In a Vase on Monday: Parrot Tulips and a vase of misfits

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Mominthegarden

Parrot tulips

Given that I had a vase of flowers from the garden, I could hardly let my Monday go by without contributing to Cathy’s meme “In a Vase on Monday”! Thank you Cathy, of Rambling in the garden https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/in-a-vase-on-monday-in-your-own-hands/ , for hosting such a fun meme! Pop on over to Cathy’s blog to see some great ideas for creating arrangements from what is in the garden now from gardens all around the world!

up close

These parrot tulips are new flowers for me. We planted them last fall, and they have provided a lovely pop of colour in the garden.

front garden with parrot tulips

They are rather unusual, or shall I say “sloppy”? Yes, I’m sorry, I think they are rather sloppy the way they open up and seem to almost hang with their arms wide open! I still like them, I just find them rather … odd?

different backdrop

Their petals have a fringe to them, too, just to make sure they are completely different looking to other tulips! 😉

My second vase is filled with flowers that were either on the ground, or I cut them because they were on their way out…

what a stormy sky for a backdrop

Lovely colours, even if a bit tattered looking!

miscellaneous tulips

I’m loving that I had enough tulips to cut for a vase. I *still* struggle with cutting flowers from the garden! It’s not so bad if they are nearly gone though.

view from above

I’ll finish with one more look at a most unusual tulip…

Parrot tulip

Happy Monday!

Dana

In a Vase on Monday: Confessions from Mom (and One final week of Daffodils)

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Mominthegarden

4 different varieties of Daffodils in my new watering can

Well, it is Monday, it must be time for my weekly blogging confessions! I arrived home from work tonight to find our kitchen counters completely covered and in a very un-pretty state. This is not unusual at our house since the kids don’t really care about having tidy counters. So before I can do anything I have to clear off the counters. Here’s the confession part: then, instead of making dinner, I took pictures. Phew, that wasn’t so bad!

clear (and clean) counters

What is it with my kids that it doesn’t bother them if empty containers are left on the counter? or the compost container overfloweth? or someone left the counter covered in crumbs??? arg 😉 Lucky for me that is all I have to worry about!

lots of leftover flowers

I actually have quite a few containers of flowers in the kitchen at the moment! Some are usually on the table, but that was just too much work to clear for a picture (especially when I was getting hungry for dinner).

Hellebores from the garden

I thought I’d be able to work the hellebores into my daffodil arrangement, but they really did not go together.

my new watering can

Above my watering can arrangement is my favourite quilted pot-holder. It was made for me by my dear friend Betty who was 80 when she made it. She is now 86 and still making beautiful quilts!

Watering Can Vase

I bought the watering can this weekend out of necessity. I have finally planted some (read: LOTS and LOTS) squash seeds and when I went to water them with my regular watering can I nearly drowned them! So when I was at the store I opted for the much prettier metal can rather than the (cheaper) plastic one. It is cream and I think it matches our kitchen nicely. 🙂

another variety of daffodils from the garden

second round of life for a bouquet that was “spent”

This picture is of flowers which were in a bouquet last week. There were other flowers in the original bouquet but they are now good and dead. I cut these guys nice and short and put them in a much smaller container and they look really happy! Don’t you think so?

daffodils on the deck

And finally, I show you my back deck containers of daffodils (and bright pink anemone). There are two pictures, and look how different they are by just kneeling down, or standing up! I couldn’t decide if I liked seeing the grass and no sky, or the hedges and fields beyond so I combined them both into one collaged picture. Which do you prefer???

I will be joining Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for this fun meme “In a Vase on Monday”. Won’t you join us? https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/in-a-vase-in-monday-more-rug-than-carpet/

Happy Spring!
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: Easter Monday Daffodils & Anemone

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Mominthegarden

up close

Hello there! I would first like to start with an apology. I have not had a chance to reply to the lovely folks who commented on my post last week. I know, I feel terrible. As well as that, I haven’t had a chance to visit the blogs that I so enjoy seeing and reading. It is only because of lack of time, and I’m planning on catching up this week. I hope you’ll forgive me!

a splash of purple from anemone and muscari

The task at hand is posting for “In a Vase on Monday”, a fun meme hosted by Cathy of Rambling in the Garden (https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/04/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-having-my-cake-and-eating-it/ ) . After reading her lovely post about her Vase, you can then follow the links to others who always have something interesting to see!

How many varieties do I have?

Today I feature two different varieties of daffodils. I wasn’t able to find their names, unfortunately. The white variety came from my father-in-law. He gave me a bunch of bulbs a few years ago. The flowers are quite delicate looking. He is an amazing gardener! Here is a little peek at his daffodils:

Patsy’s Garden

They completely cover the back garden! It is lovely to see.

all yellow, with so many layers

The yellow narcissi are a dwarf variety. I have them planted out by our fence. They are new to us this year, so I know I have their name written down somewhere!

