Nancy Frisbey, owner of Owera Winds Bed and Breakfast in Cazenovia, recently released her second cookbook, “It Is What It Is . . . But It’s Not Soap: A Guide To Cooking With Lavender.” The book presents 48 easy-to-follow recipes, all featuring culinary lavender, accompanied by images by award- winning photographer Robert Ketcham. The collection of recipes includes pantry essentials, starters and sides, main courses, desserts, and beverages. “The best part of cooking with lavender is experimenting with it,” said Frisbey. “Most people think sweet when they hear lavender. But it is truly amazing in savory dishes. For example, Miso Lavender Salmon, or Herbed Baked Feta and Tomatoes, and the Lavender Old Fashioned.” Frisbey, who was raised as one of nine children on a farm in Erieville, opened her BB in August 2023 at the urging of friends and family who had stayed in her home. She released her first book, “It Is What It Is . . . But It’s Not Cake,” in September 2024. According to Frisbey, Owera Winds now has over 200 five-star reviews, and many of the interesting people she has hosted from around the world have returned and are now considered her good friends. “After breakfast, many guests ask for the recipe for what was served,” she said. “When I show them the page in the cookbook, they purchase one for themselves. Currently, ‘It Is What It Is . . . But It’s Not Cake’ is in England, Germany, New Zealand, and Canada.” Frisbey learned about culinary lavender from Monica Cody, owner of Farmstead 1868, a family-run lavender farm in Fenner. “Monica introduced me to culinary lavender in January 2025 to discuss using her lavender products in my BB,” she recalled. “When she got to the culinary lavender, it piqued my interest. After investigating and experimenting with it, [I took] her some samples of the baked goods. Monica said, ‘Hey, you already have written a cookbook, why not write a lavender cookbook?’ We used Farmstead 1868 as a backdrop for the cover and many other photos, and Monica kindly wrote the foreword to the cookbook.” Frisbey’s lavender cookbook can be purchased directly from the Owera Winds website at owerawindsbnb.com/it-is-what-it-is-but-its-not-soap/. Copies are also available in Cazenovia at Decor More of CNY and Ink Paper Bookstore, in Manlius at Manlius Supply Co., and in Bouckville at Cobblestone Trading Company. Located at 4690 Shephards Rd., Cazenovia, Farmstead 1868 makes lavender products for the bath, body, kitchen, and home. To learn more about the farm and its product offerings, visit farmstead1868.com. ...read more read less