Simple Syrup

Here is another recipe that Jen and my brother made.  It is a Simple Syrup that can be added to just about any liquid recipe.  She said that she put a Tbl spoon into her hot chocolate and it was delicious. 

Jen writes:

The Suburb Experiment: August 2010: "Lavender Simple Syrup

"My in-laws have a lavender farm and business named Lavender Hill. They sell all kinds of neat products and if you don't live in Utah you can purchase items through their website. I highly recommend the Lavender Aloha tea.

My husband also grows three different varieties in our yard so you can imagine the amount of lavender in our house. It's great to use the ready-made products but it's also fun to see how creative we can get with just the buds. Today I'm making a lavender simple syrup to use this weekend when the temps are supposed to be in the 90's. Ugh.

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
3 Tbl fresh or dried lavender flowers

Bring water and lavender to a boil in saucepan. Stir in sugar until dissolved, remove from heat. Refrigerate for at least 1 day but recommended 3 days to let the flavor infuse before using. Strain before using.

We're going to make lavender Italian sodas (and possibly a martini or two). Yum! We've also discussed using it in other mixed drinks or in lemonade. I'll let you know how it turns out!"

Lavender Drink

My sister in law has a blog.  She and my brother are both culinary masters.  Seriously, they cook some of the most amazing things.  I had to share this recipe.

Jen writes:

The Suburb Experiment: Lavender Drink: "Lavender Drink
I tried making a lavender lemon drop tonight using lavender simple syrup. It's delicious.

I like that the Spanish lavender looks like a grenade so I used it as my garnish.  I had to be careful cutting my blossom as the bees LOVE this plant and there's usually some hanging onto it.

2 oz vodka
1 Tbl lavender simple syrup + a little more
1 squeezed lemon
Combine with ice in cocktail shaker, pour and serve.

Tea Anyone?

I was wrapping up this tea set to take over to the Wisebird Bookery/ Grounds for Coffee in South Ogden and I just had to take a picture.  It is Bone China and has the most detailed lavender design on the front.  I also have mugs and platters, tea spoon rests and napkins all matching.  The full line will be available when we open our gift shop. 

Last 25th Street Farmers Market - Harvest Moon Festival

This Saturday is the last 25th Street Farmer's Market. 

 It will start at 8:00am like always, but because of the bike races ALL of the market booths will be on the north side of the street (by the federal building).  The Historic 25th Street Association is hosting all day long games, music, leaf painting and many more family fun activities.  You can click HERE to see what all is planned.

A few summer shots that I forgot about.

A yummy harvest picture

Lavender, apricots and yarrow. 

A good friend relaxing in our Garden Bench. I am excited for the lavender around the bench to get bigger.  Then when it is in bloom your toes can be tickled by the lavender.  Do you want to see her view? 

Here it is. 

And here it is again.  Don't you wish you were sitting on our bench now?

An Author visits

Lori lives in Brigham City, Utah and she is writing a book.  One of her characters works in a lavender field.  So Lori and her husband came out to see how we grow and harvest lavender.  I will keep you posted as she gets further along with her plot.  It is exciting that we can help out.  Lori is the the black and white shirt. 

SWISS DAYS PREVIEW

We had wanted to participate in Swiss Days this year, but we thought that it would be better if we did a little "Preview".  My Dad and I had never been to Swiss Days.  This next picture explains in perfectly. 

Seriously, this is a "No Stroller" event.  The ilses were shoulder to shoulder, and we went on a Friday.  They say that Saturday has 3 x the people. 

We went to see the booths layouts and get some ideas for our costumes.  Look how Cute!

Application are due in January and we will see if we get accepted for 2011.  Cross your fingers, because I have already made my vest and apron for my costume. 

We liked how the signs hung out over the isle so you could see what was next.

North Ogden Wand Class

Last week a new friend of ours got together a few ladies for a wand class.  Wand making with a little Lavender Lemonade made the afternoon perfect.  They each choose their ribbon color and went to weaving. 

I took this picture a month ago, and just haven't posted it.  It is of the "basket" stage.  All of the pictures that I have posted before the weaving has already been started. This is before any weaving has begun.  You can see the "extras" sticking out of the top. 

At this point you make sure to have an odd number of 2-stem sets and space them evenly around the blossoms.  Good Luck.  For more instructions you can use the little search bar to the right and type in 'how to make a wand ' and the FULL instructions from 2009 will come up.