Spot on Harvest Fest

~~~I am just now getting around to writing about our local Harvest fest. This is the first time I participated in this local event , not for lack of interest, but for lack of energy. It usually occurs very shortly after my 5 day stint at the Puyallup Fair. A time when I am out of energy and needing to get a lot done at home. This year I was determined to be there no matter what...and I was. ~~~The Harvest Fest at Lacamas, here in Roy, Washington , is a low key event with many local residents bringing their farm products to sell and exhibit for a whole day of farm tours , to farms all around this area. Lacamas is also a great stop on the farm tours to get a good breakfast or lunch . We set up our exhibits and wares in the Lacamas Valley Community Center. I was particularly interested in creations or products made by people who actually grew or raised their own product, or craftsmen who created things from the bounty nature offered them. I am spotlighting 2 people who I felt fit the bill......no pun intended ! ~~~Here is a carved walking stick( below). A duck with an impressive bill. This walking stick was carved and painted by Chuck Farmer. Chuck had quite a few walking sticks.~~~Here is Chuck with his wife Karen.(below) Chuck said he thinks about just what illustration is best for each walking stick. He burns his designs or illustrations in and crafts the walking stick according to what the shape suggests to him. Chuck had a few Bighorn Sheep sticks, and we have commissioned a Jacob Ram Walking stick for my Hubby. Can't wait! ~~~This is Barbara Hulscher. She and her husband Jerry are new to the area. ( their residence is ) I would note the progress of their home as I would drive into town a few years ago.One day a pasture, the next a home. Seemed like the new home was up and producing beautiful and fragrant rows of lavender in no time. I have purchased lavender from them, and to step into her shed of hanging bouquets of lavender is heavenly. I was able to find the varieties of white lavender I had been seeking...right there, close to home. Amazing here in Roy. You should check out Mountain Meadow Lavender. barbara@mountainmeadowlavender.com

~~~Some products from her lavender.~~~

~~~More lavender bounty.~~~

~~~"Although used primarily for scent in potpourris, wreaths, and lotions, lavender can also flavor the desserts and vinegars of adventurous cooks." HERBS by Emilie Tolley and Chris Mead

~~~I have made lavender shortbread. I will make it again and cut the amount of lavender by at least half. I like the taste of lavender to be subtle, otherwise it is like eating perfume. And shortbread is meant to be sealed up a day or two before eating. The lavender shortbread I made was lovely to look at, tasted good the first bite, then the overpowering taste of lavender dominated my mouth. I like lavender a lot, but not that much. ~~~All in all, the Harvest Fest was a time to get to know some of the people in my community. To see what my neighbors create, how they display their wares and visit with them. I am glad I went, I'll be back next year. ~~~One sweet lady was selling a table of jams and jellies she makes from all sorts of woodland and native plants and berries and fruit. She had Indian Plum Jam, Oregon Grape Jam, Huckleberry Jam, Queen Annes' Lace Jelly...and so on. I was impressed by her clear and colorful jams and jellies. I took pictures of her and her jars of nectar. Then I asked for her name and permission to post it on my blog. " What's a blog ?" she asked. Mind you, she was not an old lady....I told her about my blog. She was horrified. "Oh NO ! My husband would not like that, he does not want us on the computer, we're not sure about that." So, I deleted her pictures from my digital camera and alas, she is not posted. You would have been interested ( or not ) in what she has made. I was. Maybe next year...