It's a Lavender Kind of Holiday

Planning for the " Lavender Holiday Celebration" is in FULL swing on the farm...only 36 more days to go!

If you are interested in visiting us on the farm this year, please mark your calendars for December 14th between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Plan on coming early as we are offering some exciting new limited edition items PLUS fan favorites from previous years!  

Holiday Celebration on the Farm
December 14th, 2013
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

We have been taking our holiday inspiration from many sources this year...especially Pinterest! Are you surprised? It is one of our favorite online tools! Below are a few gorgeous yet easy Lavender Holiday ideas to inspire you as well...

Lavender filled ornaments

Lavender colored Ornaments

Tins filled with lavender cookies

Do you feel the warm fire and smell the lavender hot chocolate in the air?

We promise to keep planning if you promise to come visit...

Finding MORE Inspiration on Pinterest

Pinterest strikes again! I have actually established a Pinterest time limit per day...it was necessary. If I didn't, who knows how much time would be eaten away by this wonderful yet extremely dangerous online tool? I dare not even consider the possibilities!Instead of focusing on the negative, please enjoy this lovely collection of lavender eye candy pulled directly from Pinterest...

From Close Your Eyes and Make Believe

From Gypsy Purple Home

From Steel Magnolia & Sweet Tea

From Villabarnes

From Blue Hortensia

Well, I don't know about you but I feel TOTALLY inspired!! Now off to do something useful...

Lavender Mojito Recipe

Pinterest strikes AGAIN! I found another lavender drink recipe that I just couldn't resist on Pinterest. It was perfect timing as hubby and I went to the beach this past weekend for a couples ONLY retreat. The original recipe was pinned from www.sugarandcharmblog.com. I only changed the amount of dried lavender used and the simmer time of that lavender used to make the simple syrup. Since this was a special drink for our entire group and that group included 3 men, I elected to decrease the dried lavender used to 3 Tablespoons. I hoped to impress them, not overwhelm them... 


Lavender Simple Syrup (makes about 6-8 mojitos)
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
4 tablespoons dried culinary lavender

Bring everything to a boil for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then let it all simmer for another 10-15 minutes. The longer it simmers and sits, the more taste and smell you'll get from the lavender. Strain the liquid into a bowl to remove the bits of lavender. Pour into a lidded jar and refrigerate.

Lavender Mojito (makes one drink)
10-12 mint leaves
1 oz lavender simple syrup (see recipe above)
1 oz white rum
1/2 of a lime's juice

Muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup together in the bottom of a cup. Add the rum, lime and lots of ice and shake. Pour everything into a lovely glass and top with club soda. Stir again to mix it all together.

This drink was a HUGE hit and quite refreshing! Why not give it a try for a special dinner or party?

Lavender Filled Bathroom

 

Seems like a small thing but who doesn't LOVE a fresh smelling bathroom? Does that mean you need to clean each bathroom from top to bottom every single day? PLEASE, who has time for that?

 

On Pinterest last week, I saw a quick way to introduce the soothing and lovely fragrance of lavender into your bathroom.  It was so easy!

 

When it was time add a new roll of toilet paper, I first sprinkled a bit of lavender essential oil on the inner cardboard of the roll. I added approximately 8 drops.

 



Now, every time you pull a piece of toilet paper off the roll, the fragrance of the oil is re-released into the air.

 

With a full house of busy people, our rolls of toilet paper don't last too long. Although, I can attest to the fact that on day 3, the lavender essential oil was still working every time the roll was spun!

Pinterest Finds- Lavender Beverages

School has started again. The lazy summer mood around our house has changed somewhat. We are getting use to our new, busier schedule. My mind is now instantly ready for fall...sweaters, hot chocolate, pumpkin muffins, fallen leaves, etc.

The temperatures are definitely dropping at night but during the day (like today) it was still HOT HOT HOT!! Summer is not quite over yet...not by a long shot.

So instead of trying another one of the lavender hot chocolate recipes I've found on Pinterest, I searched for something cool, refreshing AND easy...I'm all about easy these days! Please click on each individual caption below the picture to access our pin on Pinterest.

Sophie Dahl's Iced Tea

I LOVED the sound of this iced tea. It is an iced Earl Grey (which I truly think is way underrated) with the addition of dried lavender during the brewing process. Can you see yourself enjoying a glass of this tea with a simple sugar cookie? YUM!!

Martha Stewart's Lavender Spritzer

How about something sparkling? This lovely lavender spritzer from Martha Stewart's website would be wonderful and super simple...just water, dried lavender buds and sparkling water to finish. Perfect with a garden sandwich for lunch.

The Blonde Gourmand Lavender Vodka Tonic

 

And clearly, a post dedicated to "lavender beverages" would not be complete without a little alcohol. This simple vodka tonic includes the addition of a lavender simple syrup and a few floating lavender blossoms for the full effect. I am certain to have one of these in hand this weekend after everyone has gone to bed and it is finally time to relax.

 

Have you tried or found any interesting lavender beverage recipes lately??

Pinterest LOVES Lavender...Again

Have you created your Pinterest account yet? I do hope so...its so very addictive! Since our lavender field has bloomed and gone this year (MAN do we miss that sea of purple waving in the breeze), we have been feasting our eyes on lavender destinations around the world via Pinterest...make sure to click the picture captions to be taken directly to our pin in Pinterest.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate Field

We just learned that the Bridestowe Lavender Estate (pictured above) has about 109 acres dedicated to cultivation of premium, perfume grade lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Therefore, they are one of the largest, if not the largest, plantation of its type in the world. WOW!

How about something a little more A-MAZING (pun definitely intended)? Well, this gorgeous picture from Germany fits the bill...

Lavender Labyrinth in Kastellaun, Germany

Imagine wandering in that heavenly scented labyrinth for a while...the air hanging heavy with the fragrance of lavender as your clothes brush up against the bushes while you make your way toward the center of the maze.

Finally, if that's not enough to change your mood, imagine having a home in Provence, France...

Lavender field in Sault, Provence in France

Being able to visit  the most perfect fields of lavender growing in mounded rows under a brilliant blue summer sky. Is there anything more superb??

I'm so relaxed right now that I think I actually might need a quick nap...please show yourself out.

Pinterest LOVES Lavender

Who hasn't heard of Pinterest?? If you are one of those few people, let me fill you in with the following excerpt from the Pinterest website- "Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes."

Sounds like a boring waste of time, huh? Well, it may be a small time consumer (I refuse to EVER say "waste of time" in regards to Pinterest) but it is NEVER boring! I love it...my friends love it...my family loves it...my acquaintances love it...I don't care who you are, give me a few minutes and Ill be more then happy to fill you in on the gloriousness that is Pinterest!

If you are already a fan, guess what?? Sunshine Lavender Farm has a pinterest account and we add to it frequently! Looking for a good lavender recipe, spa idea, growing tip or just food for your mind, check us out! Make sure to add us to your Pinterest following list for immediate updates.

If you don't have an Pinterest account yet but would like one, email Jennifer and she'll make sure to email you an invite courtesy of Sunshine Lavender Farm!

For a little sneak peak into one of our Pinterest boards titled "Lavender Spa", please follow the lovely links below-

DIY Lavender Tub Tea via Martha Stewart Living

How to make lavender oil

Lavender Luxe Body Scrub DIY with Sea Salts

We have also added a "Follow me on Pinterest" link to the right of our blog that will take to directly to the Sunshine Lavender Farm Pinterest boards. We also plan to post frequently via this blog some of our favorite lavender loven pins...won't you join us?