I must beg your indulgence for the presentation of my flowers for In a Vase on Monday this week since I can't bear to cut them but must present them as they grow, where they last a long time. I had never succeeded with African Violets before, but I inherited these from my Swedish Mother-In-Law, they were favorite plants for her she always had to grow. I put them by my west-facing sliding glass door and to my surprise they got very lush and started flowering wonderfully. Here they are in a milk glass stemmed goblet and with a vintage little Viceroy China plate for displaying delicacies, both also from my MIL, who collected many things over her 102 years. We were her caregivers for her last 10 years so ended up with many of her things by default. These turned out darker than I thought, thanks to white china glare.
A vase I did earlier for Cathy's In a Vase on Monday challenge to find something growing in my garden to put in a vase every week featured evergreen foliage from Lonicera nitida, which is a strong grower that likes to sucker and make a thicket.
I miss the Cardinals of my childhood so I tend to collect them. No live birds this week, but I hope you enjoy the dancing bird below. -Hannah
Today I am linking with-
I Heart Macro hosted by Laura
The vase stuck around quite a while and I started to notice the Lonicera was sprouting out new leaves, so I pulled it out of the vase to find this-
I think it deserves to get planted. What a grower! Last week's little cup still looks good now, to my surprise, I used one of my favorite green rocks to hold down the stems-
After the holidays were over and I was putting decorations away, I realized I didn't make use of a glass mosaic candle hood, and tried it on a lamp of mine with this effect-
Today I am linking with-
Macro Monday 2 hosted by Gemma and Mystical Magical Teacher
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Lovely flowers and decorations!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Villrose, you must also be eagerly awaiting spring and the rose blooming season.
DeleteAll so very pretty Hannah, and I enjoyed the video too. Thank you for once again linking with Today's Flowers. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denise, the Woodcock knows how to get down.
DeleteMy mother-in-law grew African Violets, too, but I don't have any luck with them.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Lea
It was a huge surprise for me when the violets perked up and bloomed, I had always been afraid of the watering before and hadn't succeeded either, Lea.
DeleteThe violets look lovely Hannah, a nice tribute to your MIL My mother had some milk glass pieces and I've always loved it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie, my MIL was very industrious and such a collector!
DeleteGorgeous flowers. The mosaic hood cover is pretty. I like the video too. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eileen, I'm glad to have some bird interest for the birders!
DeleteThank you for sharing your mother in law's treasures, Hannah - and what a great result from your previous vases! I showed the Golfer (a bird lover) your woodcock video, and then realised there was sound to it which made it even more fun! :)
ReplyDeleteI was surprised it was so easy to propagate the Lonicera, Cathy, and I love evergreens in the wintertime. I'm jealous of other people's flowers but hope it wont be long here.
DeleteOne of my favorite vases is also from my late MIL. So nice to have those memories and be able to use the vase and be reminded of the person.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoy all the little mementos, Linda.
DeleteI absolutely adore the African Violet perfectly displayed today! A treasure!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna, those houseplant flowers get me through the winter.
DeleteVery, very nice, Hannah, thanks for sharing your lovely arrangements with us!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anca, it will be great to have some outdoor flowers soon, I hope, I envy the flowers other people have to share.
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra, houseplants are great.
DeleteMy grandmother always had african violets in her west window, and they were beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, they do seem to like a lot brighter light than I thought.
DeleteYour African violets are so very pretty - I wouldn't have cut them either! I used to grow them but haven't done so in years but your photos have me thinking about getting some of my own. The roots on those Lonicera stems are amazing! I never would have thought they'd root in a vase.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris, I have never succeeded with violets before, they are tempting now that I have had them grow and bloom. I was surprised the Lonicera rooted in the vase, too, but they do spread and sucker a lot. I don't think the variegated one, Baggesens' Gold, is as vigorous.
DeleteInherited plants are the gift that keeps on giving. Beautiful Violets.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shrub Queen, I didn't expect them to do so well.
DeleteYour African violets are beautiful. I used to always have a pot or two growing in the house but after a succession of house moves have simply forgotten about them and they are so pretty. You're very fortunate to have inherited pretty china too - so worth cherishing. I find it amazing what does sprout in our Monday vases - for me it is often ivy - plants for free. Loved the video - very entertaining :)
ReplyDeleteI killed quite a few so was happy to finally succeed, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteDearest Hannah; Wow, African Violets are such beauty and thank you SO much for sharing your mother in law's treasures and tribute♡♡♡ Oh,I'm especially amazed by your first arrangement with Viceroy China plate. Yes, it IS displaying delicacies and that is maybe one of the way Japanese won't come up the idea :-) I really admire your your skill, Dear friend.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy for your success with the Lonicera♪
I enjoyed the sweet dancing bird with lovely music:-)
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
And thank you so much for your sweet comments (♡^.^♡)
DeleteThanks, dearest Miyako! Houseplants that I don't seem to be able to kill are so much fun. My orchid is starting to bloom now. I always enjoy all your artwork on your headers and side bars. Hugs from the PNW, Hannah
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