Lavender-Coconut Macroons and Continuing the Lavender Tour

The little plum teapot and I continue exploring the world of lavender as we make plans for the week. A pot of hot tea with some of Sally's Coconut Macaroons helps to set the stage for our research. Today we'll look at a few more lavender farms in Sequim, Washington. But first, Sally has graciously agreed to share her delicious recipe. By the way, it is great for those who have special dietary needs. It is gluten-free, vegan, and low-carb.

Sally's Lavender-Coconut Macaroons

1 1/2 cups coconut, shredded, unsweetened

1 Tbsp. coconut flour

1/2 tsp. lavender bud

1/8 tsp. sea salt

2 Tbsp. coconut oil

1/2 tsp. stevia powder

1 Tbsp. pure vanilla

Combine shredded coconut, lavender bud, and coconut flour. Pulse in food processer. Add salt, coconut oil, stevia, and vanilla. Combine well. Using a small ice cream scoop, form small balls and place each in miniature cupcake papers that are placed in a miniature muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 6  to 7 minutes. Cool and enjoy with tea.

*Sally added orange juice and orange zest as well.

And now...back to the lavender farms.

Those shared today are all in Sequim, Washington

Red geraniums and lots of lavender at Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm.

Sunflowers, pruned lavender shrubs, and lavender blossoms at Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm.

A lavender still at Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm.

A demonstration of how to distill lavender. It takes a lot of lavender to make a small bottle of lavender oil.

Port Williams Lavender Farm.

A pretty bench at Port Williams Lavender Farm. Corn fields nearby create such a vibrant backdrop for the purple blossoms.

Fountain and lilies at Port Williams Lavender Farm.

Port Williams Lavender Farm ~ one row pruned and the next in bloom.

Fence, trellis, fountain, and flowers at Port Williams Lavender Farm.

It is unusual to find quantities of Spanish Lavender at most lavender farms. Called Lavender stoeches, it is used for landscape hedges and fresh, cut flowers. This variety does not dry well. Nor is it used for culinary purposes. It is beautiful and usually blooms before other kinds of lavender.

Sunshine Lavender Farm. Seen are rows of Lavandula Angustifolia, also called True Lavender, which is used for oil, fresh cut, drying, sachets, crafting, and culinary use.

Each farm has their own sense of style. Hand painted signs are common and usually have the  purple paint on them somewhere!

It's time to sit a spell. Do you have a cup of tea nearby?

Lavender Farms & the Teapot

The little plum teapot arrived in Washington state just in time for lavender season. Right now it is steeping a pot of black tea with a touch of lavender bud. Just one-half teaspoon of crushed lavender bud added to steeping black tea in the pot makes a fragrant and delicious beverage. Today the teapot and I are planning activities for this week. In the process, I'm taking time to reminisce about lavender farms in Washington state. You may take that as a clue of things to come. 

Would you like to see photos of some of the Washington state lavender farms along with me? We'll visit some on the west side of the state.

Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm, Sequim, Washington.

Jardin du Soleil gardens encourage visitors to walk and enjoy the blossoms.

San Juan Island, Washington

Pelindaba Lavender Farm, San Juan Island

Gift shop at Pelindaba Lavender Farm

Visitors are encouraged to walk the fields at Pelindaba Lavender Farm

Pelindaba Lavender Farm with rows of trimmed lavender amid lavender waiting to be cut. Pelindaba Lavender Farm has a second gift shop in downtown Friday Harbor. A bakery in the shop features lavender infused pastries and delicious lavender-chocolate ice cream!

Orcas Island, Washington

Orcas Hotel with an abundance of lavender in their gardens. There is at least one dedicated lavender farm on this small island as well.

 Whidbey Island, Washington

Lavender Wind Farm is located on Whidby Island, not far from the ferry landing which connects with Port Townsend.

Alma is enjoying walking through the lavender fields. It is common for lavender farms to plant other colorful blooming flowers to compliment the lavender. Red and orange is popular.

The gift shop and workshop at Lavender Wind Farm.

The labyrinth of lavender at Lavender Wind Farm invites visitors to walk the tranquil path.

Lavender Wind Farm incorporates many rows of tall sunflower plants. They create contrast and beauty.

Sequim, Washington

Blue Moon Lavender in the early morning mist.

Blue Moon Lavender.

Lavender Lane at Cedarbrook Lavender Farm and Herb Garden.

A contrast of lavender varieties at Cedarbrook Lavender and Herb Farm.

Many herb farms feature enclosed herb gardens. They are beautiful and filled with colorful blooming plants. 

The house at Cedarbrook features an interesting gift shop. A lavender scarecrow pair greets guest from the front porch.

The gift shop at Purple Haze Lavender is charming with a dark red roof. Lavender ice cream is sold from the small building beside the gift shop.

