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Upcoming Events
Friday, April 23, 1:30 PM
Oregon Convention Center (IACP Book Fair)
777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
Sunday, April 25, 3:00 PM
Fremont Place Books
621 N. 35th Street
Seattle, WA, 98103
Saturday, May 01, 10:00 AM
Sky Nursery
18528 Aurora Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98133
Sunday, May 02, 2:00 PM
Ravenna Gardens 2580 NE University Village
Seattle, WA 98105
Thursday, May 06, 6:30 PM
Dish It Up! 2425 33rd Avenue West - Suite B Seattle, WA, 98199 Saturday, May 08, 2:00 PM Mrs. Cooks 2685 NE Village Lane Seattle, WA 98105
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Time, where does it go? I've spent the last four years creating a book about cooking with lavender. At times, I thought the project would never be completed. And there were other moments when I was having so much fun, I wanted the project to go on forever.
Last June, when we did the final photo shoot of a tea party in my garden, I suddenly realized my book was moving towards completion. I felt a little sad. What fun I had had baking, recipe-testing, playing around in the lavender fields and working with talented and creative people.
"I'm beginning to understand why this has taken so long," I said to my art director (Shelley Thomas) and photographer (Brian Smale), "it's because I don't want this to be over."
Now I'm in another phase of this project, and I feel the same way. I'm out at book stores, culinary shops, garden stores and wineries meeting people and talking about food and cooking. And I now want this part to last forever!
I hope you are well and are enjoying the shift into spring!  |
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Rhubarb Rules the Roost
When spring arrives, I am ready for fresh local fruit. Rhubarb, an early spring treat, is classified by botanists as a vegetable. A member of the buckwheat family, rhubarb is commonly treated like a fruit. It thrives in cool climates. I like its delicate pink color. As a kid, I would dip a stalk of rhubarb in sugar and chew on it, savoring the contrast between the sweet sugar and the sour rhubarb.
Would you be surprised to discover rhubarb marries nicely with lavender? It's true. Here's a recipe for Toasted Pecan and Rhubarb Tea Bread that I tinkered with a bit. I baked this for an Easter brunch, it got rave reviews.
Where to find rhubarb? Look for it at Farmers Markets, grocery stores or grow it in your garden. You will love this simple yet tasty fruit (or vegetable).
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Meet Lila of Central Coast Lavender
Lila Avery-Fuson embraces joy, gratitude and faith. In late 2005 and early 2006, Lila found herself coping with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Mood swings, sleeplessness along with the side effect of medications were robbing her energy. Lila reached for essential oils to help her relax and boost her immune system.
With a three year-old daughter, Lila needed every ounce of energy she could get.
Lila was determined. She studied and learned about lavender. Always interested in science, Lila reached out to Dr. David Stewart to learn more about essential oils. With the help of her husband and father, Lila started Central Coast Lavender Farm in 2006. With a 1920 plow, they planted four acres with lavender plants. Central Coast Lavender is the largest lavender producer on the Central Coast.
"It all came about because of MS," said Lila. "Lavender took me from being a victim of the diagnosis to a champion and an ambassador for essential oils."
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Summer on a Lavender Farm? If not now, when?
Looking for a special get-away this summer? Lavender Hill Farm, located on Vashon island - a short ferry ride from Seattle, is available for vacation rentals in June and July.
This exquisite property  sits on a hill above the town of Burton, with views of Quartermaster Harbor and Mount Rainier. The farm's ideal location offers an easy stroll to Harbor Mercantile (the general store), Quartermaster Inn for meals and drinks, Burton Coffee for your latte and chai tea needs, the post office, auto repair, Silverwood Gallery and several shops.
Walk 1/4 mile to the beach on Outer Quartermaster Harbor, 1/2 mile to the Yacht Club or 1 mile to rent a kayak. The main bus line is nearby for convenient transportation to the north and south ferries.
For information on the farm and more photos, please visit www.lavenderhillvashon.com.
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