This was one of the weeks when I knew in advance what would be appearing in my Monday vase – in the case of the hyacinths that is, as scent from these two blooms of Blue Star have been pervading my nostrils for the last few days, the prepared bulbs having been planted inside in a pot in the middle of December. No more unsuccessful attempts at growing them in hyacinth vases for me!
I am no fan of ‘normal’ size daffodils in my garden, but when given them already growing in a pot I would never throw them away after flowering, instead replanting them in an out of the way place like the back of the woodland edge border or under the apple trees. Last year various small clumps were rationalised into fewer large clumps instead and and I was amazed to find several buds opening a few days ago, in advance even of the usually earlier ‘Tete-a-Tete’ and immediately putting themselves forward as candidates for the vase. A few early blooms of Leucojum aestivum from the snowdrop border joined them, plus sprigs of Sarcococca confusa for greenery and additional fragrance.
Reconnaissance in various parts of the house eventually brought me to my chosen vase, another Caithness Glass one (not a car boot or charity one this time but a wedding present) which picks out the green and yellow of the daffodils perfectly. It is far too early on the 1st of February to suggest that winter has now given way to spring, but let’s enjoy any early signs of it whether it be spring bulbs, lighter mornings, increased bird activity or the following:
(left to right, top to bottom: milk frother, vintage egg cup, bendy man awaiting arm reconstruction, vintage whisk, clothes peg, secateurs, bottle stopper, egg cup, another milk frother) None, however, can compare with the tactility of the mini ‘slinky’ which was chosen for the main prop, having been bought on impulse at Tate Liverpool on our recent visit. I never had a full-size version as a child so have not had the pleasure of seeing one ‘slink’ downstairs – and sadly our existing stairs are not conducive to slinking so I am still deprived of the experience…
What fun will you have today, creating your vase or collecting props to accompany it? Please share your vase and the joy of its creation in the usual way by leaving links to and from this post – I look forward to seeing them!
Rambling in the Garden 
What a lovely strong blue for your hyacinths and the vase is just gorgeous. All those Springs! Fun!
No spring in my step today – so fed up with a lingering virus – so no vase 😦
But seeing your vase ……and all the others will cheer me up!
Sorry about your lingering virus – hope you are springing again soon
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Lovely to enjoy spring at least indoors! I noticed that my outdoor hyacinths are pushing through the ground but it will be a few weeks before there are flowers, I find them a bit over-powering indoors so I don’t usually pick them. I’m thrilled with what is in my vase today! Her’s my link: https://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-happiness-is/
I know what you mean about hyacinths but so far these haven’t driven me away! I am excited to find out what you are being thrilled by today… 🙂
Your title says it all Cathy. Beautiful spring elements in your pretty Caithness vase. I’m a fan of all things daffodil. Your grid of props is interesting, especially the milk frothers which I’ve haven’t known about before. My vase this week is https://pbmgarden.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-february-in-royal-blue/
Thanks Susie – and I have to say that these daffodils look really striking against the blue hyacinths, particularly now that they are fully open. Glad you were intrigued by the props!
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Love the post title Cathy 🙂 That hyacinth is a most eye-catching colour. What a shame that your slinky and the stairs are not compatible but I’m sure that you will still have fun with it. My frozen fingered vase is here :
http://www.greentapestry.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/in-vase-on-monday-one-that-got-away.html
Thanks Anna – after all my hyacinth vase failures it is good to actually get some blooms! Sorry you have had to freeze for the sake of a Monday vase but I look forward to seeing what it was that got away! ps sunny here and mild, but gusty too
Yum, Hyacinths, one of my favourite scents and colours. I haven’t really figured out how to grow them properly but I love them. And Daffodils mean Spring to me. I was a bit slow on the uptake as to the ‘Spring’ and Slinky – had to read the other comments to get it – it’s late at night is my excuse. I bet we all could sing the Slinky jingle – amazing how those things stick with you. We are having an abundance of rain so I’m spoiled for choice of flowers and have picked a bit of everything. http://absentgardener.com/2016/02/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-all-sorts/
Oh, a jingle? That must have passed me by, as I have no recollection of one! My hyacinths were grown in a pot ths year, but I still have doubts about whether ‘prepared’ hyacinths should have a period in the dark as well – these didn’t, so perhaps I have confused myself in the past
February 1st and everyone is thinking spring. We just can’t help ourselves, can we?
