Dilly Dilly

I didn't want to wash my hands for the rest of the day. Farmer Kevin beckoned us to rub our hands over the lavender foliage to secrete the oil, even though the flowers hadn't bloomed. It had been a tough spring, he said, which kept his fields from overflowing with purple deliciousness when we were there. At least the fragrance was abundant! He taught us the difference between his herbal/culinary English lavender and his French lavender, used for room sprays and sachets. He explained how he and his wife impressively create 107 different items from the attractive little plant. 

(sadly, my camera kept stopping throughout the tour or I'd have more photos--I'd say this is enough though! :) 

Snapping a photo of any tiny bit of purple I could find since our trip was a smidgey early in the year.

Meeting new homeschoolers at the end of the school year :)

 Describing the difference between the English and French plants.

 A little one enjoys one of Farmer Kevin's dogs.

 More tiny buds attract me.

 

Molly with the soon-to-bloom lavender in the background. 

 Meg under a locust tree. 

 Strolling through the fields.

 Listening to a lesson on hazelnut trees that Farmer Kevin just planted.

Sniffing lavender.

 

Farmer Kevin shows us the aviary--a non-living one--phew!

 The very busy, active one--zoomed in, of course :)

 What has happened to all the bees? He shares it's pesticides on local crops and rough winters because there was plenty of honey in the bee boxes. 

 Saving the bees that pollinate the very important lavender and other crops and plants.

Explaining all the parts of a bee box.

 

 The kids got to try on the bee suit. 

Looking for splashes of purple to satisfy my colour starvation :)

 Taste-testing the lavender honey and lavender caramel sauce.

Yummy!

Perusing the lovely little lavender shop.

Eventually, I did wash my hands, but not until we returned home and I sampled the honey I had bought. I think there is nothing so delightful as visiting a farm of any sort and relishing in its goodness. 

I couldn't stop humming...

Lavender's blue, 

Dilly dilly, 

Lavender's green,

When I am king, 

Dilly dilly,

 You shall be queen.

Autumn Tradition and Growing Up

She sits there all teenager-ish on the wagon ride, sipping her hot chocolate, and I am distinctly aware that they're all seeming a lot older than usual. We visit this place almost yearly but this time all my children sit quietly, bumping along, arms resting on the rails, pointing out pumpkins and brilliant leaves shining in the sunlight. This time there were no tantrums in the corn maze, or crying because of the cold temperatures, or falling from the hay bales. There was only one bathroom break and one moment of begging for a treat. It's not until I'm at a location that I frequent only once every few seasons that the disparity between who they were last fall and who they are now is obvious.

I stand at the opening of the corn maze and in one minute they all race out exclaiming this is way too easy now and how the riding toys are too little. We just may be out-growing this place but I still savour the aroma of the freshly baked pies, choosing pumpkins and apples and taking photos in the crisp air. And as we load up our goodies and pile into the truck at the end of the afternoon, one by one they call out, "Thank you, Mommy for taking us!". I pull out of the driveway of this nostalgic farm and I'm thinking about how much they're growing up but also, how much this autumn tradition is still a sweet thing.

Mary Had A Little Goat

Or in this case, Brookie had a little goat :) Popping in at my sister's farm means we always drive away with a little piece of country life coursing through our veins and... a little bit of hay in our hair.

795. for Pudding , the goat

796. the way she treats her goat like a little dog, tricks and all

797. homemade farm equipment

798. small, prickly muzzles pushed through bars, searching for attention
799. how she warms the clutch

800. beautiful, smoothly shaped eggs--miracles!

801. learning where our breakfast comes from

802. examining--first science

803. wanting baby chicks instead of breakfast :) 804. kittens in abundance, always kittens

805. loving little balls of fluff we don't have to take home... but REALLY want to

806. picking a favourite

807. recess fun for girls

809. a niece who inspires my children to be brave and innovative

810. for gratitude that blankets me after a difficult week

811. the light of Jesus after the storm

812. for all of you who saw me through it