Miracle Ice Cubes and the Art of Nurturing

In the spring of 2023, coworkers gave me an orchid in sympathy after the death of a family member. Not really having a green thumb, I questioned my ability to keep it alive. But after carefully reading the directions, I felt confident I could manage. After all, three to five ice cubes once a week—what could be difficult about that?

I found the perfect spot for it: the kitchen windowsill, where it would get plenty of sunshine. I even marked the calendar to track its weekly ration of ice (Wednesdays, in case you're wondering). Just like that, I was officially a flowering plant parent.

What I hadn’t anticipated was how hot it would get through the summer months. When the leaves started drooping, I panicked. I tried extra ice. I withheld a cube. Nothing seemed to perk it up.

As a last-ditch effort, I moved it from the window to the cooler countertop below. Thankfully, it perked right up.

So now, from late June to early September, the orchid lives on the countertop—much to Matt’s consternation. He prefers clear countertops, but the orchid has seniority now.

Over time, that little plant became something more. A symbol of resilience and hope.

When Matt and I took a two-week cruise, I hired an orchid sitter. Matt tried to convince me it would survive a week without ice, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I wanted its life protected.

Fast forward to spring 2025, and a friend gave me another orchid. Fantastic! Now I had one for each side of the kitchen sink. I don’t know for sure, but I’m positive the kitchen has perfect feng shui now.

Miracle Ice Cubes

The orchids flourished for a while—but then their colors began to fade. They just didn’t look as vibrant. I figured they needed a little boost: some Miracle-Gro.

But how could I give them nutrients without disrupting the sacred ice cube routine?

The solution? I emptied an ice tray, mixed Miracle-Gro with water, filled the tray, and froze it. Voilà—Miracle ice cubes. My orchids would stay on schedule and get their nutrients.

Necessity really is the mother of invention.

Art and Orchids: A Shared Language

What surprises me is how invested I’ve become in keeping these orchids alive. They’re more than just houseplants now. They represent care, commitment, and the quiet act of nurturing something through change and challenge.

It’s not unlike my relationship with art.

Painting, like growing orchids, requires patience. Some days the colors flow effortlessly. Other days, I stare at a blank canvas, unsure of where to begin. But I’ve come to see that both painting and plant care are about showing up. Tending. Adjusting. And allowing growth to unfold in its own time.

The Art of Nurturing

These orchids have reminded me to care not just for them—but for myself. Life, much like gardening or creating art, needs attention, love, and flexibility.

Whether it’s a small shift in environment or a fresh layer of paint on an old canvas, every thoughtful act counts. Every adjustment adds depth and dimension—whether to a plant, a painting, or a person.

Here’s to Growth

So, here’s to the journey.

To the quiet acts of care that add up. To the Miracle ice cubes. To the brushstrokes that don’t make sense—until they do. To letting ourselves bloom, even when the environment needs a little rearranging.

Let’s celebrate the beauty of nurturing—in orchids, in art, and in all the small ways we grow.

💬 What’s one quiet thing you’ve nurtured lately—something others might not even notice?I’d love to hear your story. Share it in the comments below!

Thanks for reading The 3rd FlamingoA blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who’s ever made a beautiful mess.

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