The lavender farm
Im crazy about lavender, but I dont get to see much of it in eastern Montana. So one of my first stops when I arrived for my visit in the Seattle area was the Woodinville Lavender farm.
Ive been following them on Facebook and reading about the lavender ice cream bars, the calls for volunteers to help cut lavender, and various activities that make me smell lavender all the way over in Montana. Its a sweet smell, but one better savored near an actual lavender plant.
Unfortunately for me, September is past the lavender season, but I enjoyed walking in the rain among the trimmed plants. They are pretty even after they lose their blossoms.
And of course, this being Western Washington, there were a few plants that did still bloom.
Inside the shop is where you find the full fragrance of lavender. You can also buy dried buds, essential oil, cookbooks and how-to books on growing lavender, and of course the longed-for lavender ice cream bars.
If youre in the area, be sure to stop in!
The French bakery
Down the road is The Vineyard, a fully stocked French bakery, although you might have to slow down to see it. Its nestled among tractors, which I didnt find odd at all since I see big machinery everywhere in Montana.
Marilyn, my hostess, says her husband cannot see the bakery. He has a kind of male blindness that only allows him to focus on the tractors. So just a warning: do not send a man to pick up the brioche for your fancy French dinner. He might come home with farm equipment instead.
And anyway, why wouldnt you go yourself? The brioche is fantastic, making outstanding toast and French toast. I found tasty Opera Cake, which you just dont see all that often. (Note that I have included a link to a recipe. But having made this myself, I can only warn that it is far easier to buy the cake and with much better-looking results.) Coconut cream tarts, cookies, eclairs . . . all the usual goodies in delightful display and good taste.
I visited the Long Beach Peninsula in southwest Washington this past week. While at the Ilwaco Saturday Market I paused to buy a delicious-looking lavender-laced cookie. I was immediately urged to visit the Painted Lady Lavender Farm just east of town. You cant miss it if you watch for the colorful sign.
Inside the gate is a wondrous paradise.
But then I turned to my right and was awestruck. Pierre is building an outdoor bathroom. He explained that when finished, it will be open to the stars above.
The romantic mood was jarred by the arrival of Tom, a massive turkey who jealously guards his chickens, one of whom he was running after.
Pierre told me that Tom leaves women alone, but he does not like men. I was touched when Pierre stepped protectively between me and Tom, but I watched with inevitable amusement as he tried to chase the turkey away with a trembling hand. I apologize to the handsome Pierre for not getting a better photo of him, perhaps when he was glowing with pride over his amazing stone work around the bathtub.
Tom was not amused by the chase. He flew onto a nearby roof and watched Pierre walk away.
Pierre proceeded to show me some of his nice art that is for sale in the gift shop and also gave me a sample of lemon curd flavored with lavender buds. I was just falling in love when the next guest arrived and I was forgotten like last years lavender bouquet.
