I haven’t written much recently, or taken many photos. I don’t think it’s COVID related (physical or mental) – just a general end of year transition, a desire to sit and read a few good books and eat too many shortbread cookies. Then two things happened: a colleague gifted me, a few days before Christmas, a beautiful bouquet of pink and white roses, white stock (Matthiola incana) and Eucalyptus sprays; and I read a blog post that talked about Wabi-sabi, a Japanese worldview or aesthetic that “appreciates beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.” [so says Wikipedia.]
Yesterday morning my flower bouquet was fading fast – white stock blossoms falling to the table like the snow flakes floating to the ground outside, and the edges of the roses starting to brown. I thought of Wabi-sabi and pulled apart the bouquet, keeping the roses that still seemed to have a few more days left, adding them to a green glass hyacinth vase that already had a few red osier dogwood (Cornus sericia) twigs in it. I finished the vase with the Eucalyptus and thought what a perfect final Monday Vase of 2020 for Cathy’s weekly theme. Happy New Year everyone – here’s hoping that life in 2021 returns to ‘normal!’
Such a lovely post Chris.. thank you and Happy New Year to you also!
Thank you!🥂
Thanks for sharing your gift this Monday, Chris. Eucalyptus makes such a great addition to any vase. It’s natural to shift attention and focusing on books and shortbread cookies seems perfect for this time of year.
An added bonus with the Eucalyptus is the fragrance/smell when you rub the leaves…😁🥂
I especially like the last photo. It has the feel of turn-of-the-century prints. (That would be 1900, of course — not 2000.)
Thanks so much Linda, I was trying for that exact feel! Hope you have a Happy New Year!
Yes, there is such a lot of sense in the Wabi-sabi philosophy – something for us all to be reminded of, so thank you for your part in that. I love the print behind your refreshed vase – and that last photo too. Have you used any special photo effects to enhance it? Good to hear from you today and hope you have plenty of blessings to focus on in 2021
For the last photo I used a NIK add-on to photoshop then tweaked it a bit until it looked right to me. A fun way to spend some time…
And the result was great!
Shortbread and books – a wonderful combination, especially if you also have a great cup of tea. I love the last picture – it really does capture the beauty in the roses. Happy New Year!
Thank you Su – to you as well!
Lovely! And ‘wasi sabi’ should be our outlook for the coming year too! 😃Happy 2021 Chris!
You too Cathy!!
The eucalyptus looks like silver dollar gum, Eucalyptus polyanthemos. It is a common landscape tree, but not the most common for cut foliage.
I just know it came from the florist’s! Imported of course.
Of, of course. It does not grow everywhere (even if it seems like it does around here).
Mr Nutcracker seems to approve, as I do too. Happy new year, Chris!
You too Kris!
Love the combo and the concept of Wabi Sabi…Eucalyptus, Roses and shortbread cookies are the icing! Happy New Year, with or without floozies!
😆😆😆🥂