Until 2013...

Hello Farm Friends!! Our hope is that this blog post finds you warm and snuggled up to your loved ones right now...

We have decided to do the same and will therefore be taking a few weeks off from the blog and other farm activities to enjoy our own friends and family. We promise to return in 2013 refreshed and ready to re-start our lovely lavender adventure with you again!

Until then, take care of one another and make sure to give your love freely!!

Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Lavender

Who can resist mashed potatoes in the winter? I think they are naturally the most wonderful comfort food! Why not add a touch of lavender to make this an extraordinary side dish?

 

 

Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Lavender

makes 8 servings

 

3 pounds red-skinned potatoes

4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp fresh-ground black pepper
1/4 tsp Culinary Lavender Buds

• Wash and scrub the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into chunks and place them in a large pot. Cover the potato chucks with cold water; the pot should be about 2/3 full.
• Bring the potatoes to a slow boil over medium-high heat and cook uncovered, until they are tender but not mushy.
• Drain the water from the potatoes and either transfer the potatoes to a large bowl or continue to work within the cooking pot.
• Add the garlic, butter, salt, milk, pepper and lavender buds.
• Whip or mash the all the ingredients thoroughly until the mixture is the consistency you prefer.
• If the potatoes seem too dry, add a few Tbsp of milk.
• Serve immediately and ENJOY!

(recipe from page 112 of 'The Lavender Gourmet- Culinary Recipes for Entertaining and Every Day' by Jennifer Vasich)

Fresh & Natural Home Deodorizer

Are you having lots of drop-in guests lately? Wouldn't it be nice if you home always smelled yummy? We recently found a nice, natural way to fragrance/deodorize your home AND add a bit of humidity during these long, dry winter months too!

Grab a small stockpot and fill it about 2/3 full of water. Add one sliced lemon, a few sprigs of rosemary, a few sprigs of dried lavender (you can add lavender buds instead) and 1-2 tsp of vanilla.



Let your mixture simmer all day long on the stove, adding water as needed. I found that you can use the same mixture for several days in a row. After that, its best to toss and start over with a new mixture.

Try it and wait for the complements on your wonderfully fragrant home!!

Thank You for Visiting the Farm!!

We at Sunshine Lavender Farm wanted to say thank you so very much to all who visited the farm this past Saturday! We could not have dreamed up a better day. Although a beautifully light snow falling though out the day would have been wonderful...maybe next year.

 

Please see below for several lovely pictures of our products display and the shopping in action. We enjoyed was lavender hot chocolate, lavender cookies, and tons of door prizes too. It was fun to chat, sip, and munch the day away with you, our farm family!

 

Maybe you were unable to visit us this past Saturday but would LOVE to still purchase our lavender lovely items as gifts or just for yourself?? There are two places that you can shop our goodies online right now.

 

First, we have listed several one-of-a-kind items on our Facebook page. Browse our photo album to see some of our one of a kind candles, pottery, pieces and lots of lavender-y products for your Holiday shopping. If you are local and would like to order just send us an email and we will give you details on how to get them. We plan to deliver this Friday to Hillsborough.

 

Second, we have listed over 100 NEW ITEMS on our web site! Just click on Shop, then click on the category listing. And if you place an order this week through Friday 12/28, we will send you a darling mini lavender sachet as our gift to you! 

• ALL NEW!! One of a Kind Pottery & Unique Clay Pieces!
• BATH & BEAUTY~Soaking Salts~Hand & Body Cream~Bar & Liquid Soap~More!
• FOR THE HOME
• IN THE KITCHEN
• RELAXATION~Candles~Essential Oil~Eye Pillows~Sachets 

 Limited supply on some items and many are one-of-a-kind, so check out the web site or our Facebook page and mark your lavender loving friends and family off of your list today!

 

Thanks again for visiting the farm. We are humbled by your enthusiasm for our lavender adventure. Your support of our small family oriented farm is greatly appreciated!

Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese Dip

I find that during this time of year, it's so nice to have a few easy recipes on hand that can be whipped together in a hurry for unexpected visitors. This dip is easy to make and extra delicious!! To save time, I have found that it's nice to premix several batches of the dried herb ingredients and store them in individual containers. These herbs last quite a while so, each pre-measured container will be ready to add to a batch of dip when you need it.

Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese Dip
1  8 oz package of fat-free cream cheese
1/4 cup of fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely minced
1 Tbsp dehydrated garlic
1 Tbsp dehydrated onion
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp culinary lavender buds, chopped
1 tsp dried chives
1 tsp dried parsley
1/4 tsp sea salt
Dash of fresh ground black pepper

In a small mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sour cream and Parmesan cheese with and electric mixer until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and blend well. Refrigerate the dip before serving to allow the flavors to mature. Makes approximately 8 servings.

(recipe from page 94 of 'The Lavender Gourmet- Culinary Recipes for Entertaining and Every Day' by Jennifer Vasich)