Nutella Cherry Hand Pies

This recipe is super-easy and it's a really cute idea for a post-Valentine's Day dinner dessert. I made them last night, and they were absolutely delicious. Feel free to substitute any flavour of jam for the cherry. I'm sure raspberry, blueberry or strawberry would all work equally well. Let's begin!

*1 jar of Nutella

*1 jar of jam of your choice, I like Bonne Maman

*1 package of refrigerated dough (1/2 package makes six, whole package makes 12 pies)

*1 egg (mix with 1 tbsp water to make an egg wash)

*coarse sugar to sprinkle

*large glass or biscuit cookie cutter

*small heart cookie cutter

{Neob Lavender Boutique, Niagara on the Lake}

This summer, S and I had the pleasure of visiting the Neob Lavender Farm in Niagara on the Lake. This beautiful establishment is home to several different types of lavender, as well as a boutique, a state-of-the-art glass to glass distillery to make essential oils, and several other plant families. The husband and wife team who own this farm/boutique also distill their own essential oils. They took us on a tour of the facilities, and I learned so much about lavender and the process of making essential oils...It takes a staggering amount of plant matter to make even a drop of essential oil...It's no wonder that genuine essentials are so expensive!

This place has been a favourite of my mother's for years, and she was so excited to share it with me. It was just so beautiful, and the intoxicating, omnipresent scent of lavender reminded me so much of the south of France...It really is a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon. Don't forget to pick up a lavender plant to add to your garden. I'm vacillating between pink lavender and French lavender...decisions, decisions!

Goodbye 'till next year, Lavender Farm!

My Return to Blogging is Imminent!!

Between getting the house up to par, vacationing, returning to work and just generally living it up, I haven't been able to find the time to blog as often as I'd like. My goal for October is to return to some semblance of regular bloggy-existence. I have so many pictures to share, not to mention recipes and fun ideas...We will be together again soon, I promise!