The Lavender Companion

This book was a joy to read. It is cultivated in the same manner the author speaks of on their lavender farm. The subspecies of lavender plants discussed, as well as the culinary uses for each, were interesting. The recipes for homeopathic uses, including body scrubs, face washes, and even bath bombs were simple and easy to follow. The images were incredibly detailed and lent a wholistic theme to the book. I had no idea there were so many varieties of lavender! I recommend this book for our collection.

Gorgeous! The Lavender Companion by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham is so well done! It is absolutely beautiful.

The book's format is so well laid out that I was reading page after page and saying to myself this book truly couldn't be better. There is everything one would want in this book including when you dry lavender that it should be kept away from light which will fade the color which many people don't know when they dry lavender. When I teach about lavender this is always the topic that gets the most surprise and interest with those saying that's why it didn't hold its color!

The Lavender Companion format could not be better. Its first grouping of lavender-made products is personal care such as body care and aromatherapy. Then pantry staples, savory uses, baking with lavender, and mixology. After those then planting, harvesting, and drying. Amongst all those treasures are crisp, beautiful exquisite photographs of lavender. When Terry and Jessicia are addressing certain lavender plants they are labeling them and describing them with useful detail. So many books are vague or mediocre in my opinion but this book on lavender is a masterclass on what we are looking for. It's a complete primer on everything that we need to learn about lavender.

I've read so many books on lavender and this one is my favorite by far. Amongst the exquisite photography are useful recipes and instructions on how to use this most treasured plant.

As you can tell I adore this book and I would love to thank Net Galley and the fantastic publisher Storey Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Lavender Companion by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham.

It's strange, the things that make you immediately feel that this is the book for you. Before I started reading The Lavender Companion, I visited the author's website and there's a picture of a slice of chocolate cake on the homepage. I don't eat cakes and desserts - but I wanted that cake viscerally. (There's a recipe in the book, which I'm avoiding with some difficulty!!) Then I started reading the book and I was told to make a mess of it. Notes in the margins are sanctioned. You get to fold down the corners of pages. You suspect that smears of butter would not be a problem. I loved this book already.

I love lavender but - for some reason - I've never grown it successfully and that was what brought me to The Lavender Companion. It wasn't entirely that I was hoping for growing tips but rather that I thought I might enjoy the herb vicariously. But this isn't just a book about growing lavender, although there are some basic hints: it's about using it. We get the science behind the health benefits delivered in a user-friendly fashion.

The section I didn't expect to be excited about is that on body care. After decades of buying products which promised all sorts of miracles - most of which were too good to be true - I'd resorted to some basics, which did the job 'well enough' at a reasonable price. Then I found the lavender sugar scrub for exfoliation and the facial wash. What was immediately obvious was that I recognised the ingredients: I could even pronounce the names. A relatively short order has been placed online and before long I'm going to be spending some time in the kitchen.

The food section is mouth-watering. There are simple instructions for creating pantry staples and there is a variety of sweet and savoury dishes to tempt most tastes. My personal favourites are the watermelon summer salad and lavender roasted potatoes. I refuse to even look at the recipe for the chocolate cake - I've only got so much willpower!

I started looking at this book because I was interested in having another go at growing it. There are nearly 50 species and more than 450 varieties. If you're considering using your lavender for cooking you should be wary of which varieties you grow. English lavender (L. angustifolia) seems to be a safe bet. In many ways, the growing section of the book was the most disappointing for me as the specific advice relates to the USA and I'm in the United Kingdom. The general advice was good and I took enough away to have a lavender hedge planned for planting next spring.

I loved the history of Pine Creek Lavender Farm: lavender's grown there because elk don't eat lavender! I wish I lived close enough to visit but I would like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

“The Lavender Companion” is a very well done book! It gives a lot of information in an interesting format. The photos are beautiful and includes recipes, instructions for body care and much more. I will purchase a hard copy of this book to have on hand!

'The Lavender Companion' is a must read book for all the lavender lovers. We can learn how to plant, when to harvest and how to dry lavender to get all the benefits this herb carries in itself. The book also contains recipes for baking and pantry preserves but also handful tips of how to use lavender to realax and unwind.
It's a book I'm definitely going to go back to a lot.

I personally really love Lavender fragrances. It is help me to relax and sleeps better. The goodies coming to me as perfume, oil essential, and bodbeauty care products. The Lavender Companion by Terry Barlin Vesci open and blows my mind with whole world about my no 1 favorite flower herb.

