Strawberry syrup

4 C. granulated sugar
5 C. mashed fruit
6 oz pkg. jello  (2 boxes)
1/2 C. water

Cook sugar,water and fruit in a heavy saucepan for 15 minutes, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add both packages of dry jello. Stir until dissolved. Pour into containers, filling 1/2 to 1-inch down from top. Makes about 5 pints. After opening, store in refrigerator.

This is strawberry jelly syrup is made with tropical fruit and black cherry jello. YUM!

Pierogies

Dough
3 C. flour plus additional for kneading
1 C. water
1 large egg
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 tsp. salt

Put flour in a large shallow bowl and make a well in center. Add water, egg, oil, and salt to well and carefully beat together with a fork without incorporating flour. Continue stirring with a wooden spoon, gradually incorporating flour, until a soft dough forms. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead, dusting with flour as needed to keep dough from sticking, until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes (dough will be very soft). Invert a bowl over dough and let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Roll dough 1/8" thick, and cut into circles. Fill with your favorite filling, fold over, and crimp shut. Boil in salted water (4 minutes) until they float. Freeze for later, or fry up for dinner. I made mine half with classic cottage cheese filling, half with mashed potato and shredded cheddar.

New moss job

Vanda

Vandas are in the Vandae tribe and Sarcanthinae subtribe of orchids. They are native to the east Asian tropics, ranging from Sri Lanka to China to the Phillipines to Australia. In all, there are about 40 species of Vandas, but that doesn't even come close to recognizing the number of hybrids, of which there are thousands. Vandas are monopodial orchids, meaning they grow from a single stem, with roots emerging from the bottom of the stem. Vandas' leaves are alternating, climbing the stem in a ladder-like progression. Older Vandas frequently branch, and if left undivided, the plants can grow into very large specimens. Vandas flower from spikes that emerge from the central stem and poke out between the leaves. Vandas are known for very large, robust roots that are difficult to contain in any sort of pot or container. Vandas require bright light, but generally do not thrive in full sunlight. Vandas are occasionally grown in plastic pots with sphagnum moss and orchid media, but this is a far-from-ideal situation. Instead, most growers prefer to grow Vandas in slotted baskets, where their roots are free to dangle toward the ground.

Mystic blue

Since their introduction in early 2011, electric-blue phalaenopsis orchids have stopped in their tracks even those who would normally walk right past their super market’s or gardening center’s orchid display. Pros and cons have been enflaming retail customers, orchid experts and the flower industry ever since. Phalaenopsis, or simply ‘phal’, are the most widely available potted orchids, and hybridization has made their care easy and straightforward, even for beginners. During the growth process, the stalk of a white phalaenopsis orchid is injected with a blue dye solution. The intervention is performed in an environment that keeps the infection risk for the plant at a minimum. The blue color is absorbed by the orchid and creates a blue flower.

Baby Keiki

March 2012 my big orchid had keikis, or baby orchids.  I planted the keikis in an orchid potting mix.  They seem to finally be doing something.  They have leaves and roots, and are almost big enough to be planted separately.  I am going to leave them for now. I was surprised at my lack of photo progress, but this was pre-Iphone.


March 2012

September 2014

Totoro Dress

Free pattern for pillowcase style dress.

Dendrobium Capituliflorum Update

This is what happens when you leave your plants in the care of others that aren't as dedicated to their health and well-being. :(

New Canes

Copper

Blooming this summer took a tremendous amount of energy, but my copper scarab is recovering, and growing a new bulb for next summer. GOOD NEWS!