Wow we are nearing the end of January!  We escaped most of the snow and cold this year until this past week.  We had quite the winter storm this weekend with nearly 8 inches or more in our area.  It's also very very cold.  

Usually January is our downtime.  I had planned to use this slower period to get our promised e-commerce store up and running. This takes some time to get all the products listed.  I am working on it slowly but surely.  We have been busy this January.  Floral Designs orders do not usually start in abundance until March and continually get more busy throughout spring, summer, and fall, then tapering down for the holidays - although we do have some holiday weddings.  Well, this year we have already taken multiple wedding party orders due out this month!  Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I have had to put the e-commerce on the back burner.  Of course, we still have our online shop through Etsy.  Our direct e-commerce store will not necessarily replace Etsy. However adding our own store via this website in addition Etsy gives us more reach for our customer base and makes easier process to check out.  I promise to keep working at it!  

I have been concentrating on restocking the stores we are vendors at since Christmas passed !  They were pretty low on stock after the holidays so I did use a few after Christmas weeks to really get stocked up.  I was making all kinds of bath and body products, added a few new ones like Pink Himalayan bath salts, shower gel, castille hand soaps, and more.    Here are some pics of some of the products! They are available online Etsy store and the retail locations. 

​I also put together a  little slideshow of the displays at our Retail Displays at The Vintage Home Market in Wyandotte and Honeycomb Creative in Monroe.  I hope you enjoy and stop and visit these stores. Check out our retail page for their locations/addresses.   We enjoy working with them both and both locations have a lot creative vendors.   

Wow we are down to the wire!  It's only a week until Christmas Eve!  We are still working and shipping for Christmas.  I wanted to share our mailing notice/schedule for the holidays straight away for those interested in last minute gifts. 

​HOLIDAY NOTICE:   Our Deadline for mailing PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING will be 20th of December for Christmas delivery. Our store will be closed Saturday Dec 22nd through December 26th for the holidays!  Any orders previously taken will go out according to the time frame on your order.  We make sure our packages are delivered to the post office in the recommended time for delivery.   However, there can be delays at this time of year on the post office end so please keep this in mind with last minute orders. 

Also please remember our products are at Honeycomb Creative in Monroe (415 N. Monroe Street, Monroe Mi).  They are a new local business.  I love this store!.  It is super cute and so many nice things.  The owners are so friendly and helpful and easy to work with.  They take great care in displaying our products, and as a vendor I deeply appreciate that they care for the products that are displayed keeping them neat and tidy  between my visits to the store for refreshing products.   Honeycomb has our line of bath and body products, candles, sachets, gifts and more. 

FARM NEWS:  The weather was definitely more fall like this past week.  I enjoyed my babysitting days with my granddaughter.  She had me get up and out and take her and our pal, Murphy,  into the lavender field to enjoy the warm up!  She loves to run the rows and it was something we did daily in the summertime. She also loved to pick the wildflowers, watch the bees and butterflies, and see the rabbits that love to take shelter in the zinnias.  Dear granddaughter was, however, disappointed when she ran to the Monarch field and saw all brown flowers and grass this past week.  She said "Hey!" and produced a pout.  I captured the moment via picture (see slideshow below).  She is only 3 years old so she didn't understand where all the flowers had gone.  I explained to her that the flowers go to sleep during the winter and they will return next spring and summer when they "wake up."  She seemed to accept this and move on to playing with a soccer ball.  

I hope everyone has a truly Merry Christmas . I know it's a joyous time of the year for many and a busy time too.  I also know many people struggle with holiday blues and depression.  My prayers go out to you.  It's a difficult time of year to those who have lost a loved one, who have financial problems, or for a variety of other reasons.  I remember as a single Mom years  ago when my sons were small it was a very hard time for me.  I am a Christian and love Jesus, but still struggled with holidays due to lack of funds, stress,  and another reasons.  I can offer my sympathy and lift you up in prayer for those who are struggling 

