Lavender Weekend

The first Celebration of Lavender in Roy, Washington took place this past weekend~

This is Barbara, the only one of the couple who own this lovely Lavender farm I could pin down for a picture, in front of one of the lavender fields. Although it is hazy, you just might spot Mt. Rainier in the background. Here is my booth , you can see Mt. Rainier in the background , and to the left of the booth is the pen I displayed two of my very handsome Jacob ram lambs. I do believe I had the best spot on the place . The large tree gave us shade and my booth was very close to one of the lavender fields and where they were giving lavender oil distillation demonstrations.

My husband kept me company and answered the many, many questions about Jacob Sheep.

A view of some booths and a lavender field.

Lavender distillation equipment.

Some of the grandchildren came to see us and the festival. The girls all made lavender sachets at the craft area.

Our oldest granddaughter just loves our youngest grandson! ( I think he is eating Cheezits )

Our daughter A.Joy and Little J check out the lambs. Little J wanted to watch them a long time.

These two granddaughters remained with us the rest of the festival and we had a good time. I did a lot of spinning wool during the festival and answered a lot of questions about spinning, wool, yarns, etc., The jug in the back ground was filled with ice lemon water each morning and we drank it all up as the temperatures were in the 90's both days.

Oldest granddaughter poses by one of the many classic cars in attendance at the festival.

A beautiful sight to me, "our mountain", a field of lavender, and our oldest granddaughter! We had a wonderful time this weekend at the first ever Lavender Festival in Roy. I made enough money to make it well worth my time, and I hope to be asked back again next year~

Lavender & Little Girls

Does this look like a happy camper to you? Well, you're right, he is NOT happy! He is a quiet loving cat and our home has been invaded by little girls who love to cuddle cats, even cranky cats. Here Joey is resting ( hiding ) in wool I am carding for the Lavender Festival this weekend.

I don't think he is blending in too well, and the girls soon found him. He was off in a flash to nap under bushes where little girls won't look for him. There may be spiders or bugs you know and that won't do for them.

Look at my porch. It is a covered playground for little girls. Perfect for the dollhouse and the doll family, and a wonderful outdoor respite from rain and hot sunshine.

What do we have here? It isn't raining, yet all our umbrellas are open...

An outdoor "home" of umbrellas and imagination. Perfect for an outdoor picnic for 4 sisters enjoying each others' company.

This has been one of the busiest, but happiest summers for me thus far. Please visit me this weekend for A Celebration Of Lavender * if you're in the area!

Two Turkeys In A Teacup Thursday

Two turkeys in a BIG teacup! They have grown, haven't they?

I have been running into myself coming and going lately. Busy playing with grandchildren, tending the animals, trying to garden in the mud and also getting ready for the Lavender Festival coming up soon. Very soon! I have a booth to set up there and am looking forward to enjoying the festival and maybe making a little money in sales too.( Gotta pay the hay bill) I am still making Wee Little Sheep, and many, many other things , but I do get distracted and worn out with having so much fun with the granddaughters. To see what's going on at the First Annual Lavender Festival to be held here in practically my own backyard just click onto Mountain Meadow Lavender Festival *

The turkeys are outta here!

Crispy Lavender Chicken

Crispy Lavender Chicken & Lavender Cookbook

Have I mentioned I very much like lavender and that we have quite a bit of it growing in our gardens? After attending the Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington I was inspired to do more with our lavender. This recipe just appealed to me , and I am glad I tried it out. The chicken was delicious right out of the oven, and then again cold, right out of the fridge. The little bit of lavender in it gave it a zing, but was not perfumey tasting. I will definitely be making this again. Here is the recipe:

• 1 Tablespoon ( rounded or heaping ) mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon lavender ( dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 skinned breasts of chicken ( I used 4 thighs WITH skin on, what can I say, I love hot greasy chicken skin)
• 1 oz. cornmeal
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

Combine mayo and lemon juice. Combine bread crumbs with cornmeal, salt, lavender, and paprika. Spread chicken with mayo / lemon mixture. ( I spread the mayo / lemon mixture under the skin ) Dip in crumbled mixture, coating well on all sides. Bake at 400 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until chicken is tender.

recipe from CELEBRATE LAVENDER FESTIVAL cookbook. recipe by Irma Colvin "And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit,with seed in them, after their kind: and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:12

Lavender & Sweet Music

Water wheel at Lost Mountain Lavender farm in Sequim, Washington.

The annual Lavender festival held in Sequim, Washington started the last day we were in Port Angeles. Besides TWILIGHT and vampires, the Port Angeles area is notable for the lavender festival. Port Angeles is basically next door to Sequim ( pronounced 'squim' ) and the hotels and trades benefit very well from the over 440, 000 people that attend this event. There is a big street fair along with tours of several lavender farms. I was excited to see the festival I have heard so much about , so on our way out of town we stopped in Sequim. The whole town is beautiful, flower baskets everywhere, and lavender is a mainstay in the town landscape. Lavender in bloom everywhere! We caught a shuttle from a mall to the street fair and checked out all the booths. There were so many , most packed with lavender influenced merchandise, lots of jewelry booths , lavender bundles, sachets, crafts, lavender infused honey, etc. The booth I loved the most had nothing to do with lavender. The booth of George and Anwyn Leverett caught my eye and ear.

This is George Leverett. He and his wife made this instrument. Isn't it beautifully crafted? Not only were the instruments he and his wife make beautiful, they also play the instruments and sing. This is a hurdy gurdy they made. I am in love with these instruments, and if I were younger I would have invested in one and learn to play it. I decided it was more practical for me to buy a CD of their music and spin and weave wool while I listen to their music.

This is Anwyn Leverett holding a 5 stringed hurdy gurdy they call the 'Aquitaine'. Click on the picture to enlarge and view the details of this instrument.

You have to click on this picture and check out the trees and detailing! Anyway, I love the type of music they make and my husband picked out a CD from them that has a some songs about spinning and weaving, just perfect for me to listen to as I weave my home and hand spun wool! The youtube video below is Anwyn and George Leverett singing 'SWEET BECKY AT THE LOOM', however the youtube quality of this video is nowhere near as lovely as the CD really sounds. To see their website click on Altarwind Music. The following song sings about sweet Becky at her loom. The words 'shuttle',' warp and weft',and 'sleigh' are words pertaining to weaving. Enjoy!