Soaking my Phalaenopsis Orchids this morning.

I soak them in water for 15 minutes 1-2 times weekly.

Be sure to drain the excess water before returning an orchid to its pot.

Today's Joy: Moisture, Fertilizer & The Proper Amount of Light.

This summer I'm enjoying being a caretaker, Reader. With gorgeous Phalaenopsis orchids like these blooming all over the house, I count the days carefully to make sure they are watered at the right time, fertilized when it will be most beneficial and receive the correct amount of bright, indirect sunlight. The results are happy orchids, everywhere you look. Nearly all are growing new leaves & aerial roots while putting forth gorgeous blossoms, some as big as my palm.

Such delightful plants, orchids. I never tire of seeing them when I come downstairs for coffee in the morning, or when visitors can't help commenting on their unique look and show-stopping flower stalks. They definitely make everyday life feel a little more interesting and exotic. And who couldn't use that?

Phalaenopsis

Today's Joy: Impromptu Fun & Bargains.

Happy Sunday, Reader. Hope the day finds you recharging a bit in mind, body & spirit. After church this morning, I swung by Mom's on a whim and kidnapped her for an afternoon of nursery-hopping and landscape planning. We visited a few of our favorite garden centers including Platt Hill Nursery in Algonquin, IL and the local Menards & Lowes. There's something that loves a big box hardware store in summer, Reader. I think it has a lot to do with the amazing deals you can find as they try to unload their remaining plant stock.

We certainly walked away from Lowes smiling with bargain hunter's glee. As an Orchid junkie, I always stop and look through the Lowes tropical plant section indoors to see if they have any phalaenopsis in stock. They had a whole cart full at regular price. But low and behold, when I checked out the reduced rack of wilted sale plants, there were several gorgeous orchids sitting on top. I asked a nearby employee if they were indeed on clearance and was told that yes, they were starting to lose their flowers and in a day or two would just be "a stick in a pot". So they were selling them for $1.50 each plant.

Now, Reader, these were obviously healthy $20 plants, several with double flower stalks and one with white blossoms the size of my palm. True, each one had a single blossom in its last stages of bloom. But they all also had plenty of other blossoms as well as buds about to pop and new growth forming. So I snapped up four of them and got to the checkout before the cashier could disagree.

The same employee I originally dealt with walked by and sniggered as we were leaving.

"Not a bad deal for a stick in a pot!" she called.

"You're right!" I said.

With careful feeding, my four new phalaenopsis will continue to bloom for a few more months and then hopefully again, over the winter. We'll have fresh flowers in the dead of January. Not a bad deal for $6.50.

Phalaenopsis Orchids, Platthill Nursery, Algonquin, IL

Today's Joy: Being A New Creation.

I shot the above photo earlier this week while shopping at a few local plant nurseries with Aunt & Aunt Chef. It's fresh new-ness seems indicative of how I feel today, Reader. You know I love Orchids for their incredible diversity, originality and the longevity of their quirky blossoms. All characteristics I admire. They are a fascinating part of Creation.

Well, I was driving home after another day at my new job and it hit me. I too am a new creation. It wasn't until I really gave my life over to God these last months that I let go of where I thought I should be in this life. Now, it doesn't matter if I meet everyone else's definition of success. I know He has a plan for me and it's certainly better than the flimsy failures I've been coming up with. I made a commitment to follow His lead and my life path began to change literally that day.

And now, here I am, feeling so amazingly grateful and peaceful, with a wonderful new job that challenges me everyday, a blossoming community of fellowship at a new church and with my personal relationships stronger than they've ever been. Unbelievable. Inviting God into my heart was a choice. I had exhausted all my earthly options. Nothing was filling that void of inadequacy I had inside. I needed something bigger than my flawed attempts to 'be someone'. When I finally realized that, I asked out loud for help. I asked out loud for proof that He was really there and that this love I was hearing so much about was real. Then I admitted my flaws and asked for forgiveness for the things I've done that have hurt others. I asked God to come into my heart and that immediately began to change my perspective. Once I wanted that connection with Him earnestly, all the the things I'd been chasing for so many years began to happen naturally.

I know that life is far from perfect. I know that there are many difficult challenges ahead. There will be pain and sorrow and things that don't make any sense to me at the time. I also now know that I don't have to be afraid of what might happen. Whatever lies ahead, God has more than enough strength to get me through. And I believe that whatever happens He will use for good. Tragedy does not defeat us. It can't undo the love we know and give. Fear and pain are not the boss of us. Big stuff, this inner-transformation.

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!!

Today's Joy: Being Back on Track.

Hello, dear Reader. Are you still speaking to me? I've been gone for almost 2 weeks. It's inexcusable and I apologize. I have missed writing to you! Unfortunately, I've been hip-deep in getting my fledgling photography business off the ground. Have had hardly a moment to myself and no time at all to write something quippy or thought-provoking. Trust me! I have thought of you with mounting guilt each day. But what, after all, are challenges if they don't involve falling on your face and getting back up?

I set myself this goal of chronicling daily joy and, though I haven't expressed it here recently, there's been much intense creative joy over the last 2 weeks.

This past weekend, I took the photo prints & eco-friendly notecards I've been making to the IL Orchid Society Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Here is a photo of my booth. While the weather and the demographic didn't necessarily work in my favor, I still had a wonderful time and learned a lot!

And I'm finally ready to unveil my little endeavor for your perusal: Fresh Lens Photography. Enjoy! Also, here are some of the breathtaking Orchids at the show:

Today's Joy: The Batavia Orchid Society Show. Reader, there is nothing more nourishing to a spring-starved soul than a trip to the orchid show. Stepping into the building was like entering a land of the lush & exotic. I couldn't get my camera out of the bag fast enough! Everywhere we looked, there were strange and beautiful flowers in every size and color. Oh, how we oggled!

While Aunt & Mom perused vendors and soaked up myriad tips on raising these rare beauties, I photographed the wide variety of orchids on display: Lady Slippers (Paphiopedilum), Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Miltonopsis, Oncidiums, Cymbidiums & the trusty Phalaenopsis. All in all, a great day! Here are a few of my favorite shots from the show. For more highlights, click here.

Lady's Slipper Orchid
Originally uploaded by talekinker

Today's Joy: Anticipation. I have waited all week for this, Reader. Tomorrow is the Batavia Orchid Society's Annual Orchid Show. Mom, Aunt, a few friends and I will descend upon the Dupage County Fairgrounds tomorrow to drink in all the glorious orchidness. Reader, I am an orchid junkie. Phalaenopsis, Lady Slippers--the more zany and colorful, the better!

There is a photography competition involved too. The winning shot will receive web publicity and earn a free subscription to Orchid Digest. Wish me luck! My fingers are already itching to hit the shutter on my trusty Olympus. Will have plenty of orchid joy to share with you tomorrow!

Photo: Paphiopedilum: Paph. Hsinying Majukun 'Dennis Choice' x Paph. lawrenceanum 'Tradition'