I do think it's important to share a resource I wish I had 20 years ago.  Most communities have a food pantries but my church offers a wonderful blessing of a generous food pantry.  They treat you with respect and you honestly get to "shop" for what you need from the pantry.  You are welcome even if not a member.  They serve the Downriver communities.  Just show your id (license or state ID), but they don't turn anyone away.  They will help you load your food into the car.  They give much more than can goods.  They have eggs, milk, frozen foods and even some meat etc.  You are welcome to visit once a month.  If you are member to the church once a week.  I have recently had someone near and dear to my heart use their services and it was a good experience for them even though they felt a bit sheepish. That is understandable.  Most people feel a bit awkward reaching out for this kind of help.  However, the staff treat you with dignity and respect and truly understand hard working people can fall upon hard times.  I have had others friends use their services as well.  I know back in my struggling days if such a pantry experience had existed I would have utilized it gratefully.  

For Those In need "The Open Arms Food Pantry" is open Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm, at our Trenton campus (5699 Fort Street). We serve not only church attendees, but also people who meet the federal low-income guidelines that live east of I-275, between I-94/Outer Drive and Ready Road/South Huron River Drive. We provide some perishable items in addition to a standard assortment of non-perishables.

To Donate See the list of requested donations below. Drop non-perishable donations in the designated bins at any Southpoint campus. We do not accept outdated food items, or glass jars. Thank you for checking!  Any questions, email foodpantry@southpointccc.com.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES:   We'd love to have you come to one of our campus! Three locations Trenton, Huron, and Allen Park.  
southpointccc.com/vip

Christmas Service Times:
Sunday, December 23 @ 9:30 & 11:15am
Monday, December 24 @ 2:30 & 4:00pm (No Saturday service on December 22.)

​Let's not forget the reason for the season.  I pray the Lord blesses and keeps you all this Holiday Season and throughout the coming New Year.  

We will be taking Christmas Products and some new products to our retail locations this week!  They are already listed online through Etsy.   We have some old standbys from previous years such as our botanical filled Christmas bulbs but we've added some new products too.  We have Christmas birdseed ornaments and wreaths pictured above.  We also have wood slice ornaments that can be used on your Christmas tree or year round for rustic decor or for decor on gifts or as favors. We have new Christmas potpourri  - Lavender Citrus Spice.  It includes lavender, juniper berries, citrus (orange) and cinnamon sticks.  We have large 4x6 Christmas themed lavender sachets.  Christmas bouquets/winter bouquets include Celtic Meadow and Winterberry bouquets. 

Gift Baskets:  We carry these year round and they are particularly popular at Christmas and Mother's Day.  We have updated our baskets to give you more products for your money!  Our gift baskets now includes 4 oz linen water, 4 oz organic hand and body lotion, 1 bath bomb or 4 oz bath salt (your choice), an embroidered sachet filled with lavender, a bar of lavender goat's milk soap, and a 4 oz aromatherapy grade botanical soy candle in a mason jar. 

Finally our new products:  Lavender Eye pillows filled with lavender and flaxseed.  They can be used as is, warmed in microwave, or cooled in freezer. Great for yoga/mediating, migraine/headache relief, or just for relaxation.  Also new is our organic hand and body lotion - lavender scented and our lavender bath bombs  also lavender scented - two colors lavender/yellow and lavender/white.  

Just a quick blog to share some new wedding photos we got in over the weekend.  This is from Kayla.  She is carrying the Sweet Herbal Bouquet which is a rustic and boho inspired bouquet of Lavender, Santa Cruz Oregano, safflower, small daisy-like flowers (ammobium), with a few pink globe amaranth as well.  The Simple English bouquet of lavender was also used in this wedding.  Both are available on our shop! I think they look for perfect for the wedding theme they have chosen and dress.   I love the venue and the pics by waterfall!  Beautiful.  

I LOVE getting wedding pics.  I get excited like a kid on Christmas morning!  I love to put them on our listings and social media so potential clients can see how great they look! Also, because they are dried bouquets you can even keep them for years to come.  Just keep out of direct sunlight or spray them with floral preservative spray (you can find it at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores or at Amazon.com).    

