Way back in the mid-eighties, I used to sell Giorgio perfume for a department store.  Remember the yellow and white stripes and big hair?  During that time, I also developed sinus infections and allergies to certain perfumes and fragrances.  Then I moved to California and learned a little bit about aromatherapy and have worn nothing but essential oils ever since.   After a little experimentation, I settled on lavender and patchouli as my scent of choice.   Lavender is an incredible scent that isn’t overpoweringly floral.  It’s known for its calming properties as well as a host of other things including repelling mosquitos, a fact I didn’t know until my visit to https://keyscreeklavenderfarm.com/ Keys Creek Lavender Farm.  Sorry about the messy link.   It took me about twenty times to get the pictures where I wanted them so I’m afraid to change much else.

The lavender blooms between May and June which coincidently happened to be just when my good friend Cid was visiting from Michigan.   We were having May Gray at the coast so I felt obligated to find some sunshine for Cid.   My other gal pal and spiritual seeker, Gio,called me about going to check out the farm and taking a Chakra clearing class they are offering in June.  I checked out Keys Creek Lavender Farm’s very helpful website and discovered they offered free tours Friday through Saturday at 10:30 and 1:30.  They recommend following their directions and not GPS which turned out easy as we got their just fine and Gio got lost.  So despite my concern that it was in the middle of nowhere, Cid and I decided to venture into parts unknown which turned out to be a fairly simple hour-long drive from my house in Carlsbad while our husbands handled putting in a new water heater.   Of course it broke the first morning of Cid and Orlando’s visit which also proved to be serendipitous.   The guys probably wouldn’t have been super patient while we hung out after the tour and explored the lavender maze.

   To the left is a picture of the stairs that leads up to the High English Tea they offer by reservation.  It was full that day but we were happy just to hang out on the property and learn about lavender on the guided tour.

And back to essential oils.   They sell a number of incredible lavender products.   Their essential oil is one of the most potent and pure, I’ve ever come across.   There is a cute tea house that had hibiscus lavender tea and lavender lemonade which I’m bummed that I didn’t get the recipe.  I did buy their Culinary Grade Lavender Buds which I was told can be used in replacement of rosemary.   I’m going to try infusing vodka but that’s just me.

I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the San Diego area.

Especially if you visit in May or June and are looking for some California sunshine.   The beginning of summer for everyone else brings a persistent marine layer at the beach, something tourists aren’t expecting.   And if you’re local, you should definitely make the trip.  And bring a female you love.  There is definitely a purple theme.  Here are a couple of more pics to convince you.  They also do weddings.