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

A Red, White and Blue Birthday

While so many holidays seem to be becoming over the top extravaganzas, something about the Fourth of July still makes one want to return to more simple pleasures: backyard parties with classic picnic fare, ooohing and aaahing over local fireworks from a grassy field, and of course the summertime children's favorite, catching (and releasing) fireflies. So with a few unfussy and budget friendly supplies, it's easy to create these projects just right for celebrating America's birthday.

Festive Fourth Candy Cones

I love the idea of adapting a simple project to different occasions. Decorative paper cones are inexpensive and easy-to-make accents that can be dressed up for a variety of celebrations. Recently I created some traditional flower filled versions for my May Day post but they are also a classic adornment on Victorian Christmas trees or can be romantically decked out with lace and cupids for Valentine's Day. This year, using some vintage patriotic flare, I thought they would make fun decor for a Fourth of July picnic or perhaps filled with some small goodies and candy treats, sent home with guests as party favors.

You'll Need:

Paper party hats and any assorted "bling"
(I found at the garland, beads and hats at my Dollar Store:)

Vintage Patriotic image printables

Decorative papers

hot glue

Simply cover party hats with colorful decorative paper and patriotic images. 
Top off with garland and fun accents. Anything goes! 

 If you like an exact fit, hats can be "disassembled" and used as templates to trace around.

I found hot glue was the best way to add the tinsel trim. Also using hot glue, I attached ribbon or bead strands for sturdier hanging. The elastic string originally used to hold it on your head won't support it.

vintage images and more muted tones lend an old fashioned air

 

Before you head to the craft store try digging through odds and ends you might already have in your craft drawer which will work with the theme: sparkly red, gold or silver Christmas stars and tinsel or white faux flowers leftover from a wedding shower also work perfectly for the Fourth.

Fill with simple goodies

images: http://thegraphicsfairy.com

 sheet music image http://freepages.military.roots

Aunt Christine's Watermelon Cake

While traditional fruit pies and ice cream are de rigueur for the Fourth, many guests with food sensitivities or dietary restrictions miss out on what I often feel is the best part of a meal: dessert. Taking advantage of perfectly ripe summer melons and berries, this cake is simply an assembly of colorful fruits which can be served with an accompanying sweet sauce or whipped cream. You can find a variety of watermelon cake ideas online but, without bias of course, my Aunt Christine's is one of the best.

Food allergies prompted the invention of this healthy and delicious culinary creation, now a family birthday tradition.
"Cakes" above, by Christine Smith

I adapted one for the Fourth with a star theme

You'll Need:
Seasonal Fruits including melons and berries
Fresh Mint
cookie cutters and sharp knife
decorative toppers if desired

fresh ingredients mean no need to turn on the oven.
I used a smaller watermelon for a modest size "cake" but for a crowd a jumbo one would fit the bill

Trim rind from melons creating "tiers". 
Don't worry about cracks or imperfections they can be camouflaged later.

fruit shapes can be cut with cookie cutters or a small sharp knife.
 Christine recommends assembling cake without toothpicks to avoid any unpleasant trips to the ER

Mine looked a little more "Leaning Tower" than cake, so I had to trim edges to even out.

The opening in the cantaloupe was perfect for filling berries, or if watermelon is the top tier, simply scoop out a shallow "bowl"

Aunt Christine's Pennywise tip:
 Combine the leftover "less than perfect" cuts of fruit and extra berries into a colorful fruit salad to enjoy later
  
Serve With:

*For healthy options, Christine recommends mixing non-fat yogurt with "Allfruit" or any natural seedless jam or agave nectar.

*For a  splurge use real whipped cream with vanilla and maple syrup added to taste  

*Of course there is always old fashioned ice cream or rice or soy ice creams as well

*For a grown-up kick you can douse with a little vodka or tequila!

Firefly Globes

My fancies are fireflies,
Specks of living light
twinkling in the dark
                                            Rabindranath Tagore

Who doesn't fondly remember chasing fireflies on summer evenings, mason jars in hand, hoping to trap their enchanting glow if even for a few minutes. Of course due to their short life span in captivity we were then forced release them back into the night, avoiding trauma for all involved.

While still a delightful pastime, for a more permanent and firefly-friendly option, or for those in climates not conducive to these unique insects, there is a fun faux version that can be assembled with a few basic supplies. There are several ideas online here's my version.

You'll Need:

Glass globes, Mason jars or other clear container

craft moss
twigs or leaves, if desired 

flameless votives

glow in the dark paints

For extra dazzle, spritz the back of globes with a light mist of Glow in the dark spray paint and let dry. Attach sheer ribbon or fishing line as hanger. Dab globes, moss, leaves and small twigs with dots of glow in the dark paint and allow to dry

Cover votives with small pieces of moss- you may have to poke flame part of votive through moss sheet for visibility. Place in globe and add more moss to camouflage votive.

If desired add twigs, leaves or accents and wait until dark!
*note: when removing votive to turn on and off, moss can get messy. I try to slide it out altogether onto a paper towel and turn it on from the bottom and replace.

 by Day

by night: as you can see they are challenging to photograph well.

For a more traditional look, use the same process substituting a mason jar for the globes. You can add two or three votives depending on size. For authenticity, I replaced the lid liner with breathable burlap (perfect if you plan to add real fireflies to the scene) and topped with red ribbon.

Thanks for featuring this post on 

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com

and as party of the day on

http://catchmyparty.com/party-of-the-day/3740

Wishing everyone a Happy fun filled 

Fourth of July!

and to our friends and followers from other countries, 

Happy Summer!