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 (October 18)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This cookie.

We stopped at Whole Foods for lunch this week, and they have Halloween-themed cookies right now. We grabbed three different ones for each of us, but I just loved this mummy cookie. 

2. This shadow.

Morning shadows got me thinking...

3. This measure.

When you're Rick-Rolled by the state for cannabis. Does it get any better than this? I love Oregon!

4. This sticker.

I get it! You brake all you want.

5. This sky.

The amount of rainbows I have seen in my 20 years of living in Oregon are amazing! It's one thing, of a list of many, that I love about the state.

One last thing:

Skylar's fossil collection is amazing! I love him and his creativity, and his loves. Jeff gave him this box from his job, and Skylar immediately created a showcase box for his collection. This picture was taken from when he took it to class to show it to his professor at college and his classmates. It was a hit!

Positive affirmations this week:

Every day should be a day that you think about what you are grateful for. Never forget, even in the most disparaging moments that there are still things to be grateful for. Your life is one of them. Just remember to keep thinking of positive things that are in your life. If depression has you in a hold that you can't get out of with positive thoughts at the moment, remind yourself that it's only temporary. You are strong! You are! Remind yourself that you are strong and you will get through this.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (October 11)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These muffins.

The week called for banana muffins.

2. These flowers.

I got flowers from two different people this week, and it sure does feel good to be loved.♥

3. These subscriptions.

Mightynest and Kiwi Eco Box came this week. These jar lids from Mightynest are awesome! They fit on regular mason jars and can be used for syrups, sauces, or dressings. They definitely were the talk of our house this week. And, in the Kiwi Eco Box, my favorite thing is the bread bag. Although, I do love these wooden cotton swabs, the bread bag is going to come in handy, because I have taken up making homemade breads a lot more. More on that soon.

4. This fog.

I love a good fog picture.

5. This dog.

I mean... Get it, girl! She was ready to round up some sheep. I've seen this dog a few times on my way to work, or coming home. My parents had a cattle dog just like this named, Rosebud. They love to work, and this dog was ready to get it done!

One last thing:

These are now in the shop. Great gifts, or school supplies. The Dinosaur Egg Crayons are so cute, and the Beeswax Crayons and the Colored Pencils are so bright in color. You can check out the shop here, or click each name for what's pictured above.

• Colored Pencils-set of 12 (tall or short)

• Triangle Beeswax Crayons-Set of 8

• Eco-Kids Dinosaur Egg Beeswax Crayons

Positive affirmations this week:

I love this statement from Amber Fillerup Clark. It is such a true, and sad statement that really makes you think as a parent. I've had a lot of weeds planted in my life, and I am not alone. This statement doesn't just have to apply to your kids, it can apply to other people, and even yourself. Planting love blossoms is how all of us should go about life. Unfortunately, there are people that are wanting the weeds to grow and they don't care about how they take over. These people, mostly, are ones that need to love blossoms the most. But, in order to start the blossoms growing we have to focus on planting those love blossoms in ourselves, and making sure our children have a garden full of them. Self love is the best place to start.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.