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.
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!
Receiving these samples this week with my Might Nest order was a nice treat. I love Caldrea products a lot, especially their room sprays.
2. This cleaner.
Mighty Nest sent all-purpose home cleaner this month and it couldn't come at a better time. I just ran out of my counter top spray and have been using vinegar to clean the last couple of days. I love how this Might Nest cleaner came in a glass bottle. I will definitely be reusing this bottle over and over again.
3. These groceries.
We ordered a small amount of fruits and vegetables this week from Misfits Market. We had already made a grocery shopping trip, but I wanted to support them, too. With grocery prices going up in costs, I have been shopping around more to find the best deal. Unfortunately, a lot of the grocery stores, online and off seem to have organic products at the same price. Hopefully, there's some breathing room coming soon. And, you can get $15 off your first order with me by using my code. They have so many great items, so give them a try!
4. These boxes.
These sleep trailers are such a nice and appreciated solution to our city's current homeless issue. The city I am in has its own share of troubles, like all cities, and one of them is making sure that homeless and unhoused individuals aren't sleeping in the cold or the rain. I try to offer people in need what I can when I can, but one thing I can't offer them is a place to sleep. Sleep Trailers are a great solution to that. These are currently on the far end of a church parking lot and I hope they stick around for awhile. They are managed and kept clean. They also offer bathroom facilities and a handwashing station. The community, from what I was reading, also provided donated blankets, pet food, and dinners for people staying in them. Communities are great when people actually want to help. They also work well when people come together to help each other, too. A lot of people seem to forget that.
5. This view.
We don't ever eat at the Costco food area, but it is a lot of fun to watch the pizza sauce being spiraled onto the dough.
One last thing:
This face oil from True Moringa has been saving my face through the winter. As I get older dry skin is creeping up. I found this face oil and when applied doesn't look oily and actually helps with my dry patches. The smell is light and I apply it morning and night.
Positive affirmations this week:
Trying to find the positives in a day that just doesn't want to allow you see them is a hard thing to do. But, if we let go of what went wrong today and focus on trying again tomorrow, we leave all of that negativity in the previous day. Allowing yourself to feel those feelings and be able to start again the next day can help you focus on moving away from what caused us stress to seeing the new day in a new light. Be sure to allow yourself to find gratitude in the day, too, though. Find five things every night that made the day go right. There is always positives to be able to see in a bad day. Five things you are grateful for will also help your brain to focus on things working out more the following day in a brighter light.
The necklace will always been in my jewelry box for one reason; my mom bought it when my family came out and we all drove to Canada for the first time together. I was feeling down and getting car sick, and she bought it to make me feel better. I've never worn it outside of my house, because I am afraid of it breaking, or being lost. Every time I open my jewelry box, I see it. I have it sitting right in front to remind me every day that I'm important to my mom. Even if I forget from time to time.
2. This bush.
I decided to go for a longer walk than I normally do, and came across this Royal Velvet Camellia that was in full bloom. This is such great shrub that doesn't put out a lot of scent, but looks beautiful.
3. This trail.
The walkway that the city put in here is wonderful. It looks pretty at night with all of the lights that light the trail. This week it was raining a lot, but I at least walked the entire distance of the trail to check it all out. I hope they add on more to it over the coming years, and then connect it to the Corvallis to Sea trail in time.
4. This doggy.
Always ready for a walk.
5. This paper.
Some estate sale finds. One can never have enough scrap paper on hand.
One last thing:
These Vegetable Seed Storage Packets are now in the shop. They are in a pack of 12 and help secure seed saving at the end of the year, or allow you to save seeds you already have. They are perfect for jotting down notes about the growing season, or your own thoughts on the seeds you save. There is also a space to add the date in which you placed the seeds inside the packets. These seed storage packets come in a pack of 12 for $10. You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.
Positive affirmations this week: Mental health issues are nothing to be shameful of and learning how to overcall some of the hardest days and keep going is your own journey to be proud of. Some days are harder than others, but overall learning to love yourself, and give yourself a bit of grace during the process is what's important. Your journey will be different than someone else's. Don't compare healing and remember, it isn't a linear path. The ups and downs are normal, but you are strong! You can do this!🌈
Life at a "Swell's" pace is a lifestyle and travel blog chronicling the life and travels while living in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley. It is mostly written by Shelly HW. Click the image to learn more»
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