39 Adventures Updates | Willowfield Lavender Farm

As summer winds down, I'm realizing that my days are growing shorter for accomplishing all my 39 adventures before my 40th birthday! So I'm kicking it into gear, recapping where I've been and making plans to tackle the rest of the list before the big day comes!

I have to say I'm pleased with the progress thus far. I really did savor summer this year and that's saying something for a girl that hates hot! We spent so many days by the pool that I actually have a tan. Woot! I've read amazing books. Enjoyed a summer concert, built a blanket fort on a rainy day, tried new foodie experiences and one of my favorites - visited a local Lavender Farm. And oh peeps, Willowfield Lavender Farm was amazing! And best of all I got to tackle this list item with baby girl and my sister in tow.

Here's my ten favorite things about Willowfield Lavender Farm:

1. The proprietors - Kieran and Elizabeth O'Connor! Such genuine souls. Their love of gardening, nature and lavender shine through. They welcome you like you're an old friend and make your visit as magical as possible. 
2. The tea! I had iced vanilla lavender black tea, and oh my gosh I'd get it daily if they were closer!
3. The setting. 1,000 plants covering a four-acre field with so many beautiful spots to sit and enjoy. My favorites are the store patio and the clearing in between the store and the O'Connor's home, which was handcrafted and built over the course of 25 years from recycled barn wood by the O'Connors. However, the farm also includes 28 acres, many of which are woodlands providing home to a variety of plants and animals. There's a magical little bridge that my daughter loved and said fairies lived across it in the woodlands. The gorgeous window in the upstairs of the O'Conner home is architectural dreaminess! Learn about tours here. Tell them Delightstruck Jen sent you. 
4. The soap! My 9 year old and I a bit of lavender soap snobs and theirs is the real deal. Pretty pumped that I can buy it online with them too.
5. They sell lavender starting plants.
6. They educate you on all the wonderful uses of lavender oil. From their site: There are many studies being done about the benefits of Lavender oil. Lavender is one of the most versatile oils there is. Lavender is analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and has for centuries been used for its beneficial effect on skin, soothing burns and healing wounds, stimulating the growth of skin cells, treating eczema and psoriasis. Lavender is used as an anti-depressant and the high linalool and linalyl acetates in Lavender have been demonstrated to have anti-anxiety, stress reducing effects. Diffused Lavender oil has also been reported to relieve tension headaches. Lavender oil is a bug repellent as well. We have personally used it for headaches, sleeplessness and more. In choosing an oil, we recommend using any ‘Angustifolia’ variety, mainly because hybrid oils, which are much higher in camphor, can actually be stimulating rather than calming.
7. They have handmade custom jewelry pieces in the store. So gorgeous. I have my eye on a necklace that I'm going back for very soon. Don't tell Coach Man.
8. The lavender shortbread cookies. Yum!
9. They sell dried lavender and high quality lavender oil. 
10. The sweet swing hung from the trees in the front yard.

- Jen