I wanted to share some beautiful photos of a local wedding I did.  Mariah is a local bride (Shout out Monroe Mi!).  I was so happy to do her wedding from the bouquets to boutonnieres and corsages.  All the flowers are dried.  I work exclusively in dried bouquets - although in future growing seasons we may start to incorporate more homegrown fresh cuts (stay tuned).  Mariah was kind enough to share the photos of her wonderful day!  It means SO much to me when brides share their photos.  So please brides, or anyone who orders our floral designs, send in your photos!  With your permission, we will post them to social media (Facebook, blog, Instagram) and we also LOVE to use them on our shop listings for the products over on Etsy.  Click on our Shop tab to be taken over to the store.  

 I love November.  These days there seems to be a skip over Thanksgiving theme and go straight from Halloween to Christmas.  While I love Christmas too, I am big on giving each season and holiday it's own time.  I think I might like Thanksgiving because to me it's a more reflective holiday.  Its introverted sort of like I am!  Thanksgiving is a time to slow down for a day (or it's supposed to be) have a big meal with family or friends and remember our blessings and just spend time.  No gifts... just a time to be together.  As a Christian,  it is a time for me to be reflective, pray, and give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for me and those around me.  Even the trials and tribulations have a contribution or lesson to be learned.  While it's definitely so much more difficult to be thankful in the storm, it is also a time to praise.  Praise in the darkness as well as in the light.  

Thanksgiving actually is one of my favorite holidays, I think because it's a forgotten holiday and it's a holiday with few bells and whistles.  I love autumn so it extends that theme as well.   

 I am in retail sales so I do keep my shop open online (and usually run a sale).  However, I don't usually participate in any Thanksgiving shopping.  

Don't forget that Honeycomb Creative is having a Grand Opening.  It started yesterday, but don't worry you still have time for the event!  It goes through November 3rd!  Check out our Facebook Page we posted a video (from Honeycomb's owners) where to park (behind store).   Location is in our #hometown Monroe Michigan.  415 N. Monroe Street Monroe Mi, 48162.  More details on our retail location page.  

If you are looking for a table centerpiece or decor for Thanksgiving we have several options!   Take a look on our shop - click on the shop tab on our website.   If you are local you may order online or you can chose to have pick up your order from the retail location in Monroe at 415 N. Monroe Street, Monroe Mi - HoneyCreative's new store - where we are a vendor.  They have graciously allowed us to use their store to meet up with customers ordering local floral designs.  You can also drive on a bit farther down N. Custer Road to pick up at our farm/home.  Contact me for arrangements at elaine@lavenderrosefarms.com or drop me a FB message or message through Etsy.  

Also coming out for fall - We have supplied both of the retail locations (Vintage Home in Wyandotte and Honeycomb Creative in Monroe) with our line of jelly and jam.  Currently they have lavender jelly, blackberry lavender jam, and strawberry lavender jam.  Look for cranberry lavender coming out in November for the holidays!  

We will be adding some Christmas items soon to our shop and retail locations.  Look for those coming out in November. 

​Also please remember that Honeycomb Creative's Grand Opening at 415 N. Monroe St. Monroe Mi is coming up on November 1st!  Please come out and take a look at the new store!  

We are excited to announce that the Honeycomb Creative will be opening soon in Monroe.  We will be a vendor at their new shop at 415 N. Monroe Street Monroe Mi.  We are very excited to have a store locally in our hometown.   The grand opening is scheduled for November 1st.  Please check them out.  They are also accepting vendor applications! 

We will be delivering our products tomorrow!   We will have a full line of sachets, soaps, linen water, candles, hand-painted mason jars, jellies/jams, and lavender bundles and smaller floral designs.  We will be taking both stores (Vintage Home and Honeycomb) some brochures of our full line of floral designs.  I tend to not take more elaborate designs to display in retail stores.  I do not like them to sit in retail locations as they tend to get handled and can easily suffer damage. Also prolonged exposure to the sunlight causes sun fade over time.  I like to keep our designs for retail locations simple and bring just a few that I can change out regularly.  Dried bundles of lavender tend to sell quickly so I do have them available in retail stores.  If ever you'd like more bouquets than a retail location has available contact me or order online.  If you'd like to order a more elaborate designs we will have the brochures out to the stores soon or you can go to our online store here at our website.  

