L is for Lavender
Provencal Lavender Fields, original oil on board by Karen Tual
If you've ever seen fields of lavender in bloom, then you know the beauty of this remarkable plant. Lavender has been used in cultures for over 2500 years and first came to this continent with the Pilgrims in the 1600s.
Lavender is a delightful addition to a sunny garden spot. It grows in clumps and likes a sandy, well drained soil.
Spring and summer yields the joy of delicate lavender blooms.
A soothing bath with lavender salts is the perfect ending to a long day. It's a wonderful way to relax, rejuvenate, and revitalize.
Lavender baths are healing. The delicious sent of lavender is the perfect aromatherapy.
After my shower I like to soothe my skin with Pandora Balthazar's lavender foot cream and body butter.
Lavender is also a wonderful fragrance to use around the home. Not only does it make everything smell fresh, it also helps get rid of bugs.
Long ago lavender wands were often given to young women to protect trousseaus and use to perfume linens stored in closets or drawers. Today, many of us like to use lavender sachets in our drawers and closets.
Lavender sprinkled about a closet is a good way to keep one's clothes smelling fresh.
Lavender flowers, stems, and leaves have long been used for culinary purposes.
Lavender tea is a perfect morning pick-me-up or a late afternoon treat. Fresh lavender leaves are best used as an herb for savory dishes. Lavender flowers, both fresh or dried, offer beautiful color and flavor to a variety of dishes. Use only lavender that is clean, pesticide free, and grown for culinary purposes.
Today I've made lavender scones for you . . .
and brewed you a pot of lavender tea.
The teapot is old Sheffield plate. It was a find from a vendor at the Round Top Antique shows several years ago.
The vintage silver-plate cream and sugar are from my mother. She gave these to me for my playhouse when I was a young child. They are marked "Made in Japan". Most of the silver is now worn off, and the copper is showing through in some places. They are very sentimental pieces for me, but I also like the sweet shapes, the pebble texture, and the floral details.
I've set it all out on a tea tray so you can enjoy your lavender treats out on the sun porch.
I've filled a petite Quimper cornet with lavender sprigs and a few fresh flowers from the garden. It is unmarked, but most likely produced by Adolphe and Arthur Porquier, 1875-1903. The croisillé of this piece is one of my favorites. This decor was very time intensive and expensive to produce, so it was not often used in production after WW II.
A pair of sweet vintage linen napkin were a recent gift from Mary @ Across the Pond. You can read about this and the other delights she sent me here. I was the fortunate winner of her celebration of her 800th post give away. Thank you again, Mary! I'm definitely enjoying my gifts.
Your cup of tea and lavender scone are served on pieces of Quimper from my collection. The larger wand of lavender was purchased in Santa Fe last summer. A street vendor would make these on the spot and embellish them with a fresh rose bud and other flowers. The lavender is now dried, but I add fresh blooms now and again to perk it up.
The cups and saucers are early HB Quimper. They were a purchase during my first visit to Quimper, France. They have the softest blue glaze, and the painting on the cups is unusually detailed and fine.
The saucers are deep and painted with a simple border of floral sprays. The petite plate holding the scone is unmarked. It repeats the delicate croisillé decor of the AP cornet.
Since I'm serving tea and sharing about lavender today, I thought it appropriate to include this pair of hand appliquéd and embroidered tea towels. The little lady on the left is dressed in her lavender best.
The tea towels are the skillful handwork of my mother many years ago, and they've now been handed down to me.
So happy you stopped by today. I'm linking this post to Mrs. Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday for "Letter L" today, but I've also linked up to some other weekly memes this week. Click the links below to visit these great blogs for lots of interesting posts.
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What an amazing post...I have never tried to grow lavender, but I think I might like to...the pic of the fields blooming is so attractive! I love the little towels too, those are adorable...Have a great VTT!
ReplyDeleteOh I love this post Sarah. Cait and I adore scones, DH not so much :) And that painting is just beautiful. Lavender is one of my favorite scents, it is so soothing to me. Great choice for L! Kathy
ReplyDeleteLavender is one of my most favorite things in the world. That vintage teapot is stunning!
