Happy Monday to you!
On our last visit I left you in the hills of Helveta--
a beautiful rural area located not too far from the hustle and bustle of Metro Portland.
And I believe I left you admiring my favorite hat--a pink one of course--in Helvetia Lavender's outdoor tea pavilion...
so that is where I'll start today.
Last year my honored guest was my DH--so tea was not an option
(he is a coffee lover through and through)...
this year I brought my best friend so tea in the pavilion was a definite yes:)
We had a very yummy scone with juicy, sweet Oregon berries and whipped cream.
I had iced tea with stevia; my friend hot tea...
did I say it was sweets with a very sweet view?
During the Festival the farm has many garden areas...
this water feature has been a favorite of mine for two years now!
LOVE the colors:)
My friend and I spent quite a bit of time here learning about spinning,
touching (and admiring) the beauty and softness of alpaca wool.
Oh and picking out the sweater of my dreams--if I can lose some weight that is:)
Now I LOVE alpacas and have been wanting to visit a alpaca farm for a long, long time--
so you know I was in heaven getting to meet this little one year old.
Do you know alpacas sing?
Or maybe they hum...anyway this little cutie was vocalizing while I was admiring their beauty.
Ah! I think I'm in love...
Back to spinning...
it was really exciting and interesting getting to know more about this age old process.
The spinner (actually this whole farm family) was delightful--
we really enjoyed our time there,
and it made my desire to learn how to knit and crochet even bigger!
I SO need to talk to my SIL about lessons:)
Back in the gardens -- I LOVED this plant but have forgotten the name.
*Update (7/22): it's a Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides)*
Isn't it beautiful?
I love white flowers and always include them at home.
Speaking of gardens,
mine is going to need some TLC this week because it is going to be a warm week.
How's yours?
Blessings,
Aimee
Next post...a bit of Provence in Helvetia.
Notes:
Here is the link to Helvetia Lavender Farm
Festival is over for this year (sigh),
but it is my understanding that
their tea pavilion will be open the next 2 Friday and Saturdays for tea
and that profits from tea benefit Good Samaritan Ministries.
I like that:)
And here is the link for Oregon Alpaca Farms
Love that alpaca yarn!
24 comments:
Oh I love alpacas too. There are several on a farm we drive by every time we come to the lake-about 5 miles away. I need to stop and visit them sometime. I've been spinning here at the lake too. So relaxing. Have a lovely week. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
They ARE so neat--I like them really well! DO stop some day and DO take some photos:)
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: Have you spun alpaca wool before? It was really neat seeing that whole process!
I adore alpacas too! I'd love to have 2 or 3 of them. But we would need a new fence before we could get some. I do hope you learn to crochet, you'd love it!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Hi Aimee,
Enjoyed seeing the spinner ( well her lovely soft spun socked feet :) and the Alpaca.
We have been having a heat wave as a lot of us are I am sure. I have been crocheting while sitting in the AC. Oh it must be great to use Alpaca yarn.
Funny i love those white flowers too ~ I saw them and was looking to see what you were going to tell me were ... ha ha . We have had those flowers for years and i have had no idea what they are called.
@Teresa~
Yea! Another alpaca lover and wannabe owner! They truly are special animals.
Re: crocheting. I do really want to learn--my grandma knew how and was very good at it. I am pretty sure one of my many, many SIL's can teach me...
Blessings,
Aimee
@Willow~
Happy Tuesday to you! Yes-we were blessed this morning to have some cloud cover...I am hoping it means a marine influence because it will be cooler than. Of course, it might mean t-storms-a chance to take photos:)Glad you have A/C -- it makes resting so much easier in the heat.
Is having alpacas a west coast thing? I truly wish you could touch some of their yarn--it is SO soft and beautiful.
Stay cool and enjoy your crocheting!
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: I will ask my best friend what the white flowers are -- she told me at the time but I had a lot on my mind:) I want to know too because I already have picked out a space for one--LOL
The only thing missing in these pictures is me! Oh my, you've showed so many of my interests in this post :) What a fun trip!
