'Dark Lady'

Today is a cold day, our heater is on to keep the house warm, but to be busy is the best way for us more so stay in a comfortable room.  People do garden; however, I suppose the fresh air does them good.  Visited my orchid plants and one of them is the Radiant Ruby that I have been growing from the back bulk.  And this is the story.
Cymbidium Orchids

The colour of the
Cymbidium Radiant
Ruby 'Dark Lady'

Nearly three years ago, I tried to grow a cymbidium orchid out of the back bulb.  It worked very well, the new growth appeared after a few months. The flower is a deep red colour, and the name of the orchids is Radiant Ruby 'Dark Lady'   In September 2017 the growth of the new shoot was significant and healthy.  I thought it will have the first flower within two years, but I was wrong.  Now is 2019 but there is no sign of a spike at all.
This post is updating my older post regarding growing Radiant Ruby the Dark Lady - Cymbidium orchid of early 2017.

The Growing of Cymbidium Orchid out of a Backbulb.

Keeping moist and place the pot in a warm place
(water regularly)

The planting had been done, what I had to do was looking after it diligently.  Make sure it got enough water to stay moist and so on.

I watched it, and now and then I checked that the bulb won't get rot because of overwatering.
I did look after it very well, and I did what I suppose to do.

November was the last time I checked, inside the pot was moist, and the bulb was looking good. December was a hectic month, and I know that the container is there and the bulb was looking healthy. I was too occupied with other chores and activities.  But in January, I found a little leaf emerging from the bulb, OH My Gosh, it's here.  Come to think of it, maybe the new shoot has been there for a while.
I am so so proud and pleased, as a novice, I managed to succeed to grow an orchid from the back bulb. 

The Back Bulb Has a New Shoot

Deep Red Colour
Radiant Ruby

Now I have one addition to my orchids family; indeed, it is the new baby.  I must, and I shall take care of it with care and love.  The new baby orchid will grow very well under my attention, and it will grow to be an excellent mature plant, and in three years, I repeat it again, in three years it will be flowering.  I am very positive that I will be there to take the flowering orchid inside the house for my family to enjoy.

The Black Lady-Radiant Ruby

April 2019, the look of the orchid plant - the Radian Ruby-'Dark Lady is pretty good, the leaf looks green, clean, healthy.


It is a significant achievement for me to be able to grow the orchid from the back bulb; actually, I did another one in the following year, and it's white cymbidium.  The plant is growing well but expected not to flower just yet. 

I noticed the difference in terms of the growth, the white orchid looks more prominent, more mature and has plenty of leaves because it has been growing outside since started.

At the moment, both of the plants are sitting in the house to protect from the wind and the cold.

If I am lucky enough the Radian Ruby Cymbidium which was grown from the back bulb will have the first flower in the coming year. I will update it for you.


This part of the world is cold and wet. The choice for me is staying inside the house and relaxed. Thinking of my grandkids who are playing sports today, I wish you all the very best everyone, whatever you do and enjoy the weekend.




More Posting Soon
Susy

CROWNS FOR THE CROWD

Everyone could get the crown if she or he wants too.  It's prepared and dedicated to all people. Some can take the sweet, can take the bread or the gluten, and some could not. The crown and its deliciousness are not for everyone, after all.  The crown for today is the brioche crown.

Here it is the making of the Crown, Brioche Crown to Celebrate Easter.

Using the Basic Brioche Dough

To Decorate

Melted Dark Chocolate and Sugar Sprinkle Aniseed

We do not need sweet to have a crown, the crown is always in you, in us, we are not a king or a queen, but we do indeed have the crown, as we are all special people.  Love yourself more, we are important as the next person. It's Totally True, but the choice is in you.

Remember that the Crown is always on Us.  We Glow, stand tall and walk straight, wear the crown with pride and joy.  Yes, indeed, I like playing with words here!

To Dress The Easter Crown 

Sliced and buttered the brioche and put the mini Easter Eggs on top.  

The Beautiful Crown is Dressed add the Lemon Verbena for the Fragrance and Freshness.

The Easter Brioche Crown is ready to serve.  It's deliciously sweet.  Occasionally we are allowed to have the treat.  Think again, Easter comes only once a year.

Happy Easter Everyone. 

Today is Easter Monday, and the celebration of Easter continues.  One,  by holiday, by resting, by meeting people and spending time to build friendship and fitness.