ReplyDeleteHappy Vintage Thursday!
xojanis
Hi Sarah! What a wonderful post! I love lavender...but it doesn't like our clay soil. :-( Love your Quimper, of course! And your mom's tea towels are a real treasure! While we were in Provence, we went to the Abbey de Senanque, but the lavender wasn't blooming yet. Too bad, because I will never go back! That road scared 10 years off my life! lol Happy Wednesday!...hugs...Debbie
ReplyDeleteI hope your hubby is doing better!
Oh such pretties. Amazing Quimper and the tea towels are the perfect touch!
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
:)
ReplyDeleteSo many lovey lavender things. You have some real treasures. I especially love the cream and sugar from your childhood.
ReplyDeleteI have some lavender sachets in my drawers I love them. I love the color to. I'm thinking of having one of my rooms in my house painted lavender.
ReplyDeleteOh what a lovely post! Everything is so precious. I hope to visit Quimper some day... I tried to grow a lavender plant here in Colorado but it didn't do well. I was hoping wafts of the scent would travel through the window. Perhaps there exists a lavender that would grow at our altitude; haven't found it yet.
ReplyDeleteI love those lavender wands! I keep lavender sachets in my dresser drawers and like to spray lavender linen spray on my pillow.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I adore lavender in all its forms. I have a booth neighbor at the antique mall who deals in lavender, and she's introduced me to lavender jams and jellies, pecans, just all sorts of way to cook with this wonderful herb. :-)
Oh, I need to head to the mall to check on the price on that urn. It's small though, only about 6 or so inches high.
Have a wonderful Thursday!
Anne
Lavender is oh so wonderful ... i use it when making soap and bath salts. We also had lavender shortbread this winter ... delicious!
ReplyDeleteLove love love Lavender! Would love to try the lavender scones...hmm might have to bake some now! Your teapot is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSarah, this lavender post makes me smile. I remember the fragrance and the sun when I saw this fields in Provence. I have never tried to make Scones with lavender, thats a good idea. I like your teapot and the milk/sugar-set. And your Quimper ist stunning. Such a detailed decor for an early producing time. Your Moms teatowels are great art. So much work in it. Greetings from germany, Johanna
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI loved your lavender post from beginning to end! One lovely photo after another. The tea pot for the lavender tea is just gorgeous, the croisille decor on your vase is wonderful.
Perfect post!
~Maggie~
I love lavender and we grow some.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy tea and scones.
I'm going to swipe your teapot.
:)
I bet the room smelled heavenly.
ReplyDeleteVery relaxing post! I love all things lavender and I grow some in my boarders. I make sachets for my drawers. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful post. I didn't realize there were so many ways to use and enjoy lavender.
ReplyDeleteSarah, what a delight! Anyone coming to your home would be in for a special treat anytime.
ReplyDeleteYour mother's tea towels are charming as are your Quimper pieces and tea pot. Loved it all.
I so look forward to your posts!
Have a great day in Texas!
I adore lavender! I have seven plants of it...we will see if they survived the winter. I CANNOT go by a plant without picking a bit and pressing the lavender to let our the fragrance. There are few plants with a better fragrance! Loved your post! Joni
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely, lovely! I can smell the lavender now :) . I would love one of those scones and a cup of tea about now.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Catherine :)
What a beautiful post..everything was perfect and so beautiful. I love lavender and you presented it in all it's beauty..my very favorite thing,was the applique and embroidered piece made by your mother. Her work is so delicate and gorgeous. Happy VTT, have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I'd love to see a field of Lavender! Enjoyed seeing all your pretty things and learning more about Lavender.
ReplyDeleteSarah, your posts are always so thoughtful and informative. I so enjoy learning about all your pieces of china and silver. I need to send you photos of some of the glasswear,china, and silver that I have inherited from family members. I think it is so important to know about the pieces you own. Oh, I have a large lavender plant in my garden at school, the kids love it. I also make lavender rice bags for sore muscles and to put under your pillow. it's so soothing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. I too love lavender and use it a lot, I bought a big sack of Lavender in the Provence last year and it keeps smelling good.
ReplyDeleteI love the embroidered tea towels. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lavender photos, and your tea set is a delight! Wonderful take on L post!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post filled with charming "L" words and even more charming vignettes of beauty and grace.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this lovely "L" post!
It was charming.
And so are you!
A+
I love the smell of lavendar. What a treat it would be to have a lavendar plant. Your pictures are a soothing as your subject! This is my first time participating in alphabet Thursday! What fun!
