Purple Ranch Lavender Wands in Living Color

Well as I previously stated, weaving lavender wands can only be done during harvest time when the lavender is cut fresh; otherwise the stems are way too brittle and can break. So, I thought I would share some photos of Bren and Mom actually weaving the wands to give you an idea what it looks like. On average a wand can take up to an hour to weave, but when you have a bunch of people weaving, the time just seems to fly by. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch as Far as the Eyes Can See!

Today was all about cutting lavender and weaving wands (see blog on June 8th) and with so much fresh lavender to choose from, it was pretty easy. We had a bunch of Purple Ranchers on site today to weave including my friend Jewels. She is quite the weaver and her wands put mine to shame. Actually I am beginning to think that the lavender fields are magical because you can go through and cut an entire row (did I mention that you have to cut each lavender bloom by hand with a pair of scissors?) and turn around and it looks like you didn't even touch it. Bizarre. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch Moseys to the Waxahachie Gingerbread Trail

This weekend was the 40th Annual Gingerbread Trail and Arts Show in Waxahachie, Texas and the Purple Ranch Hands decided to mosey south to partake in the festivities. As usual, we had a great time, met lots of fine folks, and eduated many on the art of lavender wand making. Since the lavender is in bloom, and wands can only be made when it is fresh, we were able to start making wands at the booth. Many curious people stopped by to see our talents and we were able to teach them how to weave. Since I used to live and work in Waxahachie, I was able to visit with many people that I haven't seen in years....it was like a reunion of sorts.....and I was very glad we made the trip. Also lets not forget the yummy dinner we had at The Rockett Cafe, home of the Best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas! Got Lavender?

Abe Standing Tall

Now how cool is this? Abe Bigoda standing very proud and tall overlooking the lavender fields? He is almost complete except for some cosmetic improvements, but for the most part it would take more than a Level 5 tornado to rock his world. My favorite part of the day has always been sunset and now with the fields in bloom and Abe available, I love to sit on one of his benches and smell the lavender and watch the sky turn the same color. Got Lavender?

Lavender Field of Dreams

Do you remember the movie, "Field of Dreams" with Kevin Costner? One of my favorite movies....anyway, towards the end of the movie, the voice says, "if you build it, they will come." Well yesterday at the official Purple Ranch Lavender Farm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Royse City Chamber of Commerce, exactly that happened. It was straight out of the end of the movie. We were preparing for the arrival of everyone and suddenly we went from having no one at the farm, to a stream of cars coming from both directions turning into the driveway. It was an amazing sight. As you can see from the photo to the right, Abe Bigoda served as a great gathering place and the lavender in full bloom behind him, served as a great backdrop. Got Lavender?

Lavender is Blooming!

Guess what time of year it is? Lavender Blooming Season! The Purple Ranch Lavender Farm is turning purple before our very eyes. The fields aren't in full bloom yet, but within a few weeks, it will be amazing. I thought you would like to see a photo. Got Lavender?