J.  A cold and rainy day in Niagara on the Lake today...but my world was warmed by the company of my best friend and a visit to our local lavender farm.  We bought pots of angustifolia and grosso lavender  to plant in the garden and in pots.  

Angustifolia, the lighter in colour of the two species, will be planted in my front garden.  Robert Achal, co-owner with his wife Melissa, told us the shrub can be trimmed to a pretty round shape and the spikes cut and dried for an ever-lasting bouquet.

Grosso lavender is going in a pot by the front door, so that each time I go in and out I can brush the wands and smell that heavenly fragrance.

At their farm, Robert and Melissa distill lavender for culinary and cosmetic use. They make a myriad of products from essential oils to a full range of body creams.  A lovely afternoon spent learning about this beautiful plant from this enthusiatic young man.  www.neobboutique.com

After a drive to Jordan, still in the rain, we stopped by a local eatery for a delicious thinest-of-crust pizza, laced with broccoli, portobello mushrooms, chicken, pine nuts and tomatoes and a glass of tongue-tingling pinot grigio.  Home for a cup of tea and a lavender shortbread cookie, and now toes-up on the couch and a movie.  Great day!

Oh, yes...and this was the wisteria growing in Jordan...beautiful even in the rain.