As usual on a Monday I am linking up with Cathy at Rambling In The Garden to join in her challenge of finding something from the garden every week to fill a vase. It is starting to get tough! Here is this weeks vase:

Ivy, Echinops, Kale & Grasses in a Vase

As there is very little in the garden other than greenery at the moment this weeks vase is filled largely with berried ivy and the leaves of the red kale Redbor, which is growing well in the kitchen garden. I was lucky to find some green globes of echinops and the very last spray of pink roses. I added a few grass stems to give some height and movement, but found these very difficult to photograph. The grasses are so delicate they barely show up in the pictures, so you will have to use your imagination.

Roses, Echinops & Ivy

As I moved about the house trying to get a good photograph Nelson, our young Golden Retriever, was determined to be in a picture. In the end I had to give in:

Golden Retriever

And one on his own:

Golden Retreiver

I must say thank you to Cathy for this great idea – I would never normally root around in my garden in December trying to find flowers for the house! I have, however, been amazed and inspired at what I can find at this time of year without making a trip to the flower market. Pop over and see what Cathy has made this week by clicking here.

Last weeks vase is still going strong in the kitchen. The chrysanthemums started to wilt at the end of the week, so I replaced them with flowers from the market. The Choisya Terrnata has stood up very well and the twigs will grace many a vase to come.

I will be back next Monday to share another vase.