Growing and Avocado Plant

We've taken up the trend of growing avocado trees from seed. We have been saving our avocado seeds throughout the year and trying our best to get them to root. We've has a bit of success and therefore we've planted them in small pots and then combined them into a large pot all together. They've struggled a bit, but they are growing. We haven't read about how long it takes for them to grow larger, but for now we are happy with what we've created. The plants currently share a pot with some ginger found in the back of our refrigerator a few months ago. Waiting to see what happens with that, as well.

There's different way to get them to root, but I've always found that the toothpick balanced on the top of a glass has worked best for us.

I like to wait until there's a good group of roots showing and a small sprout coming from the seed before transferring them to soil.

These are the plants that the seeds above created. This is about a year's worth of growing. There is ginger in the pot with these, but overall there's definite success with the seeds. It's kind of satisfying to know that you can eat the avocados and with a little patience allow it to continue on with life. Everything in this world has a purpose, and I feel that sometimes giving other living things a chance to continue on living, is a great way to appreciate life on a different scale.

Easy Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are one of the first things I learned to bake once I was out on my own. But having to ice them and decorate them, is mostly something for holidays and special occasions, unless you have the time and patience. Just having a simple sugar cookie on any day of the year, or even just a quick cookie to take somewhere, or to eat on throughout the week, is something a lot of us enjoy. Sugar cookies, just baked and left by themselves, is such a simple cookie to mix together. The key to these easy sugar cookies is to roll them in sugar before baking, without the hassle of cookie cutters, or icing. Here is my version of "Easy Sugar Cookies" that you can make any time of the year. And the best part, they're soft.

Here's how to make these easy, soft sugar cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking power
• 3/4 tsp. sea salt
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk

Mix dry ingredients together and set aside. Using a stand mixer, mix wet ingredients together starting with the butter. Combine butter and sugar, and add the eggs. Combine dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix well. Form into balls, about two tablespoons for each ball. Roll in granulated sugar, or colored sprinkles, flatten just slightly and lay on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for about 30-45 minutes, or freeze at this point to bake later.

Bake for 12-16 minutes at 350 degrees.

I would add to allow them to cool before eating, but nothing is better than a warm sugar cookie straight from the oven, so enjoy!

Five Simple Things (September 27)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tree.

We have had success from growing trees from seed in the past, so we are hoping this Bonsai Kit gives us the same success.

2. This doggy.

Always around us, always wanting to be close, always the very best friend. He is getting older, but he is doing great for a doggie that turns 18 this year. Lots of love and unconditional support keeps any living thing thriving. A lot of humans could learn from that.

3. These goofballs.

Welcome, Great Pumpkin.

4. This soup.

I made this potato soup this week and it was a definite hit. We ate on it for about three days and it was so warm and comforting, and I am all about comfort foods this time of year.

5. These bananas.

It's time to make banana muffins, too.

One last thing:

This particular pumpkin is no longer available, but here are similar ones.

The pumpkin on Skylar's head is a giant plastic pumpkin. Although we stray away from plastic, mostly single-use plastic, this giant pumpkin we have had for several years now. We use it every year for our main candy and a blue one for alternative, allergy-free candy. There are other options on the market that are great for Halloween season, and here are a few that I have found.

1.2.  3. 

 1. Vintage Pumpkin Face Bucket (papier-mâché)

2. Paper Mache Orange Jack-O'-Lantern Treat Buckets

3. Paper Mâché Pumpkin Halloween Bucket

Positive affirmations this week:

• Eat plants.
• Study hard.
• Spend smart.
• Work out.
• Don't compare.
• Be happy.

Have a nice weekend.

Welcome Day (Linn Benton Community College)

 I attended welcome day this week with Skylar at Linn Benton Community College. It was raining off and on throughout the day, but we had a great time. He got to meet a lot of his peer counselors, the dean of the school, and assistant dean, a few of the heads of departments, and he learned who his advisor would be for the first term. Linn Benton Community College had first time students go on a scavenger hunt and I was allowed to do the scavenger hunt with Skylar. We got to see the renovated courtyard, too. It is absolutely beautiful. It looks a lot cleaner and more cohesive since I attended LBCC. The day was a great day and I love being part of Skylar's journey through his college years. I am excited for Skylar to start his college experience here.