Blanco Lavender Festival

Lavender in bloom.
Lavender in bloom.

 
This past weekend, the boy and I headed down to Blanco for the annual lavender festival. We’d never been, and I was curious to see what it was like. It was a little over an hour drive out into Texas Hill Country. There’s a pretty huge market setup in downtown Blanco, and then several of the local lavender farms are open for free tours. We headed to the market first, browsing goods and eating lunch. Naturally, there were a LOT of lavender-themed foods and drinks. I tried some strawberry lavender lemonade, which was alright. We also tried samples of lots of different jams and sauces and dips. My favorite was the lavender honey. So delicious.

The street market for the lavender festival, around the visitor center.
The street market for the lavender festival, around the visitor center.

 
Me and Ian at the market in downtown Blanco.
Me and Ian at the market in downtown Blanco.

 
Some typical lavender-themed goods for sale.
Some typical lavender-themed goods for sale.

 
Once we’d thoroughly explored the market, we headed out to two of the local farms. I had been expecting some waving fields of lavender, but that was not the case at either place. Both consisted of neat and orderly rows of fairly small bushes. And they were pretty and of course smelled good. But we didn’t end up staying too long.

At one of the lavender farms.

 
Goodies I brought home: lavender honey, bubble bath, and headache therapy.
Goodies I brought home: lavender honey, bubble bath, and headache therapy.

 
No lavender, but some pretty wildflowers nonetheless.
Not lavender, but some pretty wildflowers nonetheless.

 
Overall it was a fun mini road trip. I’m kind of wishing I’d bought one of the little lavender plants on sale everywhere at the festival, because that stuff is amazing. But at least I have some smell-good goodies. Now I need to go make some biscuits to put some of that delicious honey on. 😀

Have you ever been to a lavender festival? What kind of local festival is common where you live?
 

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Lavender Fields

Lavender Fields Polyvore Set

I’m not sure if you non-Texans/Austinites know this, but lavender is kind of a big thing around here. Texas Hill Country has actual lavender farms; apparently our weather/soil is similar to areas of France where lavender is grown. This has led to a lot of local lavender and lavender-related products. In fact, we even have things like lavender margarita mix and a Lavender Festival (which I’m thinking of going to this Friday – anyone in?). So today I thought I’d share some of my favorite lavender picks in the wardrobe area, since you all know I like purple and this […]

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