Today's Joy: Having My Coffee in the Kitchen Each Morning with a Lady's Slipper Orchid.
Cappuccino just tastes better when you're in the company of a marvelous orchid, Reader. Each day I come downstairs, looking forward to a steaming mug of Hills Bros. Dark Chocolate and some quality wake-up time. An entire half hour spent sipping hot deliciousness while I contemplate my paphiopedilum starts any day off right.

If you haven't had the pleasure, there's something sophisticated and wonderful about orchids. They're part regal, part funky and all kinds of interesting. It's their distinctive originality that appeals most to me. I find it easier to tackle the inevitable daily problems of life when I'm in the frame of mind to appreciate complex life forms. Besides, how cool is it to grow something that weird-looking?

Today's Joy: Being a Proud Parent.
Well, Reader, after a month of watching, waiting and (probably unnecessary) fussing, today the first flower opened on my Lady's Slipper Orchid: Paphiopedilum 'Raisin Pie'.

I adore Orchids. They're elegant and resilient plants. They come in many distinct forms, each adapted to life in a specific climate, and they grow on every continent except Antarctica. I love their unique shapes and colors--the way many of them look like strange, alien life forms. I especially love the varieties whose flowers stay open for weeks and even months at a time. Nothing seems to brighten up cold, winter afternoons like a tray of Orchids in full-bloom.

The Lady's Slipper varieties really appeal to me. This particular plant came from the 2010 IL Orchid Society Show, held at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in March. Could hardly wait to see it bloom! Here is a photo-a-day series of 'Raisin Pie' opening over the last 5 days:

Gorgeous!!