Fall is here, and so are the wonderful outdoor activities it brings with it–like hiking, camping and biking. But as the weather cools off and the days get shorter, getting out of bed is getting that much harder. The urge to snuggle up on the couch with a good book or movie is starting to get more appealing than going out on the town. Don’t fight the urge–get comfy! Read on for some inspiration.

Warm up with yummy Fall recipes

The summer days of frozen margaritas and ice cream are slowly but surely transitioning to hot cider and apple pie. If you’re a gardener, you may be harvesting your tomatoes and peppers now. Why not use some of the fruits of your labor–or of the grocery store–and try one of the comfort-food recipes below tonight?

1. Chili

There are as many variations of chili as there are tastes. The basic, core ingredients are pretty much standard though: tomatoes, peppers, onions, chili powder and beans. Of course, many of us choose to include meat–usually ground beef or turkey–but there are many flavorful meatless versions. You’ll find a quick and easy chili recipe here; for you more advanced chefs here is a recipe with more exotic ingredients, including chocolate! Do you have a chili recipe you swear by? Post it in the comments to share!

2. Chicken soup

With Fall marking the start of the cold and flu season, it’s always good to get your daily dose of vitamin C. But, if you do happen to fall sick then nothing is better that some homemade chicken soup–although it’s delicious even if you aren’t sick! Be sure to load yours with tons of nutritious vegetables!

3. Pot roast

This pot roast recipe is cooked in a slow-cooker, so it simmers all day and you come home to a delicious meal that sticks to your ribs! Serve with bread for a delicious and quick weeknight meal.

4. Apple pie

The ultimate in comfort-food deserts! Although there are a ton of more unique–and time consuming– versions out there, here is a tried-and-true old fashioned apple pie recipe. Serve it over ice cream for a real treat!

5. Hot chocolate

Sure–instant hot cocoa is always yummy and convenient, but nothing beats homemade hot chocolate! Pair with some classic sugar cookies–either from scratch or a mix–yum!

Curl Up on the Couch with a Good Book

Snuggling up on the couch with a good book is always comforting. Although it’s always nice to enjoy a good movie, we sometimes forget about books. Learn something new, read an interesting biography, a suspenseful mystery or a page-turning novel. Get some inspiration from the New York Times Bestseller List or Amazon. And don’t forget about your local library! It’s a wonderful–and free!–source for books, music and movies.

Learn to Knit or Crochet

Did you know that knitting is cool now? Well, it is! Knitting books with cool patterns and easy-to-follow instructions and knitting ‘parties’ have sparked a resurgence in this pastime. Try it–it’s fun! I won’t lie; it’s not as easy as it looks. But the payoff is great! And it’s very calming to sit on the couch and knit up a cozy creation. Start with a basic scarf–take it from me and my beginning disasters!

Fun & Games

Take out that dusty old Scrabble and Monopoly and enjoy a fun night with friends or family.

Movie Marathon

On a rainy–or just lazy–day, there’s nothing better than watching movies on the couch. So, put your chores off for once (the dishes will just get dirty again and the leaves will just keep falling!), clear your day, grab someone you’d like to snuggle up with, and have a movie marathon! Don’t forget the popcorn.

We hope we’ve inspired you to slow down, relax and get comfy!

White Phalaenopsis Orchid

So, you’ve been the lucky recipient of an orchid plant–congratulations!

Once the gorgeous blooms start dying off, perhaps that feeling of joy has turned to one of panic. Questions pop into your head…along with the premonition that you surely cannot keep this thing alive.

What now? When the flowers die is the plant dead? Do I put it outside or inside? How often do I water it? Should I just throw it away since the flowers fell off?

Stop panicking…believe it or not, orchids aren’t as high maintenance as their reputation makes them out to be! That said, they definitely aren’t as low maintenance as that cactus on your desk! But, just follow a few general tips and you can enjoy your orchid plant for months, maybe years, to come. There’s a reason why ‘orchid people’ are an infatuated bunch of folks–they can’t resist the unique beauty of the breathtaking plants!

Read on for basic info–applicable to most orchid species–along with great orchid resources for detailed info.

Take it From the Top

Congrats–someone must really care for you to send you such a gorgeous plant! So, take good care of it!

-When you receive your new orchid, feel the ’soil’ (orchids use a different potting mix than other plants and do not survive in plain old dirt/soil) to see if it is very dry. If it is, water it–lightly!–over a sink.

-Orchids need light! Don’t stick it in a dark corner, but don’t put it in direct light either. Filtered, indirect sunlight–like on a nice window sill–is best.

-Enjoy the show! Appreciate the flowers while your plant is still in bloom. Different species keep their blooms for different amounts of time. If your plant is blooming for quite some time, make sure to water it–lightly!–once every 7 days and to make sure it is getting enough light.

-Figure out what kind of orchid you’re dealing with. There are many different species, which require different care. Some of the most popular are Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Oncidium. Posted below are three popular species; see the resources section at the very bottom of this post for a more detailed list in order to identify what kind of orchid you’ve got and how to care for it.