A lovely morning we had and was glad to see everyone in good spirits at our sports club.  Spending time to play sports is essential for our health.  Fitness and confidence go hands in hands. 

Tomorrow is a new day, we all get a little anxious to face the unknown, but I will be alright and remember I have the crown, I shall hold on to it to be good and well. 

Broche Crown was Baked to Celebrate Easter Monday.

Susy

EASTER SUNDAY

A pleasant Sunday morning, everyone has been taking care of, and now we both could sit down and enjoy the Easter Sunday.  Started with breaking the Easter eggs, savouring the Easter Crown and finished off with the Easter chocolate eggs and the favourite fresh fruits-raspberry.

The Easter Sunday Celebration

 Sunday Morning

Easter Crown and the Breaking of the Eggs

I mentioned that everyone has been taking care of; indeed they have, our immediate member of the family that 's our garden-all the plants had their bath, the tree had trimmed, dressed beautifully.

Our children did not come home this year, they are having the Easter Celebrations at their home.  We caught up with Melanie yesterday by phone. We saw Susan and family before Easter. Face-Time with Jane just now, Elanora and Milo were happy and showing off their Easter chocolate eggs. All are well and good. 

Easter Lunch

Good Easy Cooking 

As you like it, the item when it's cooked is rested on a platter, by the time all have finished in cooking, the food was warm enough not hot, but it's alright.  Cooking without pressure is a gem, so precious and pleases me.  I do it often, just the two of us.

Fillets of Beef with the Dressing and the Garnishes.

Tarragon and Tomato Dressing
a Perfect Mach for the Beef.

Panfried Fillets of Beef with Percoutto and Garnishes.

Beef fillets at it's best. Garnished with sauteed potato and fresh tomato and basil, for the feast.  As simple as that.  The tarragon and tomato dressing was delightfully light to go with the Beef.

 As you like it, a medium rare steak and well-done steak.

As we wanted. The Sweet was mini scones and Chantilly cream, dressed in fresh Raspberry.  Light and Luscious, to end up the Easter Sunday Lunch.

Sweet Scone with cream Chantilly
Rayner whipped the cream in perfection

Hot Tea to Finish off a Good Lunch.

It's Supper Sunday - Easter Lunch was Lovely.

Thinking of family and friends, hope you all had a Good and Glorious Easter Sunday.

A Pleasant Sunday Evening, I wish for you All.

Susy

HAPPY EASTER

Have a Beautiful Day Today.  Happy Easter To You All. 

We have been enjoying our morning, we hope you too.  Once again, Happy Easter from Us.

Susy and Family.

BRIOCHE CROWN AND BOILED EASTER EGG

The preparation of The Easter Crown could be done as early a week before Easter.  Get all ingredients ready, pick a day to do it.  I use brioche dough, that's mean it takes two days to proof.  The first proofing is at the room temperature, followed by keeping it in the refrigerator for overnight.
In the following morning are the shaping and baking.  Cool the brioche than place it in an airtight container to the deep freeze.  The day before Easter Sunday, you will dress the Easter Crown, and enjoy it on the Easter Sunday.

This is my preparation for the baking of the brioche for the Easter Crown.  Recipe, look at the basic brioche on an older post. I made two pieces of brioches with two fillings one is savoury, and the other one is sweet.

 Easter Boiled Egg with Pretty Pattern of fresh leaves.

Cut an old stocking to eight pieces.  Place any pretty fresh leaf on each egg, put it in a small part of the old stocking to wrap and knotted to secure.

 Boil them in water with turmeric and fresh herbs or fresh pepper leaf and boil them over low heat until cooked.

After the eggs are cooked, let them rest in the liquid until more lukewarm.

Fish them out one by one, put them on a paper towel, wait until cold, then peel the wrapper.

Decorate the Easter Crown as you wish, I am sure you all are very artistic and have a good taste.  I would put the Easter Boiled Eggs on the Crown.

It could be a little late to share this idea right now, as tomorrow is Easter Sunday.  Keep it in mind, if you like this brioche for your Easter Crown you would be able to do it for next year.



Enjoy the Easter Saturday.
Susy

EASTER EGG

What is the story behind Easter Egg and Easter Bunny?  I am inquisitive about, I believe this is based on pagan that is nothing to do with Easter Celebration within the churches.

