Last year I wanted to visit a lavender farm during our vacation in Santa Cruz, but day after day I kept missing my chance. When I heard about the Sonoma Lavender Festival, I wasn't about to miss it. So glad I didn't!
With the lovely backdrop of the California Wine Country, there was live music and lots of good food...
There were lavender crafts...
There was a marketplace with more herbal products than you knew existed...
There were unusual treats such as lavender lemonade...
And they even served mint lavender ice cream. But the best part can be seen in the background of this photo of Eli savoring his icy treat -- an actual lavender farm.
Festival goers were welcome to walk through the lavender. The whole area smelled fresh and spicy. Bees swam through the air. Thousands of purple stalks rippled every time a breeze came through.
As my dear cousin Norma would say, "It was really something!" Wandering the lavender farm was sensual and memorable and fun, but also inspiring. I used to always have an herb garden yet have let it slide in recent years. As soon as we get to Georgia, I'm putting in some mint, chamomile, chives, salad burnet, thyme, oregano, basil...and, of course, lavender. I'm looking forward to doing more gardening with Little Guy, but I've been wandering the web looking at herbal craft and cooking ideas too.
Herb Society of America -- Lavender Crafts
This makes me desperate to visit a lavender farm.
Your photos are gorgeous and I need to try some lavender lemonade.
Mmmm - lavender.
Posted by: Fiona | 29 June 2012 at 10:24 AM
Beautiful Lavender! watch for the bees, carry a penny to put on a sting. Hahahha.
Posted by: Mary | 29 June 2012 at 12:39 PM
Ooh, this looks wonderful. I don't think there is anything like this on the east coast.
Posted by: Karen Traversy | 30 June 2012 at 05:01 PM