This book is presenting informations and decorate with perfect layout with gorgeous pictures. The writing is great and easy to follow. The books contains the difference between two big type of Lavender and it contribution into culinary/non one and how to grow them. The recipes are hidden gems, I learning how to use it almost for everything.

Perfect beautiful book for collection, comfortable, and study.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing for providing a copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love lavender. In the house I grew up in we had a lavender bush by the letterbox, and after I started balcony gardening in earnest I planted a French Lavender that is not very scented but flowers in winter, and an English Lavender that is just coming into bloom now, and smells so good. So, my interest in this book was pretty obvious. The authors run a lavender farm in Arizona, and really know their topic. The first thing that struck me about this book is how pretty it is. It's also informative and inspiring. It had chapters on how to grow lavender, how to use it in various ways including body-care, food, drinks. At the end Terry explained how she and her partner became lavender farmers, and it made me want to try something new in life. You can also go and visit their farm, and I really wanted to. What a lovely book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an e_Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Lavender and work with it often but this was a must have for anyone looking to learn more about it! From learning about the various types of Lavender to recipes for using it for skin care, food etc. I even learned that I can keep it in my cupboards to keep mice and insects out. I love Lavender but now I know that it has so many more uses.

Get this book if you are interested in learning more about this amazing herb!!

I LOVE the high quality real pictures so much! And it’s there in almost every page of the entire book!

With an amazing background and a brief history of lavender, the book provides an extensive introduction to lavender and its various uses. Oh, you will love the recipes given too!

I doubt you will ever feel the need to look for another book on lavender if you get this one. It has all the ingredients and elements when it comes to LAVENDER 💜

Thank you, Storey Publishing, for the advance reading copy.

Often a book that tries to be a cookbook and also incorporate advice and information beyond recipes only succeeds in padding out the page count, but not really delivering solid, usable information. That's NOT the case with The Lavender Companion, which succeeds beautifully on all levels, thanks to the experience and knowledge of author Terry Barlin Vesci. She and her husband run Pine Creek Lavender Farm in Arizona, as well as a farm store that sells their own homemade lavender goods, and a cooking school that teaches how to cook with lavender. Their website (pinelavenderfarm.com) is lovely and informative, and I do hope you go browse it soon.

For decades I've grown a lavender or two, just as landscaping highlights, but I never really took the time to understand it and get the most out of my plants. But I'm also an amateur herbologist, I love foraging, and cooking everything possible from scratch. I think you can see why I fell in love with The Lavender Companion just a few pages in. The book is broken into four parts: Learn About Lavender, Layering Lavender into Your Life, In the Kitchen and On the Table, and Planting, Harvesting, and Drying Lavender.

I recommend reading Learn About Lavender before jumping into any of the recipes. I had no idea there were so many types, each with their own special qualities. This section will help you choose what lavender you want to cook with.

Layering Lavender into Your Life looks like so much fun! I want to start making some of the featured products for my own use. I get such satisfaction out of making usable goods with my own hands.

And of course, there's the recipes. And they aren't just for fussy little desserts or teas. There's a Tuscan Stew full of short ribs and all sorts of delightful ingredients. With winter just around the corner, I'll enjoy making that. Sticky Lavender Honey Chicken sounds intriguing, too.

By the time you get to Planting, Harvesting, and Drying Lavender, you should have a good idea of what sort of lavender you'd like to grow. I know I'll be changing things up in my own flower gardens come spring.

Terry Barlin Vesci gives credit to her co-author Jessica Dunham, as being the true wordsmith throughout this book. While we may be tempted to give Terry full credit due to her lavender business being featured throughout, we should never forget the quiet heroes that are often the reason a book tips the balance from 'good' to 'excellent'.

I'm tempted to buy myself two copies: one for the cookbook shelf, and one for the gardening shelf. Wait... I may need a third copy for my art shelf. The photography alone is worth the price of admission. It's beautifully composed and soothing to look at.

My thanks to authors Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham, Storey Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Oh wow! I’m not sure what I was expecting but this blew my mind! What a book! Lavender is one of my favorite herbs l. I have it in oils, in perfume, in teas and lattes. It’s such a comforting note! This book taught me so much and showed so many uses I didn’t even think about. I will be buying a physical copy for sure!

The Lavender Companion by Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham Is by far the best book I have read on one of the world's most beautiful and versatile flowers. Knowledgeable and Beautifully written The Lavender Companion Hs beautiful pictures, the information within is easy to read and recipes easy to follow. I learned so much about Lavander that reading this book has given me a newfound love for the flower. This book will make a wonderful addition to one's library or coffee table for all to enjoy.

