Did you know you can do so much in your own yard to create a butterfly haven? Bees and butterflies are excellent pollinators, so doing our part to attract and care for them is important. Your butterfly garden doesn't have to be large. In fact, it could just be a few plants or pots.
Kentucky's diverse landscapes provide an ideal canvas for attracting and nurturing these enchanting winged creatures. Here are a few tips to get started:
We'd love to see your butterfly habitats and, if you're in Kentucky, come see ours! We have a small butterfly house we have filled with native plants and release butterflies into each spring for enjoyment, entertainment, and pollination. The farm is typically open Saturdays in June.
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When folks visit the farm each year, many are intrigued by the idea of cooking with lavender. We've been using lavender in recipes for years now and let me tell you...when it's done right, it is absolutely delicious! Most people are a bit intimidated by using lavender in food. Either they simply don't know how to use it, or they've tried something that is perhaps too overpowering, gritty, or simply not to their liking. Our new subscription box is designed to overcome all of that and making using culinary lavender in the kitchen "deliciously easy." Simply put, you don't have to be a master chef to jump on this hot culinary trend. We do all the leg work for you and send you a box full of ready-to-use culinary lavender items (think options like lavender honey, lavender marshmallows, lavender hot chocolate, and lavender sugar) each and every month. Not only do we send the items directly to you, but we also formulate recipes for you to try so you know exactly how to use the items in your box. And...because we want the boxes to be fun too, they include some farmhouse-style textiles that fit into every kitchen (like aprons, spoons, and tea towels). One of our box subscribers said, "I just opened my box and it made a cold day wonderful!" Another wrote, "I received my Purple Spoon box today and it was like Christmas, in January...Opening this box was so much fun and it's a gift (to me) that will keep on giving." Each item we choose for The Purple Spoon is carefully selected. We place great importance on supporting fellow female entrepreneurs and business owners to curate a box you can feel good about supporting. And remember...this subscription box is about experimenting with different culinary lavender uses, having fun in the kitchen (it's a great way to involve your kids or grandkids in cooking too), and loving lavender! If you missed out on starting your subscription in January 2022, you can still start in February. Subscriptions are open (click here to subscribe), but we can't say for how long. If you happen to miss out (since quantities are limited), you can always join the waitlist and be notified when they open again! Note: While we want most items in the boxes to be a surprise, you might see hints on our social media pages, so stay tuned! We also try to do a Facebook "live" every Wednesday at 1 p.m. and we unbox the past month's box after subscribers have had a chance to receive theirs. If you want to see the first Purple Spoon box in its entirety, tune in to Facebook tomorrow (January 12, 2022) at 1 p.m.! Lavender Cream Chocolate Truffles A winner in our book! Recipe & Pic from Spabettie Chocolate ganache truffle infused with fragrant lavender - an easy recipe that always has impressive and tasty results! INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
NOTES *While this seems like a large measurement of lavender, (and if you taste the infused coconut cream it is strong), once you add the dark chocolate the result is a subtle hint of lavender flavor. NUTRITION INFORMATION: YIELD: 18 SERVING SIZE: 1 Amount Per Serving: CALORIES: 81 TOTAL FAT: 5g SATURATED FAT: 4g TRANS FAT: 0g UNSATURATED FAT: 1g CHOLESTEROL: 0mg SODIUM: 4mg CARBOHYDRATES: 7g FIBER: 1g SUGAR: 6g PROTEIN: 1gnutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. https://pin.it/1sO7DtD In just a few days, we'll be ready to release tickets to our 5th Annual Tea on the Farm event. As I'm reflecting back over the past few years, I wanted to tell you a little about how the event came to be and offer a few thoughts on it.
