The lack of light as the solstice approaches is even more noticeable now that our snow has started melting. But there are nonetheless signs of new life in the garden. The hazel catkins stand out in the hedgerows now that the snow has brought down the last of their big leaves. In just a month or two, depending on the temperatures, their pollen will be flying!
On my morning round of the garden with Anouk (our old doggie) I also noticed a few Euonymus and Rosehips in the hedges that had survived the frosts.
Some pine branches that came down with the weight of the snow were easy picking and made a nice filler for my Advent vase.
Then I added a final flourish with a red cornus stem from the garden beds.
By the way, the elk is Elvin, who makes an annual appearance on this blog! And the little envelope is today’s seed packet from my seed advent calendar… Golden Everlasting. I treated myself to this calendar and am very pleased with the seed packets I have opened so far, which include some beetroot, Sweet Williams, Thyme and Chamomile, Callistephus and an heirloom tomato St. Pierre. It is nice to think about seed sowing, even though it is a long way off still.
I am glad I could find some fresh materials to share so that I can join Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for her weekly meme. Do go and pay her a visit to see what she and others are finding for vases today.
Words and Herbs 
A great reward for searching outdoors! Isn’t it amazing what little treasures can be uncovered? I love the idea of the seed advent calendar. What fun. Welcome back, Elvin.
😃 I really was surprised Susie, as most of the berries have already turned brown or disintegrated!
I like the idea of a seed Advent calendar. They are getting so creative. Our pine trees, Loblolly are very weird with their branches 20 to 40 feet up the tree.
Our pine trees also have branches really high up, but the snow brought a few down. I am hoping to find some mistletoe that came down with the snow too!
That’s lovely, Cathy. Just shows there’s always something available to use from the garden 💚
And always a surprise around the next corner!
It always amazed me how buds and some flowers could survive the cold temperatures, snow and ice. Your vase is a tribute to strength of some plants.
Most of the berries have already fallen off, been eaten or got frozen, so I was pleased a few had survived. 😃
Nice gleanings! And what a fun idea for an advent calendar, a different take on this season of hope. 🙂
I am enjoying the calendar -perfect for gardeners and healthier than the chocolate ones!
Fantastic (and lovely) finds!
Thanks Lynette!
I like the wintery bouquet. But it’s little Elvin that takes the cake!
He is pretty cute, isn’t he! LOL!
What a lovely idea for an advent calendar – was it a commercial product or from an Etsy kind of business? Those euonymous berries are so pretty and have reminded me of something else I had been eyeing up for a vase – but there will be other weeks! I love the whole effect of your vase, hips berries, foliage and twigs, and there is nothing bleak about it, is there?
These kind of calendars have taken off in the last few years here, and mine is actually from a local company that employs mostly people with disabilities. So I feel like I am supporting a good company too. 👍 Oh, and I did actually think of the carol when choosing my title and immediately dismissed the ‘bleak’ bit! 😃
Wow, I’m impressed with what you found and were able to make beautiful in the vase. I will have to try harder come the New Year to make do with what is outside. Lovely.
Thank you! Yes, it was nice to find a few little sprigs of colour today, especially after our cold spell. 😃
It’s cold here in NJ today. Yesterday was very rainy, warm, but we couldn’t enjoy it because of the downpours.
I love Elvin! You did well with your foraged arrangement. The seed-filled Advent calendar is a brilliant idea.
Thanks Kris. Elvin comes out of my Christmas box with the decorations every year and has become a bit of a star in our household! 😆
A perfect Yule vase…makes me feel like Christmas already! And wow a seed packet Advent calendar. A perfect gift.
Thanks Donna. I don’t have any friends who would use so many seeds, or I would give the calendar as a gift. So I bought it for myself instead! 😉
What a joyful little Christmas bouquet, Cathy. It is absolutely charming. You do a very good job of describing your surroundings, too. Winter is settling in!
Thanks Debra. Yes, winter is here and it is the shortest day of the year tomorrow. Still, the sun is shining right now so can’t complain!
Going round your garden in the snow with your dog, how lovely, the light must have been wonderful reflected off the snow. Your advent vase with decorations and that pretty crocheted doily adds a festive feel to your table.
Thank you. It is indeed looking festive here with my candles everywhere. 😃
I wish I could find some pine boughs in my garden! And rose hips, too. It is all looking very festive for Christmas. Happy Holidays.
Thanks Amelia!
Simply stunning!
Thank you!
Euonymus flowers are weird. Did you show pictures of that with autumn foliar color earlier? I have never met that species before. Only common evergreen species are planted here.
Yes, they are beautiful shrubs in autumn. I have a couple of the smaller evergreen ones, but in hard winters all the leaves may drop off and if they survive they get new leaves in spring.
Love the wintery vase (and cute little Elvin). Do you get a scent from your pine branches in the vase? A pine perfume in the room could tempt me to creep out with the secateurs!
I did notice the scent when I cut the branches, but haven’t smelt anything since. A shame as that would be nice!
Thanks for letting me know. Perhaps I’ll have to get a pine-scented diffuser and pop it in a discreet place, close to some pine stems. 😉
Good idea!
How fun! I love everything about this post and your arrangement. Hi, Elvin!
Thank you!
Love 😘
😃 Thanks!
Hello 👋 kaso
Frohe Weihnachten Cathy, I wanted to stop back by to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday.
Thanks Karen. And you!
I am always amazed by the beautiful displays you create from your garden, even during the depths of winter. The seed advent calendar is a great idea for chasing away the winter garden blues … that’s if they occur!
Yes, I manage to keep the winter blues away if I plan well, saving seedheads etc for vases. And I have plenty of gardening related books and magazines to keep me occupied too. 😃
I do the same; when I’m not in the garden I read about gardens, or look at photos for ideas. I bought two new vases the other day too, even though it’s too hot to go outside just now.