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I’ve had a few requests about lavender wands so I’m reposting how to make them. They last for years and making them is therapeutic!  Lavender Wands To make the lavender wands you will need: Gather 15 stalks of freshly cut lavender. Cut as close to the base of the plant as possible. Be prepared to use them while they are still pliable. Thread to tie the stalks together. 3 yards of 3/16 “ wise good quality satin ribbon. Enough time to complete them in one sitting.
 Lavender Wands, Weave Ribbon Around Stems Wrap the ribbon diagonally down the stem, secure at the base of the stem with a couple of knots, then cut the ribbon.
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 Lavender sketch in illustrated journal Lavendula officinale Gender - Masculine Planet - Mercury Element - Air I’ve always thought of lavender as an herb of the evening. Lavender is associated with peace, nocturnal wishes, sweet dreams and restful sleep. The fragrance has been used for centuries to create a restful night's sleep.
As we continue to explore lavender's nocturnal charms, keep in mind not everyone sleeps at night. Lavender is also very useful if you plan to stay awake!
Whether you plan to stay awake or sleep, lavender will make your evening more enjoyable! Ribbon Tied Lavender Bundle
Braided Lavender Hearts
Candied Lavender Garnishes
Almond Lavender Cookies Lavender Almond Heart Cookies 1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons fresh lavender blossoms I cup (two sticks) butter at room temperature 2 cups almond flour 1 cup flour Combine the sugar and fresh lavender blossoms using a food processor. Add the butter and combine. Next add the flours. Mix until thoroughly combined. The batter will be soft. Chill for 30 minutes. Flour both sides of the dough and place between two long sheets of waxed paper. Using a rolling pin, roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Work quickly. The dough will get soft again as you work with it. Cut cookies with a cookie cutter dipped in flour. Remove all the excess dough and return to the 'fridge. This will make it easier to move your shaped cookies. Gently lift cookies onto a cookie sheet lined with baking parchment paper. Chill the cookies on the baking sheets for 30 minutes Set oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Once the oven is preheated, bake for about 30 minutes. Begin checking at 15 minutes and don't let the edges of the cookies brown. Cool on a wire rack placed. Glaze 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 1 Tablespoon water. Mix thoroughly with a fork. Add a little more water if needed. Keeping the cookies on the wire rack, move them over the sink if your rack fits, or place waxed paper underneath for easy clean up. This can get messy! Use a spoon to lightly glaze the cookies. Top with lavender blossoms. Let the glaze set up and serve. You can probably guess I use herbs in at least one of my rituals to celebrate the Summer Solstice! Litha invites us to relax, celebrate nature’s gifts and soak in the summer sun! This year’s double spring, thanks to the Chinese New Year’s Year of the Wood Snake, made it feel like warmer weather would never arrive1 Now that it’s almost summer, warmer temperatures are on their way in the northern hemisphere1 Below you will find several rituals I have used to celebrate the summer solstice1 1. Make Mini-Herbal Wreaths Supplies to make Summer Solstice Wreaths Plan to make several wreaths to share with friends! You’ll need:
Gather your herbs. Again, be flexible and use what you have available. I used:
Make circular wreaths out of ivy. I plan to wear mine on my head so I checked to see that it would fit! Arrange the herbs on top of the ivy base, then use floral tape and/or wire to hold them in place, weaving around the wreath.  Mini Herbal Wreaths for the Summer Solstice 2. Get Up Early and Watch the Sun RiseInvite friends to join you! If you’d like, wear your herbal wreath on your head and keep it on all day! Have one for each guest! (If they don’t want to wear the wreath, that’s fine. I’ve found some people are reluctant!) Make pancakes the shape of the sun! Ha! Or make sunny scrambled eggs with a few snips of chives and basil! 3. JournalFind a quiet place, perhaps in your Peace Garden (Creating a Peace Garden!) to journal. Write down some of the things you’d like to do during the summer months. Consider your values - health, relationships, creative projects, beauty and order, play and relaxation, for example. Even though many of us take the summer off from formal education, summer is still a great time to include reading, learning and teaching. Have you been thinking about learning to play a musical instrument, becoming more proficient at yoga, or learning to make sushi? Summer is a great time to learn a new skill. What are you planning for your vacation? Will you be traveling or taking day trips? Take some time to dream and set your intentions. 4. Connect with the EarthGet your hands dirty! There is a natural antidepressant called Mycobacterium vaccae found in soil. The bacterium stimulates serotonin production. In other words, playing in the dirt will make you happy! You might want to paint using earth colors. Did you know that the colors burnt sienna, burnt umber, raw sienna and raw umber are rich brown pigments, originally made from natural clays found under ground in the soil in towns in Italy? Make some paints from the soil in your area! Or reach for the siennas and umbers in your watercolors or oil paints. Look for fossils, weed your garden, plant seeds or make mud pies! Have fun! 5. Play in WaterSpends some time in and around water. Ideally, dip your feet in the ocean, a lake or stream. If that’s not an option, a swimming pool or hot tub would be a great substitute. None available? Run through a sprinkler or make water balloons and toss them around! Or go to a Baltimore Orioles game and sit in the Bird Bath section! The way they’re scoring this year, you may well get soaked! (The fans in the Bird Bath section are sprayed with water when players get doubles, triples and home runs!) 6. Light Up the DarknessLight up the grill and have a cookout! If it’s not too dry in your area, you might want to have a bonfire as the sun sets! Light candles , lanterns, torches, or burn incense! 7. Watch the SunsetTake a blanket outside to watch the sunset and stay for awhile to do some star gazing! You might want to consider not turning on the lights or using any electricity in the house after the sun goes down,. One of my friends is planning not to use any electricity in her house after sundown for a week following the solstice. How Do You Celebrate the Summer Solstice?If you have rituals to celebrate the summer solstice, I’d love to hear about them. Please share in the comments below!
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Planting seeds of inspiration with words, art, and lessons from nature.
Welcome to my Blog!Do you love celebrating nature, botanical art, herbal recipes, crafts, legend and lore? I’d love to hear about your favorites. I’m inspired by words, the alphabet, and things that begin with the letter v- variety, vases, vulnerability, violets, vintage, vacations, vanilla, and velvet. Do you have a favorite letter of the alphabet? What is it, and why do you love it? Categories
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