Lovely lavender Verbena treats..

Ok here it is.....I have been getting requests for this recipe...you can also substitute with gluten free flour & xylitol a great & healthy sugar subsitute.

ingredients

2 T dried fresh lavender

1/4 T baking power

1/4 T salt

13/4 cups of flour

2/4 cups of sugar ( also xylitol great sugar substitute)

2 T grated lemon zest

2T juice of 1-2 lemons

1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter cut in cubes

1 egg yoke

1/2 T Vanilla extract

OK get ready...combine in a food processer

sugar, lemon zest & lavender until mixed well. ( thirty seconds)

whisk dry ingredients together

flour, baking power & salt

add to sugar mixture

add butter cubes on top of mix pulse about 15 1 sec pulses will look like cornmeal

in a separate bowl whisk egg yoke, lemon juice & vanilla pour in mix

pulse about 10 seconds until it forms into a dough ball.

remove & shape into a cylinder 12" long 1/1/2 in in diameter

chill the dough untill firm ( 45 in frezer) 2 hours in fridge

preheat oven to 375

MUST line a baking sheet with parchment paper

slice about 3/8 thick not to thin or will burn

cook about ten min

edges will lightly brown

be sure to turn halfway when cooking.

remove cool on rack

My favorite part is packaging them. Do your thing.

I usually stack them in clear bags & throw a pinch of the lavender on top, tie kitchen twine, a handmade tag. Yum!!!

Nice to give as a gift with a fresh buch of lavender.

I also make a rosemary version.. let me know how it turns out.

xooxxo Verbena Girl

A touch of Holiday Magic....

Standing outside my little shop this is what I see on Friday evenings..check out the old fashioned Ferris wheel in the background. This is Downtown Ocala durning the Holiday season. I think Cinderella would be happy here.

the famous Harry's Seafood Bar next to my shop

back view of the Square

night time window.. I did something different this year & did not put up a tree in my windows.. instead I painted my black candelabras white added those little flame lights & hung some beautiful handmade bird & holiday ornaments.

am I boring you...

How do I love thee....with every cherp...nest...egg...& every feather you pluck from me... Birds, nests, eggs always in stock.... I guess this is the place to get layed???? Just Kidding have a blog laugh!

another Verbena favorite hand embroidered belts for those with a bohemian soul..wish my waist was what is use to be....I want to wear one of these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rustic jewels we love....and love.... and love...

pretty papers illuminate your nest in the evening when these artisan candles are lite. We have been carrying these from day one.. they are a Verbena Favorite.... mine too! Oh they are unscented.

french soaps always greet your senses when you arrive in the shop. You may just find a few unexpected bars sitting on the bottom of your shopping bag when you get home....

this is one of my new original petite baguettes I have designed,crocheted & hand sewn. Available in four color combinations.

sparkle angel tags we tie on to our gifts.

We have a thing for teddy bears... well I do....they keep me company and you never know what they will be wearing...This one is Tallulah she is wearing a French Velvet bow tie.

a random shot in the shop

this picture should come after the one below oh well... up to the second floor... keep walking it's good for those legs!

The first landing introduces you to a beautiful stained glass window that leads up to the second floor. The narrow window on the left looks into the back of my shop... very high ceilings in this building.

gilded angel shelf

This original copy written image was designed for Verbena using my grandmothers Saint Theresa prayer card .... she is one of my favorites.. I get many requests to make my sacred treasures over sized linen & velvet sack bags from all over the world. This one I just finished making for a special lady who is a both & Dr & Carmalite. little details...

back pocket.

touches of antique lace all over... tucked inside is a small purse I make out of antique lace to hold your rosary beads or special treasure... I am playing with my new computer & had to figure out how to upload some pics...there you go.... my Nanny Sarah always wrote in her cards... and may God bless you always!!!!!! Wishing you special touches of magic this Holiday season. Remember the only way to get it is Believe & keep the faith!!!! Be back soon. xooxo Laura

P.S. Back again...I wanted to share my new crazy project.. I am in the process of opening up a second store further South of Ocala. I am very excited. I will have a partner a great partner. We have a great concept & new name I will keep you posted as we progress. We are starting to paint this weekend....lots of space the building is old & used to be an pharmacy still has the old apothecary shelves built in the wall.

Verbena will remain my baby with set hours after the first of the year..it's time to take my dreams to the next level...Believe. xoox Laura

Beautiful Sacred Treasures...

Lady Madonna simply at her best....maybe it is my Catholic school upbringing...or spending weekends playing & hiding under my Nanny Sarah's bedroom alter..I have always been drawn to the beauty & spiritual feelings I get with the Blessed Mother/Madonna. You do not have to be Catholic to love her.
A while back when picking up my daughter from her friends home, I was invited to step inside.. and when I looked up in the entrance way.. my heart skipped a beat... my word I ran back in my car to get my camera... these are amazing original works of art from Venezuela.
I have been busy here sewing my Sacred Treasure sacks for the holidays so maybe I have Madonna dancing around in my head.

a special sacred treasures made from clay & cloth....she is such a sweet handpainted

madonna.

original oil painting.

sending blessings to all you!

my camera does not show the true beauty of this incredible work of art...

this painting above stands approx. 15 ft tall & has a beautiful carved rosary embedded in the painting! Gilded & detailed with gold lace, words can not discribe how beautiful these are. I saved these for a special post.

Wishing you all everything Sacred this Holiday season & always. xoxoxo Laura