flowering plum trees—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

It’s finally Spring!!! Despite the snow the last two days, we are on our way to our grand reopening in just a week and a half.

We’ve been scrubbing away, getting our century old farmhouse in shape for all of our guests this season on Orcas Island.

While the photos of us scrubbing away aren’t that beautiful, I thought you might enjoy this view of the lavender field and the flowering plum trees. What’s great is this photo is basically of the same snowy, wintery scene just a few posts below.

Ahhh the glory of the seasons!!! It is a little amazing.

herbes de provence—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

If you read my last blog post, you’ll know that it’s super snowy & wintry hear right now. Today at the farm, I made an outstanding chicken & rice soup from a chicken we had roasted on Saturday.

If you rub this herbes de provence all over your next chicken (we did it over the skin, but it’s terrific rubbed between the skin and the meat as well) you’ll will experience a cornucopia of fantastic smelling herbs and meat all afternoon long.

It’s a terrific thing to come in from a snowy day to a house filled with the scent of roasted meat and herbs.

Enjoy

Moon Setting over Snowy Lavender Field—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

We spent all day in Seattle yesteday and were surprised to come home and find a crunchy snow covered island. When we woke up it was even more beautiful. From a little window over the nightstand in the Alder Room, I happened to get a glimpse of the moon over the lavender fields.

The photo really doesn’t do it justice.

If you have a minute, just take some time to picture yourself here. Feel just how quiet the entire farm is with the hush only snowfall can bring. That peaceful feeling is what helps restore our spirit and develops a creativity that is incredibly enhanced by this great experience of the natural world.

While we’re closed right now, we’re taking reservations every day for Summer. Feel free to give us a call.

Soothing Lavender Dead Sea Salt Soak—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

One of the great joys of running a lavender farm on Orcas Island is the ability to find time to enjoy projects in all different facets of the farm. Today we spent quite a bit of time out in the lavender field, enjoying the fresh air and balmy 43 degree weather, while picking up leaves from the stately maples that greet you at the entrance.

When we were ready to come inside it was time to label this new batch of bath salts, most of which will be heading down to Gaia Day Spa in La Jolla, California, a premier organic and all natural spa.

Recently voted the best day spa in San Diego, we love how the recognize the quality of our lavender essential oils!

With our salt soak you get the relaxing scent of lavender, the warming benefits of a hot bath and the detoxifying effects of signature blend of dead sea salts and epsom salts. A great way to care deeply for your body and your senses after the craziness of the holidays.

Find this fresh batch online in our store today!

Daisies—
Originally uploaded by Chris in NE

Families are sort of like this photo of daisies taken by a guest of our farm’s last summer. There’s all different types and together they make a beautiful picture.

Hosting family reunions is one of our favorite things to do here. With six rooms, three featuring queen size sofa sleepers in addition to the queen beds in each room, we can host up to 18 guests.

Check out our special rates for our “Self-Service House Rentals” or be spoiled by our awesome breakfasts with the “Full-Service House Rentals“.

Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

Rustic Falls in Moran State Park—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

Orcas Island is considered the gem of the San Juan Islands and one of the best reasons is Moran State Park. We hiked today on a lovely trail from the turn of the century single lane bridge up to Mountain Lake. This was one of several waterfalls we saw along the way.

Moran State Park boasts over 30 miles of hiking trails from challenging hike to the top of Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands, to a benign walk around Cascade Lake, there is something for everyone here.

Buck Bay Farm is just over two miles from the South entrance to the park and one of the closest lodgings you will find on the island.

Next time you come for a hike, make a plan to enjoy our hot tub after your trek. No matter how challenging the hike, nothing beats a great soak under the stars afterward!

judy herb on porch—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

Congratulations! If you’re reading this there’s a good chance you were recently engaged. It’s that time of year when those beginning a new life together start to explore Orcas Island as a potential wedding location.

