I love lavender! It all began when I bought my house and decided to put in an herb garden. Lavender was one of the first herbs I planted. Once I planted it and it grew, I didn’t know what to do with it next.
I was shopping in a local gift shop and found the book The Scented Room by Barbara Milo Ohrbach.
I had forgotten about that book for quite some time, but this year, in an effort to return to my creative, homey desires, I pulled it off the bookshelf and it was like visiting an old friend. There are directions for making lavender bath bags, bottles, water, potpourri, and sachets.
I like to keep “loose” lavender on hand to add to sachets as quick gifts to tuck into birthday cards or gift bags and it looks so pretty in a recycled bottle {iced coffee bottle} with a vintage hankie and office store “label” atop the bottle.
Lavender is an extremely versatile herb and can be used in baking and cooking as well as in soaps and creams. The uses are endless!
Pennsylvania has a lavender festival coming up June 19th to 21st. {additional info can be found by clicking on the picture below}
lavender hugs {don’t I smell fresh!}, mb
I will be linking this over at Hooked on Houses-Hooked on Fridays later this evening. Be sure to visit Julia for some great links!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Mary Beth. Lavender is so refreshing and I love photographs of fields covered in it, just like the first one you included here. Thanks for featuring lavender this week. I think I’ll make a point of finding some this weekend. ~Arleen
Arleen @ Seasons for All at Home´s last blog post..Inspiration ~ Decorating Summer Porches & Sun Rooms
Mmmmm, I love the smell of lavender
And the fact that lavender is purple makes it twice as nice!! 
Kelly @ DesignTies
DesignTies´s last blog post..Meet… artist Jill Alexander
I wish I had a field of lavender, I love it so much! I have some in my garden too, and hope to make some nice soap for gift giving.
Some of my friends seem to think lavender is for old ladies, but I love it and always have, both for looks and scent. I’d be in heaven at the lavender festival; maybe I need to make plans for 2010!
Struggler´s last blog post..Trees and leaves
Lavender is such a hearty plant. Your friends must love to get lavender gifts!
Mrs. Petrie´s last blog post..Enjoying Where We Live
I love lavender as well. In fact I going to a Lavender Festival at the end of June. I can’t wait…the smell is intoxicating! Thanks for the gorgeous photos.
desiree@lookiloos´s last blog post..Hooked On Outdoor Fireplaces!
I love lavender and have been growing it for a few years now. I have been selling lavender eye pillows and dream pillows at craft fairs. There is nothing better then lavender.
Anna R´s last blog post..Kusudama
Wow! That lavender field looks too good to be true!
Ashley´s last blog post..Hooked On…Vintage Ice Cream Parlors!
OMG! I wish lavender grew that well around here! As it is I may have lost my one plant …we had an extremely cold winter. I love, love lavender!
I love lavender as well and the herb garden at Linderhof has almost a whole bed dedicated to it. I use it in many ways but also in things culinary — lavender shortbread; lavender poundcake.
I also make wands or bottles — they make great gifts as well.
Lavender is a wonderful herb. My favorite, on the prairie, is a cultivar named “Provence” –
Martha
Linderhof´s last blog post..Potluck Fare
Lavender is beautiful and I’ve always wanted to plant some, but I’m afraid of the amount of bees it will attract.
Jenny´s last blog post..Fix It Friday
This post is like a breath of fresh spring air!
Wonderful post — it is so encouraging, as I planted my first (and only) experimental lavender plant just last week, and I hope it does well here at That Old House! Sun and plenty of it — it will get that. Your lavender must be VERY welcome when it is given in a gift; what a lovely personal touch!
Cass
Cass @ That Old House´s last blog post..True Confessions: Hooked On Dishes and A Food Post-Mortem
I planted lavender this year. Or rather, my mother did. I can’t wait until they bloom!