It's November! And it's hard to believe the amazing warm weather we have now. But I can see the end of the year on the calendar, and there is lots to be done before then.
We have a few updates on products and events, and be sure to scroll to the bottom for Greeley's rumination on... leaves (not flowers, for once :).
While the bees are all tucked in for the winter, we're working hard in our farm gardens this time of year. Hundreds of dahlia bulbs need to be stored for the winter, last year's flower beds are getting a good cleaning and prep for the next year, and winter covers go on some of the delicate spring crops (ranunculus, looking at you here). And we have a few thousand vibrant tulips and gorgeous daffodils to plant for the spring as well. Like I said, lots to do!
Our lavender bunches, dry flowers and custom evergreen arrangements will be available for online orders throughout the cold season. We will have dry flowers and wreaths at the winter markets (only a couple of lavender wreaths left now!).
Looking into the Spring, our Spring Flowers Subscriptions program is up next, and we're taking orders now. As always, we have limited spaces for our subscription programs and even though there is an option to sign up for Back in Stock wait list notifications, once we're 'sold out', we're really sold out. Keeping our subscribers groups small allows us to provide extra special arrangements and bouquets for you, we hope you understand and simply subscribe early to book your spot.
In other news, we've been busy in the Lavender Woods Kitchen.
Freshly baked Botanical French Macarons and Honey Lavender Truffles will be ready for you to pick up at the Market next week. If you never tried our food treats, we should warn you that the truffles are huge and incredibly satisfying.
And for the macarons, if you plan on sharing, you will definitely need to get a second box, because, once you try them, you'll want them all to yourself (we totally understand, some things are not sharable, really).
New Products Coming Soon:
We will have some awesome new Botanical Skincare and Spa products to share with you at the upcoming Winter Markets in Belchertown. We've got two new scrub cubes: A charcoal/coffee/oatmeal and a brilliant grapefruit/sugar scrub, calendula and lavender salve, scented and decorative candles to brighten up long nights. We'll share on IG soon!
We also will bring something we've been working on for a long time: a special candle with benefits - a candle made with lotion that can be burned as a candle and the pool of lotion used warm on your skin - a real treat for the winter!
Just like all our products, the new items have all-natural ingredients, and they look and feel absolutely amazing! I'm so happy we get to share these new scrubs and candles with you soon!
Winter Markets are coming up! We will be at the Belchertown Farmers and Artisans Market in Jabish Middle School on two Sundays, Nov. 13 and Dec.11. The Markets run 10am-2pm.
Pro tip: If you're looking for something specific, it's best to come earlier in the day as many items sell out.
We're always happy to take online and custom orders, just reach out via our site, email or phone. Our newest products will only be available at the Markets at the moment, but we will be adding these to the online store soon.
Holiday time is always busy, and it's best to place your orders ahead of time. But if you need something in a hurry, you can also find a few of our spa products at the Atkins Farms store and some of our pretty lavender fields bouquets are available at Provisions (Mill District) Wine and Gourmet store in Amherst.
What else is happening around here? Here is a note from Greeley:
Golden leaves dance a graceful ballet as they leave their sunlit perch spiraling gracefully towards their resting place on the forest floor. You can almost feel the trees final exhale before winter, and hear the gentle rattle of the last leaves still hanging on, their brightness exhausted.
The red-gold carpet softening and enfolding our footsteps. Enriching, deepening the red/gold adding highlights to the brown carpet. Adding to the hush of the sun dappled woods.
This brings back treasured childhood memories… the sound of rustling steps and the crisp earthy scent of leaves, and the sharp smell of the sticky sap on the pine cones you can’t help picking up.
The stream gurgles as it meanders through now golden leaf-covered banks. The water bejeweled with leaves gleaming topaz, citrin and fire ruby. Contrasting with the summer green ferns paling to a ghostly white, anticipating the first frost… they seem ghosts of winter future.
All that makes walks through The Lavender Woods delightful, but to be truthful, the best thing about woodland leaves… I don’t have to rake them!
That's all for this update from The Lavender Woods, Friends!
Take care, and we hope to see you soon!
Olga and Greeley
Credits:
The Lavender Woods Farm and Apiary www.thelavenderwoods.com