Lavender, Sweet Lavender

While armchair travelers might dream of idyllic rustic farmhouses or romantic fields of lavender in the south of France, it's easy to forget that there are most likely many charming botanical treasures right in your own hometown.

 So, while time and budget sadly prevent a jaunt to Provence in my immediate future, I was delighted to discover a little gem of a lavender farm mere minutes from my house in Bucks County Pennsylvania, no passport required.

 Lavender has long been hailed for its soothing and medicinal properties as well as for its aromatic flavoring in a variety of drinks, foods and confections. So returning home, I immediately put my little purchases from Peace Valley Lavender Farm to use in some easy DIY projects celebrating this delightful plant.

In the Bucks County area? 
Pop over to the Peace Valley Lavender Farm site to plan a visit or browse their array of lavender based products and gifts.

overlooking Peace Valley Park 

a classic sun hat and lavender drying on racks

The farm features a delightful gift shop with soaps, dried lavender and handcrafted gifts

Lavender, sweet lavender;

Come and buy my lavender,

Cumberland Clark flower song book 1929

the barn and gift shop

Bees all abuzz over the fragrant blooms

Photos CPaul2013

I'm so delighted! This post was a fan favorite the Dedicated House

 Provence in a Window Box

Regular Pennywise readers might have guessed at my fondness for pint size gardens. I don't know if it's my love of all things miniature or my dismal failure rate with actual life-size horticulture, but I find there is something enchanting about a mini garden which can rest easily on your windowsill or deck.

You'll Need:
Small Lavender plants
Potting soil
Well draining container
Small box or milk carton (trimmed to size)
Set of fake fingernails ( I found them at the Dollar Store)
Joint compound
Small stones
Acrylic paints and spray paint
Craft moss
Accessories

No need to grab your polish, we aren't doing manicures. 

To be honest I find those boxes of fake nails a tad creepy, but repurposed they make perfect roof tiles for a petite French farmhouse. 

Spray paint enough fingernails in assorted sizes to cover roof area. I chose a hammered copper and ivory look as I had some of those colors leftover from another project, and then gave them a wash of terra cotta acrylic once "installed" to take down the shine.

Trim carton or box to desired house shape. Mix compound with acrylic paint. (I chose a taupe shade.) Leaving room for any windows or doors apply mixture evenly over milk carton. Insert stones randomly, no need for perfection, as with the real version, a timeworn look adds charm.

I added a few cut popsicle sticks as a door and painting it a French blue once dry.

Attach roof "tiles" using larger ones on the bottom and smaller toward top and let farmhouse set.

                                                       our inspiration: www.dreamstime.com

Plant lavender according to instructions (it likes good drainage) leaving sufficient space for your farmhouse, moss or stones. If you like add a mini painting (I did a quick start of a Provincal landscape) and easel or any other accessories a la Francais.

Lavender Truffles

There are many recipes available online or in cookbooks highlighting lavender's unique flavor, but I thought I'd opt for a surprisingly simple white and chocolate truffle with hint of lemon. Visit the Food Doctors' beautifully photographed site for this and other fun recipes.

Simple ingredients:
I subbed white chocolate chips for solid 

and used the culinary lavender from my visit to the farm.

I covered some in dark and some in white chocolate,

then sprinkled with some extra chopped culinary lavender and garnished with mint

label created using images from the Graphics Fairy

My French is quite rusty but according to "google translate" this hopefully means

Lavender Truffles 

This old $1 cookie tin had seen better days so it got a spritz of sage green and ivory paint 

and a decoupaged vintage inspired label, perfect for gifting

One of the delights of blogging is the opportunity to visit so many wonderful sites, meet new friends and exchange ideas. Of course when a generous blogger offers a giveaway that's just icing on the cake. Recently I was lucky enough to win the most lovely set of notecards, featuring blogger Nan Burger's beautiful pen & ink artwork. You can visit her delightful site and find links to her designs at 

You could make that 

Lovely cards deserve what else but Lavender ink? I stumbled on this most unique idea on the charming Elaine's Lavender Page where you can find the ink instructions, more lavender recipes and lots of lavender fun facts. 

Lavender's Blue, dilly, dilly
Lavender's Green
When I am king, dilly dilly,
You will be queen.
old English folk song - 17th century