Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Tuesday 21 August 2012

A Few of My Favourite Vases

During World War 2, vases were not allowed to be imported , ( or was it exported ) to New Zealand,  so I was told many years ago.  The importers managed to find a new way, and jugs that had handles,but were in fact more like a vase, came safely into our country.I have the vases that were my Mum’s and I can remember them filled with snowdrops in the winter, and Chinese Lantern flowers ( Abuliton) in the summer. Today I have filled these vases with the daffodils that have drooped in the rain and wind.
Favourite vases
I have tried to capture a single bloom,and in the second photo did some Photoshop alterations.
One by itself

King Alfred bloom
In 2002, Mayumi lived with us for the whole year, and I tried to explain to her the poem “ I wandered lonely as a cloud” when our garden was full of these daffodil blooms.Mayumi always marvelled at the stars, they seemed to her  to be so much brighter than when seen from her home in Japan. This time last year we welcomed her back for a short stay, and it snowed.This was taken at Wellington Airport, after we had wiped away the tears of happiness. August 2011.
Mayumi at Wellington airport Aug 15 2011
Quotation of the day, from  William Wordsworth,
“ And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils”
Cheers from Jean

11 comments:

Janet said...

Your daffodils are so beautiful! How odd about the vases.

Nancy J said...

Yes Janet, I remember my Mum and Aunt telling me, that it was during WW2, so maybe shipping was restricted to necessities rather than luxuries.Cheers,Jean.

Susan Heather said...

Interesting story about the vases and I love your flowers.

I would always prefer to have vases of flowers than worry about dusting. I take after my mother in this.

Nancy J said...

Yes Susan, ditto for me, and these were just the ones that drooped after all the rain here , so many more still in the rest of the garden.Cheers,Jean.

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Daffs look super. We don't have any spring flowers out yet.
Not fair

Barb said...

You're rich in both daffodils and vases!

Nancy J said...

Hi Linda and Barb, yes there are so many this year, and I think a little earlier than last.I do like my vases, and should have them on display all the time, not only for flower use.Cheers,Jean

Allie said...

Oh my those flowers are stunning - so beautiful! I wonder why no vases could be imported???? Mayumi is so pretty. That's one of my favorite poems...

Lindsjö taxar said...

Beautiful!! We have to wait until May maybe berfore we have them in our gardens. Hope you are ok, hugs!

Nancy J said...

Hi Allie and Lindsjo, thanks, yes I am well, and the flowers keep on blooming. I need more large vases!!I looked on the net and found no real reason other than imports during the war were restricted, maybe because of mines in the shipping lanes? Cheers, Jean.

Lori Skoog said...

Love the shot of all your vases loaded with flowers!