I have to start this week with an apology!! Kick-back August is clearly getting to me as I managed to get through until late last night without giving a thought to my ‘Vase on Monday’ – by the time I remembered my commitment we had finished dinner and started on a film, so I made up my mind to cut some flowers today.

This morning I had an engagement to visit a local floristry supply shop (W&M Smith Florist Supplies). I have mentioned before that I am growing flowers to decorate our local church for a wedding in September. I had arranged to take the brides mother (my lovely friend Joanna who has the most beautiful garden) to the shop to purchase all our bits and pieces for the flowers. When I dropped her back at her house she gave me the most stunning bouquet of dahlias from her garden, so I decided to use these for my late post today.

Dahlias

It is lovely to be given flowers – as with a cook who’s friends will never cook for her, it is rare for me to receive flowers as a gift as I always have so many of my own growing in the garden. I do appreciate the beauty of a gift of flowers though and am delighted to have these stunning dahlias now gracing my hall table.

Dahlias Dahlias Dahlias Dahlias Dahlias Dahlias

I photographed these earlier today in my kitchen – the light is always lovely there. I am growing largely the same varieties as Joanna, but my dahlias are just slightly behind hers – we are hoping to both have plenty in time for the September wedding!

Once again I am sorry for missing our Monday calling and hope my late entry is acceptable! As ever please visit Cathy’s blog and have a look at all the lovely bouquets she and the others have produced from their gardens.