Local online ordering:  If you'd prefer to pick up your wedding party order or larger floral designs that is an option!  Honeycomb Creative has graciously given us the okay to arrange to meet local clients at their store for pick up of  wedding party orders to save the shipping charges.  You may also pick up from our farm/house by appointment.  

Did you know that our bouquets can also be used as centerpieces or table arrangements or for home decor?  Below are some examples of our bouquets used for table arrangements for events or for home decor. 

Please share with us any photos you might have if you have used our bouquets in this way.  We are always happy to feature your photos!   Rule of thumb, small bouquets fit a pint mason jar, mediums fit a quart or larger jar, large arrangements fit large pitchers and jars.  
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-We received our Monarch WayStation certification in the mail!  So pleased.  We are now on the National registery.  We have a lot of plans to expand our Monarch field next year with more milkweed, butterfly weed, bee balm, more zinnias and moving our yarrow to the field.  Our sunflowers will find a new home in a new location.  The theme next year is all about the raised beds.  We are going to do bulbs in beds - think glads, tulips and dahlias.  We also will be working on a gated veggie and herb garden.  I am most excited about that!  We will also be planting larkspur and other flowers we use in our dried flower arrangements and floral designs.  I am also planning to expand our little bird sanctuary we have by the patio.  We have a cardinal feeder and hummingbird feeder.  I will be moving the birdbath over to the little cut out garden at the patio where I planted a test garden.  We will be moving some of our lavender and rose bushes over to that location.  Can't forget about the birdies!  

Fall is my favorite season.  While I do miss all my flowers and lavender, I enjoy the cool, crisp temperatures and beautiful fall leaves.  It is not offically fall yet, but I am getting ready.  I will be pruning back the lavender soon.  I am already planning for next growing season.  

Fall doesn't mean the end to our business though.  We are working year round. I do floral designs for weddings and home decor year round and  have started making some fall and holiday designs!  We still have all our lavender products as well, which make lovely gifts.  We are working on getting into a local retail store right here in Monroe and I am very excited about that.  Details will be coming soon. 

 I was surprised to go out into the field yesterday find a harvest of Hidcote English Lavender.   I do recall a smaller harvest earlier in the summer, but we didn't get a ton of English lavender.  We got more Grosso and Phenomenal (intermediate lavender).  Mostly, the Melissa (light lavender color) bloomed earlier this summer. The Hidcote was late to bloom.  I always enjoyed the deep purple color of this variety. 

Another surprise was the sunflowers.  I planted them when I planted the zinnia field and the wildflower fields.  I assumed they didn't take or something was eating them as I didn't get any blooms.  I guess I needed to be more patient, because they are blooming now proficiently.  These are the not giant sized sunflowers, but rather smaller ones for bouquets. Our sunflowers were really part of a test plot.  Next year I will move them to their own raised bed or field now that I see they seem to grow fairly well. 

I am headed to the Vintage Market Home this evening with a ton of new products.  Please head down and check this store out.  It's right next to Stroh's at 110 Sycamore Wyandotte Mi.  They carry our products including our bath/spa line, soaps, sachets, bouquets, lavender bundles, dried wreaths, laundry soaps, hand-painted mason jars and NEW! this month our lavender jelly and strawberry-lavender jam.   Lavender Jelly is said to be one of Queen Elizabeth's favorites and it makes a wonderful tea jelly with scones or biscuits.  The strawberry-lavender jam is really more like a preserve.  It's not overly sugary.  As my husband is diabetic I am careful to watch sugar.  While it's not sugar-free (I am looking into a sugar-free recipe though), it has about half the sugar and it has  little more tart taste with a hint of sweetness and just a hint of lavender - not overpowering.  My family just had some on our toast with breakfast this morning and everyone seemed to enjoy it. 

​You can check out their Facebook page of the Vintage Market Home here

​Here are some products they are carrying: