And the 2nd Giveaway Winner Is...

Speckled Kat...Come on down!! Please send your mailing address to Jennifer Terry at email jenterry56@hotmail.com and she will mail your prize to you ASAP!

Thank you ALL so much for your wonderful suggestions! We at Sunshine Lavender Farm will work very hard to incorporate as many of your wonderful ideas that we can for the 2013 Lavender Harvest Festival.

Honey & Lavender Granita Recipe

It has been SO HOT outside...it's suppose to be 106 degrees here on Friday with a heat index of 115 degrees (GASP)!! To cool off, we decided to spend some serious time today researching a refreshing lavender beverage. Fortunately, we came across this lovely treat. Hope you enjoy!!  

Honey & Lavender Granita with Cinnamon and Coriander Spiced Pine Nuts
(Serves 4 to 6)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups honey
3 1/2 tablespoons lavender (buds only)
1 cup dry champagne/sparkling wine
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons lavender liquor (optional)

spiced pine nuts:
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/4 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander

1. Place water, honey and 1 1/2 tablespoons lavender into a saucepan and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool completely, before straining lavender.
2. Once strained, stir in 1 tablespoon of lavender, champagne, lemon juice, and liquor (if using); then pour mixture into a 7”x11” (or 8”x8”) baking dish and place in freezer.
3. After about 1 1/2 to 2 hours remove granita from freezer and gently scrape surface, with a fork, to break apart the formed ice crystals. Place back in the freezer and continue to remove from freezer and scrape every hour for 5 to 6 hours, until you have a baking dish of “shaved”/scraped ice.
4. For spiced pine nuts: Place nuts, oil, cinnamon, and coriander in a small bowl and toss together. Pour mixture into a small skillet and place over medium- low heat. Gently toast for 3 to 5 minutes, frequently stirring to prevent burning, or until lightly toasted. Pour mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment and spread in a single layer. Set aside and allow spiced nuts to cool completely.
5. To assemble: Scoop a small amount the granita into small cups and top each with a sprinkle of pine nuts and lavender. Serve immediately.

(Recipe & photo courtesy of http://spoonforkbacon.com/)

2013 Lavender Harvest Suggestion EXTENTION

We have received so many great suggestions VIA EMAIL and not the blog that we have decided to extend the giveaway one more week on the blog...

A few of the wonderful suggestions we have received include:

1. Horse or pony rides for the children,
2. Lavender stationary -- various kinds, small note cards and larger cards,
3. Lavender infused paper,
4. Gift cards with the signature painting of the farm by Tom Heggie AND
5. Lavender wreath making as an additional craft!

Do you have any additional suggestions? We GREATLY appreciate your valuable input! We are already actively planning next years celebration!!

2013 Harvest Celebration Suggestions

We have received several EXCELLENT suggestions that some of our farm friends would like to see at next years 10th Lavender Harvest Celebration.

For example:

1. Lavender sorbet (for our non-dairy friends),
2. Lavender inspired jewelry vendor,
3. A bee keeper to discuss the benefits of honey bee's not only at our lavender farm but also in your own home garden,
4. MORE lavender treats to purchase (cookies, brownies, cupcakes etc.),
5. Larger, laminated pictures of a mature version of each variety of lavender for sale (in addition to labeled plants in our field)
6. FILL-IN THE BLANK! 

So, what are your thoughts? We would love to hear ALL of your suggestions for next years festival...please leave a comment at this post and the BEST suggestion will win a pack of 3 Sunshine Lavender Farm "Lavender Everyday Sachets".

Use these economical everyday sachets to scent your dresser, linen, closet, luggage, gym bag or car. The scent will last 2-3 years and is most fragrant when gently handled or squeezed to activate the natural. soothing essential oil deep in the lavender florets.

We will pick a winning comment on Friday June 29th at 4:00 PM and announce our choice via the blog. As always, THANK YOU for your suggestions!!

Lovely Lavender Day in Pharsalia, VA

~You are Invited~
Wednesday, June 20
10 am - 3 pm

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR WORKSHOPS!

Only a FEW spots remaining...

Growing, landscaping, harvesting, crafting and eating...Taste goodies with lavender like Chocolate Lavender Ice Cream, Lavender Lemonade and much more! Annie Baggett from sunshine lavender farm will lead the class and teach all about growing and caring for the many varieties of lavender and what is best grown in Virginia and the region. A historical tour of Pharsalia will be included. A lunch, fresh from the garden, will be served.

Bring a friend, gardening pal or come solo! Just 2.5 hours up Hwy 29N from the farm, join us at Pharsalia, a private home and historic treasure, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia near Wintergreen resort. (See more at pharsaliaevents.com.) Tour with our host, Foxie Morgan, the many restored structures and lush gardens on this former plantation built in 1814.



Participate in hands-on lavender demonstrations with the many varieties of lavender. While our Virginia lavender is in full bloom, relax and enjoy the day with us at Pharsalia while experiencing lavender.
  
The fee is $65.00. After lunch, you may wish to create fresh lavender items, like wands, mini baskets, or swags. Or, make an adorable petite everlasting lavender wreath. ~ Additional fee is $35 for either craft or wreath class. All materials are provided, just bring yourself! Lavender plants and products from the farm will be available for sale. Make sure to bring your camera!

To learn more and to sign up, go to- www.pharsaliaevents.com. Click on Upcoming Events.

Lavender Harvest Celebration & Bridge Event Recap

Sunshine Lavender Farm would like to extend a VERY special "Thank You" to all of our farm friends (new and old) who visited us during the Lavender Harvest Celebration & Bridge Event June 2nd & 3rd! It was a beautiful weekend and we truly enjoyed seeing each and everyone one of your smiling faces.

The garden shed was once again transformed into a lovely lavender filled shop...

We started with over 30 flats FULL of beautiful lavender plants including Grosso, Sunshine, Hidcote, Hidcote Giant, Provence White, etc and we had only 3 plants left after two days...WOW!

The two crafting stations (wand or basket making in the lavender tent and the fire bundle/sachet making in the barn) where a HUGE hit...we are definitely planning to have more volunteers at both stations next year so that all our volunteers can make sure to at least take a potty break.

The chocolate and vanilla lavender ice cream by Maple View Farms was wonderful! Both flavors are very unique and super yummy! Do you have a favorite? and the food selection was definitely complete with the lavender chicken salad by The Picnic Basket.

The volunteers from the NC Therapeutic Riding Center and our veteran Sunshine Lavender Farm volunteers were WONDERFULLY helpful, kind and so excited to be part on this years festival...they were also super cute all clad in purple.

The tours were packed with people who had excellent questions that helped all others around to learn as many tid-bits about lavender as possible.

Finally, the NCTRC therapy horse, Daisy and the TROT display were a huge hit and brought such a fun element to the day!

What an exciting weekend so full of lavender scented memories! We can hardly wait until next year...