Orchid Update

Well, I figured out my camera! Turns out it was the cable that was the problem, not the camera or the computer. So, here you go. See how she's growing?!?!? :)

September 12, 2009

September 13, 2009

September 19, 2009

I finally found a reason.

I finally came up with a topic to post about. My orchid, The Green Lady, is blooming!!! It started a bud, and now the stem is growing taller and taller, and the bud is getting larger and larger. I've been taking pictures of it's progress, and I want to post them for you!

Check it out!

I have SOOOO many more pictures, but sadly, I don't have them ready for upload. Stay tuned...I'll get them on here eventually!

Oh yeah....and I'm pregnant!The first three tests I took. Whoa.

First belly pic, the day I got my BFP - 9/5/09.

Meet the 'chids!

Today I would like to take some time to introduce you to my family of orchids. Yesterday, my little family grew from five 'chids to eight!!! I couldn't resist - I went to purchase a simple plastic pot to repot my little lady slipper, and what do you know, there was an orchid promotion at the store! These guys were only $6 a piece...I couldn't say no! I was afraid Mike might be mad at me, but he likes them too, so we are in the clear. (whew!)

I decided to give them all names to help clarify which is which, and since I don't know their actual full scientific names (they are all just hybrids anyway).

Meet the new 'chids on the block:


The twins, Phalaenopsis Castor & Pollux:
(This plant has two spikes coming from one crown!)



Phalaenopsis Boo'ya Moon:


Phalaenopsis Piebald Pete:


Paphiopedilum Maudiae:
(This one actually has a real name! I've seen it called "The Queen" but I like to call mine the Green Lady)
I have not had this one bloom yet, but this is what it is supposed to look like, hopefully this year!

This is what it looks like now - it has started losing some leaves on the original fan, and there is new leaf growth on the new fan.

It's also starting to grow a new root!!! You can just barely see it in the center of the photo:


Phalaenopsis Mysterioso:
Remember this rescue that Mike saved from certain death in the garbage? How sad and barren it was?

Look at it now!!!! It has three blooms (there was a 4th, but it only lasted a few days) and another bud in the works!


Phalaenopsis SloMo Survivor:
This one was also a rescue. It is growing very slowly, but little by little, things are happening.
Here it is shortly after I first got it, when it just started growing it's first new leaf:

And with a new leaf growing:

That leaf is now full grown, and there is another one about halfway grown. I am still waiting for some new roots or some other sign of progress, but for now, I am just happy it is so strong and healthy and continuing to produce leaves!

Phalaenopsis Henry:
Here is my big daddy of Phals! Remember how beautiful it was in all it's glory -

Almost immediately after the last bloom dropped, new branches started, and new buds started growing! Take a look at him now -

These babies are growing FAST! It caught up to mysterioso really fast, and now it's a race to see who's bud blooms first! He is also growing a new root - FINALLY!!!! :)


And finally....
Phalaenopsis Von Primus - my first orchid.
Remember how pretty it was?

It has been slow going...I trimmed the spike on it after it's blooms dropped, and it feels like forever ago. It hasn't been quite a year though, so hopefully a spike will start one of these days soon! It is growing new roots and leaves like crazy, so I'm very positive about it!!!




So much fun with my flower family! I look forward to seeing them every day and finding what new things they have decided to grow!

Valentine Orchid

Sorry this is late...life has really been INSANE lately!!! But more about that later!

My mystery orchid bloomed - just in time for Valentine's Day! So very exciting. As much as I hate purple, I really love this little orchid, just because I brought it back from nothing - and to have so many blooms so quickly just tickles me pink. Or purple, in this case! Sadly, it wilted just as the second bloom began to open. The second one is now fully open, so I still have one bloom, and two more large buds on that stem, as well as a new bud forming on the second branch.

My super large white orchid blossom finally faded away, after months of shining brightly. I was sad to see it go, but at the same time, two more branches started to grow before I could even get to trimming them down! So, I now have three more buds starting to grow on that one! It also has a new leaf that finally seems to be making some progress.

My very first orchid is growing like a weed these days. Along with these root growths you can see, there is now another one that is growing VERY fast, and a new leaf that is also growing at an accelerated pace. I am hoping that a spike will start soon!

My little paph (the green lady slipper to be) is starting to grow a new leaf as well, and I am eagerly awaiting a spike on that one! It's flower season!!!

Cupcakes AND Orchids!!!

I know....you are all in shock - Alanna is actually blogging - and WITH PICTURES, too!!! What may you ask brought this about?

Superbowl! I love football, and I love baking cupcakes, so naturally, I had to back cupcakes for the Superbowl! I decided to cheer on the Cardinals, since the Steelers are the ones to knock my Chargers out of the playoffs, and seriously....I didn't think they really NEEDED another win. I'm all for the underdogs! Anyway, while my cupcakes may not have brought that extra bit of luck that the Cards needed, I sure had fun making these little birdies!

I decided to make Coconut Cupcakes (courtesy of Made by Melissa!). I think I have oven temperature issues, so I set the temperature a bit higher than called for. They were a WEE bit dry for my taste, but still DELICIOUS. And, I frosted them with my most favoritest Vanilla Bean Icing! I added a bit of almond extract to enhance the coconut cupcakes. Mmmmm....

I gave my first attempt at using fondant, and loved it! I just used the store-bought stuff, and it was pretty easy. I printed out the Cardinals logo and separated it into colors, then cut out a stencil with my exacto knife. I used the exacto to cut out the fondant as well. I drew in the black details with a little tube of black gel. Easy peasy!

***********************************************************************************

On another note, my mystery orchid, one of the ones that Mike rescued from the garbage, is about to bloom! Here it is in bud. I am guessing it will be purple, but I don't know anything other than that. I am excited! The other 4 plants are in various stages of growth, but no blooms yet!

***********************************************************************************

Anyway, that's all for now. I'm having a bunch of girls over on Saturday, so I'll be doing a lot of cooking for that. Till then....

I'm addicted...

I just bought another one. Isn't it cool though?!??! :)

Orchid Update!

Some of you may remember my post back in June about my new orchid. I have loved orchids for years, and growing them is slowly becoming an obsession of mine. They are almost like children - I LOVE these things! Here is a photo of my first orchid -

The blooms lasted for a LONG time, but finally they all dropped. I cut the spike, and it has been continuing to grow new roots.

Here it is now. I had some problems with scale insects (gasp!) but hopefully I got rid of them before they could spread. It's still doing quite well...I'm just trying to be patient as I wait for a new spike to start so I can get some new blossoms!

A few weeks ago, my wonderful husband brought me this new challenge. He found this orchid outside of his office, abandoned and sad. :( I brought it inside, trimmed it's dried up spike, and repotted it. I was a little worried about it, but just yesterday I noticed that a new leaf is starting to grow!!! I can't wait to see what color blooms this plant will produce! It is looking so much happier and healthier!

And so the obsession grows. I was at Henry's Market on Saturday and noticed these BEAUTIFUL orchids. They were huge...most of them about 3 feet tall, and gorgeous. They had white ones similar to my little orchid at home, and purple ones. I definitely have a thing for the big white phalaenopsis orchids with the yellow centers, and I just couldn't stop looking at them. I was still thinking about them when I got home from grocery shopping, and decided to go for it - they were only $20...how can you pass that up!?!??!!? So, yesterday I went back to the store and selected my very own plant. I also bought a stand for it so that it would have it's own spot in my house. It is SO beautiful - I love that it has multiple branches! I can't wait for all the buds to start blooming. :) See how pretty it is? :)