Cathy of
Rambling in the Garden is celebrating the eleventh anniversary of her "In a Vase on Monday" meme. Last week she threw down a challenge to participants with the simple suggestion to use "eleven" as a theme. Even though I tend to create more than one floral arrangement each week, eleven new arrangements, even tiny ones, was out of bounds, especially as the volume of flowers in my garden is at a low point now. Instead I decided to pull photos of one arrangement for each year I've participated in IAVOM. I joined up in
late March 2014 and therefore pulled photos of arrangements for years 2014 through 2023, delivering a newly prepared arrangement for 2024 as the eleventh.
The search process was fun initially but I admit it did get a little tedious by the time I slogged through my 2023 photos. I tried to balance the colors and choices to prevent repetition so I won't claim that each choice represents the very best arrangement of that particular year but here they are:
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| Left, created August 2014, and right, created June 2015 |
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| September 2016 and January 2017 |
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| March 2018 and July 2019 |
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| March 2020 and November 2021 |
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| August 2022 and September 2023 |
For the eleventh arrangement, I elected to use stems of Camellia sasanqua as my centerpiece. The Camellias won't last long so I used one of my smaller vases.
For the record, we received not a drop of rain here last week. However, I understand that the foothill areas got some and the mountains to the east received a dusting of snow.
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| Photographed Saturday morning, the mountains in the distance show the snow, partially hidden by clouds. On Sunday, when you could still see the mountains behind the smog, the snow had already mostly retreated. |
For more IAVOM creations,
visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Thanks, as always, for hosting this weekly meme, Cathy! I know it's appreciated by many, whether they throw their own arrangements into the mix or not.
All material © 2012-2024 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
What a lovely idea. I imaging sifting thorough so many photos took a while, though it had to have been inspiring, nostalgic and probably gave you a sense of pride, seeing the 'parade' of amazing vases you created over the years. I actually remember the more recent ones on the new kitchen counter. Todays celebratory vase is stunning: I love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteChavli
It's too bad that Camellia flowers have such a short vase life, Chavli. Many of their petals are already dropping. With daytime temperatures currently in the low 60s, the heater keeps going on, which probably doesn't help matters.
DeleteThe 11th vase is a perfectly poised arrangement, nicely done too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle. I feel lucky to have Camellias in flower at this time of year, even if the cut stems don't last long.
DeleteYou are so talented, even more obvious when I see this many arrangements together. 11 is really special, how pretty! I'm hoping you get some rain this week. We are supposed to get an inch total by the end of the week, we will see!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy. I hope that rain reaches us this time. The current projection is just 0.15/inch in total here but the chance of getting anything is only 45%. As that forecast is still 4-5 days out I'm not counting on it yet.
DeleteI am sure you found, like I did, when looking through your previous vases, that some just jumped out at you as something you were particularly pleased with. What a good idea for the '11' theme, and your 11th was as striking as the best of the others, with the lovely camellias and the leptospermum - the vase is something else, with those bright nails perfectly matched with the camellias!
ReplyDeleteYou can't imagine how thrilled I'd be if I had fingernails half as nice as those displayed by that vase, Cathy!
DeleteI love all your past vases. Today's is stunning with the camellia and leptospermum clasped in your unusual hand vase.
ReplyDeleteThat vase was a thrift store find. I do need to pay more attention to how I use it to show off those beautifully manicured fingers, though. I inevitably seem to cover them up by stuffing too many flowers into it.
DeleteI should make a bouquet. I used to clip a few flowers on the way into work on Monday and then have them on my desk to brighten my work week. Haven't done that in a while. At least since the daffodils finished.
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly, that's exactly the practice that got Cathy of Rambling in the Garden started with this meme, Jerry. I used to take flowers to work on many Mondays myself.
DeleteWhat a joy to peruse your vases from the past, Kris. A fun time-travel! :) And today's hands-vase is my favorite (I wish I could find one like it!) and the pink camellia is just the right color for it. Beautiful arrangement!
ReplyDeleteI had to look up when I started sharing vases (2015), but unlike you, I don't post year 'round. Sticks and dried grasses/weeds somehow don't have the same appeal, lol! Eliza
I may be down to succulents in my vases soon, Eliza. There are still flowers in my garden but many, like the Camellias, don't have much of a vase life.
DeleteGreat to see your lineup of past vases along with the new one. Love your camellia. You are right about them not last long in a vase but they're perfect for a time!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I've never tried featuring Camellias floating in a bowl, probably because I don't have enough variation in the shrubs onsite to make that interesting.
DeleteHi Kris, it's a pleasure to see some of your creations of the past as well as the new one with the camellia sasanqua, a shrub I love. Sadly my leptospermum trial didn't work out, maybe I should give it one more go. Hope all is well with you and that you will join us virtually next week. x
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, my Leptospermum took some years to get established so a second go may be called for, Annette. My impression is that your winters are colder than mine. though, which may present an issue. We don't get freezes, much less snow.
DeleteI enjoyed your retrospective pick of vases Kris and love your current vase too. How far away is that snow from you? I hope to 'see' you again on Sunday 😀
ReplyDeleteThe mountains are about a 3 hour drive away (in good traffic), Anna. Off hand, I can't say how many miles that is but it's not close ;)
DeleteOh, this is fun! Great idea for the meme, and your vases are always amazing! Love the manicured hands. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth. Cathy of Words and Herbs had the best approach to the challenge in my view :)
DeleteThat was fun! You've made so many beautiful arrangements over the years. I'm still over here filling vases from my garden but just haven't felt like photographing them. Your dedication to the meme is admirable.
ReplyDeleteI've started rethinking my approach to my own blog but I actually can't imagine throwing out the IAVOM meme. Even before I joined up, I was routinely putting together vases for my own enjoyment and I also enjoy sharing them despite the fact they're not up to magazine standards ;)
DeleteSo much beauty! How fun to see the retrospective.
ReplyDeleteThe Leptospermum is lovely lovely in a vase--or in the garden.
NWS says chance of rain Saturday. :^)
Fingers crossed, HB!
DeleteLovely to revisit some of your previous vases Kris. And what a wide selection of flowers you have. The Agapanthus immediately caught my eye. And your Camellia is gorgeous. The vase seemed just right for it too. Now that winter has come here and no gardening will be done, my own nails may get manicured at some stage! LOL!
ReplyDeleteMy nails are an absolute wreck at the moment, Cathy, despite the fact that I do wear garden gloves (most of the time anyway).
DeleteWhat a fabulous retrospective of the beautiful vases I have missed! Only joining this year, I am still having trouble keeping everyone straight - who lives where and in what climate!! Looking forward to seeing some faces!
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/11/18/in-a-vase-monday-november-18/
I'm in coastal Southern California, Jenny - it's VERY different from your climate!
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