flowers in the house

When I saw that Jane was having one of her regular Flowers in the House tours, my initial thoughts were, yay, here's something I can do. Now I'm thinking that I need to get over the urge to rush and take better photos because there just isn't time, and these will have to suffice.

This little collection of milk bottles and one of the now ubiquitous mason jars, 

are sitting on the kitchen bench.

Apparently people 'think of me' when they come across treasures like these. 

My lovely neighbour & friend Bridget found the old milk & cream bottles complete with original tops and dust, and gathered them up for me.

And the lovely miss Melissa cornered her milkman in England, and sent me the lovely bottle emblazoned with the union jack, because amongst the other things we seem to have in common, is a shared love of milk bottles. (My girls are a little worried that the milk bottle police might knock on the door at any moment because Melissa's milk bottle quite clearly states that it belongs to a dairy company, and should be rinsed and returned.)

Then, Sarah, my favourite florist rang, and said she'd found some flowers at the market that 'had my name on them'. And no, when she presented me with some weeds I wasn't insulted. She was right! Roadside Queen Anne's Lace is the sort of thing I stop the car for too. And perfect with the stunning lacey hydrangea.

And then there are the peonies.

So very beautiful. And the season so short, and over almost before it has begun.

Last weeks tall peony is this weeks short one.

Once they're all blousey I love to enjoy them a little longer by floating them...

...or popping them into an old tin. Peonies and olives...such a natural pairing!

I know none of these are very Christmassy. Well, not in the northern hemisphere anyway.

But here, in this house anyway, anything goes, including peonies in an olive tin, and it is summer.

A few lovely glass decorations in the hall, amongst more old bottles, and an oliga-whatsit flower. (I'm not good with names as you can tell!)

Can a bottle fetish get out of hand? 

I'm not sure, but the postman did just deliver some more found on trade me! I have some table-decorating to do when the Acorns team comes for dinner on Thursday.

No clue whatsoever what I'm feeding them, but at least I have a few ideas for the table.

So that's my flowers in the house this week.

Weeds, old bottles and a load of rubbish. 

(I know that's what my father is thinking anyway!)

And the winner of my giveaway is..... KathyR.

Yay!!! Email me with your address Kathy and I'll get these little brown paper packages sent to you right away! Thanks to all for entering.

Amanda xx