Purple Haze Lavender Farm.

Workers at Purple Haze Lavender Farm are preparing lavender bundles for sale. Some are shipped and others go into the gift shop.

Purple Haze Lavender Farm has much charm and row upon row of lavender in bloom.

Jardin du Soleil is a wonderful place to visit!

The gift shop at Jardin du Soleil is filled with beautiful handmade lavender product and more.

Workers at the Olympic Lavender Farm chat as they bundle lavender for sale.

Olympic Lavender Farm also features a fenced flower garden.

Olympic Lavender Farm.

 Ilwaco, Washington

The Painted Lady Lavender Farm is located in southwestern Washington at the mouth of the Columbia River.

The Painted Lady Lavender Farm's marketing style is whimsical.

The little plum teapot enjoys lavender in bloom at her host's home and garden.

There is something tranquil and exotic about a lavender farm. Tourists flock to the fields to enjoy the sweet fragrance, cut bundles of lavender, and to purchase lavender product. Each lavender farm has carefully thought-out characteristics. No two lavender farms are alike. In addition to lavender plants, lavender bundles, and other products, many lavender farms feature foods made with this fragrant herb. Some serve lavender lemonade or lavender ice cream. Others sell jams, jellies, and curds made from lavender. An excursion to a lavender farm always features something interesting to see! 

Lavender is one of my favorite additions to afternoon tea fare. Here's a recipe that you might enjoy as an addition to your tea table.

Lavender Lemon Curd

1/2 cup butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 lemons, juice and rind (about 1/2 cup)

4 eggs, well beaten

pinch of salt

3 Tbsp. lavender bud, fresh OR 1 Tbsp. dried

6 lemon verbena leaves OR 1 Tbsp. dried (optional)

Use a double boiler. Fill base with an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a gentle boil. In top saucepan, place butter, sugar, lemon, and salt. Slowly whisk in the beaten eggs. Add the lavender bud and lemon verbena leaves. Cook mixture for five minutes. When done, strain through a sieve. Place in a jar and cool. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Makes 2 1/2 cups.

For a special tea-time treat, whip 1 cup of heavy cream. Gently fold in a cup (or more) of lavender lemon curd. Use this as frosting for a two layer cake or to top an angel food cake. Add fresh fruit if desired. Enjoy!

All Dolled Up

June is such a beautiful month in the Pacific Northwest. The flowers have been especially lovely this season. I've enjoyed being able to pair tea events for the little plum teapot with flowers from my garden during my month of hosting the traveling teapot.

Today we spent some time crafting. The little plum teapot served as a water vessel and I trimmed,  clipped, and pinned blossoms together to create...flower blossom dolls!

A variety of blossoms were gathered.

Lavender.
Hollyhock.
Pansy.
Chive.

Pinks.

Roses.

Violas.

Carnations.

Sunflowers.

and

Grape Leaves

Lady's Mantle Leaves

Bee Balm Leaves

Creating flower blossom dolls is somewhat like being a fashion designer. Imagine this ruffled model walking down the catwalk.

"Here we have a southern belle who is wearing a ruffled red gown made of double-hollyhock blossoms. Two are stacked and fastened together with a quilters pin. A red rose blossom creates a lovely bodice. Snow-on-the-mountain blossoms make lacy sleeves and a grape leaf accents the ensemble. A sweet pansy is the face of the model wearing this elegant gown."

"Here is a model wearing the gypsy look. A colorful multi-level skirt is features a pale pink hollyhock flower with a rose-colored cosmos blossom set atop. A purple and yellow striped petunia forms the bodice and fragrant lavender blossoms create feathery sleeves. This model is very blond in with yellow rose bud hair. She is wearing a petunia blossom hat with leaves for flair."

"A pink rose blossom skirt is topped with a lady's mantle leaf pinafore. Lavender stems create graceful arms and a pink rose bud the bodice. A ruffled purple and yellow petunia makes a ruff-collar that accents the dainty pansy face so well."

Flowers can even take on masculine features. 

"Here we have Mr. Farmer, who is wearing sunflower overalls and a white blossom hat."

Silly. But fun, just the same.

Flower blossom dolls are easy to make. Find the blossoms you have available and clip them with short stems. I like to use quilters pins for fastening because they are longer than regular sewing pins. Pin through the center or strongest part of the blossom. Do this blossom by blossom. Don't be afraid to turn blossoms upside down or backwards to get the effect you wish to create.

Flower blossom dolls would be fun to make as a craft at a children's tea party.

Or as part of a fairy themed afternoon tea.

They'd also be pretty on a tea tray for one.



Click on the collage to enlarge.

About.com has step-by-step instructions for making Hollyhock Dolls.