Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Lavender

Most of you guessed where I went!! It was to a Lavender farm. This one is about thirty minutes away, and the lavender are all in bloom now. They have many varieties, even white, can you see it? White lavender is such a contradiction in terms to me, but there are also pink and even yellow lavender. Lavender is almost as old as the history of man, and it is considered the premier of all perfume. The name lavender is from the Latin word "lavare", meaning to wash, because the Romans used to bathe with it. It is also a wonderful antiseptic, and in World War 1, the public gathered lavender so the soldiers wounds could be dressed with it. Biblical folklore says that  the lavender received it's perfume when Mary laid the baby Jesus clothes on a bush of it to dry. A lovely story, but only a myth. Did you know that lavender is in the bible? It is called spikenard, in some bible translations shortened to nard. So now as you recall this familiar story, you will know just what nard is. Come back tomorrow and I will take you to the lavender gift shop!


"Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."
John 12:3

31 comments:

Karin said...

That's such a lovely place to visit! Love that picture of hubby and you, Ginny! I should go buy some lavender again - haven't had any for years! I really enjoy that scent!

Joanne said...

Oh I was so off. I have never seen lavender up close. That place must smell heavenly!!!!I wish there was somewhere like that around here. I must check and see. Can't wait til tomorrow.I love gift shops! Thank you Ginny for letting us come along on your trip! Blessings, Joanne

RoeH said...

One of my fantasies in life is to live in Europe someplace on a Lavender farm. Mmmmmmmm..........

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

you smell sweet the rest of the week?

Here, household grow them on hedges.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I never knew what the bible was referring to there. I love lavender. How wonderful that you have a farm near by. I think I would be there every day.

Ruth Hiebert said...

This place sounds like a wonderful spot to visit.Just the thought of fields of Lavender,sounds relaxing.

Bobbie said...

Wow! I love what I've learned today about lavender!! Thank you, Ginny. This place is beautiful.. I want to go there. Where is this?
I'm so glad to see that you've bounced back from your illness. You can't keep a good gal down!!
Thanks for including us in your wonderful adventures. Now.. I'm excited to see what we have in the gift shop...

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Glad to see you out and about! Beautiful lavender. I planted some a few years back, and it's almost ready to bloom. :-)

MadSnapper said...

i did not know lavender farms existed. i saw where people guessed lavender farm and thought WHAT? i have heard of lavender water and lavender in drawers to keep them fresh. i am allergic to perfumes so have never had any. although some of the lighter ones i can handle. i have seen it growing at the nursery but did not smell it, did not know it smelled. it looks like a beautiful place to visit, was it strong smelling while walking around.

srp said...

Do they sell the plants or simply make perfumes and sachets and other products?

Remington said...

That is so cool! Beth loves lavender! She has some by the back door and we smell it when we go outside. Then she cuts it and dries it and adds it to homemade paper and soap. It smells SO good!

From the Kitchen said...

Your header is beautiful!!! Where is that lavender farm? I wonder if my sister knows about it. By the way, thanks to you, she brought me a beautiful gurgle pitcher and I love it. I'll post about it one of these days.

Best,
Bonnie

Kanak said...

Such an interesting post, Ginny! Your header took my breath away...and the scenes from the farm?! That surely must have smelled heavenly!!

Stephanie V said...

Lavender is about the prettiest scent in the garden. I love to just smell the leaves. How lovely to be at a whole farm of the beautiful stuff.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Wow a lavender farm! That is a neat farm. No I did not know it was in the Bible.

Regina said...

That was one of the links I visited..how nice!! Or maybe it is in Shenandoah? Love the butterflies amber transparency with lavender!! I bet this was really enjoyable! You have a fabulous header Ginny..(hope your doing better too)-

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, What a beautiful place! Have a super great day!

Tracy said...

Ginny...beautiful! I have some lavender in a pot on the deck and it is gorgeous. Didn't even know it came in white; wow!
I love the photo of you and hubby! made me smile!

Annie Jeffries said...

I have plans to go out to Lavender Hollow on June 18th. But, before that, I'll be visiting Pageo Farm which is right here in town. In fact, hummm, I think I will do that tomorrow after I visit the Farmers' Market.

S. Etole said...

I'll definitely be back ... what a lovely garden.

Anonymous said...

I have always wanted to visit just such a farm. Wow! Beautiful pictures Ginny. Love the one of you and Phil - looks like you had a fabulous day to visit there. Can't wait to see your next post. Take care.

Shug said...

Oh Ginny...

How beautiful...The lavender bushes grow so beautifully...Light and airy!
I know the fragrance must have been so enjoyable...thank you for sharing. I don't think I have ever seen a lavender field...somthing I must add to my bucket list!
Blessings,
shug

Deborah said...

I love lavender! I would love to visit a lavender farm. Ever since I bought myself a lavender pillow, I sleep better...I love the scent!
xxoo
Deborah

LV said...

I like anything that has lavender in it. I would dearly enjoy seeing one of these farms. We have no such thing here.

ruthinian said...

very interesting. didn't know some of those facts till now. thanks for sharing. and btw, the scent of the air around the farm must be awesome, huh?

Andrea said...

Hi Ginny, i am new here, just followed your comment in Kanak's. You asked her why the Portulaca grandiflora (moss rose) is termed 9o'clock in India, actually it is called 10:00 o'clock here in the Philippines. Maybe India termed it when it opened, while we termed it when it close. Isn't it wonderful. BTW, your story here about the lavender is great, i learned something today. It is one of my favorite temperate flowers and perfumes.

Glenda said...

What a beautiful place - and it must smell heavenly!

SquirrelQueen said...

All those mounds of lavender are so pretty, the scent must have been incredible. I love the smell of lavender.

For some strange reason last night blogger wouldn't take my comment on your blog, it happened on one other one too. It was weird.

Chatty Crone said...

Ginny - you have the most unique places around you to go visit.

I love this Lavender Field - did it smell just as you walked around.

You and Phil are so cute together.

Aren't you supposed to be resting though?

Dawning Inspiration said...

I'm hoping to go to a Lavender festival this summer - thanks for the inspiration and encouragement to GO!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Bet that field smells wonderful... I love lavender. Did you go home with some?

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

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