No indeed 🙂
So nice to welcome February with a spring vase, Cathy! I have done the same, look: http://timpingradina.blogspot.ro/2016/02/in-vase-on-monday-fresh-start.html
Even though it was still January when I made and photographed mine… 😉
Your entry this morning has brought a smile…and I love your springs!!!!! The flowers are also bright and cheerful, and your room must be lovely and fragrant. I too have thought about scent but in a different way.http://noellemace.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/in-vase-on-monday-posy-in-ink-bottle.html
Thanks Noelle – the burst of fragrance when I walk into the kitchen is divine and hopefully it will last a good few days. How about yours…?
I just love the scent from snowdrops..sadly no bumblebees around to enjoy the pollen.
Yes, I can rarely smell them outside as they need that bit of warmth to carry out. I have seen an odd bee or two this year, but that must have been 2 or 3 weeks ago
Spring bulbs and springs! Took me a minute to get it, clever and brilliant. I thought the milk frother was a cocktail strainer, what is the frothed milk used for? The Daffodils and Hyacinths are lovely and a ray of sunshine for you.
Here is my vase https://theshrubqueen.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-surinam-shrimp
Thanks – the daffodils are definitely looking like blazing suns now they have opened with their bright balls of fire centres. I suppose you would use the frothers for hot chocolate or any other milky drink, or just as a small whisk too
That intense blue with yellow most definitely looks like Spring. Love the Slinky and it brought back many memories. Alas, winter is supposed to blow back in here with a storm tomorrow. My vase is here:
http://eachlittleworld.typepad.com/each_little_world/2016/02/in-a-vase-on-monday-button-bouquet.html
Isn’t it funny how we associate blue and yellow with spring more than any other season ? Sorry spring is not yet on your doorstep though 😦
Oh Cathy my heart sang with your spring vase….I can’t wait to see mine in April! And I just laughed when I saw that Slinky. I did have one and loved playing with it…so that brought back memories. Stunning container to display these flowers.
I am being a bit creative this month as winter continues. Hope you like my vase:
I am glad to know your heart was singing Donna – and sorry you have to wait longer for a similar vase of your own!!
I can smell your vase from here Cathy. Lovely. Hours of fun with the walking springs here and yes Spring is definitely in the air – I noticed hazel flowering yesterday and the blackthorn is already blossoming. Here is my link to a spring posy:
https://homeslip.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-vase-on-Monday-post-101/
Yes, it’s a powerful smell! I noticed blackthorn or wild plum today too – a huge tree smothered in blossom.
Mmm, bet that smells lovely. It certainly looks wonderful anyway! Spring is still a long way off here in comparison. I love all your unusual props again Cathy! Here is my little offering this week: https://wordsandherbs.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-pansy-love/
Thanks Cathy, although I promise I will not get complacent and think that the real spring is here yet…!
My kids loved slinkies (and I would sneak a play with them as well). Another lovely vase, Cathy. Thanks again for starting this meme. https://johnsviccellio.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-a-new-start/
Thanks John – I can visualise you with a slinky now…
Wonderful color combination in your bouquet, the addition of the snowdrop is a special touch.
Thanks Charlie – blue and yellow make a great combination don’t they?
How beautiful! I especially like the blue. I haven’t figured out a good way to grow hyacinths in my garden. This year I’m trying some indoors but I’m not sure they’ll bloom. Enjoy your springy spring!
Thanks Renee – and even though I failed with growing them in water in hyacinth vases, I almost always planted the failures outside where they have flowered in future years
Springs have certainly arrived here! As for the season, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to predict. “If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.”
It’s such fun to see the winter/early spring blooms in your beautiful arrangement! My IAVOM post can be found here: http://outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2016/02/in-vase-on-monday.html
Must check tomorrow’s forecast!!
Okay that’s it. You’ve sealed the deal, I am going to go buy some potted Hyacinths today. I love that fragrance and you’ve got me yearning for it. My IAVOM contribution is sadly without scent:
http://www.thedangergarden.com/2016/02/in-vase-on-monday-aloha-pepeluali.html
Gosh, what else will I be held responsible for?! Sorry you are scentless today though…
I knew it was going to happen someday. I’ve known so many “K” Kathys in my life it’s hard to remember that you’re a “C” Cathy. I just realized my error in today’s IAVOM post. Sorry!!! (this comes from someone who’s name is constantly misspelled so I try very hard to get it right!)
