Friday, July 13, 2012

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!

8 comments:

  1. What a beautiful place.:)

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  2. What a wonder day trip. Such a pretty photos of the Lavender farm.

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  3. What a beautiful farm. Love all the photos. That quilt and and cushions are great! Love the colors!!

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  4. Love Karleen's quilt pillows. The colors are beautiful. And of course lavender fields always delight my heart. What a fun outing, two friends enjoying the lavender is so special. I think your tea is just perfect too.

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  5. Her quilt is wonderful and the pillows, too. Her friend is going to be so blessed. I remember the lavender wands...where are the baskets? Must go back and look more closely.

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  6. This reminds me the lavender festival is starting in my Mom's town within two weeks. I wish I could go but I have to wait till Sept to go up there again.
    Val

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  7. Loved seeing the lavendar farm with you. I always intend to go to the festival near me but haven't made it yet! Karleen's quilt and cushions are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing them.
    ~Adrienne~

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