Life at a "Swell's" pace

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!

Five Simple Things (January 3)

Hello.

First of all, Happy New Year!

Here are five things this week.

1. This gift.

This Brookstone Golf Club Set was a gift that Jeff received for Christmas. The golf clubs are pens and the golf bag is their holder. We had to try it out, of course.

2. This light.

We continued to light the menorah for the fifth and sixth night of Hanukkah this week. The days are almost over.

3. These candles.

The seventh night of Hanukkah. One more night until the light shines bright for all to see.

4. This candy.

Still finished up some Christmas candy. These Lake Champlain Chocolates are the best chocolate you'll ever eat. It's rich and creamy and definitely a chocolate that stands out among the rest. We used these little candy canes in hot chocolate, too. Lake Champlain Chocolates also makes great hot chocolate options, as well. I also love their Peppermint Crunch Coins.

5. This night.

This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Happy Hannukah.

One last thing:

Getting in the miles slowly.

Positive affirmations this week:

It's a new year and a new chance to start again, and give it 365 more days of making it through. This year you are going to be the best version of yourself you can and you're going to be just fine.

You can do this!🌈