Dendrobium:

Oncidium:

Oncidium Orchid

Phalaenopsis:

Lavender Phalaenopsis Orchid

What Now?!?

So you’ve enjoyed your orchid in all its blooming splendor…now what? Well, it’s time to repot!

-Your orchid most likely came in a small, decorative flowerpot with minimal drainage. You must repot it so it has a bigger home to flourish in.

-Clay pots, shallow but wide are the best. If you cannot find a special orchid pot with holes for good drainage online or at a local nursery, then head to the Home Depot and grab a shallow terracotta ‘azalea pot’.

-Orchids cannot survive in potting soil. They require a special mix. This is a great one; if you cannot find orchid mix at your local nursery/home improvement store, then look for fir bark at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

-Fill the pot about 1/3 of the way with the orchid mix.

-Carefully remove your orchid from the decorative pot it arrived in–taking care not to damage the plant or roots. You may have to use a screwdriver or knife–just be sure to clean it with alcohol first–to gently pry it out.

-Fill the rest of the pot with orchid mix.

-Water lightly and place it back in its favorite spot with plenty of light. Don’t water for another 6 days or so.

-Keep an eye on it and make sure not to over-water it! Water your plants over a sink and never let it sit in water. Always water in the morning!

-Fertilize with orchid fertilizer once a month. Make sure the fertilizer you buy is specially made for orchids.

Bad Signs

Once you’ve repotted your orchid, you need to keep an eye on it to look for signs of sickness or distress.

-Your orchid leaves should be a medium green color. Very dark green leaves mean your orchid may not be receiving enough light; lighter green leaves means it is getting too much light. Adjust accordingly!

-If your orchid starts to get blotchy or damaged looking leaves, hold off on watering. It may be getting “root rot” from over-watering it. If the leaves and new growth turn black, then it is definitely getting root rot.

-If you see signs of distress, then seek help! Check out the orchid resources listed below for more in-depth help.

Orchid Help: Care, Identification and Shopping

Orchid Care Tips: Beautiful Orchids

Orchid Identification: My Orchid Care

Orchid Care for Specific Species: Aloha Orchids

Send Orchids: FromYouFlowers.com

Buying Unique Orchids for Yourself: Aloha Orchids & Angel Street Orchids

Happy Growing!

Summer love is in the air! That means it’s time to get outside and enjoy these summer days and nights, and what better way to enjoy the season then with your summertime love? Read on for some great date ideas for your summer love!

1. Picnic at the Beach

What’s more romantic than a sunset picnic with your sweetheart? If you live near a beach or lake head on down with a picnic basket or cooler, a blanket or chairs and a bottle of wine. Enjoy some food and drinks, great conversation, and a beautiful sunset…and maybe even some fireworks!

Food ideas: Apples and cheese, sandwiches, chips and hummus, sliced watermelon
Drink ideas: Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, lemonade, iced tea

Don’t forget the wine opener!

2. Bike Ride for Ice Cream

Enjoy some fresh air by riding your bicycles to the nearest ice cream stand or restaurant for some sweet treats. Added bonus: Work off the calories on the ride back!

ice cream!

3. Movies Under the Stars

If you’ve never been to a drive-in movie theater, then you’re really missing out. A romantic–and affordable!–setting, drive-in movies have been institution in this country for decades. Unfortunately, there are not as many drive-ins as there were back in the 50s and 60s, but if you’re lucky enough to live close by, you’d better hightail it over there this weekend! They offer great fun for all your friends when heading as a group there, hanging out before the show and sitting all together for the feature–however, the real goodness and romantic nostalgia of the drive-in shines through when you take your sweetheart. At most drive-ins you are allowed to bring in your own food and drinks, so if that’s the case, either pack some snacks and drinks or stop off at a restaurant for some good food to go. Bring comfy chairs to enjoy the show in. Holding hands+watching a movie on a big screen under the stars=a beautiful evening.

Don’t live close by to a drive-in? Do some research–many areas offer free movies at local parks in the summertime. If you cannot find any outdoor movies in your area, it’s time to improvise! Grab your laptop with a movie to watch, a blanket, a bottle of wine and your sweetheart and head to a park, the beach, or any favorite outdoor spot.

Drive In Movies

4. Bring Out Your Inner Kid at an Amusement Park

Just because you loved riding roller coasters and eating kettle corn at the amusement park when you were a kid doesn’t mean you’ve grown out of it! Drive to the closest amusement park or keep an eye out for any fairs to head to with your honey. You’re sure to have a day of fun in the sun, no matter how old you are!

Roller Coaster

5. Romantic Dinner Al Fresco

romantic dinner

Why spend all your money on a romantic dinner at a crowded restaurant when you can enjoy the romantic privacy of your own backyard, patio (or if you’re really lucky) right on the beach? Whip up a delicious and easy dinner like this Seafood Spagetti, grab a nice bottle of wine, and get ready for some romance!