Highland Stoneware from Scotland

My vase this week is a Highland Stoneware jug which I picked up a few years ago on a “get-away” weekend with my husband. We went to Edinburgh to watch Ireland play rugby. Nice romantic weekend away just me, hubby, and 50,000 supporters 😉 It really was a lovely weekend (and thankfully, Ireland won!).

The rooster side of the jug

the hen side of the jug

Perfectly glorious weather

I actually put this arrangement together today (Monday), as opposed to the usual Saturday before. Being Easter Monday, everyone had off of work, and the weather was simply perfect.

beautiful blue skies

We worked in the garden most of the weekend. I’m pretty sure every muscle in my body was used! The garden needed so much work. I am so, so happy with all that we were able to get done. I just might get an actual gardening post in this week (fingers crossed!).

my jug floweth over with daffodils

Too pretty not to photograph

I did manage a number of breaks during the day as I simply felt compelled to take pictures. Everything in spring time is so pretty.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying lovely spring weather, too!

Peace,
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: Daffodil beauties

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Mominthegarden

Narcissi Blazing Starlet

In all of Ireland, it feels like the flowers in our yard are the very last to bloom! I still have plenty of daffodils that haven’t even thought about blooming yet. But for today’s post of “In a Vase on Monday” I do have enough daffodils for a lovely bouquet of several different varieties (small prayer answered!).

Not quite opened … A rather triangle of a shape, don’t you think?

We’ve lived in our house for almost five years, and it has taken me all of that time to plant enough daffodils to be able to have a substantial bouquet! I was a bit finicky about where to plant them, what kind to plant, and how many to plant. I should have just gone with “everywhere, all kinds, and lots of ’em”!

Side views of Ice King and Blazing Starlet

I’m happy with the few different varieties that I have now. The Ice King is by far my favourite.

the Ice King variety looks like a carnation

a very simple yellow and white variety up close

bouquet of yellows and creams

I caught the very tail end of the sun on the day that I cut the flowers. I hadn’t paid close enough attention to the weather (read: I was deep cleaning the house because Easter is nearly here and God forbid anyone saw the state of what our house usually looks like!). So I desperately tried to find rays of sunshine through the window the following day. Unfortunately not only was the sun in short supply, the wind was too strong to photograph flowers in.

a hue more on the white side

But alas, eventually I found an opportunity to give it a lash. I kept the flowers low to the ground in a protected spot. The last thing I wanted was to have my vase fall over and break!

a hue more on the yellow side

The sun sure does make a difference!

Daffodil bouquet in the garden

prop!

See that poor little ugly duckling candle? That is my only Easter decoration out so far! I came across him while I was cleaning … which prompted me to ask my son to bring the boxes of our actual decorations out of the attic for me.

could win an award for ugliest candle…

He was kind enough to oblige me. Now I just need to get my act together and get those lovely spring items out (and quick!).

on the kitchen table

But for now we just have our cheerful daffodils (and the ugly duckling candle).

on the kitchen counter

Have you grown any different varieties of daffodils that you especially like? Please do share!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my “In a Vase on Monday” post. You will find other lovely arrangements linked to Cathy’s Rambling in the Garden blog https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/in-a-vase-on-monday-bluenwhite/ as she hosts this fun meme to see what everyone has in their gardens all throughout the year. Maybe you’d like to join in? Please do!

Happy Spring!
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: In like a Lion and out like a Lamb

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Mominthegarden

A Lion & a Lamb & a Spring Bouquet

Are you smiling? I hope so! I had a little fun with this “In a Vase on Monday” post. I came across these cute puppets last week when I was deep cleaning our playroom (read: went through all of the toys to get rid of what wasn’t played with anymore). I’m hopeless though, and only a few things were actually taken away. Items like these cute puppets were just squished into higher-up cabinets to have on hand for little visitors. (Did ya like that pun?) Somehow, thankfully, the room did end up tidied and I found some props for my post!

full view

I really can’t believe it is nearing the end of March. The weather was true to the expression: it was crazy at the beginning of the month and it has thankfully calmed down (enough to garden at least!).

Daffodil season in full swing (Ice King & Tresamble). These large daffodils have since turned a creamy white. the Ice King variety resembles a carnation.

We have collected quite a few different varieties of daffodils over the past few years and I am really liking all of them!

The small daffodils (Velocity) I bought from Mr. Middleton’s Garden Shop in Dublin. The catalogue describes them perfectly: early dwarf daffodil with deep yellow strongly reflexed petals and an orange red corona. So true!

pink anemone: Anemone coronaria ‘Sylphide’

I have only one pink anemone, but I thought it was stunning so I had to add it. It is my favourite colour of pink! Just one little bloom for the vase. This little guy is planted in a container. He did really well last year, and I’m delighted to see flowers again this year. I’ve read that the anemone will do better after several years. Lovely news!

