car to a nearby lavender farm. Actually, the season is nearly over, so we knew we needed to go while we could or we'd miss it all!

We drove along the river, through sage and tumbleweed, to farm country where alfalfa and wheat fill the fields and hillsides. Nestled in next to a golden field of wheat is a lavender oasis called Blue Mountain Lavender.

Fields of many varieties of lavender greeted us and its fragrance filled the air. Visitors were walking amongst the plants, enjoying not only lavender, but rows of blacked-eyed Susan's, poppies, echinacea, and coreopsis. The orange and yellow interspersed with the masses of purple provided a beautiful contrast. The lavender was as magnificent as ever! Guests enjoyed the gift shop filled with a variety of unique, handmade sachets, wreaths, art, and food items. Some were having lunch at a picnic table in the lavender field while others simply sat on the Adirondack chairs and relaxed. 

On the patio, a fountain cheerfully dripped and gurgled. It was beautiful and was surrounded by boxwood which sprigged beautifully in response to its environment.

Pots of herbs and colorful planters filled with flowers in a riot of color created such a pretty space.

The complimentary lavender lemonade was cold and sweet; most delicious for a hot summer day!

Nearby a table was set for wand making tutorials. Pretty ribbons and yarns seemed to call the passerby to stop and admire -- and maybe to try their hand a weaving something with their eloquent charm.

Or maybe visitors would rather make a lavender basket? They are fun to make too! I've made tiny ones, but none this large. I enjoy their rustic beauty and how the maker has added other dried flowers to compliment the blossoms of lavender.

Young plants have been planted among rows of more mature lavender. For prolific production of the blossom, it is important to start new plants every few years. I suppose one could call this "crop rotation", although I don't think that's a term that is usually expressed for flowers.

A drying shed nearby was filled with bundles of lavender. The order and organization provided nearly as much "serenity" as the delightful fragrance.

I took one last picture as we left the lavender farm. A dry creek bed with a wooded bridge and wagon leads so sweetly to the green and purple just beyond our sight. We headed home to a cup of  hot Chocolate Oolong tea and ice cold watermelon, cucumber slices, and pecans. It may not be your traditional "afternoon tea" menu, but it was delicious!

And while we are on the subject of lavender, I thought I'd share a picture of Karleen's completed quilt and cushions. We spent some time examining it after our "tea". I think they are so pretty all lavender and sage green. If you're a regular blog reader, you'll remember that I shared her quilt "in progress" a few posts back. It was really fun to see the quilt after quilting. Quilting adds a whole new dimension to the process. I think it's very nice!

Lavender Lemonade

The chilly, rainy week continues. Moments of sunshine as it peeks through the clouds cheer up the day. Today's the day that Venus will be passing between Earth and the Sun. The clouds are too thick in the sky for a peek at the sun. On the up-side of things, the lavender has started to bloom and it is so beautiful and fragrant! All we need is some sunny weather so it can be laid out to dry! In the meantime, how about a recipe for some delicious "lavender lemonade"?

Sparkling Lavender Lemonade

Cut fresh lavender and remove most of stem. Place about 1/2 cup of lavender flowers in a glass container and pour 2 cups of boiling water over top. Allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain using a mesh strainer or coffee filters. Combine this lavender infusion with 2 quarts of fresh lemonade. Sweeten with the sweet herb, stevia, for added flavor. Chill and serve over ice. Add a long stem of fresh lavender to the glass (like a straw) for a pretty effect. For sparkling lavender lemonade, add a splash of lemon or lime carbonated beverage or plain soda water.

For times when fresh lavender isn't available, cut some fresh lavender flowers and place in an ice cube tray. Cover with fresh water and freeze until ready to use.

Late Season Lavender

Lavender season is nearing its end. Generally, lavender is harvested in the bud stage before flowering. But if you are like me, you leave some on the plant to enjoy as long as possible. The long stems of lavender create a beautiful showpiece for a flower garden. Even when the blooms are past their prime, they dry nicely on the stems and provide fragrant beauty throughout the summer. This time of year lavender is past bud stage and is now in full bloom or past.

But that doesn't matter when it comes to lavender wands and bottles. Both can be successfully made with lavender that is past its prime. The flowers are fragrant and encase nicely into the ball portion of a lavender wand.

Small bundles of lavender are tied at the top of the stems with a string or rubber band. The stems are folded over the flowers to create a 'cage' and then ribbon is woven in and out of the stems. A tutorial can be seen here (you will need to scroll down the page to view the tutorial). This creates a pretty lavender wand. A lavender bottle is similar, but instead of weaving ribbon in and out of the stems, they are left open and a simple ribbon is tied around at the base of the flowers after the stems have been folded back. Lavender wands are valued for their contribution to fragrance and decor. Lavender bottles are generally tucked into a dresser drawer as potpourri. Because the bud and flowers are not compactly contained by the woven ribbon, bits of flowers break off into the drawer, but that is generally considered a gracious thing and is nothing to worry about (although you might need to vacuum out your dresser drawers now and then.

Little bundles of ribbon tied lavender bouquets and lavender wands look pretty placed in a basket or vase, creating a pretty addition to any room!

Hot Lavender

Hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram;
The marigold, that goes to bed wi' th' sun,
And with him rises weeping; these are flow'rs
Of middle summer, and I think they are given
To men of middle age.

~ Shakespeare ~

Photo: end of season lavender in my garden

l a v e n d e r

With the arrival of summer, the hot weather is here. Our three week delay in blossoms is starting to catch up. I was happy to be able to pick my first bundle of lavender recently. Weeks behind in blooming, it is still more bud than bloom, but the fragrance is lovely! They hybrids are blooming well right now, and the rest aren't far behind. I'm especially enjoying the white and pink lavender blossoms. They are delicate and sweet, giving contrast to the dark blues and purples of the other plants.  It's time to start harvesting lavender for projects.  The ideal is to gather them to dry while they are just about ready to blossom.  Petals are not considered desirable for lavender craft and food projects.  But, they are so pretty in the garden that I have a hard time actually harvesting too many of them.  Even when the blossoms are past their prime, they look beautiful in the garden as the lavender dries on the stalk, creating a contrasting backdrop for other flowers in bloom.  There is such beauty in such a simple plant.

Planning for Lavender

 
Do you enjoy the fragrance and flavor of lavender?  Some do, and a few don't.  It will be a month or so before the Spanish lavender starts blooming.  A few weeks after that, the Grosso, Hidcote, Munstead, and other lavenders will start to bloom proficiently!  If you don't have any lavender in your garden, it's time to plan ahead.  If you buy a gallon container of lavender from a nursery and plant it in your garden, you can enjoy blossoms of your own this summer.  Once the lavender starts to bud, keep watch.  Just before the buds start to blossom, harvest the lavender and place them in a warm place (outside of direct sunlight) to dry.  Once dry, remove the bud by rubbing the stems and bud between your hands.  Use a screen large enough to allow the bud to pass through, leaving the stems and leaves on the screen.  You can then use the cleaned lavender for cooking or crafts.  Here's one way of using lavender in your kitchen or for gifts, so plan ahead!

Lavender Sugar ~ flavor sugar by burying a few sprigs or bud in a bowl of sugar, and let the mixture sit for few weeks; this makes a sweet gift! Place lavender sugar in a small glass jar. Add a jar with ring and cover with tulle or cotton print. Tie with a pretty bow and add a silver teaspoon for serving into a delicious cup of tea!