What a beautiful book for a lavender enthusiasts! I did not know there are so many different ways you can use lavender and the number of varieties of it. The images are breath taking and really make the book. This would be a really good coffee table book or great gift to a hostess. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A necessary addition to the Lavender Lover's Library.
As an herbalist and a lover of lavender, I adored this companion.
The recipes were plentiful, easy, and informative. I never felt confused reading them and there was the right amount of guided "hand holding" for them. I'm particularly excited about using lavender in the kitchen with vinegars, oils, and baking.
This book also gave me the boost I needed to try and grow lavender again (after 3 failed attempts).
A fantastic read and I highly recommend it for any herbalist or anyone who loves lavender and wants more of it in their lives.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I love lavender and I haven't found a book like it yet. Not only is the execution beautiful, but I also feel it is complete in terms of content. It is not only about the diverse uses of lavender, but also presents the many varieties of lavender, which one is more appropriate to use (e.g. lace, essential oil, soap, etc.), and also discusses in detail the planting, growing, harvesting, and drying of lavender. I think it's a great piece of literature and a filling volume (from my shelf anyway).

I adore the scent of lavender; it is such an evocative smell which reminds me of summer, so I was interested when I saw this book.
I’ve planted a border full of various lavenders in my garden but other than smelling them & enjoying watching insects buzz amongst the purple blooms I have never really done anything with it. This book, with its informative & easy to follow ‘recipes’ has given me so many ideas of how to use lavender in a variety of ways. I will definitely be trying several of them out and have been influenced to also make some items to gift to friends & family.

I really enjoyed the simplicity of this. I’m a big fan of lavender, in pretty much everything. I love it in drinks, scents, flower form. I really enjoyed the way the author brought that love out and showed us the tons of ways to incorporate it.

Thank you Storey Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

The Lavender companion is a well rounded guide to all things lavender. Terri Vesci and her husband Rick began a lavender farm in Pine, Arizona back in 2015. They have since grown to include a Lavender Cooking & Baking school, a popular farm store and an online retail shop. I would say they are a pretty reputable source.

This book covers everything from how many types of Lavender there are, its uses (body care, culinary, etc), how to plant, harvest, prune and of course how to use it. There are several wonderful recipes such as Lavender: honey, face wash, sanitizing spray, bath bombs, sugar scrubs, simple syrup, chocolate cake, Vinegar and oils. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Lavender.

I really enjoyed how gorgeous the photos in this book were and all the various recipes. I’m more apt to use lavender for other purposes than cooking so I enjoyed those a bit more.

The Lavender companion - Terry Barlin Vesci

What a gem of a book! I absolutely love Lavender, it’s one of my favourite scents and has been since I was a kid picking it and putting it in my pockets to make them smell nice.

In this book it’s explained how to grow, harvest and use lavender all in one place. I’ve learnt a few things and will take some pointers into my own lavender growing. I look forward to making many lavender based projects and recipes. 💕

The Lavender Companion provides an in-depth look at one of nature's beloved herbs. Author Terry Barlin Vesci and owner of Pine Creek Lavender Farm in Arizona gives readers an up-close-and-personal look at everything lavender -- from listing and photographing the different varieties, to growing techniques, to how to use lavender for body products and crafts.

Vesci also provides numerous recipes using lavender, which, to me, is an added bonus to this book. The Lavender Companion is THE book to read for lavender lovers.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing this electronic ARC of #LavenderCompanion.

This is a superb book, anything relating to lavender is in this book! My favourite plant, lavender has so many uses and the authors have covered all of them. From the different varieties, how to grow it and what can be done with it- it is the most beautifully presented and illustrated book I have seen. An ideal reference book for recipes and wonderful ideas also a lovely coffee table book. These authors know their subject and are passionate about sharing it. I highly recommend getting the physical book, it offers many hours of pleasure. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review The Lavender Companion.

Very thorough and informative, and there were lots of interesting recipes with flavor profiles that I never would have thought to try!

4.8 ⭐️
This book left my imagination frolicking through a field of lavender, in a white flowery dress on a warm summers day. It brought together some of my favorite things all in one place - herbs, natural healing, self-care, crafts, baking, and gardening 👏🏼

This book was written by a lavender farmer/chef that welcomes over 50K visitors to the family farm each year, and even offers lavender cooking and baking classes at the farm. Safe to say that she brings much authenticity to the topics covered. As a bonus, the artwork spread throughout was so beautiful that I could almost smell it emitting from the pages.🪻

It kicks off with lots of great info about lavender. I had no idea it was an antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial!
It touches on the historical uses (like mummification), medicinal uses (like nausea) and which of the 450 varieties are best for culinary use.