In 2016, we had the idea to host an event on the farm. Although we were very small at the time (I think we had about 150 lavender plants), we knew that interest was growing in the farm and our products. We had just become licensed for manufacturing the year before and folks were interested in what we were doing. The truth is, we had no idea what we were doing, but we were enjoying it and wanted to share something different with our fellow lavender and farm lovers. When I first mentioned the idea of a tea to my business partner and mom, she said, "well, I think it's a great idea, but if we don't get any more than 12 people, we can't afford to host it." She was right. Not only was it going to be a ton of physical work, but we had no chairs, tables, linens, or anything else to host an event. Nevertheless, I was sure we could get at least 12 people to come eat and cut lavender, so we decided to move forward with planning. Our first step was to approach Expressions Tea and Gifts in Somerset, KY with our idea. They were licensed for catering and specialized in teas, so it was naturally a perfect fit for what we were trying to do. We pitched the idea and they were immediately on board and supportive. We worked together to create a lavender infused menu and get the details worked out. Next, we promoted the event on social media. The response was overwhelming. We figured we could comfortably borrow enough supplies to seat 50 people and six weeks before the event, we were sold out. We couldn't believe it! Although we were thrilled, the fact that 50 people would now be coming to the farm for a meal was overwhelming. Where would they park? What about bathrooms? What if someone fell? Eek! So much we didn't think about when "dreaming" about this at first. Luckily, we buckled down and got to work, figuring out details as we went. I was determined that we would eat between the rows of lavender, outside, even if it was sunny and warm. Well, as the day neared, rain was in the forecast and I was devastated. My dad and husband suggested pulling the combine and tractors out of the equipment barn and hosting the event in there. I thought it was a horrible idea, but I was SO wrong! Now, the barn has become our central point for all things lavender and each year we host the teas, festival seating, and more in it. I'm sorry to say (well..not really) that I'm not sure Dad will ever get it back for equipment storage. :) Now, as we get ready to host our fifth year of teas, with four seatings planned for 2020, we continue to be so grateful and humbled by the response. We've had guests from half a dozen states and all over Kentucky. Of course, we know the food is mouth-watering good, the tea is most excellent, and the beauty of the farm speaks for itself. We also know that things aren't perfect - sometimes the lavender dies or isn't quite ready for harvest when you visit, or sometimes it even dares to rain. We also know the barn is just a barn with a gravel floor and bare walls, and we know that sometimes using a portable restroom isn't ideal, but it all works. Just like everything else, if we approach it all with grace, understanding, and patience, it's an amazing experience to share with those you love. We are excited again to welcome you to the farm for teas on May 30 and June 6, 2020. Our growing season is short and furious, which only allows us to be open for a short amount of time. Don't worry, though, we are still dreaming big and hopefully one day (as long as the lavender tolerates our non-ideal Kentucky climate), we can make some changes that will allow for more visits and events in coming years. Until then, we look forward to seeing you soon. The menu is set, the tea will be hot, your favorite products will be available, and we will welcome you with open arms. Thanks for supporting us for the past four years (several of you have been here for every.single.event)! We hope to be able to offer this experience for many years to come. -Allison *Here are some random pics from the past few years of teas! Lavender Pumpkin BreadIf you're a lover of all things pumpkin and all things lavender, this is the perfect recipe to warm up those crisp fall days that are (hopefully) coming soon! Source: Terre Bleu Lavender Ingredients
Instructions
Lavender LatteSource: The Doctor's Kitchen prep 5 mins cook 15 mins total 20 mins author Dr. Sarah White yield 1 cup syrup Ingredients
Instructions: Bring 1 cup water and 2 tablespoon of lavender flowers to a boil in a small stovetop saucepan. Add 1/2 cup raw honey and then reduce heat simmer for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, then strain the syrup and pour into a container to store in the fridge (will keep for 10 days). Add 1 tbs of lavender syrup to a shot of espresso or brewed coffee and top with steamed & frothed milk. Hey lavender lovers. It's Mary with a bit of advice for you on how to make the most of your nighttime routine by using lavender. Let’s admit it. Bedtime can be the hardest part of our day. Dinner, dishes, homework, baths, tucking in the kiddos and a thousand other things can cause stress and frustration. It’s hard to carve out any “me” time. In my opinion, the natural stress-reducing and calming effects of lavender are some of the most beneficial properties of the herb. Studies by the National Institutes for Health (NIH) and The National Sleep Foundation concur that properties in lavender can indeed get you ready for a better night of sleep. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation writes, "lavender has been shown to decrease heart rate and blood pressure, potentially putting you in a more relaxed state. In one study, researchers monitored the brain waves of subjects at night and found that those who sniffed lavender before bed had more deep sleep and felt more vigorous in the morning." While I may not have to deal with as many stressors as some of you, I still need to unwind at the end of a busy day. Here’s how I do it: I love, love, love making myself a “Cup of Comfort”- my favorite tea blend- and sipping it slowly about an hour before bedtime. This tea has chamomile, anise, cinnamon, and lavender and is SO good! Right before I crawl into bed, I spray Lavender Chamomile Linen Spritz on my pillow. Sometimes, I even spray it on my pj’s!! Then, it’s lights out and time for my lavender/f1ax seed eye pillow. If you're struggling with bedtime for yourself, your kiddos, or even your snoring husband (ha), try introducing lavender. It's one of the safest oils you can use (but you still need to do your research to know how, when, and why to use it, especially on kids). While it may not cure true insomnia, introducing lavender into your bedtime routine can make a difference! Night Night, everyone!! -Mary Spraying your sheets and pajamas with our lavender-chamomile linen spritz can help calm your nervous system and get you ready for a peaceful night of sleep. Top it off with our hand-sewn lavender and flax eye pillow. The weight feels amazing on your eyes and the lavender smell is perfect for promoting sleep. It's pretty too! :) If you're looking for some ways to show serious love this season, try culinary lavender in your sweet treats. Here's a line up of some of the very best lavender-goody-sweets around! Give them a try and let us know what you think! We're telling you...upping your kitchen game by adding a dose of lavender is going to make you question everything you once knew about food. It's a magic little ingredient that adds health, earth, and even a bit of relaxation to every bite. Combine it with chocolate and *poof* --- mind blown. Here's what The Roasted Root says about this lavender chocolate chip cookie recipe: "This recipe dresses up self control in a tri-color neon leotard, sticks it on a chair, and spins it around in circles. Out. Of. Control." We like the way she thinks. Fifteen Spatulas writes: "These Lavender Shortbread Cookies are buttery and lightly sweet, with a floral flavor and aroma from dried lavender. They’re simple to make, only require 5 ingredients, and gift really well to family and friends!" Lavender and rose water icing? Yes please! The Spice House says, "This delious treat is out-of-the-ordinary." We think so too! Lemons and lavender? It's like spring in your mouth! Bring it on. "I feel like these soft sugar cookies with the tang of lemon and hint of lavender would be my cookie of choice to go with a cup of tea for sunshiny events such as a shower or an upcoming royal wedding, if I were to have the pleasure of making cookies for the big day! Peaceful Dumpling - we agree!
