The bees and I had a lovely time in the lavender today. Silvery green stems with lavender buds in an assortment of colors were fragrant and fresh. The hum of bees could be heard as I cut stems by the handful. They were so busy gathering nectar, they didn't have time to bother with me and we co-existed compatibly.
A special cutter is used for efficient cutting. Using a small hand-scythe, the lavender stems are gathered in a bundle and then cut in one swift movement. They are cut at the base of the stems and right above the leafy green foliage.
Lavender Herb Tea
1 tablespoon of dried lavender flowers
A couple sprigs of fresh or dried sage
A couple sprigs of pineapple mint or apple mint
A little rosemary
Use herbs fresh or dried. Toss together in a teapot and pour hot water over the top. Steep for 5 - 8 minutes. Decant with a strainer and serve in a pretty teacup. Add a touch of stevia for sweetness if you like. Enjoy.
1 tablespoon of dried lavender flowers
A couple sprigs of fresh or dried sage
A couple sprigs of pineapple mint or apple mint
A little rosemary
Use herbs fresh or dried. Toss together in a teapot and pour hot water over the top. Steep for 5 - 8 minutes. Decant with a strainer and serve in a pretty teacup. Add a touch of stevia for sweetness if you like. Enjoy.
Lavender Citrus Salt
1 cup sea salt
4 Tbsp. lavender buds
2 Tbsp. lemon peel, finely ground
2 Tbsp. orange peel, finely ground
Blend together and store in an air-tight jar. Enjoy as a seasoning for your favorite vegetables and salads.
1 cup sea salt
4 Tbsp. lavender buds
2 Tbsp. lemon peel, finely ground
2 Tbsp. orange peel, finely ground
Blend together and store in an air-tight jar. Enjoy as a seasoning for your favorite vegetables and salads.
Today wasn't a day for lavender wands or baskets, but little bundles of lavender were trimmed and wrapped in satin ribbon and bow. They are now ready to dry into fragrant little mussie-tussies that will last year around.
Oh! How lovely is that. I'll get to see my lavender bushes next week. Yippee.
ReplyDeleteThat tea sounds divine! I must add lavender to my shopping list for the farmer's market. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen white lavender before. I love the contrast tot he purple. This type of shape is my favorite. For some reason, I just don't like the lavender plants with the big, 'fluffy' tops. My peony buds haven't even opened yet and the people just a few streets away at the lower altitude have huge bushes with big blooms already open and gorgeous. Sigh, that's mountain living for ya!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty, love all of the different shades!
ReplyDeleteNikki
Wow, I am in envy of your Lavender. That first photo is superb.
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring my blog as Blog of the Week. It is quite an honor.
What beautiful little bundles...I can only imagine how fragrant your task was!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I can almost smell the lavendar and taste the tea. ~Adrienne~
ReplyDeleteI love that last photo, all gathered and tied.
ReplyDeleteSadly,I am allergic to lavender and a few other flowers:(
I wonder if drinking the tea would do the same or build up a resistance?
I am envious of your lavender... I would love to live in an area where lavender grows and I could harvest bundles and bundles! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and the recipes!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Our lavendar is literally buzzing with honey bees today, too! I will have to try some of these recipes-- thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested, I have a writing exercise on my blog. Anyone who wants to may participate.
ReplyDeleteOh, I would love to have my nose down in all those little bundles!!!
ReplyDeleteI can almost smell the little lavender bundles. I didn't realize the stems were so long and I've never seen white before either.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so lovely! And those recipes are very interesting.
ReplyDeleteOoooh! I could smell the lavender as I was reading this!!!
ReplyDelete