ReplyDeleteSarah, this post is beautiful. Of course, you know how much I love the basket filled with Quimper! Oh shoot! Now I want some cups! Love that tea pot and the sugar and creamer and what wonderful stories they tell. The tea towels stitched by your mother are such a special treasure, and how wonderful that you have them. How exciting that your friend created the provencial fruit pattern! I'm so impressed!laurie
ReplyDeleteoooo. I can smell that lavender from here. yummmmm. I hopped over from Alphabe-Thursday and am so happy that I did! I am the new kid in class, and learning my way around. Please accept my invitation to drop in at my place one day this week when you get a moment. I have become a follower and hope you'll do the same. until later...
ReplyDeleteBravo, bravo! As always! You charm me with your lovely pictures and tablescapes and words.
ReplyDeleteYou say lavender likes sandy soil? Well good, I have plenty of that in my backyard! I might have to get planting...
I love lavender. I think everyone does! What's not to love about it? It's pretty, smells wonder and makes you happy to have it around.
ReplyDeleteI've never had it cooked in anything but have always wanted to try it.
Hugs,
Joanne
What a gorgeous post! I am a lavender fanatic! Love it in the house, the house, my bath, my food and on my body! See what I mean! LOL. Beautiful post, can't wait until my lavender blooms!
ReplyDeleteThanks so sharing!
Miss Bloomers
I love this! Great pictures and i love Lavender :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for following me. Following you now.
Yes, the next give away will be the 1st of next month. I will always do a French give away :)
Gros Bisous
Frenchy
Thank you for the sweet compliment :)
ReplyDeleteFrenchy
I was enthralled with your post. I don't have any lavender in my house but, after reading your post, I will have to buy some.
ReplyDeleteSuch a refreshing post.
Loretta
What a beautiful post! So much great information and so many pretty things to look at~ I love the teapot with the little flower perched on the lid!
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a lovely post about Lavender. I learned so much and will be getting some lavender to add to my home.
ReplyDeleteLovely lavender post! We grow lavender here at Pondside - just enough for ourselves and friends. Our summers are hot and dry - perfect for all sorts of herbs too.
ReplyDeleteI keep a bottle of lavender mist beside my bed, and each night I spray the light bulb of my bedside lamp just before turning it on - the heat from the lamp gives me a burst of lavender scent. Sometimes I spray my pillow too - for sweet dreams!
beautiful pics of your lavendar :D
ReplyDeleteI took a look at the Lavender foot cream on the screen and my feet immediately started to feel better! I adore lavender. My mouth is watering for one of your lavender scones!
ReplyDeletesimply gorgeous...and i really could go for a lavender scone with my evening tea!
ReplyDeletewe are growing lavender in our garden, but have just planted for our first season, so they aren't in full bloom just yet. Maybe by this time next year i will have enough for all the wonderful uses of lavender!
Hi Sarah, I love lavender and I really love that gorgeous silver teapot! Super post!
ReplyDeleteBella
I think I must plant some lavender now. I feel so....so full of lace and grace from reading all about lavender. Thanks.
ReplyDeletenow to find that sandy, well drained soil among our gumbo soil....
I LOVED this post about lavender!! I love it, too, so this really interested me! Your photos were awesome and it was so much fun to read the history about so many of the lovely items you shared!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a wonderful Saturday...it's a great one in KC, MO!! dana
I love this post! I learned so much and the pictures and commentary belong in a magazine. It's just beautiful. I love lavender but have been unsuccessful in keeping them alive. The tea towel are gorgeous. I would love to make something like this. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post. I signed up to follow you
ReplyDeleteCarey
Sarah, your write is lovely. What a gorgeous tea set, darling towels & you own a piece(s) of Quimper, you lucky person!
ReplyDeleteWe have a professional local farm of major size with acres & acres of lavender ... it is awesome & she creates fabulous lavender products.
I love seeing fields of beauty like this ...
Have a lovely weekend.
TTFN ~Hugs, Marydon
I love lavender---the color, the fragrance the flower. Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteYour treasures are beautiful. I love lavender, too. And, I have to say that lavender wand is just about the prettiest on I've ever seen! I love the shape.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! Lavender is my favorite color...but don't tell the other colors that (lol)!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a lovely post and I swear you have written it so beautifully that I can smell the lavender!
