The many lavender bushes on my terrace have long produced tall stalks topped by a profusion of purple flowers. The flowers have long given place to fragrant pods. Now is the time to harvest them. So as to keep the bushes low and dense, I am cutting the spindly stalks one by one and bundling them into small bunches. I tie them carefully, and I trim them neatly at the bottom. The harvesting is crowned by giving the lavender bunches to friends in and around Motovun. I know I am ever-so-slightly ridiculous with my trifling gifts, but I cannot resist this temptation of mine. What better way to celebrate this year’s abundant harvest?!