Today dawned bright, calm and clear. The sunshine has boosted me out of my holiday slump and rekindled my energy levels – I’m keen to get on with a fresh, new year, to sweep away the Christmas detritus, to restore some sort of order to this house. I’m up against serious opposition, though. I suggested taking down the tree this morning to howls of horror from my family. I think they’d probably wrestle me to the ground if I tried to remove even one decoration, so it’s had a temporary reprieve. The children go back to school tomorrow…
I haven’t had a proper look round the garden for weeks, so it was lovely to potter about in the winter light for a while earlier and see what’s occurring. There are definite signs of spring flowers on the way – snowdrop and grape hyacinth leaves popping up all over the place – and even some blooms hanging on from last year. I picked two remaining marigolds (marigolds! On 2nd January!) and a few white scabious for my Monday vase, plus a sprig of flowering berberis from the bottom hedge, a leafy stem from an old climbing rose and some ivy tendrils. I’ve missed joining in with Cathy’s Monday gathering these past few weeks, so it’s good to be taking part again.
My post title is a little homage to my childhood heroine, Princess Leia/Carrie Fisher (it’s the title of the first ever Star Wars film), and a nod to the turning of the year. Wikipedia says: “Hope is an optimistic attitude of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large.” I’ll hang on to that.
Happy New Year – here’s wishing you a healthy, peaceful one full of positive outcomes x
acoastalplot 
It was a lovely start to the day here too, we still have marigolds flowering I must pick them as your arrangement looks so pretty. I always take the decorations down on New Years Day it is always good way to start the year. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Sarah x
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Marigolds are such a cheery flower, particularly in January. None in my garden but I saw a huge clump the other day along the roadside. Wishing you all the best for a great 2017. B x
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Marigolds and scabious – wow! Mind you, if you are back to the cold again as we are you will be pleased to be enjoying them inside at close quarters rather than outside! I know what you mean about the conflict between the urge to clear and start afresh with the pleasure of seeing the bright colours of the tree and other festive decorations, and I have made do tidying other things instead. Thanks for sharing and for your wish for hopeful optimism amongst us all – and best wishes for 2017 to you and your family
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I love that last photo with the new vase in juxtaposition to the Christmas tree, Sam! I always hate taking down the Christmas tree. Mine got a 2-day reprieve this year due to a pre-New Year’s visit from family but it’s since come down as it was beyond dead – running the heat all day, every day this season hastened its demise this year. Best wishes for a healthy and happy new year!
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I love this “In a Vase on Monday” posts — and to begin the New Year with such cheery blooms is an extra pleasure. Happy 2017!
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A beautiful vase and gorgeous contents. I do so love winter arrangements, each stem seems so much more precious when they have to be sought out. I am planning to take the tree down tomorrow too. I think I have done well to have it up this long. Oh to be shot of all those pine needles. I shall heave a happy sigh. Wishing you and yours a happy, positive and energy-filled 2017. CJ xx
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I love the title, nice nod to Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia. I am taking the tree down today, it has wilted and looks awful!
Amazing to find a marigold! it looks lovely in your vase with the other treasures from your garden. Happy New Year!
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What a fabulous combination – Berberis and Calendula in January – of course! 😉
Wishing you all the best for 2017.
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Beautiful, clear pictures to start the year Sam! Doesn’t it feel good to tidy up the Christmas detritus and restore order? All the best for 2017 x
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That is a beautiful, energetic arrangement to start 2017 and such lovely photos and backdrops! Happy New Year. I am starting to restore order today too (I hope)
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How amazing to have flowers in the garden in January! Not a single one to be seen in ours. Happy New Year to you, too. xx
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Your gorgeous vase really does give me hope Sam! How cheering to see Marigolds in January! Thanks for sharing, and I hope you have a very happy and positive new year too. 🙂
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The tree is down and everything’s packed away here now :o) Love the vase contents, so pretty. I’m sad about Carrie Fisher, I liked her. Happy New Year, my dear xx
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What a lovely post, Sam. I like your attitude. This vase is beautiful. I love the orange flowers, wow! They really pop. I hope 2017 is good to your and your family.
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Hello Sam – I was up before dawn on the 2nd eager to start on taking down the Christmas trimmings – a job I usually ritually do on the 1st of January…However, this year we had friends visiting & I wanted things to remain festive – in fact it was a mutual friend & her family visiting… Helen from Twickenham – & when I mentioned I had just started to write a blog she suggested I take a look at yours… I love it – & it turns out I spent part of my childhood not far from you, Woodnesborough, nr Sandwich… I am a complete ‘newbie’ in the blogging World & still finding my feet….
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I always love to see pot marigolds. May ‘The force be with you’ for the new year.
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Twelfth Night tomorrow and then our tree comes down.
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Stunning, Sam. At a glance you’d think it might have been a late summer’s day …. All the best for the new year.
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I don’t know what I love more here; the light, the flowers, or your bay window with the glimpse of the tree beyond. But I do think that Hope is an excellent word to carry into 2017. x
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