Paperwhites were forced inside (and the family don't enjoy their scent!)

Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) were forced inside (and my family do not enjoy their scent!)

stacking the flowers on top of each other

We have been so lucky to have good weather on the weekends. I have so enjoyed working in the garden! The sunny days help to inspire creating an arrangement.

Anemones blooming all winter long

I was rather surprised to have enough for an arrangement. If you looked at the yard you’d wonder where the flowers came from, they are spread all around, not really making an impact just yet (except for the purple anemones as they have been making an impact all winter.)

Anemone clump

Anemone beauty on a frosty morning

The Mr Fokker Anemone fade to a light purple as they age. They start a lovely deep, dark purple.

Belleek vase seemed fitting for March (think St. Patrick’s Day)

I missed quite a few ‘In a Vase on Monday’ postings this winter. I have to say it is nice to be back at it again. I hope you will also join us! Cathy at Rambling in the Garden https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/in-a-vase-on-monday-between-sweet-williams-two-lips/ hosts this fun (read: addictive) meme. You will see some lovely arrangements when you stop by!

Happy Spring!
Dana

my favourite picture of the group

In a Vase on Monday: Yellow and Blues from the Garden

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Mominthegarden

a few Tete-a-tetes transplanted from my friend’s garden (accidentally came with other gifted flowers!)

It has been quite a while since I’ve joined the meme “In a Vase on Monday” with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com . This weekend just allowed me the time/energy/ability to gather together a small vase of sweet flowers, so I thought I’d humbly join back into the group. Feel free to join in, or just go and have a look at what others have in their vases. There is always something nice to see!

the vase in among my allium greens

We live in what we describe as a “wind belt”. It is always windy. Really windy. So I feared my wee little vase wouldn’t stand a chance and would be knocked over before I could even take a picture. My solution was to partially push it into the soil of the garden. I think that provided rather nice surroundings, too. 🙂

lovely colours together

My friend Susan also gave me a Pulmonaria plant and suggested they look well with daffodils. I couldn’t agree more. I have them planted in among my daffodils, but my daffodils come up so late! So I’ve cut some of the Pulmonaria and thrown them in a vase with my early blooming tete-a-tetes to enjoy that lovely colour combination.

a bit of sunshine

The sun came out for a total of five minutes (after I had taken loads of pictures, of course). I’m used to how this works, so I grabbed the vase and ran outside and took a load more photos!

full size & tiny size

You can really see the size difference in this photo. I should have put the full size daffodils in a separate vase, but I only had two to work with.

Tete-a-tetes with Pulmonaria in a Vase

so tiny!

enjoying them inside

I hope you enjoyed my arrangement. Thanks for stopping by!
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: Mr. Fokker Anemone & Primrose in January

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Mominthegarden

Mr. Fokker Anemone & primroses

It is cold, wet and windy outside! So goes our January. The wind would knock your socks off! Nevertheless, the sun has made several appearances so really I shall not complain.

Waterford crystal candle holder with anemone and primrose

I took a little break from my blog over the Christmas holiday. I wasn’t really taking a break from blogging but rather making more time for the family. I like blogging and was looking forward to getting back to it! So when the sun was shinning bright on Saturday I decided to run outside and see what I could find for the meme In a Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the garden (http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com). It was COLD outside!

Mr Fokker Anemone in the garden

I have loads of Mr Fokker Anemone in the garden. Unfortunately, where they are in the garden doesn’t see the sun until the very end of the day (if at all). So they are closed up most of the time. It was lovely to watch them open after being placed in warm water in the candle holder (their vase).

The flowers opened up in the warm water

The colours are lovely. I kind of squished the primrose into the vase. That bright pink is fabulous in the yard. I have to say they look rather lonely though, as everything around them is pretty much in sleep/winter mode.

The candle holder usually sits in a room which we rarely use. So the only job it has is to collect dust. I’m glad to put it to better use.

floating flowers

It is always fun to try and be a little creative with what is in the garden and what vase to use. I hope you’ve enjoyed my In a Vase on Monday post!

bright pink

I have to say that it is nice to have flowers in the garden in January.

primrose in the garden

I hope you have a good week and that you are nice and warm, wherever you may be!

Peace,
Dana

Wordless Wednesday Dried Flowers

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Mominthegarden

The wine jug we purchased in the Alsace region of France 18 years ago

Hello there! Just a quick “Wordless Wednesday” post showing you the dried flowers I have in my kitchen. I do think they look lovely (shall I write “still” since I’ve had them since late summer???).

