Sunshine Lavender Farm

Over the summer, a few friends and I drove out to Hillsborough, NC to visit the Sunshine Lavender Farm for their Harvest Day, which is one of the two days each year that the farm is open to the public. If there is one scent that I absolutely love, it would be lavender. It has such a way of allowing me to relax and unwind, especially after a long day. I can't imagine what it would be like to live on a farm with rows upon rows of lavender. 

Assorted Lavender Products. 

Gorgeous lavender wreaths made before our eyes. 

Incidentally, I planted a provence lavender last year and didn't realize that it was a perennial. So, I ripped my lavender plant out of the ground before the winter hit. Then the following spring, I spoke with Anne from Sunshine Lavender Farm and she informed me that lavender plants come back every year. Oops. 

This is my first harvest from this year's newly planted Provence Lavender purchased directly from Anne at Sunshine Lavender Farm. So beautiful and so fragrant. You can also cook with Provence Lavender, which I have yet to try, but will certainly share about the attempt. 

If you have time, you should attend the farm's next Harvest Day, which is typically in June. You can find information about them on their website. Lavender is a versatile plant that is equally beautiful, fragrant, and good for your health. Wouldn't hurt to have one around the house. :) 

Have a relaxing Monday! 

Blueberry Jammin'

It's blueberry-picking season and there is certainly no shortage of blueberries in North Carolina. We took The Family to Herndon Hills Farm, which has a whole field dedicated to these blue gems. After picking almost 4 lbs of blueberries, we were ready to learn how to make some blueberry jam from SDK (thanks!).

Blueberry mashing. 

Ingredients to cook with blueberry mash: sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, sure jell, and brandy.

Sterilizing the jars.

Beautiful blueberry jam. 

We had this jam the next morning with biscuits. It was simply sinful. After giving several jars away, we only have 2 left! The Sister says that she has found a new hobby and plans to pick more berries for more jamming. I think I want to try making hot pepper jam next! Shout out to SDK for teaching us a useful and delicious hobby :).

Happy early July 4th weekend with friends and family. Don't forget to go blueberry picking if possible! 

Strawberry Fields

One of my favorite things about the spring is strawberry picking. With all of the local farms in the area, there is no shortage of strawberries ripe for the picking. A friend and I headed out to Lyons Farm this past weekend and went home happy with our baskets of loot. 

I'm not sure how many pounds of fresh strawberries I picked, but all of this cost only $5!

Here are a few pointers that we learned this weekend:

1. Pick less ripe strawberries first so they don't get squashed as your basket grows.

2. Bring your own buckets, boxes, or baskets as some farms charge for them.

3. Pick only what you can eat for the week or have strawberry recipes handy because these fresh strawberries will spoil quickly.

4. Don't skip over ripe strawberries in your row.

5. Do bring friends!

To find a strawberry farm near you, look here.

Have a fabulous weekend!