@Jackie~
Maybe next year you can:) Yep--I could have made this a 'few of my fav things' post!
Blessings,
Aimee
I didn't do any lavendar farm hopping this year. I still might got to a few that are open more than just festival time. I was working at Relay for Life last weekend, so had no time nor energy after it was all over. Will shoot for next year. Hoping to go up to WA one time. Maybe Hood River? Sounds like you had fun and I enjoy your photos too. I'm following you now. Take care and have a great summer!
Becky~
We wouldn't have made it either, because my friend also does Relay for Life, but her involvement took place earlier this year. I would do it if walking was easier for me...it is a great cause!
I know there are several lavender farms that are open for the next couple of weeks if you get a chance. I still have some places on my list to visit, but they may have to wait till next year:)
I've been to the Sequim, WA area on the Olympic Peninsula(rain-shadow effect, beautiful scenery, historic areas, lots to see and do)and I really love it there. Also I loved Lavender Valley in Hood River (lovely views of Mt Hood, the gorgeous Gorge and yummy fruit)...I loved both places!
Glad you enjoyed the photos--more coming.
Thank you so much for becoming a follower and for the smile that brought me.
Hoping to still meet you sometime when life settles down a bit.
Blessings,
Aimee
@Willow--
Hope you get this...that white plant is Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides). It's a perennial. I'm still in love with it and have found the perfect place for it:)
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: Sorry about the delay in getting you the answer.
Oh I bet their wool is so soft- they are just the cutest animals, but I imagine it would be too hot for them down here.
Beautiful pictures. I, too, love alpacas. They make this sweet humming sound when their happy and the fiber from their coat to spin is heavenly! Oh for an acre or two so I could have my own fiber to spin without running out.
Blessings to you my friend,
Betsy
Aimee! What a neat post! I love alpaca humming as well as their so soft fiber they share with us. And having tea in a special locale is something you KNOW I love as well :) I have yet to make it to a lavender farm, but I think I would love it, too!
Gracie xx
Gracie~
Glad you enjoyed my little journey to the land of alpacas, lavender and tea (with a touch of Provence too)! You definitely have to put a lavender farm on your list of things to do next summer...
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: I am still looking forward to having tea someday at Chariteas--the photos you and Teresa share have me curious:)
@Terri~
Their fur is amazing both on them and spun! I am not sure if they would do well in the south...now you have me so curious to find out!
Blessings,
Aimee
@Betsy~
Yes--I LOVE that humming, but I thought it was because he was scared...I am glad to know my visit made him happy (because he definitely made me very happy)!
I think when I learn to crochet I will buy some of their glorious fiber!
Blessings,
Aimee
Hi Aimee,
I found out there is a shop the sells Alpaca yarn about a half hour from here. They also have ALpacas , so I plan on making a stop there soon :)
The weather has cooled off a bit this week.
Have a beautiful week.
Willow
@Willow~
That is SO neat--I think you will love your visit there! I can hardly wait to see what you make with the alpaca yarn and what you think of the wonderful alpacas:)
So glad to hear you are having cooler weather now-we are in the 80's which isn't too bad.
Have a blessed beautiful week also.
Blessings,
Aimee
Very cool! I love tea and I love lavendar and I looooove water features!
Blessings,
Stacie
@Stacie~
Me too--all three of those things:)
Thanks for visiting Stacie--glad you enjoyed my post!
Blessings,
Aimee
Very nice. Woofs to you :)
@Sam~
Thanks Sam! It was really nice to see a post from you today...I liked it!
Blessings(+ woofs right back at ya),
Aimee
Thanks Aimee, It grows here on the farm each year and I never knew the name , thanks to you now I do. Perfect name for a farm perenial ... Goseneck Loosestrife. I wont forget that.
I love this plant and I do see the "gooseneck" to the white slope in the flowering :)
@Willow~
You are very welcome! It is an absolutely beautiful plant and well named like you said! I love the white flowers, the shape, the leaves and can hardly wait to add one or two of them to our garden (but first a major garden clean up) :)
Have a blessed week!
Aimee
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