That just means the plant is done flowering. Go ahead and cut the flower stem down as far as you can. Give it fair light (next to a window....it can't be in the middle of a room), or even stick it outside in a protected area--covered porch, i.e.--where it can get morning sun til noon, or evening sun from 3-sunset. For it to rebloom for you, it must get a nighttime drop in temperature of about 15F, which is not a problem outside, especially during the fall. Good luck with your new 'chid! Chris

don't forget that the orchid show @NYBG opens today! dawn

I have also heard that nursing mothers should limit garlic,onions, and anything spicy. Not for her sake,but for the baby. Maybe you could ask them if there is anything in particular they would like,since they are somewhat conservative eaters. If you don't want to do that, I concur with the roast chicken idea. Chicken,mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and green beans. Mmmmmmmmm. When one of my sister's had her first baby, she flew me in for the express purpose of filling her freezer with meals. I cooked lots of stuff, but the favorite was pot roast cooked in the slow cooker with carrots and potatoes.(I admit, i put some onions in there too, but they cooked all day, and sis said no tummy troubles for baby afterward) Maybe soup? It may be a little warm out for soup, but I have never had anyone kick me out of the house for bringing my potato soup over. It's also freezes well,which is important. Whatever you make,make lots so they can freeze for later dates when people stop cooking for them. ;) Sorry I suck at recipes, since I never measure,but here goes: Cut up bacon and cook until crispy.(maybe half a pound?) Remove from pot to drain. Pour out all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat. In.bacon fat, cook some peeled and cut up russet potatoes(2 to 3 pounds) with some onion (just a little) for about 10 minutes. Add chicken stock to cover potatoes, bring to a boil and cook until taters are done. At this point, I take a whisk and kind of break up the potatoes a little, but I don't mash them. I guess if you wanted it smoother,you could use a stick blender. Add some milk or cream,about 3 cups or so. Then oodles of cheddar. (Yes "oodles" is an official measurement in my kitchen.) To thicken it, I make a small amount of Mac and cheese sauce. (2 TBS. BUTTER,2 TBS FLOUR, 1 1/4 CUP MILK OR CREAM, HANDFUL OF CHEESE) and whisk it in slowly. Then I add the bacon back in. Salt and Pepper to taste. It's a basic recipe,but much loved. A pot of this with some really good rolls might work. If you wanted to avoid the onion, chives might work instead,added at the end.

Also, consider some basics, like sliced roast beef, turkey or chicken, vacuum sealed ready for the freezer, which can easily be sandwiches or cut into pasta or whatever. Also homey foods like meatloaf, chicken pot pie and pot roast freeze well. Something with a lot of good vegetables, like minestrone soup minus the pasta (even in Summer). Depending on what they like to eat, perhaps portioned freezer to microwave bowls of long cooked oatmeal. Or waffles or breakfast sandwiches. I've heard a lot about "meal in a jar" items too. There's a bunch of stuff on the 'net, and Grainlady has written about them. But that's American food. Perhaps they'd prefer a Thai soup? A pho kit? Stuffed grape leaves? Pupusas?