OK, let me start by saying…I messed up my count. 🤦‍♀️ As of this post, I have actually completed 17 bucket list items. Only 33 more to go!

A week or so ago, I not only checked something off my bucket list, but I also helped my friend Valeska cross it off hers. We took a chance on the weather and headed to Catlett, Virginia, to visit our very first lavender farm.

After doing a little research, I found Seven Oaks Lavender Farm. The farm is owned by Jason and Katie Rinker and their family, and they have quite a story. They renovated an 1860 farmhouse and, with the help of Katie’s parents and other family members, transformed the property into the beautiful lavender farm it is today. In 2005, they began offering pick-your-own lavender experiences, and that’s what brought us there. If you’d like to learn more about their story, check them out at https://www.sevenoakslavenderfarm.com.

From the moment we arrived, we loved everything about the farm. The beautiful farmhouse, rows of lavender, a charming gazebo that was perfect for pictures, a little gift shop, baby bunnies, lunch tables, and a snack stand with homemade lavender treats—it was exactly the kind of place you hope it will be.

Katie welcomed us as soon as we arrived, along with beautiful weather and a soft breeze that made it the perfect morning to wander through the fields. After checking us in, she introduced us to another family member who explained how to properly cut the lavender, the different varieties growing on the farm, and all the ways it can be used.

I truly had no idea how many things you could do with lavender. I knew about candles, oils, soaps, and syrups for drinks, but as someone who is definitely not the chef in the family, I had no clue you could actually cook with it!

Valeska and I spent the next hour wandering through the different lavender fields, clipping stems and chatting—as we always do. Your admission includes 20 stems, and any extras are only 15 cents each, which is absolutely worth it. We snapped candid pictures of each other (some without the other person even knowing!) and simply enjoyed a beautiful summer morning surrounded by the calming scent of lavender.

Before heading home, we made one more stop in the gift shop (OK…technically we’d already made a quick “preview” stop before picking). Let’s just say…we did a little damage.

Since I recently had our half bathroom remodeled, I’ve decided to make lavender one of the focal points. I came home with candles, the amazing June Bloom lotion (seriously, don’t sleep on this!), foaming hand soap, and a lavender lemon room spray. One of my favorite things about the shop was that nearly everything was made using lavender grown right there on the farm.

Sometimes the best bucket list items aren’t the biggest adventures. Lately, life has felt a little hectic, and this was exactly what I needed—a chance to slow down, take a deep breath, and simply enjoy the moment. Sometimes the best memories come from trying something new, spending quality time with a dear friend, and leaving just a little more relaxed than when you arrived.

Bucket List Item #17…complete. 💜