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 (December 20)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This place.

This week I had a hair appointment to cut most of my hair off. It's been getting long and I wanted a change. I love the salon I go to and I finally found a hair stylist that doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. This salon is filled with plants and other things that are just my vibe. At Honey Comb Salon the stylists are always so kind, understanding, and patient. It took me awhile to find a good place, and every time I go there I feel amazing when I leave. Hair salons are one of the places that give me a lot of anxiety, and they have been so understanding of that. As long as I live in the Willamette Valley, I won't go anywhere else.

2. This night.

Christmas eve we made enchiladas (beef and green chicken) and opened one gift each. Skylar opened a book on the history of Hanukah and why it's important to Jewish families. We light the menorah every year to honor our family that are Jewish. The book we got him is, "Hanukkah Pop-Up Menorah: An 8-Day Celebration of the Festival of Lights" by Lisa Rojany 

3. This box.

This month's Kiwi Eco Box was holiday-themed and I loved the socks the most. My feet are always cold, so these were perfect!

4. These bags.

Mighty Nest this month was Full Circle Compostable Food Waste Bags. We will definitely be using these. We have been trying to compost our food scraps more inside the house until we can place them into the waste recycle bin, or use in our own composting. These will come in handy to keep the smell down inside the house. We have tried so many different ways to try to compost our food scraps, but everything has always failed us. The smell, the hassle, the gnats, etc. I think these bags are perfect, because I can place them in the freezer until they are full and we can compost them properly.

5. This subscription.

Birchbox this month was a hit. I am loving the Ouai Melrose Place Body Cleanser. The smell is amazing! I also love the Dr. Brandt Oil to Foam Cleanser. With having extremely sensitive skin, it helps clean my face without drying it out, or causing more redness and breakouts.

One last thing:

These two new items are now in the shop.

This Surfy Days Coloring Book features unique hand-drawn illustrations inspired by Hawaii surf culture and lifestyle. Each page is designed by artist Sierra Rehrer in Oahu, and promotes the values of inclusion with all types of surfers featured. This Boho Sunshine Greeting Card is blank inside for your own personal message. They are hand painted by an artist in Hawaii and come with a cardstock envelope. Both of these items are under $20.

You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.

Positive affirmations this week:

If you anxiety with tests, job applications, or just all around anxiety when put on the spot to complete something, here are some helpful strategies to soothe some of those feelings. Staying organized in a way that you understand, practice simple questions and write them out to prepare. You can also take practice tests, or do mock job questions with someone else that can help you. Get a good night's sleep, and eat before you go. The one thing that gives most people anxiety with anything is not focusing on one thing at a time and feeling overwhelmed. Practice breathing techniques and attempt to calm and slow your mind down to focus on one thing at a time in front of you. It isn't easy, but it is doable. Above all, believe in yourself that you are stronger than your brain is trying to tell you.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 13)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This tree.

The tree got a little bare as we boxed up gifts and mailed them to Arkansas for my family. We were glad to get them shipped out this week, though. It was one less task over the holidays we had to worry about.

2. This sign.

Jeff and I did some last minute shopping this week and Macy's is always one of the places I like to go to get a new ornament for the tree. It's become a tradition for us for the last 10 years. We also pick up ornaments when we travel, so we can relive the trip each year we decorate the tree.

3. This water.

On of our five gallon water bottles got cracked and unfortunately we didn't notice it until it leaked on the floor and the jute rug. We quickly soaked up what we could with towels, but this fan had to stay on the rug for a few days.

4. This ornament.

One of the new ornaments I picked up this year to add to the tree. I bought four of them and I just love them. They remind me of the hard candies in the tin my grandparents used to have. They are large and make a statement on the tree, too.

5. This couch.

If only we had the space for this couch. I would be falling asleep on this thing every night.

One last thing:

The courthouse in Corvallis always looks its best during the holidays.

Positive affirmations this week:

One thing I have learned being a parent is your words will become the ones that can make or break your child's confidence. I try hard to make sure that my words to Skylar are always encouraging, honest, and loving. His confidence is high and he feels he can do anything he puts his mind to because of my words to him alone. There are times when people say harsh comments, but I remind him that those are entirely their issues and to feel sorry for them that they don't have someone reminding them that they are important and loved. There is nothing worse than having to explain to my own child why adult bullies, sometimes family adult bullies say some mean comments. I remind him that they are battling their own issues and not to take it to heart. I wish that everyone could find peace in their own minds. Don't let these people steal your joy, and especially your child's.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.