Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Lavender, The Flower of Positive Thinking


Everything is going to be okay, says Iris Lee Underwood.

"I love farming, and I look at my farm
as a peace offering--to myself, my family,
the community. People want to enjoy
the scent of lavender, the beauty of it,
the camaraderie. It brings them piece!"


The mood-boosting powers of lavender may even mend an aching heart. Seven years ago, her 25-year old daughter died from drug abuse, and "the cloud of grief that hung over me was lifted," she says.

She has studied how the oil absorbs into your skin, your bloodstream, and goes to your brain. "But it was really true. I felt this keen sense of well-being after caressing the velvety lavender flower one sunny afternoon six years ago."

Today, at 60, Iris nurtures a rolling acre of the plants on what she calls "Yule Love It Lavender Farm" in Lakeville, Michigan. This July, during harvest season, more than 2,000 visitors pick their own flowers, sit at bistro tables to sip lavender tea, or just share their stories of loss and healing while strolling through the lavender fields.


Yule Love It Lavender Lemonade

TO MAKE: Steep 1 large tea ball filled with organic lavender in a quart of boiled water until the liquid turns a light rose color. Meanwhile, in a gallon jar, mix 2 large cans of frozen lemonade concentrate with 4 cans of water. Add the cooled lavender infusion to the lemonade. Finally, add the ice and garnish with fresh mint, lemon thyme, or lavender springs with foliage, or all three.

8 comments:

Janine said...

Lavender is beautyful, and so is your blog.
So I´ve signed in to see more;0)
Regards from Germany
Janine

Terri said...

I ready when do we go there?...I did not know about this place. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. I have a box of lavender and it is quite therapudic to open it and and breath in the lovely fragrance. And lavander sachet's from france. It was a lovley gift from a dear friend.I think I would like to try the receipe too.

JANN said...

“I put a drop of lavender essential oil on my pillow before I go to sleep.”
Melissa Joan Hart
.................
“The air was fragrant with a thousand trodden aromatic herbs, with fields of lavender, and with the brightest roses blushing in tufts all over the meadows. . . .”
William Cullen Bryant
....................
“He (singer Prince) reeks of lavender. It turned me on, actually.”
Madonna
.....................
“Add a drop of lavender to milk, leave town with an orange, and pretend you're laughing at it.”
Bill Bailey
......................
“She does love lavender because it's the color of transformation.”
Felicity Huffman
......................
HI NAN,
hope your doing well and
staying cool. Love the lavender
post. Another cool thing I read somewhere that you can do with
lavender seeds is throwing them at
the bride & groom at weddings
instead of rice :)
Sending you friendship hugsssss
and successful creating !
The lemonade drink sounds
delightful...thanks for sharing !

Her Art Nest said...

Hi Terri,
It would be actually pretty sweet to visit the lavender farm again. I went to the one pictured on my post about 4 years ago in Romeo, MI. I remember it being unbearably hot though. It was rather impressive seeing all the purple hues displayed, and the scent was intoxicating. I think it's near the end of July. Do you think we should all go? ~Nan

P. S. Hello Jan, Loved hearing from you, and appreciate all the extra trivia info you supplied. I tried to grow lavender, but it doesn't seem to grow too long. I wonder if you have to plant it every year....hmmmm.

B.B. Bellezza said...

I adore Lavender! And your blog is wonderful!

Rusted Wings said...

lovely post!
sweet blessings,
abigail

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love all this information! Can I share some of it on my blog? It's so interesting!

Anonymous said...

Good post on positive thinking.

Thanks
karim - Positive thinking