Spa Day at Carol Watson Greenhouse

I have to admit that I have had enough of winter.  Putting on boots, mittens, a scarf and a heavy jacket every time I have to go down to the barn to check on new arrivals is starting to get old.  So when Carol Watson from Carol Watson Greenhouse in Lafayette, NY invited me again this year to her Spa Day on Sunday I was  there a hour early to set up.  I love to visit her greenhouse this time of year just to smell and see the beautiful color of all the flowers.  Enjoy!

  

  

 

Spring has to be around the corner!

Lavender Farms in Sequim, Washington

While my kids and niece traveled to the coast of Washington and my brother and sister in law toured Snoqualmie.  Gary and I headed to Sequim,Washington home of the lavender capital of North America.

Snoqualmie Falls

You can't start the day in Sequim until you stop at The Oak Table Cafe for breakfast.  We discovered this place eight years ago when we came to our first Sequim Lavender Festival.  

Gary had Pigs in a Blanket - Three buttermilk pancakes wrapped around link sausages and I had...

Brandied Peach French Crepe - Peaches simmered in a sauce enhanced with peach brandy and wrapped in crepes.  I couldn't finish it all...oh so good!

Before we left home I contacted the owners of Washington Lavender Farm and the George Washington Inn, Janet Abbott and her husband Dan to arrange a tour.

Janet met us at the entrance of  her 5 star luxury bed and breakfast.  The Inn was inspired by Mount Vernon and built as a replica of George Washington's home.  It was such a peaceful and beautiful place.  Now this is a reason to come back and visit again.

A beautiful view from the porch of the inn overlooks the Strait of San Juan.

The Washington Lavender Shop is the home of "Martha's Own" and "By George" lavender products.  Offering soaps, lotions, and so much more.

A welcoming view to the Inn with the Olympic Mountains in the background.

Washington Lavender is one of the many farms that belong to the  Sequim Lavender Farmers Association. 

Our next stop is Purple Haze Lavender Farm.  This 12 acre certified organic lavender farm contains more than 15,000 lavender plants of more than 50 varieties.  They are also one of the original founders of the Sequim Lavender Festival.

They also offer honey from there beehives in both of their shop locations.  One in village of Sequim and also on the farm.

Their certified organic lavender oil comes straight out of their fields.  It's steam-distilled from their Melissa (Lavendula Angustafolia) variety or their Grosso (Lavendula Intermedia) variety and is aged to a deep, rich, wonderfully sweet fragrance.  Did you know that not all lavender essential oil is alike?  I'll explain later... in another blog entree.

Their distillation system is located outside under cover.

On the way home we also stopped at Sunshine Herb and Lavender Farm

It is located just outside the village of Sequim.

Their lavender products are handcrafted by Carmen, one of the owners.  I have never seen so many lavender products in one location.

My son, Casey and daughter, Mandy taking in the coast of Washington.

That concludes our vacation to Washington.  We had a wonderful time spending it with family and showing them one of the states we love.  Next weeks blog:  One of our favorite couples gets married.

Washington State Part 2...San Juan Islands and Mt Rainier

While my son, Casey was climbing Mountain Baker in North Cascades National Park.  The rest of the family was headed to the San Juan Island for whale watching.

Mt. Baker

We hopped the ferry from Bellingham, WA to Friday Harbor, one of the San Juan Islands.

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All smiles on a cool morning.

 Friday Harbor

 Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands have long been recognized as one of the premier vacation destinations in Washington. It is truly one of nature's playgrounds.

Many celebrities have homes here and Johnny Carson had been known to dock his boat in the harbor.

After we docked...

We hopped the Western Prince II seeking Orca Whales.

and found...

Eagles, Sea Lions and Seals.

We were a little early in the year to see Orca's but we were able to see Minke Whales but I wasn't fast enough to catch a picture of them.  

After a day on the boat and some sightseeing on the island we headed to back to Seattle.

On our way back I noticed the National Geographic Sea Lion. This ship can accommodate 62 guests with 31 outside cabins for a adventure cruise.  Sounds like fun!  

 The next day we headed for Mt. Rainier National Park.

Ascending 14,410 feet above sea level Mt. Rainier is an active volcano and is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning six major rivers.

So peaceful...

Enjoying the day!

It in our sights

My brother, Ken and sister in law, Patty.

Breath taking view!

I hope this is not my son's next mountain to climb.

Check back next week for our visit to the Lavender Farms in Sequim.

The Beautiful State of Washington...Part 1

This year our summer vacation took us back to the beautiful state of Washington.  This was Gary and mine fourth trip to the Seattle area.  We met my brother, his family and my children and we were on the GO all week.  Take a look!

Our riverfront home for the week was a 30 minute drive from Seattle located in North Bend, Washington.  A beautiful 4 bedroom log home which overlooked Mt Si.

So peaceful...

 The view from the house of Mt Si.

First stop on this adventure was Seattle's Pike Market and Fremont Market.  

It was a busy Sunday morning and the market was full of visitors.

World Famous Fish Market

And of course I went home with a bouquet of flowers.  Can you believe these bouquets are only $5.

Entertainment on every corner of the market.

We were so surprised to see that Dungess Crab Legs were $30. a lb.

Love the way they display their vegetable and fruit.

Fremont Market

  I was fascinated by this Pig Food Truck

We hopped on the monorail in the middle of the city for our next stop.

Of course you can't go to Seattle without stopping at the Space Needle.

The famous houseboats:  Where the movie "Sleepless In Seattle" was shot.

Many cruise ships leave the port of Seattle for the great state of Alaska.

Next stop: Experience Music Project Museum.

The museum was founded by Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen.  Any music buffs would  love the artifacts celebrating Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Kurt Cobain and more at the Experience Music Project.

This sculpture looks like a tornado of guitars.

Michael Jackson's "Thriller" costume.

Oh yes, the day is not complete without...SEAFOOD!

Check back for Part 2
Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands,
Snoqualmie Falls
Mt Rainer
The Lavender Fields of Sequim, Washington