Then it goes into recipes for things like a lavender sugar scrub, bath soak, face wash, massage oil, beard oil, tea, etc. Lot’s of great and easy-to-DIY recipes that I absolutely will be testing out myself!

Next was the craft section, which I’m smitten to have these in a book about herbs 💖 Lavender braids - something I never knew I wanted to do until now! I often dry out flowers and herbs, but never knew exactly what to do with them. I will also be trying out the sachets and eye pillow.

Then she shares some great storage and culinary spice tips and mouth-watering recipes - like warm dinners, delectable desserts and even lavender mixology. The images have me wanting to throw a lavender party! Seriously. Wanna come?

I’ve been attempting to grow lavender the past few years and end up forgetting to water it at some point. Oops 🤫 This is the year I will succeed! Because the author gives proven tips on planting, harvesting, drying and preserving.

The book wraps with a closer look at how the family farm came to be, which I think gives the book some personalized heart. I’m a sucker for those that are passionate about what they do, and sharing it with the world.

So all-in-all, I enjoyed this book, and it’s definitely going to be a great companion for me as I start to incorporate lavender as a bigger part of my life than just an essential oil I occasionally diffuse for relaxation. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storey Publishing, and authors Terry Barlin Vesci and Jessica Dunham for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I’m really loving Storey Publishing’s mission and companion guides - please keep them coming 👏🏼

Get ready for a lavender martini and a lavender latte!
The Lavender Companion is a must have for anyone who is a lavender lover like myself.
This book is artfully arranged with lovely photographs and everything you need to know about growing lavender, bringing it into your home, crafting with it, using it for soothing and relaxing purposes, and cooking with it. There are many recipes and they look very appetizing! I’m going to start with the lavender simple syrup and the lavender Himalayan salt.
It was very interesting to read about how the author and her husband came to have their lavender farm.
I’m sure it was an exciting and challenging adventure! I only have a few lavender plants around my house but I will definitely use all the tips and advice provided in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this fabulous book.

I am a great lover of lavender and this book is a delight.
It is packed with interesting information about lavender. The different species, how to plant it, grow it, harvest it, dry it. The properties of this magic plant and its uses. And it offers a wealth of ideas and recipes for home products, cosmetics and bath products, culinary treats and dishes in which to enjoy the wonderful scent and taste of lavender.
The colours and pictures in the book are beautiful and it makes it a relaxing and pleasant read.
I also enjoyed the personal story behind this book. Terry and Rick have restored this farm which looks like a paradise in which they work with passion in their lavender fields. I envy the readers who will be able to visit them. My visit will limit itself to the nice video about the farm (https://youtu.be/gWLIIbmoW6k ) and I will enjoy making quite a few things from the book.
A great read and a lovely book to gift.

Marvellously evocative pictures! I could almost smell the wonderful scent as I read the book. I like that there is technical horticultural knowledge at the front of the book. We can see immediately what we are working with and learning about, in all its different guises. The pictures make identification simple. I felt that some of the lotions and potions involved a significant outlay for unusual ingredients e.g. carrot seed oil, if one just wanted to try making one lot. that said they all sound amazing. The recipes, particularly sweet things and cocktails had me noting which to try first (lavender cinnamon rolls and lavender Alligator, in case you wondered)!
This book would be a wonderful gift for a gardener or a cook, and I shall definitely be gifting a copy.

(I kindly received an advanced readers copy of this book from NetGalley.)

What a great, 360-degree look at lavender! It's great to see all aspects of the herb in a single, well-written volume..
This inclusivity adds to the ease of use for the reader - no need to pull out multiple books to learn how to grow, harvest, and use lavender in a multitude of ways. I have other lavender cookbooks, but the ideas and tips in this book - not to mention the photographs - outshine all of them!

A delightfully aromatic read celebrating everything lavender. Learn the history of this time-honored and wonderfully fragrant herb, from its medicinal uses to identifying its many variegations. Infused with vibrant photography, mouthwatering food and drink recipes and restorative beauty/wellness tips, this book is a must have for any lavender-lover in your life.

