A new year has begun, with it my resolution to do more ikebana. Something small to start the year (using one of my many new vases received at Christmas, this redwood vase is from Mrs. Ham), it is great to use materials foraged from the garden. My walk with Frederick today was a chance to see what else might be found to use, mostly branches that needed to be forced for later use. Now they are all cut and placed in water, buds beginning to get plump and bits of color. There is no better feeling that being able to go cut your own materials to design with!