Oh Loree – thank you for your apology… The slip of the finger was noted but I let it go – when giving my name verbally I invariable say ‘with a C’ as the tendency is for people to assume it is a K. Marginally better than being foreshortened to ‘Cath’ though… 🙂
I’ve never grown hyacinths and, seeing yours, I think I’ve clearly missed out! While coastal southern California still hasn’t received its share of the winter rains pounding the rest of the state, there are signs that we’re already moving into spring here too. I’m back to multiple vases, as you can see here: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2016/02/in-vase-on-monday-split-personalities.html
I wrote a reply to this but don’t know where it went to! Could you grow hyacinths somewhere cool inside? I really don’t know in what way higher temperatures would affect their growth
I loved playing with a slinky as a child, I haven’t seen one on the move for years. I should imagine the scent from your hyacinth, sarcococca and narcissi must be tremendous. I have used hyacinth and narcissi of the small variety today. How can it be February already.https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-a-bit-of-fluff
Yes, it feels quite indulgent having all that scent in one vase!! Being a shorter month, February will be over in a blink of an eye, won’t it…?!
You have glorious spring bulbs already! I am green with envy. That is a gorgeous hyacinth color, and I like the lighter edges. I must smell so wonderful. I’ll have to go check my early daffodils. Your frothers and slinky are fun, we played with one on stairs when I was a child, but they always seemed to end up getting bent and not lasting very long. My link this week, a houseplant-
http://weedingonthewildside.blogspot.com/2016/02/orchids-are-surreal-february-1-2016.html
I recall choosing this particular blue hyacinth because of the variation in colour. I shall have to play carefully with my slinky to prevent it from getting bent…!
What fun to have spring flowers to put into your vase. Nothing but a few snowdrops here blooming outside. Seeing your vase full of spring is quite the tease.
I do like a bit of harmless teasing, Lisa. Seeing these flowering though, I couldn’t NOT choose them!
A lovely breath of spring, Cathy!
I haven’t had much to contribute of late, but I made a simple creation and linked to join you today. Thanks for hosting! http://wp.me/p3O3z4-Xb
Thanks Eliza – and all of us on IAVOM know by now that simple is good!
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What a beautiful ‘spring’ arrangement you’ve made for us today, Cathy! Such a beautiful blue on your Hyacinth, and you are already having Daffodils! This wacky mezzo winter holds plenty of surprises, doesn’t it? I’m looking towards spring as well, with a few branches of Forsythia in a very special pottery vase: https://forestgardenblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/in-a-very-special-vase-this-monday/ Cheers! WG
Thanks – I have no idea why these daffs are flowering yet (although I suspect it might be because they not planted deep enough) although my Tete a Tete are budding up and beginning to open which is a little early for them
They are beautiful. Sometimes it is nice to simply enjoy, even without understanding ‘why.’ We had a single Daffie bloom for us several weeks ago. It is in the shade, and all of its cousins were still sleeping nearby. So nice of you to cut and share your first spring flowers! I hope winter is treating you gently, WG
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You give new meaning to “springy”…and what a treat for your nose. It takes a better nose than mine to fully appreciate my vase today: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/5211
Thanks rickii – the smell takes me by surprise whenever I first walk into the kitchen
Blue and yellow is my favourite combination, so spring- like. And fragrant too- what more can you ask? Mind you it doesn’ t feel very spring- like at the moment with Henry blowing a hooley.
My slinky was one of my favourite toys as I child and I made sure my own children had one so that the fun continued (at least until they became tangled up). Your vase is full of spring delights – I agree about the larger daffodils but they do make an impact in the vase. I inadvertently ordered a large batch of King Alfreds in the autumn (I meant to order just a few for my mother as she loves them), so these have been incorporated into an unexciting border – I will see when they flower if I can tolerate them for a few weeks a year. Planting your hyacinth bulbs in pots is certainly the way to go – I have never had success any other way – this year I am without potted bulbs though as I just was not up to this task in the autumn – very frustrating now though!!
Sorry that I missed my vase this week – we have just started painting the hallway so that is taking over everything this week – no time for fripperies like vases!
Hmm – a large batch? Dare I ask how many…?! I am conscious that if all the anemones I have planted for Younger Daughter’s wedding flower I will have more than I know what to do with – and then there’s next year too! Vases – fripperies? Tch! 🙂 ps enjoy the painting!
Count on daffodils to brighten a day – whatever the size! They’re lovely with the hyacinths – did you pre-chill the hyacinth bulbs, Cathy? I always thought they required it, but perhaps not?
I’m still hoping to get a vase up today as I miss it much, but Monday and Tuesday’s blog time went into a long-overdue post on the region I’m gardening in. I’ll add a link if I can do it today!
…and I’ve done it 😉 a Wednesday vase, but a vase nevertheless (and all pink, at that): http://smallsunnygarden.blogspot.com/2016/02/wordless-wednesday-in-vase-on.html
Oh well done, Amy – off to see your pink Wednesday vase now!
Hi Cathy a girly bunch from me somehow. https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com
I love your blue yellow combination. Those two colours together always please me.
Um – blue and yellow? No yellow in mine today, Dorris… 😉