Our wedding guests particularly enjoy renting the entire house for either their family or their wedding party. The house rentals are an affordable way to reconnect with loved ones, avoid a lot of unnecessary driving and still get some space when one needs it. Buck Bay Farm features six guestrooms all with queen beds, three rooms also offer queen size sofa sleepers. We can sleep up to 18 people, but recommend around 15.

Our home is available as a house rental throughout the Summer, including Memorial Day weekend. You can see our availability online to find our right away if our availability works with your proposed dates.

Feel free to give us a call or an e-mail and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have as you begin to plan your special day.

It’s Christmas Eve on Orcas Island and there’s nowhere to go where you won’t see smiling, happy faces. If you’re here you’re already on vacation. Big groups of families and friends hike around the lake or down to the sea while kids from the ages of 20 - 50 are being embraced at the grocery store and welcomed home for the holiday season.

We’re celebrating with family and friends in the big white clapboard farmhouse. Brick put together a treasure hunt around the grounds for anyone under 18 and I’ve got mounds of cookie dough in the fridge. Santa’s not the only one will be well fed tonight..we’ll be enjoying scallop corn chowder, green salad and fresh bread accompanied by sufficient champagne & eggnog!

Even though the snow didn’t make it today, there’s so much glorious sun you can’t help but get infected with the Christmas spirit felt everywhere on this tiny island in the sea. I hope you get a moment to appreciate and enjoy your family and friends today too!

Merry Christmas!

carrot ginger soup recipe—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

There’s not a lot of rushing around here on Orcas Island as there’s only a few places to shop. Most of us either had to buy our stuff online or take the ferry to the mainland before this week to get stocked up on our holiday items.

We fully realize that with just days to go before the 25th many of you may be rushing around like madmen or women. Just because you’re busier than an elf at Santa’s Workshop you still have time to make your own wholesome fast food.

In keeping with Buck Bay Farm’s philosophy of preparing, simple, wholesome food we’ve cooked up a little something for you. We’re not selling you anything from our lavender store with this one, just a commitment to help you prepare fresh, yummy food any time of here.

Here’s a few promises I can make you:

1) This soup will have infinitely less calories than anything…ANYTHING… you can buy in a drive-thru

2) When you make this you are making about four or more servings, bring it with you on the road or to the office in a thermos or lidded coffee mug for a quick lunch

3) Soup will help fill you up so you’ll eat just a few less of those holiday cookies

4) You won’t believe that you made this yourself as opposed to eating this in some swanky restaurant with a one syllable name spelled in lower caps only

Okay, here it is… enjoy the healing properties of carrots and ginger while warming up your whole body on a busy, blustery winter day!!!

Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe

1 Tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb. carrots, about 7-8, peeled and chopped
2 Tablespoons fresh ginger, grated or chopped
5 Cups low-sodium chicken broth
nutmeg

In a big soup pot, melt butter and saute’ onions for about five minutes until translucent.

Add carrots and ginger and saute’ another five minutes.

Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes, until carrots are tender.

Puree the whole pot with either a handheld blender or put it in a regular blender, working in batches.

Sprinkle with nutmeg and add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt if you wish.

Break off a big chuck of yummy bread and Enjoy!!!

kids & cookies—
Originally uploaded by orcangie

Tripp can’t stop smiling about the holiday cookies we made in the Buck Bay Farm kitchen this week. This time we tried making our own icing. It was so easy even the kids could make it. It requires no heat and only a few ingredients. Another great thing we love about making our own icing is we get to turn it into any color we like with a small arsenal of food coloring.

Our recipe is as follows:

Lavender Powdered Sugar Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground culinary lavender
1/4 cup milk or orange juice (approximately)

In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, lavender & 1 Tablespoon of the milk or juice. Continue stirring in additional milk or juice, 1 teaspoon at a time until icing reaches drizzling consistency.

Separate frosting into two or three smaller bowls and add food coloring if you wish.

TIP: Most culinary lavender is sold in flower bud form and not pre-ground. This is good! Just grind it in your coffee bean grinder. This will release the essential oils into your icing, giving it a fresh, crisp taste!

Enjoy!