ReplyDeleteYour serving pieces, silver and linens are so pretty, especially the pieces that your Mother gave you and the linen towels that she made. How precious.
I noticed that my lavender is blooming this year. I'm so excited to go and pick some.
hugs
Sissie
What a lovely post and how much more perfect can it get than lavender and Silver Sunday combined? I love your items, from the yummy dessert to the silver teaset to the beautiful linens!
ReplyDeleteCome visit my silver when you get a chance!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Love lavender -- lots of lavender in Linderhof's garden . . . and nothing better than a lavender tea -- especially one poured from a silver pot.
ReplyDeleteSarah, thank you so much for linking this beautiful post to Favorite Things. laurie
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah ~ I adore Lavender and only this year have actually started to grow it. I hope it takes well so I can try a few of your ideas. Happy SS!
ReplyDeleteI can almost smell all of that lovely lavender from here! I love all your gorgeous lavender products.
ReplyDeleteYour teapot is so pretty too.
Best wishes,
Natasha.
I enjoyed your wonderful post, Sarah! Lavender fields are so beautiful and I love the smell. We just have a piece of lavender soap in the bathroom. I also like to use my lavender foot cream. Your scone looks very yummy and your silver is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Sunday!
Hugs,
Julia
A lovely post on lavender. I have always loved it's soothing, relaxing fragrance. But have never cooked with it; nor did I know that it could ward off bugs. You have beautiful things. The tea towels that your mother made a truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great post. I have a couple lavendar plants in our garden both Spanish and French. The English wont grow well in my part of the country. And the tea pot is verry nice.It must be Victorian. Thank You for your visit today..
ReplyDeleteI love lavender...I will be right over for tea and scones......
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a lot of eye candy...lavender, silver, Quimper, linens, flowers and food! Your teapot is adorable; I love the top.
ReplyDeleteReally nice Silver Sunday blog post. You must have one beautiful home!
ReplyDeleteLove the lavendar, Have you seen the movie "Ladies in Lavendar"? If not you would probably like it.
Have a great Sunday, your post is beautiful!
Hi Sarah, As always, this is such a beautiful post. I just adore lavender too. I am going to try your scones. They sound amazing. All the exquisite lavender items are just delightful. The tea towels are just so adorable. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Cheers, Lia
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah!
ReplyDeleteGreat post about lavendar. I am going to try to grow some this year in my tea garden.
Love your teapostand creamer & Sugar. Such a pretty design on the teapost!
And that hand stictched tea towel is wonderful!
Lots of pretty stuff showing in this post!
What a LOVELY LAVENDER post, Sarah! Your linens are so luscious looking & that Quimper is outstandingly beautiful. You've really got a great collection!
ReplyDeleteYou could have also linked to the Silver Sunday with that teapot! LOL
I don't know how you remember them all. :D
I so love those cups and saucers! And this is the first time I've heard of lavender scons. They look yummy, maybe one day you could post the recipe for us.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great weekend Sarah!
Hi Sarah, there is so much to appreciate on this post. I love the scent of lavender and usually have a sachet or two in my dresser drawers and sometimes under my pillow. My cat hates it though and high tails it out of the room every time I bring some fresh lavender.
ReplyDeleteI have never had anything flavored with lavender. I can't imagine what it tastes like!
Havce a great week, Bonnie
That was just lovely, Sarah. The creamer and sugar bowl, amazing !
ReplyDeleteYou have so many lovely memories..
I have only started growing lavender..sometimes it doesn't make it through the harsh winter. I did see some popping up in the one of the beds, probably gasping for air after all the rain we had!
MMM!! The tea and scones sound delicious! THe tea pot is absolutely beautiful along with everything else! Love the tea towels! For sure I will have to try the lavender tea! I feel so badly that you have had to postpone your trip to France. I hope you have a good week! What a wonderful post! Sherri : )
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this! I planted some lavender last year and it never had a chance to bloom because it was too late in the season. I can't wait for this year as I hope I see some flowers! Lovely post and great information! Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIts Cheri from Its So Very Cheri. I don't remember if you have come over and RE-Signed up to follow me at the new site. I have a fun give-a-way and just did a fun tute on a glass vase.
Cheri
Great post Sarah. I'd love to sit in front of a Lavender field and just see and smell the gloriousness. Congrats on your win at enchanted rose studio.
