Growing an 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!

End of February 2025 (1 Second Every Day)

 

1 Second Everyday App

Five Simple Things (February 28)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This box.

Kiwi Eco Box came this week and I love these cloth pads. I've used this for years and they help keep waste to a minimum when my cycle hits. On light days, I definitely reach for one of these over a single-use cotton pad. On heavy days, I use organic cotton Rael pads.

2. This hook.

We love our Rain Valley Red Snails Little Free Library dog hook. We dedicated it to our beloved Baz who passed away in 2017. He was a good boy, and now Hardy gets to use the hook, and other dogs that visit our little library box. Good boys deserve good walks, too.🐾

3. This egg.

Mali has started laying her eggs for the season. This was the first one she laid and she was so proud of it. We just love her!

4. This breakfast.

Sunday mornings are always the best breakfast mornings in our house. On the back of the oven is homemade bread dough proofing. 

5. These flowers.

Little flowers in our own backyard help bring the fresh flower feeling to the house, too.

One last thing:

This popcorn popper has been getting a work out lately. We have been watching movies and TV series lately and munching our way through the popcorn kernels. No regrets!

Positive affirmations this week:
Anxiety is hard to navigate life with, and at times it almost takes over your mental process. Therapy has helped me with different ways to control what anxiety I am feeling at what times. Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions characterized by excessive, uncontrollable fear or worry that disrupts daily life. The most common types are, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), Agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, and selective mutism. All of these are forms of anxiety that can affect even the most simple tasks. Those that don't have these anxiety issues, it's hard to describe to them just how much it affects you. But, small changes in how we think about these situations, as well as medication and therapy, we can help live a better life. There is no shame in any mental health issue, or mental illness. It is brave to reach out for help, and it's even braver to talk about it. The more we speak about mental health issue and end the stigma, the more comfortable people can feel about reach out for help.
You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.