I learnt from my reading, and this is what I found. The history of the Easter egg and Easter Bunny based on Author History. Com.Editors

You may know already.  Have a good read anyway!

The History of the Easter Egg and Easter Bunny.

You won’t find them in the Bible, but many cherished Easter traditions have been around for centuries. The most prominent secular symbol of the Christian holiday, the Easter bunny reportedly was introduced to America by the German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. The decoration of eggs is believed to date back to at least the 13th century, while the rite of the Easter parade has even older roots. Other traditions, such as the consumption of Easter candy, are among the modern additions to the celebration of this early springtime holiday.

Easter Bunny

The Bible makes no mention of a long-eared, short-tailed creature who delivers decorated eggs to well-behaved children on Easter Sunday; nevertheless, the Easter bunny has become a prominent symbol of Christianity’s most important holiday. The exact origins of this mythical mammal are unclear, but rabbits, known to be prolific procreators, are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life. According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its coloured eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.

Easter Eggs

Easter is a religious holiday, but some of its customs, such as Easter eggs, are likely linked to pagan traditions. The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.

Easter egg hunts and egg rolling are two popular egg-related traditions. In the U.S., the White House Easter Egg Roll, a race in which children push decorated, hard-boiled eggs across the White House lawn, is an annual event held the Monday after Easter. The first official White House egg roll occurred in 1878 when Rutherford B. Hayes was president. The event has no religious significance, although some people have considered egg rolling symbolic of the stone blocking Jesus’ tomb being rolled away, leading to his resurrection. Citation Information  Easter Symbols and Traditions  Author  History.com Editors

Easter in the Catholic Church

Easter is not only the most significant Christian feast; Easter Sunday symbolises the fulfilment of our faith as Christians. Through His Death, Christ destroyed our bondage to sin; through His Resurrection, He brought us the promise of new life, both in Heaven and on earth. His own prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven," begins to be fulfilled on Easter Sunday.
This is what I was brought up, and this is what I believe.  No Easter Eggs and No Easter Bunny.

Easter should be a time to reflect upon and celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

At Our Home

The feasting of Easter.  We love our fresh boiled Easter eggs, chocolate egg too.  As the blessing of Easter, the boiled egg has a significant taste.
I do love to prepare cooked eggs for Easter celebration.  The egg is the symbol of a new life a new beginning.  Often I cook the egg with a pattern made out of herbs.  Place them on a nest or together with the Easter Crown.
Easter Bunny made out of chocolate is symbolised of sweet beginning as Rabit always multiply during springtime, the beginning of the season. So, often Easter Bunny can be found at our home for Easter Celebration.
These are pictures from the past of the Easter Celebrations.

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The Spirits of Easter.
Homebaked hot cross buns are delicious, and I do the baking of those but not every year.  Chocolate Easter eggs and Easter Bunny are purchased from the shop.  These sweets have become so commercialised, and we merely to go along with it.  The focus here is the celebrations, it is sweetened up.  Yesterday evening our good neighbour stopped over and wishing us a Very Happy Easter with the Hot Cross Buns on her hands, wrapped beautifully included with the Easter Message.  She was apologetic that the buns she did not bake, she got them from the Glengarry Bakery shop.  Very Sweet!

The Feast for Easter
Brioche Buns, Brioche Crown, Boiled Eggs, Chocolate Eggs and Chocolate Bunny.  This Easter, no family to come home but everyone is happy and having the Easter Celebration with the family at their own place.  Now leave me with plenty of time to catch up with people and friend by sharing my home baking the brioche buns.

Home Baking-Brioches 

Bunny Sitting on Brioche with Easter Eggs.  So Cute

Good Friday we have the hot cross buns and Easter Sunday breakfast we have the Easter Brioche Crown and the Eggs.  It has been practised for a long time. Indeed the Easter Celebration is fun.  Easter egg hunt of course, when the grandkids with us. The main meal is at lunchtime, we would have hot dishes, and the cooking is varied from the traditional Javanese, Australian roast lamb to other dishes.

Fancy Food for Easter Offering 
It was delightful and appreciated.

Another food to share before Easter was Javanese food and Mini Cakes.  It worked so well as you had the time.  You could see the little chocolate Easter Eggs were from the shop.


Thinking of you, dear family and friends this Easter.

I wish you all well, have a delighted celebration.  Happy Easter, Happy Feasting, and Enjoy your Easter Eggs.

Thinking and Thanking You All
Susy