Thursday, June 9, 2011

The Gifts

As promised, here is the lavender farm gift shop. Almost everything there is either made with lavender or about lavender. They even make their own lavender soaps in pretty molds. In 16th century France, glove makers perfumed their wares with lavender, and they escaped the cholera. Lavender was used by Cleopatra to seduce both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. The Queen of Sheba offered it to King Solomon. In America, the Shakers were the first to grow and sell lavender, and used the romantic qualities to sell it. However, they were a strict religious sect, and were celibate themselves. In the bible, lavender is called nard, and here is another story about it.


 "While he was in Bethany....a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor. And they rebuked her harshly.
"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial."
Mark 14:3,8

27 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

I can imagine how lovely that gift shop smelled.

Melanie said...

What pretty things they have in that gift shop, Ginny. It must have smelled wonderful in there!

Karin said...

Such pretty gifts! I'm sure it was absolutely wonderful to the senses! Thanks for sharing the photos!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful keepsakes and I imagine it smelled so sweet!

S. Etole said...

What a perfect little shop!

Joanne said...

Oh I can almost smell the shop when I look at the pictures! Just Beautiful. I think I might have maxed out my credict card in a store like that! please tell me you bought lots of goodies to pamper yourself with! Beautiful bible quote. I had never read that. Blessings, Joanne

SquirrelQueen said...

Before I forget again Ginny, your header with the honey bee on the lavender is beautiful. Great catch.

With so many items and beautiful smells I would not have been able to make up my mind.

Kanak said...

What delightful things at the store! So beautifully packaged! And I loved the story from the Bible.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What cute stuff! Did you treat yourself to anything?

Jeanne said...

Ginny you are such a good story teller - I feel like I've been to the lavender farm myself! And the Bible story was so interesting too. Thanks for taking the time to share your story.

MadSnapper said...

i never knew what Nard was until your post yesterday. very interesting info here. a lovely gift shop, wish that dress making manequin was for someone to use to make my dress. LOL lots of pretties and your purple post is pretty

Shug said...

Hi Ginny...
I get excited everyday to see what you have come up with for your picture header...These are really some good pictures...I'm still waiting on a new camera..the one I have just does not capture the depth of a picture..Hopefully this month!

Thanks for sharing all the lovelies form the shop...I have enjoyed the lavender series..
have a wonderful weekend..
shug

Lynn said...

Ginny,
Love your beautiful header. Takes my breath away. I did not know lavender was "nard". Never knew that Mary used lavender in the story. Thank you for teaching me something brand new. My version simply shows "perfume". That shop is delightful. I would love to have the book. Hmm maybe I will look on Amazon. I imagine it has beautiful photos. How lucky you are to have that wonderful shop close by. Hope you are feeling a bit better as each day passes. Blessings my new friend.

whocares? said...

There is one gift shop over here at my place where they sell lots of scented flowers stuff.. even from the entrance we can smell that sweet aroma...
Yes, the story of how the lady spent her one year's savings by pouring perfume on Jesus's feet... her sins are forgiven...

Stephanie V said...

So that's what nard is! I think I like lavender better as a name for that delicious scent.

Chatty Crone said...

I wonder if that is what Mary used or not.

Love lavender and the color too.

The scent I thought was for relaxing!

Deborah said...

I would love that lavender toperary...
Have a great day!
xxoo
Deborah

DawnTreader said...

Your pictures are beauiful. I like lavender, but being allergic I don't think I would dare visit a farm (or shop) full of it.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

They do have a great gift shop! Nice glad you shared this

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, Almost like being there! Wonderful! Have an excellent day! I'm posting anonymously as Blogger is not playing well today with my WordPress.
Wildlifewatcher

What Karen Sees said...

What a fun post. So many lovely lavender items to choose from!

From the Kitchen said...

I can see a trip to Harrisonburg in my October visit! Wish I could be here when the lavender blooms!

Best,
Bonnie

Dawning Inspiration said...

THANK YOU for telling me that Nard is Lavender! I love knowing this!!! What a great shop!

George said...

Your visit to the lavender farm and gift shop must have been very fragrant and relaxing.

Ann said...

OOOOHHHHH, I want to browse around in that gift shop. Looks like they have some great stuff, bet it smelled good too

srp said...

Oh, I would love one of those little pillow sachets with the cow on it. I have an eye pillow with flax seed and lavender in it... soothing.

Regina said...

Gee, I had no idea I missed this many of your posts!! You two are so fortunate to be able to take a tour of this beautiful place! Do they have a lavender espresso bar (ha ha). Something beautiful as well as medicinal. I'm hen sitting next door again and they have some of that growing here and there. I was instructed to look under the lavender for some of the chicken eggs as they are free now. I did get your e-mail and can shoot you back a line tonight. Thanks and a big hug)))))

The Big Cow - Easter 2024

 The Big Cow is all dressed up and ready for Easter. And he has brought along some of his friends as well!