The sunshine warms my face as I begin spring clean-up around the lavender farm. Not sure if the seasons are changing where you are, but for us it is coming on a bit early this year. The first place I start is in the wildflower section. The warmer weather promotes new growth quickly, and there’s still a lot of dead flower stems, and grass that need to go. I do this ‘Carefully‘, not to step on the many little ‘Sweet William’, Hollyhock, Columbine, & Shasta Daisy’s.

This is also the time I dig out a few hundred small Lupine starts. I love Lupine, as you can see, and we go crazy in Lupine!!! It can take over if It’s left unattended. I hope to grow a few hybrid varieties this year in color shades of Yellow and Red :-O !! These wildflowers are not for upick, they are just for everyone to enjoy, smell, and listen to the hum of Bumblebees enjoying the wild life. I think I will enjoy a warm cup of Lavender Chai Tea when I take my break (with a spot o’honey, of course). Happy Gardening!

Lady Lavender

Lupine...our first flowers of the year

PS-If you have a photo of garden projects that you are working on, or completed…send them in to me!

Congratulations to Dolly England!!! Dolly was the prize winner of a $25.00 Gift Certificate! 2nd & 3rd prize winners Kimberly Walshe and Lisa Henninger Zisa will also collect a free bottle of our Refreshing Lavender Spritzer. Thanks to everyone who participated!!

Become a fan of our Hood River Lavender Facebook Page

My Husband & biz partner Joe, started a contest on Facebook’s Hood River Lavender Page today, where anyone can win a $25.00 gift certificate for any merchandise from our farm store. You just have to become a fan of the page, and suggest the page to 1 or more of your friends to enter. Enter here on Hood River Lavender Page.

$25.00 Gift Certificate

Great place for an intimate Wedding!

Are you trying to clarify one of the logistics of your wedding plans?  We would love to host your Special Day, and make it Your Dream Wedding. What a more intimate location than at our Eco-Friendly, Certified Organic Lavender Garden. View photos of weddings already celebrated at our venue at this Wedding Photo Gallery.

Our covered patio in the center of our lavender garden, is also available for Bridal Luncheons, Baby Showers, Family Picnics, and Private or Corporate Events.

Celebrate a very beautiful part of your “Love Story” with us! For more info contact The Lavender Lady’s email at:

hrlavender@gmail.com

This awesome “Lavender-Vanilla Honey Shake” completed our wonderful Valentine’s Day! Thanks to one of our customers that sent this recipe, along with her kind note!

“Hello, I just wanted to let you know that your culinary lavender is lovely!! I use it to make a shake called, Lavender-Vanilla Honey Shake. It’s really good stuff!! So you know I’ll be reordering your lavender quite often!! I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.  I got the idea from a raw food restaurant over here in Brooklyn, NY called Rockin’ Raw. Then figured out the measurements for the recipe.”

Lavender-Vanilla Honey Shake

2 T Raw Almond Butter

2 T Raw Honey

3 Vanilla Beans (add vanilla flavor if more vanilla is desired)

1 tray of small ice cubes

1/2 cup water (more or less to desired thickness)

1 tsp Lavender

Blend until smooth. Serve in tall glass and garnish with Lavender

Variation: Almond milk can be made with soaked almonds and

water in a blender. Then strain it through a nut milk bag. Omit the

1/2 cup of water in recipe above if using almond milk.

My Husband Loves it!!

I’m packing up web orders, and shipping them out, to arrive in time for V-Day.  Then I’ll write a few Valentine notes to send off to family, and friends, especially my Grand-children  :)

This is one of my favorite love poems by, Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

Love me sweet,

With all thou art

Feeling, thinking, seeing;

Love me in the lightest part,

Love me in full being.

Do you have a favorite love poem you’d like to share? Send it to me and I’ll try to share it.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Great Valentine gift ideas for that someone special!

See all the gift ideas at the Hood River Lavender Blog. Read more.

We just got a new litter of plush puppies along with some new bears, and I’m busy filling them with our dried lavender!! These adorable lavender filled bears and puppies need a “happy-home”, and someone to love.

Many of these comfort bears have found their homes with patients that received Cataract Surgery, at an Eye Care Center. Those bears received new names: “I Care Bears”  Others found a home at schools in “Special Needs Classes”, for the students to hold during a day when they are experiencing pain or sadness, stress or anxiety. Their spirits were lifted from the aroma after holding these soft comforting bears. Our customers have also purchased these comfort animals for their children, Grandmothers, and friends that needed comfort. And also, they have been used for folks that have lost their beloved pet, founding some comfort from the lavender puppies. These puppies and bears are cute, and will be glad to share their calming, soothing aroma of lavender with each gentle squeeze or hug. XXXXXX

Hey, here is a recipe on 1 of our customer’s blogs. Joe and I make this Mate drink quite ofter…

Perfect Winter Drinks: Lavender Yerba Maté Latte Recipe.

I’m busy processing another wholesale order for an awesome business in Hawaii!! Kona henna. They do Temporary Body Art, with 100% natural henna! Our Refreshing Lavender Spritzer, Mega Therapy Cream, and Green Karma Moods Parfum, are a few of our products that they normally order. The Lavender Spritzer actually helps keep the skin moist, and helps Henna darken in color, as well as calm and refresh the spirit.  :) I’ve personally received a beautiful Henna Tattoo from the Master Artist, Maria, here in the states. Check our their site…and when in Kona be sure to visit them and tell them the Lavender Lady sent you.

The next one I receive will be done in Kona, Hawaii, with the warm sunshine on my shoulders! I can almost smell the tropic flowers & ocean…Did I mention that I’m ready to go now!