i am one handed at the present time so i will make this short…..HOURS OF OPERATION FOR SUMMER…10 AM TO 5 PM.  See you here!

Hi! I can’t believe it has been so long since I have written a blog.  We have been alive and well on Facebook.  Pictures of our recent happenings are there but let me tell you what we have been up to in the past 6 months.  In November the Five Sisters went to Seattle for a Lavender Conference.  It was fun and each of us went to different workshops to cover all the news.  We networked a lot and enjoyed the camaraderie of  all the other lavender  growers.  Then when it was time to uncover the lavender, we were dismayed that the winter was not so kind.  We didn’t totally lose many plants but the gray is still evident.  That is the life of a farmer! We have planted more and have summer help so things are getting in shape.  Our lavender hydrosol or “Splash” as we call it, is a great hit this year.  The only place you can buy it is where there is distilling of lavender by a steam based process.  It is for everything that ails you.  I will have to post some of its uses.  We have a new shiny condenser that our “angel” Richard made for us.  Although he lives on the island for only the summers, he has been a godsend for our distillation process.  Thank you Richard.  Another big news item is our fairy trail.  Each sister created a place on the trail.  We each have a theme and created something the fairies would love.  Come see for yourself, it is so much fun.  We also created a play area for children to create their own fairy house.  The fairy trail is for all children at heart and of course we have a golf cart for those who cannot walk the fairy trail.  Our visitors this year include a girl whose name is Lavender.  How about that! Today we had 4 sisters visit.  For men only: iced lavender tea is tops for men who look for something refreshing and a boost in energy.  Now I know you women are reading that and saying that you can drink that too.  I just wanted to get the attention of men!  Enough for now.  Hopefully, I will keep this up but after a long day in the fields, it is hard to get to the computer.  I am trying though so on behalf of Mary, Dottie, Reta and Anita, have a fairy healthy day!

The lavender is harvested and the distiller is running. Anita has arrived with “Gracie” the golf cart for the fairy trail so that everyone can experience the uniqueness of the trail. We have a number of visitors who cannot walk steadily so this is a perfect answer.    It is such an inspirational, whimsical, magical walk. We had our Night Time Fairy Walk and it was so much fun.  A scavenger hunt in the dark is quite the challenge.  Sitting around the fire and telling stories while the full moon shone brightly and the meteor display was lighting up the skies! wow!

In July we had a B-B-Qing with Lavender workshop.  Grilling with lavender is fun and tasty! The potting shed has been very busy and our new soap flies off the shelf.  We ask our faithful followers to order ahead any products they may want so that they are sure to be here when you arrive.

We seem to post more on Facebook, so check us out there under groups: Five Sisters of Lavender Lane. Please feel free to contact us: carol@fivesistersoflavenderlane.com

The lavender is at peak.  It is just so beautiful to look at and then to “lavare” in it.   The peace and tranquility it induces  helps to heal all the cares of the world.  WE WANT A GOLF CART. Do you have one to donate? There are so many people that visit who would love to walk the fairy trail but cannot.  Just today, a 93 year old woman tried but couldn’t get too far.  What a treat that would have been to offer to take her for a “walk” on the golf cart and experience the magical, spiritual, and whimsical fairy trail.  We need help!

Where has the time gone! We have been using facebook to update the events and happenings at the Five Sisters but some of you are missing out so I will try to be better at keeping you aware of the lavender.Today, July 18th, 2011…. The lavender is almost ready to harvest.  We are busy in the potting shed and the magical fairy trail has been a big hit.  What I realize is that visitors know us more than Islanders as we are in the visitor’s guide under “Once in a Lifetime Experience”.  How do we get the word out?Allyson is in the kitchen (approved this year) making lavender jelly.  Last week she was making lavender honey so now we have plenty.Our next event is “BBQing with Lavender” It is on the 29th and 30th of July.  Reservations are required.  If it is a nice evening we will eat in the lavender field.  Lavender Fizz, lavender grilled potatoes, lavender, honey chicken and lavender ice cream are just a few of the delicious offerings.  There will be a pit fire to gather around and maybe some music!  A stroll through the fairy trail, with drink in hand may add to the lingering experience.  Call for reservation: Carol 902-658-2203 or Anita 902-658-2821. Read the rest of this entry »

The June workshop was so successful that we will repeat the June workshops on July 17 and July 18.  Same procedure as June.

SATURDAY; JUNE 26TH—10:00AM TO NOON….SUNDAY: JUNE 27TH—1PM TO 3:00PM…..SATURDAY: JULY 17TH…10:00 TO NOON…..SUNDAY: JULY 18TH…1PM TO 3PM.Adults $10.00—children, $5.00; ages 5 to 12 ……Enjoy making and taking home a fairy basket.  A lavender plug plus your choice of planting and earthly products will enhance your basket.  Wander through the fairy trail and meet “Luci” , our fairy, and the story that brought her to life.  Reservations required.  Contact Carol at 902-658-2203 or Anita 902-658-2821.

Here it is March and the lavender is still snuggled into the snow. That doesn’t mean we are not busy with lavender.  Researching the distiller is just about done and we are ready to order one for this season.  The big news we learned of while we rest here on the island is Canadian Gardening magazine.  On page 86, (April Edition) we are listed as one of the special places to visit on Prince Edward Island. Thank you Canadian Gardening!  We are getting ready to participate in the Flower Show in Crapaud, PEI on 4/18-4/19/10.  We will have lots to say about lavender! Anita has designed a baby pillow of lavender for soothing the little ones. We have a new product called Soy lotion for hands and body.  We are still gleaning lavender.  When you walk in, it almost takes your breath away! As we prepare for the next season of lavender, we will have workshops, story and music making under the moonlight ski by the fire pit, lots of fairies to find on the fairy trail.  More lavender in the field will top off the purple haze created by the lavender.

On November 7, 2009, we covered the lavender.  It is a labor of love and truly good friends who help us out.  Thank you Jane, Harry, Norah, Roland, Laurie, Tanner, Russ, and both Anita and I. We cover with floating row cover and keep it in place by dirt.  There is allot of shoveling going on! After working for a few hours we came into the house for a bowl of pumpkin soup, and salad and pumpkin bread.  It always tastes so good after working hard! We know we have to become more efficient at covering and realize we need to roll the cover.  We will work on a better plan for next year.  It is allot to ask of friends.  We have some new products for next year that we are working on and hopefully they will be a great addition to our existing line.  Reta is working on something and Anita is too.  Oh, what creative minds! We also will continue to present at different organization.  We do talk about growing lavender but also how it is being with sisters. This past Fall we spoke at a Garden Club on Cape Cod and another on PEI, the Bonshaw Garden Club.  It is more about meeting such wonderful people and of course talking about lavender never gets dull!  I hope to hear from those of you who use lavender, cook with it or tell me about an experience in which lavender was a part.  Until next time, think and smell lavender!

The lavender is slowly going to sleep.  We will put the winter covering on soon.  Now, other lavender issues get worked on.  The sisters had their annual meeting in October.  Carol went to an International Lavender Conference in the UK in September. What a small world it is for lavender growers.  We all live in different climates, with different soils and yet we all grow lavender! There were people from Croatia, Poland, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, USA,UK and Canada to name a few.  What a dedicated group of people! It was such a learning experience. Our planning has begun for next year with a variety of workshops to be offered.  The one I like best is making a fairy house.  The fairy trail continues to be a big hit, especially for the children.  Stay tuned to lots of news in the coming months.  The “Home for Luci” book is nearly sold out.  It is so wonderful.