Slice of Life Tuesday is hosted by Two Writing Teachers
One of the interesting things about living in Washington County in upstate New York is that I am always discovering the unexpected. This is dairy farm and cornfield country, and the rhythm of life here is set by hardworking farmers who never seem to rest. But, you are also likely to sit next to a stranger at a community dinner and discover, as I did, that this new neighbor had played first trumpet for the New York City Ballet, and was full of the most fascinating stories and esoteric knowledge.
So, it is perhaps no surprise that there is also a lavender farm about forty minutes away from where we are. A lavender farm! The story behind Lavenlair Farm is best told by the good people who created this lovely place, but we had the pleasure of visiting it last Sunday, and were absolutely enchanted.
These lavender farmers were once from our neck of New Jersey, which is not as unusual a thing as you might expect, and is also perhaps why the true natives here roll their eyes when they first meet us and learn that, yes, we, too, are from New Jersey. Their stone farmhouse overlooks the Adirondack Mountains on one side and Vermont’s Green Mountains on the other, a thoroughly American scene…but for the lavender field in between, which felt like Provence, especially on this sunny and hot day when the scent of lavender enveloped us.
Off to one side was a lavender meditation maze, which we took our time wending our way around, breathing in lavender and listening to the humming of a thousand bees.
On the way to the maze, I had to spend time with a one room school house flanked by the most gorgeous stands of sunflowers I have ever seen.
The proprietors are full of the enthusiasm, sense of mission, and love for the countryside. Family farming is hard enough these days, but especially so for the small niche farmer, and they have all sorts of endeavors designed to sustain and grow their enterprise: from lavender based products such as honey, oils, sachets, to sunset jazz dinners. They’ve also teamed up with Cornell University to experiment with hybrid varieties of lavender that can better thrive the North Country winters. People like Diane and David fill me with such admiration.
It was hard not to be greedy while picking a bouquet of lavender to take home. I took my cue from a toddler in an enormous blue sunhat, who was content to run around admiring the blooms with just two springs of lavender clutched in his little fist.
Your post reminded me of where I grew up – Western NY (Rochester-Buffalo area). I love the area and people (whether native or transplant) always did seem to work hard. Lavender is one of my favorite plants and scents, too. A lovely post!
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I love the phrase “lavender meditation maze” and that image of the youngster clutching two simple sprigs. Thanks for sharing your stroll outside.
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How delightful! I need to remember that I want to visit a lavender farm someday on one of my travels. I find it very hard to grow here in South Dakota, though I keep trying!
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I couldn’t help but imagine the fragrance as I read through your post. Sounds lovely!
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It looks a beautiful and enchanting place. We can learn so much from children.Thank you for sharing.
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Sounds like a lovely day. A treat for the senses. Kathy likes the scent of lavender so I am sure she enjoy a day like this.
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Ahhh, lavender fields. They seem romantic. I have seen them only on pictures. I laughed when I read “It was hard not to be greedy while picking a bouquet of lavender to take home” and pictured you restraining yourself from picking too much.
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A maze full of lavender?!?! This place certainly seems enchanted. Thank you for taking us along with you!
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Oh, wow. I’m imagining the scent and the bees…sigh…
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Amazing how one can move to what seems so far and there you find people
who could have been your neighbor in your in New Jersey!
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