If you live anywhere in Kentucky, then you've experienced the same winter we have...rain, rain, and more rain. Do you know what conditions lavender hates most? Rain. Ugh! Lavender hates having "wet feet." Wet conditions provide the perfect opportunity for diseases, like Phytophthora, root-knot nematodes, and Pythium to thrive. All of these can be detrimental to lavender plants. The bad news is that we have seen signs of all three here on the farm. We are treating them as recommended by the University of Kentucky plant pathology team, and experts from Clemson University (they're doing specific studies on these diseases in lavender). The good news is that all that lavender we planted in rock...well, it's looking fabulous! Time will tell, so we anxiously await spring and hopefully the blooms will follow. *Fingers crossed* Winter Update It's an exciting time here on the farm! Even though it's bone-chilling cold here right now, the new year is a time of reflection and new ideas for us. Earlier this week we returned from the United States Lavender Growers Association conference in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. While there, we were truly inspired and came away with some big ideas for the farm and our brand! Oh...and we BOUGHT A STILL!! I just can't wait for it to get here. We don't have enough lavender to distill our own oil, but we plan to use it for hydrosol and perhaps even for distilling for demonstrations on the farm. We're pretty excited about this purchase and can't wait to fire it up for a test run. We need your feedback With all that said, we're going to be making some changes to our product line. We aren't 100% sure what will go and what will stay. What we do know is we have some products that we've been making because we love them, but they either nearly cost us to make or haven't been selling well. Those will be the first items we reevaluate. We are also talking about adding a select number of items and are working on recipes now. We also will potentially be refreshing our brand and logo a bit. We're excited for new growth, changes, and improvements to the farm this year and we can't wait for you to visit. In the meantime, we really want your feedback and ideas! If you could take 5 minutes to help us with this simple survey, please do. When we get our first new product ready for testing, we'll be choosing a few testers from those who complete the survey, so hop on over and give us your thoughts. Farmily We're also starting a "farmily." Well, actually, we aren't just starting it. The "farmily" already exists. It's made up of great people (like you) who love lavender and have supported our farm in a variety of ways. Perhaps you've purchased our products at a local retail shop, or maybe you've attended our Tea on the Farm, or maybe you just like following us on social media. Either way, we're glad you're here. We hope the "farmily" will be an online space where all of us can meet to discuss, learn, and grow. We're excited for this new community and hope you'll join the conversation. Coming soon Last, we are planning a great line-up of events on the farm this spring (and praying this nasty cold weather doesn't kill the plants!!!) Watch our website and Facebook page for dates and info coming soon! See you this spring! -Allison and Mary In case you missed our big announcement, we are now licensed for culinary production! We started off our culinary line with some of our favorite items – three custom blended herbal teas, culinary lavender, and, of course, Herbs de Provence. Herbs de Provence is a standard herb blend that you can find most anywhere, but it’s important to note that not all herb blends are created equal. Some Herbs de Provence only contain four or five herbs, but the hand-ground and hand-blended small-batch Herbs de Provence you get from The Lavender Farm at Woodstock contains 10 of the freshest herbs you can find, including our delectable culinary lavender! We know that many people aren’t familiar with this unique blend, but we also know that once you try it, you’ll love it. We’ve gathered some of the best tried-and-true recipes from around the web to help you get started using Herbs de Provence from The Lavender Farm at Woodstock. |
Woodstock Lavender Co.Just a mother & daughter working with our families to bring a different, unique lavender experience to South Central Kentucky. We love the land, we love our farming heritage and we love lavender! Archives
January 2024
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