Terry Vesci of Pine Creek Lavender

Nestled in the mountains of north-central Arizona under the shadow of the Mogollon Rim sits Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm. Elk roam at dusk, their enormous bodies moving with surprising grace, and the waters of the spring-fed Pine Creek gurgle by as they nourish the lavender fields.

It's here that owner Terry Vesci, a lawyer turned farmer, hand-harvests 5,000 lavender plants on a homestead settled by pioneers in the late 1800s.

Terry and her husband Rick bought the farm from the family's ancestors and have spent the past several years restoring the property to its former glory, including planting and growing three varieties of lavender—Royal Velvet, Provence and Grosso.

The aromatic Grosso shows up in Terry's artisanal products, such as soaps and lotions, and she uses Royal Velvet and Provence in her culinary goodies like tea, cocoa, lavender salt and lavender-lemon pepper.

When you visit Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm, step inside the hand-hewn log shed that doubles as the farm's gift shop to browse the shelves stocked with all-natural products made from the bounty of Terry's and Rick's lavender fields.

You should also sign up for Terry's cooking classes held in the kitchen of the original farmhouse. During these interactive sessions, you'll learn the differences between lavender varieties and the ways to grow them, and how to cook with lavender. Terry will teach you to whip up delicious lavender-infused sweets like fudge and cakes or savory dishes like tamales.

From leading culinary classes and harvesting the fields by hand to wrapping lavender bundles to sell, Terry Vesci is always hands-on, always enthusiastic and always welcoming to those who visit. While you're there, don't forget to stop and smell the flowers.