For an extra special touch, make a romantic playlist of your favorite songs and set the table with candles and beautiful flowers, like these mixed roses:

Colorful Jubilee

Runner Ups:

1. Outdoor concerts & festivals
2. Botanical gardens
3. Miniature golf
4. Moonlight swim

Get creative with your dates by making the most of the summertime weather and fun–you don’t need a ton of money to share romantic moments with your summer love!

Stay tuned to the In Bloom blog this summer for more Summer Lovin’ romantic ideas.

It’s a magical time of year–fireworks, BBQs, pool parties and fun on the beach. It’s a time for getting together with your friends and family to laugh, eat and celebrate our independence. Read on for some great ideas for entertaining your 4th of July guests.

Crank up the Grill

Two words come to mind for 4th of July: Fireworks and BBQ, and not necessarily in that order! In addition to the summer staples–hamburgers and hot dogs–why not try something new this year? Try this Ultimate Barbecued Chicken and be sure to impress. Molasses and brown sugar set this recipe apart from the rest. For a delicious and unique main dish give this Sweet Cola Ribs Recipe a try. For a quick, easy and nutritious side dish, just slice up some eggplant and zucchini, coat in olive oil, season with salt and pepper and throw it on the grill. Yum!

Entertaining

What’s a 4th of July get-together without all your favorite family and friends? If you’re entertaining this year, try out these creative party ideas. Instead of just serving boring beer to your adult guests give these Fun 4th of July Cocktails a try. And don’t forget the music–make a patriotic themed playlist with songs like ‘Born in the USA’ and ‘Bye Bye American Pie’.

Setting the Scene

Why not have fun with your 4th of July party this year? String up some red, white or blue holiday lights in your backyard for a festive touch. Miniature American flags scattered along backyard paths is a nice touch. For centerpieces, pick a beautiful and festive flower arrangement to set the mood. Surround with boxes of sparklers for an extra fun touch!

American Spirit Flower Bouquet

Happy 4th of July!

Popsicles, yum!

Summertime’s here–hooray! That means BBQs, swimming pools, sand castles and sweet treats to cool you down! Did you know you can save money at the grocery store–or the ice cream truck–by making your own popsicles? Not only are they cheap treats, but they’re fun to make with the whole family.

Perform a quick internet search for ‘popsicle molds’ and you’ll find a slew of options. Choose from the tried and true Rocket Shape form as well as more modern options. Once you have your popsicle molds, you’re ready to start making your sweet treats! You can use fresh or concentrated juice, fresh fruit or yogurt. I usually stick with the old-school lemonade or OJ version, but you can whip up all kinds of creative combos: peaches and cream, triple berry, strawberry banana….you get the picture!

Check out this site for more details and recipes to make your own sweet treats!

Or, if you’re too busy to make your own popsicles, try this quick tip for your next get-together:

Simply throw fruit chunks and/or fresh mint leaves along with a splash of water into regular (or fun-shaped) ice cube trays. The elegant and tasty ice cubes will surely ‘fancy up’ a regular old glass of sparkling water!

Sunday June 21st is right around the corner—do you have anything special planned yet for Dad? We’ve searched the web for some delicious recipe ideas and unique gift ideas guaranteed to ensure a wonderful Father’s Day!

RECIPES:

Dad’s Special Breakfast

Surprise Dad with a delicious breakfast in bed. Grilled Steak and Eggs is a hearty meal that satisfies and is sure to start his day off with a smile. If Dad has a morning sweet tooth then whip up this easy Fluffy French Toast recipe.

Picnic in the Park

Grab Dad for a sunshine-filled picnic in the park and be sure to give him a Father’s Day to remember. Pick up some pre-made sandwiches and salads from the grocery store; for a special touch bake up some sweet treats ahead of time to bring along like these Peanut Blossom Cookies.

Backyard BBQ

Give Dad a break from the usual BBQ duties. Try out this quick and easy Beer Can Grilled Chicken recipe and you can bet you’ll get two thumbs up.

GIFTS:

Fired up

Bring back warm memories with this adorable Fire Engine Basket. Complete with bell, ladders and wheels that roll, this is one fire truck that’s sure to deliver four-alarm smiles.

Gone Fishing

If your dad would always rather be fishing then check out these cool fishing-themed gift ideas. Perfect for the outdoorsman they will give him a reason to get out there and catch the big fish.

Going Green

Bring a little of the outdoors in with this Garden in a Glass. It’s perfect for his home or office desk. A unique gift for a unique father.

Made with Love

Grab the kids and make Dad something with love. This cool tool caddy craft is made from an old coffee can. Or make a set of cute family magnets to always remind Dad of those closest to him.

Home Run

Does your Dad love baseball? Send a cool Home Run Basket he’s sure to love. Include some tickets to a weekend baseball game for a real treat!

Happy Father’s Day!

Father's Day Bouquet