ReplyDeleteI love lavender and I still don't have any in my garden!! I am hoping to change that one day soon, I will either buy a plant or get the seeds soon.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah ~ Thanks for stopping by on S.S. ~ I was working this weekend, so Now catching up.... Love the Lavendar & the Very Pretty Vintage Silver Tea Set ~ Just Beautiful
ReplyDeleteHave a Wonderful Week
I had no idea lavendar was good for preventing bugs. Love your teaset; what a precious keepsake. Also like the Quimper. I didn't know what that was before blogging.
ReplyDeleteSarah, love the lavendar. In fact, I just bought one little plant (even though I would love to have a field of it!). Linda
ReplyDeletethe detail on those tea towels in incredible. i love them! i'm hoping to plant some lavender in a pot on my front porch soon. thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great info about lavender. Those little tea towels are so precious...what detailed work!
Loved seeing your darling teaset...what a sweet memory and treasure to have. :-) This was a gorgeous post...so much to drool over!
Gorgeous Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThose appliqued tea towels your mom made are just so skillfully done.
Lavender is a fav and so healing too.
Beautiful post!
love kelee
Good Morning Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI have never tried growing lavender but may attempt it this year. I have some areas that look like great candidates for planting spots. I do love the smell of lavender in the house and love the soap!
I've been in AR this past week visiting my children and grandchildren, so I am way behind on my blog reading. Thanks for stopping by the farmhouse for a visit!
Have a great week!
I am so glad I stoppped by today! I love lavender....and this post was so wonderful to read. When we were in France a few weeks ago, we were by alot of lavender fields, but they were not blooming yet....
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Penny
Hi Sarah
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post about lavender. I hope to go to France again and see the lavender fields. I've never seen them, but I can smell them as I look at your photos.
Hugs, Rhondi
Lavender came with our new house and I didn't know what to do with them! Now I do! Thanks
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous post! I raise lavender and I also have cooked with it - lemon bars with lavender. I'll have to try lavender (also rose petal) tea this summer!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week- your post brightened mine!
Beth
The embroidered napkins are just gorgeous. They remind me of my grandmother. Thank you so much for stopping by Yoga Gal and commenting today, I appreciate it! :D
ReplyDeleteThis is just stunning and exceptionally beautiful! Lavender is one of my all time favorites and I so enjoy the subtlety and nuance of the flavor of fine cullinary lavender, especially in certain sweets!Lovely picturs and a lovely teapot as well!
ReplyDeleteCome enjoy some 'afternoon tea' sometime my dear lady!
Hugs from Wanda Lee
My favorite fragrance - and thanks for mentioning me and using the napkins in your lovely tea table setting. Lavender scones look delicious!
ReplyDeleteYesterday I bought three more lavender plants - I'm putting them in this morning along with some veggies and another azalea - several bare spots to fill since the trees were taken down in Jan.
Your mother's applique/embroidery is so beautiful Sarah.
I'll reply to your e-mail soon - garden/Spring cleaning taking up so much time these warm days.
Hugs - Mary
Sarah, this is such a lovely post. Can you believe I have never seen lavender growing? It looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love the tea you have set. Everything is so pretty and special. And, the tea towels made by your mother are such treasures.
With the L for Lovely! This I love! Lavender,all the information! Your wonderful Quimper! The cornet! The wands, I have one! The big Lavender one is great! Oh, your Mother's lovely tea towels! Lavender Tea, Lavender scones! The wonderful silver teapot! The sugar and creamer are so lovely! Such wonderful memories of Love here! The tray is lovely with the lovely napkins! How I wish I could have a field of lavender growing! Oh, Thank you so much for joining my Dream of Tea Time Tuesday! I just love it all! With a capital L!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! I enjoyed every detail! I would love to see (and smell) lavender fields.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many neat things, love that little tea pot! Thanks for sharing your lovely treasures with us!
Katherine
Wow! What a gorgeous lavender field! I can imagine how sweet the smell is as you pass by there. Thanks for becoming a follower, Sarah!....Christine
ReplyDeleteYou have shared so many lovely things and I have greatly enjoyed your wonderful descriptions. I love the handiwork of your mother on the tea towels. I am growing some lavender myself and this is my first year for it blooming. Such a wonderful tea setting. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete