On April 11, 2015, 7 a.m., Gene and I loaded our truck and our car and drove into the Riverhouse Convention Center in Bend, Oregon. We were helped at the door to unload our products, we were provided sustenance and our spot was ready for our arrival. The ladies who put on this event were made sure we were happy with our location and asked many times during the day if there was any way they could help or anything we needed. Our next door neighbors were some energetic exercise ladies and a t-shirt vendor. The exercise ladies had way too much energy but helped in making for a fun day. The t-shirt vendor had quality merchandise and it was nice to be placed between these two vendors. I think we complimented one another quite well.
 |
| It was suggest we have either a raffle or some kind of gift to give to people who visited our booth. We printed instructions on how to make a lavender sachet and included a packet with a square piece of muslin, lavender buds and a ribbon. Moms would come with their children and we would give one to the mom and one to the child, hoping that this would be a great project for them to work on together. We suggested they buy lavender buds and wrap lavender in something that belonged to a loved one and give as a remembrance. One woman said she had her father's hankies and tears came to our eyes as she talked about making a keepsake for her children and grandchildren. We had friends who were excited about making a sachet together. We have a lot of quilters in the area and we suggested that they could make sachets from scraps of material. Everyone liked that the "no sewing" involved. |
 |
| The "stress reliever" idea came from Tracy Ketts, Blue Willow Lavender Farm in Gig Harbor, Washington. She said that people love to come and run their fingers through her "stress reliever" on her lavender farm. The instructions were: "Run your fingers through the lavender bud and leave your worries in the tub." I was going to add "Please no feet" but thought that might be a bit too much. If you ever get to Gig Harbor, you might want to look up Tracy and visit her lavender farm. She has a website and you will want to visit it and see what her hours are. |
 |
| The middle table with Ashdene "I Love Lavender" bone china, wine bags, moth repellents, lavender hydrosol, lavender essential oil, and sachets. |
 |
| Aprons on side (harvest aprons designed after a 1947 pattern and adjustable aprons with three big pockets), and sample bar with marionberry preserves with lavender, Monin lavender syrup, organic honey with lavender, and three chocolate sauces (lavender, orange and peppermint). |
 |
| We did not have any of the chocolate sauces to sell; however, we wanted people to try them and give us feedback on what they thought of them... thank you for stopping by our booth and giving such great feedback! Our products are made by farmers in the Willamette Valley who contract with the Oregon Lavender Association. We picked up several cases of chocolate sauce during the Oregon Lavender Association meeting the next day. |
 |
| A wedding in your future? --lavender is an excellent idea to use in decorating as well as food. |
 |
| People ask "What can you do with lavender?" This list is a few of the ways lavender can be used in your everyday life.. Wonderful recipes are available on the internet. I have one for lavender fudge and one for bbq chicken--YUM! |
 |
| Hardanger (Norwegian embroidery). It delights the heart when people recognize what this is. Gene and I have heard so many wonderful stories from people who have had an aunt or a grandma who did hardanger. I also shared with two young ladies what hardanger was/is, both were Norwegian and both started telling their history. I love lavender and the bond it creates with people! Without the lavender farm, I would not be making these pillows and meeting such wonderful people. |
 |
| These are the hand dyed 100% silk scarves Mike (our son) makes. Each one is beautiful and each one is different. I want them all but am told that's being greedy. Not everything Mike makes is for me, his mom, who gave him birth. He has to make some money in order to afford the scarves he makes for me. |
All in all, we had a pretty exciting and rewarding day. Gene already told the lady to save us a spot for next year.
On Sunday (the next day), we were off to the Oregon Lavender Association meeting. I hate the travel over the hill--this time we went over Government Pass--but wouldn't miss visiting and learning from the knowledgeable--dare I say wise--members. What an extraordinary group of people. We were home around 9 p.m. I thought we would be dead tired but both days were so different and downright exhilarating! Next Saturday, April 18, is the Central Oregon Master Gardeners show. They are such a good group: I can hardly wait!
No comments:
Post a Comment