The Lavender Companion: Enjoy the Aroma, Flavor, and Health Benefits of This Classic Herb
by Terry Barlin Vesci & Jessica Dunham
This title has actually not yet been released, but you can pre-order it if you are obsessed with lavender like I am. The book is gorgeous, with vibrant colorful photos of lavender and lavender-filled landscapes. I'm a big fan of books from Storey Publishing for their practicality. But this books is both practical and beautiful. The book has information about growing lavender, as well as the many, many uses for this amazing herb. The authors detail the many different kinds of lavender as well as their uses in wellness and cooking. There are tons of useful recipes to make things like lavender tea, bath bombs, and a variety of culinary uses. If you love lavender, definitely grab a copy of this lovely book.

What a beautiful and joyful book! Full of wonderfully illustrated recipes from body care to aromatherapy to cooking, cleaning and crafting. You can almost smell the lavender just looking at it! It gives all the details about types of lavender and how to grow it,and is written by the experts, who have a lavender farm. Was thrilled to see an advance copy and will definitely be buying this book upon release.

If you know someone who loves lavender, this book will make a great gift for them. It is highly informative, filled with gorgeous pictures, and shares a variety of ways to use lavender. Personally, I have several lavender bushes in my yard and am excited to try some of the craft projects mentioned in the book such as bath bombs and face wash. Recently, I also planted culinary lavender and am eager to make the lavender simple syrup and salt blends that are mentioned in the book.

This is an amazing, comprehensive guide to all things lavender! I really enjoyed the variety of uses for lavender that were highlighted in this book. Not only are there tips for growing and harvesting lavender, but this guide gives some great explanations of the various types of lavender and the best uses for some of the more popular types.

This books has instructions for crafty projects like wall hangings, bath gombs and scented sleep masks. It also has recipes for cocktails, meals, and desserts! It was mind boggling to me how much was packed into this lavender companion!

This is a great resource for people who enjoy lavender scent and taste. I know I’ll be using this book as a reference for a long time to come!

I love Lavender. And I loved this book. I never new so much about the plant I grow and use all the time. There is history of lavender and fun antidotes. There are copies and growing advice. This would be a great comprehensive book for an enthusiast or someone just getting into lavender.

A full encompassed guide to all things lavender! Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing, LLC for access to the digital ARC! I am enamored with this title, I can see myself planting a lot of lavender in the future. I was intrigued by this title after having a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called Heirloom in Lewes Delaware of which ended with a delicate dessert serving of chocolate madeleines topped with fresh pollen and lavender icing. Following the whimsy of that dessert, I found myself seeking out other ways to infuse herbs into my culinary endeavors. The Lavender Companion served up exactly what I was looking for. I was surprised to find sewing projects included at the beginning of the book. Full of wonderful recipes and guides to use lavender in a ton of ways. I 100% recommend this title to all who are interested in herbs!

The Lavender Companion is a must have for any lavender lover! Who knew it could be used so many ways. The pictures are absolutely stunning and the recipes are fantastic. I also love all the information on the different types of lavender. I was stunned at how many varieties there are. Absolutely fascinating and a fantastic resource for anyone looking to add lavender to their garden.

Great book, with lots of information about lavender and beautifully photographed. There are recipes for gifts, lotions and cooking recipes, which I was surprised with such as Lavender Pecan Salmon, Jammy Pork Loin and sweat cakes and biscuits as well. Enjoyed this book, . Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DR

Very informative and interesting book. I highly write recommend it. Very educational. Very enjoyable

This was a lovely breath of fresh, lavender, air.

As someone currently on their own wellness journey, it was fun to read and learn all the different ways lavender can be used. Some of my favorite ways were listed in the following chapters: "in the kitchen" and "in the garden."

Another favorite was reading all the different ways lavender and be used in body care; face wash, scrubs, oils, bath bombs, teas - just to name a few.

I am looking forward to growing lavender in my garden this year and experimenting with harvesting and drying stems. Oh, and don't forget all the amazing recipes - can't wait to try those!

I have enjoyed growing lavender for many years but have been limited to making lavender bags to hang in the wardrobe or put in drawers. This book explains the many different varieties of lavender and explains which are best for culinary use, crafts or essential oil, There are recipes for body care such as face wash, face oil and bath bombs. The 'In the Kitchen' section gives more recipes for things such as Lavender salt, vinegar and oils, and cookies and cakes. At the end of the book it explains how to grow, harvest, dry and store lavender. Beautifully illustrated throughout. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchanger an honest review.

Oh this is an amazing book. There is so much knowledge in it, the recipes are fantastic and i have already tried a few, in addition it has actually inspired my daughter to get lavender for our garden.