In A Vase On Monday

Well, it was an interesting thought.   There was a large gnarly moss and lichen-covered branch found during a walk a month or so ago.  Of course it came home and has been sitting on a bench in the garden waiting to be used.  Because of it's interest, it would probably have been best to use parts of it on their own but I spied Daffodils 'British Gamble' flopping on the ground because of the rain and decided that a death and rebirth theme for the first bouquet of spring and for the Monday before Easter might be fun.

The branches are dead but had set buds before being ripped from the tree (by someone else, we just found it.)

It's usually a good idea to stop and rethink an arrangement when it's not going the way you wanted it to.  Someday, I'll learn that lesson but, as usual, I just kept thinking that if I just added another element, it would all work.   Daffodils are new life, the beginning of a new season. Tillandsias - sure, just throw them in. Everlasting life?

In a failed attempt to hide the stems of the flowers in a clear glass vase, some Arum italicum leaves got thrown in. Also, their beautiful foliage, having been green all winter will soon die back for the summer.

The great character of the branch is becoming obscured. 

We'll just throw in some props.  An ammonite or nautilus  crystallized fossil, a pin that had belonged to my grandmother with the birthstones of each of her grandchildren, a crystalline glazed vase,  and some crystals, all things transformed under heat, pressure, and time. From death as one thing to life as another.

 Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?

On this first Monday of spring, we think of Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts In A Vase On Monday each week.  Many thanks to her for this fun tradition.  Click here to see her arrangement and links to those of other participants!.