Dried flowers from the garden

Very long stemmed lavender from my garden and Globe Artichokes (some of which seem to be blooming apart!)

These Globe Artichokes have still kept their colour!

My favourite arrangement because I love the purple painted eucalyptus and the purple hydrangea.

I hope your New Year has started off well! We had a lovely time over Christmas and now we are all back to our routines. We have so much to be thankful for.

Thank you for stopping by!

Peace,
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: A shining Star with roses

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Mominthegarden

A special star made for me by a friend

I know what you are thinking: Roses again?!?! I do apologise, but as always I left myself no time and I knew exactly what I wanted from them so it just had to be! I haven’t cut all of them but the weather is supposed to turn really cold this week so I’m guessing it will be the end for them.

getting ready for Christmas ever so slowly

I’m afraid that when I checked the pictures on my camera they all looked “in focus” but as it turns out they weren’t all in focus! But I had one shot to get it all done so we’ll just have to imagine that this is in focus 😉

having fun with decorations

I like the Christmas balls in the vase! So simple and fun.

an Angel candle from Celticheritage.ie in Kinsale which I purchased at a Craft Fair this weekend

I went to the National Craft & Design Fair in Dublin with a friend this weekend. It was fantastic! It was so wonderful to see all of the beautiful crafts. I did my best to support as many of our National Craftspeople as possible! Merry Christmas to me!

flowers in a vase

My favourite purchase is definitely this angel. I think she is just lovely (and not Christmas-y). I especially enjoyed meeting the artist who painted her. It is fun to get to chat with the crafters and see their wonderful work!

but the flowers need water so here they are on my counter

After taking pictures of the flowers in the round vase with the ornaments (and no water) I threw them in a small square vase with water. Not much work required there. They should be happy enough this week.

In a Vase on Monday with a Star

The star was given to me last year by my friend Susan who had made it for me. I thought the pink was rather unusual for the lights, but I absolutely love it! She cut the branches, which came from her yard, hot glued them in the star shape, spray painted it and added the lights. How cool is that?

Nativity creche

This small nativity scene was given to me by another very special friend of mine who belongs to the church we went to in Manlius, NY. I love having those connections.

A little ‘light’ on the flower side of things this week. (haha! did you see that? light as in star light? O.K. maybe not…) As we head into the winter I think it is going to be quite a challenge! Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the garden for this wonderful meme (challenge)! You can visit her blog and see other links to lovely arrangements, too! http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com

I hope you have a shining star of a week!
Dana

In a Vase on Monday: Roses by Candlelight

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Mominthegarden

Climbing roses, and a couple of stray roses from the “rose garden”

I am simply in the spirit! I thought for sure I would have to skip my “In a Vase on Monday” post as I hadn’t prepared anything this weekend. To top it off, when I arrived home tonight it was pouring rain and pitch dark! But I had an idea in my head so I really wanted to follow through with it.

What a difference using the flash makes on colouring. I have to say I really prefer these pictures with no flash.

Roses up close

The roses are in an oasis in a red glass dessert bowl. My mother gave me a set of large and small glasses and dessert bowls all in a beautiful deep red, perhaps more of a burgundy colour. Why the glasses match the dessert bowls is a bit of a mystery, but they do look pretty together!

Christmas tree candle in the background

You can still see some raindrops on the flowers! It was *really* raining when I cut them!

a little candle light to make things pretty

I was definitely in the mindset of Christmas with my white tree candle and red bowls. I had to transform these pretty pinks into holiday spirit!

Nearing the end of the roses…

The climbing roses are amazing and still have quite a few clusters of buds. I tried to cut the ones that were nearing the end, as it is so nice to see them outside when most everything else is “finished”.

Softer look without the flash

Oh my goodness I am so glad I went outside and got drenched! The arrangement is only 7 inches tall and about 7 inches wide and just adorable (so says the very humble arranger, ahem.).

too many pictures?

You can join Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for this very fun meme “In a Vase on Monday” (http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-wintersweet/ ) as a challenge to find plant material in your garden at all months of the year!

I hope you are also ‘in the spirit’!

In peace,
Dana

Roses by Candlelight

Mom in the Garden

Enjoying life. In Ireland. With my family.

Category Archives: Flower arranging

In a Vase on Monday: Parrot Tulips and a vase of misfits

In a Vase on Monday: Confessions from Mom (and One final week of Daffodils)

In a Vase on Monday: Easter Monday Daffodils & Anemone

In a Vase on Monday: Daffodil beauties

In a Vase on Monday: In like a Lion and out like a Lamb

In a Vase on Monday: Yellow and Blues from the Garden

In a Vase on Monday: Mr. Fokker Anemone & Primrose in January

Wordless Wednesday Dried Flowers

In a Vase on Monday: A shining Star with roses

In a Vase on Monday: Roses by Candlelight