Sometimes it’s best to brainstorm when you are far away from all the hustle and bustle of the daily routine of home an work. Last year Serenity’s Lavender Festival exceeded all of our expectations. The turnout was amazing, the weather was picture perfect but we did not yet have our new hospitality centre and so with a new building smack dab in the centre of our parking and vendor area, with a full service restaurant open 7 days a week, a brainstorming session was in order. Over the next few months we’ll be rolling out the Festival activities. A sprinkle of new with old making this an even better festival for all ages!
Lavender is, of course still the star of the show and choosing a date can be a challenge not too early and not too late to miss the peak of bloom. And then there are all the other wonderful festivals in Windsor Essex to keep in mind. We’ve chosen June 30th and July 1st and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that mother nature is as kind to us as she was last year! So pencil that date into your calendars and we hope to see you for another Scentscational Experience!!!
Here’s a nice easy recipe for Lavender Lemon tea cookies that we’ve adapted from Dietitians of Canada, COOK! A tea time favourite- oooh so pretty too! They are a perfect pairing with a cup of Serenity Lavender’s Lavender Earl Grey tea on a cold winter’s day or just a nice treat to chase away the winter blues.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup Serenity Lavender’s lavender sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/3 cup non-hydrogenated margarine
1 large egg beaten
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 tsp lemon extract
Frosting:
1 cup icing sugar
2 1/2 – 3 tbsp 2% milk
2 tsp non-hydrogenated margarine
1 tsp lemon extract
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C)
In a large bowl, combine flour, lavender sugar and baking powder. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg, milk and lemon extract. Pour over flour mixture and stir just until a stiff dough forms (do not over mix).
Drop 1 tablespoonful (15 mL) about 2 inches (5 cm) apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until bottoms are golden. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
Frosting:
In small bowl, combine icing sugar, milk, margarine and lemon extract to form a smooth, thin frosting.
Drizzle frosting over cooled cookies and top with Serenity Lavender’s Culinary lavender buds.
Makes about 30 cookies
Excerpted from Dietitians of Canada, COOK! by Mary Sue Waisman, photos by Colin Erricson © 2011 Robert Rose Inc. 
Come to Serenity Lavender wearing your finest hats and gloves on Saturday, June 23rd from 1-3pm to Serenity Lavender’s Victorian High Tea. Enjoy a delectable array of finger sandwiches, scones, deserts and or course our teas amidst the sereneness of teh lavender blooms. Tickets are $25.00 per person. Seating is limited so call today to reserve your tickets. 519 980-4504 Visa and Mastercard accepted
MENU
Fresh Sandwiches
Cucumber Mint
Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Pinwheel
Ham and Pickle
Lavender Onion Tartlet
Home Baked English Scones
Served with clotted crème, lavender jelly and raspberry lavender jam
Selection of Petit Fours
Choice of Serenity Lavender Teas
Lavender, Lavender Earl Grey, Lavender Green Tea, Provence Rooibos
Victorian High Tea at Serenity Lavender
Great with fresh greens and our local greenhouse tomatoes
1 cup of balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey – We love our friend’s at Sunparlour
1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
pinch of sea salt
Dash of Pepper
In a small saucepan combine the honey, balsamic vinegar and dried lavender. Over moderately low heat reduce the mixture to half. Add oil. Mix to blend. Add salt and pepper.
Well at Serenity Lavender we are busily preparing for this awesome event. This coming Sunday you can visit six different farms including ours. At Serenity you will be able to touch see and smell the lavender. There will be farm tours, pruning demonstrations and of course shopping! We hope to see you at Serenity this Sunday between 10 am and 5 pm.
To see all the participating farms visit:
http://www.ecfa.ca/main/index.php?page=farmhiker.php
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2011/08/30/farm-hiker-tour-back-sept-18/
Serenity Lavender is happy to announce its fall hours. We will be open throughout the Fall on Saturdays & Sundays from 11AM-5PM.
Spend a beautiful, Fall weekend with us at Serenity Lavender!
Coming soon: Lavender Christmas ornaments
Windsor – Essex County’s annual all day outdoor Yoga event created and hosted by the Pajama Angels (local grass roots charity) that raise monies, action & ‘change$’ for our local community as well as support Proactive Breast Health in our community.
Yoga, Exhibitors, Nutrition, Raffles, door prizes & more!
Mats can be rented for $2 but there is a limited quantity.
Location : Vollmer Culture & Recreation Complex
Saturday August 22nd 2011 8AM – 2AM
Classes every hour starting at 8AM
Cost: $50 for the full day
$40 for the headliner only
$15 for any one class
