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!
We have been in a holding pattern of grief lately because of the loss of Hardy. We have never been a family without a dog, and right now, things are weird for us. Eleven has been showing signs of depression and loss as well. Having this grief that you hold onto for an animal is hard to describe to people who do not have pets in their lives for a long period of time. Hardy was with us in our family for over 15 years. It's an incredibly hard loss to even attempt to articulate to anyone. My sister took this opportunity to give us something into which we could put our sadness into sound. These wind chimes were specially engraved with our dear Hardy's name and bring us a bit of comfort when they chime. Right now, we are not in a good place with our sadness, so anything is a help, especially something we can hear besides people saying, "I'm sorry" as if that's all anyone can say. Sometimes "I'm sorry" isn't necessary and at times isn't the right thing to say when someone is dealing with a hard loss in their life.
2. These bracelets.
A few bracelets we have been wearing lately. Beaded Rainbow Bracelets that let LGBTQIA+ people know that we are advocates and that they are safe around us. The last bracelets are made by indigenous Americans in order to raise money for those needing legal representation against what is happening to every brown and black individual right now. Native Americans are the first inhabitants of the United States of America and to have a white man say that they need to prove their citizenship is disgusting. People that support the current administration during these state-sponsored discrimination or systemic/institutional racism have no place calling themselves patriots, or Americans. The America I want to be proud of is one that allows everyone to live their life free from racism, discrimination, prejudice, and cruelty. One that allows anyone to live here, no matter their skin color, or nationality. One that other countries want to do business with and one that doesn't have a president only serving what is right for him and not the entire country. With what is happening currently, there is no such thing as the United States. It's getting killed every day by selfish, ignorant, unqualified people who are loyalist only.
3. These stickers.
With Skylar being part of The Commuter at Linn Benton Community College we always get to see the cool stickers they pass out of the college, or add inside the magazine. I love reading his articles in the magazine and I am so glad he decided to be part of the editors.
4. This bowl.
We found this tray this week when we did our weekly errands. Skylar is going to use it in his room for his watch, and jewelry. It's a beautiful tray made of mango wood and tells a story. You can pick up this tray here from Birdmoss.
5. This book.
I recently picked up this book at a bookstore. I love honey bees and all bees, as a matter of fact. I love how they go about their lives and do their everyday tasks without even having a blip in their routine. I love how they work as a community, but also mourn the dead when their time comes. Humans could learn a lot for bees in a way where everyone is included and has a job without casting judgement or discrimination on each other. I am excited to read this book cover to cover to learn more about how amazing bees really are.
One last thing:
Always the best foot warmer.
Positive affirmations this week:
Never believe that you are too hard to love no matter who tells you that. Anyone that states those words isn't in control of their own emotions or feelings. It's a projected statement that falls completely back on the person that said them. Your worth isn't determined by someone else's insecurities and immaturity. You are so much more than that.
We picked up a new something for No Rain the Bus this week. We are still working on the exact solar panels that we want to mount on the top of the bus, but for now, this Jackery will definitely be great!
2. This update.
Along with the Jackery, we started getting the bus ready to rip out the old flooring and lay down new flooring. There is still that certain "school bus" smell in the bus, and we are thinking it might dissipate once the original flooring is gone. I also want to keep a small piece of the old floor for nostalgia. I do love the bus with its original flooring, but it is pretty beaten up and needs a lot more care than we first thought. You can keep up with our bus conversion progress on the blog here, or through our Instagram or Threads.
3. These flowers.
Another week of bringing fresh flowers into our home to boost my mental health, and everyone else that sees them.
4. These gifts.
One of Jeff's gifts from a coworker after retiring. This was such a thoughtful thing to do for him. He misses some of his coworkers, but he is glad to be able to relax and not worry about airplane dimensions and military contracts.
5. This post.
"Feel anyway. That's how we stay human." I love this so much. I've always been called oversensitive, or too sensitive, by, honestly, jackass people who came through my life. What's disturbing about their saying those words is the fact that how can they not be sensitive in a world full of things that we should feel more deeply about? Whether they were saying it out of meanness or because they really can't feel things on a deeper level, I am proud that I can. I will embrace my sensitivity because if it sets me apart from people who don't, I feel really good about that.
One last thing:
These brass ornaments are available in the shop right now. They are made from solid brass and are a cute statement on a desk, a bookshelf, or as a clever gift to give. The praying mantis is 78mm x 23mm in size and the snail is 17mm x 60mm in size. They are priced under $11 and would be a perfect addition to anyone that loves a statement piece. You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.
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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