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 (February 14)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This soap.

I have loved this soap for awhile now and after receiving it in a Might Nest box I can't get enough of it. The entire line of products from Nopalera smell incredible!

2. This glove.

I have been hunting for a way to clean our wooden blinds, ceiling fans, and vent blades without having to break out the vacuum cleaner. I have been using a damp cloth, but Might Nest came through with this E Cloth Glove. It also is great to wipe down screens, and windows in a pinch.

3. This ornament.

Love finding tree ornaments during the year to add to our collection. This bird ornament is made from wood and I love how simple and minimal it is.

4. These poppers.

We just had to pop these confetti popper for Valentine's Day. They are the cutest. You pop the inner core and let them inflate, then smash them with your hands to throw paper confetti across the room.

5. This weather.

February always brings late snow, sleet, and at times ice. It seems winter drags on until around the first of April here on the west coast some years. And, some years we get nothing. Living here for the last 20 years, I've seen first hand the changes with climate change. Anyone that has lived in the same area for that amount of time has seen the changes in their own area, too. I don't know why people deny what is happening before their own eyes. It's amazing to me that people will look out their own windows and see things changing, yet still say it's not. I will never understand that mentality.

One last thing:

This Organized Home Planner journal and Beautifully Organized 52 Weeks Deck are now in the shop. This Organized Home Planner journal was created by professional organizer and bestselling author, Nikki Boyd, linen bound planner includes customizable charts, checklists, and schedules to streamline everyday routines. It includes cleaning checklists, maintenance schedules, school and emergency plans, etc., and the binder format with gold foil and durable linen cover. The Beautifully Organized in 52 Weeks card deck was created by organizer Nikki Boyd, as well. It offers 52 actions tips to help create a functional home, one simple task at a time. It pairs with the Organized Home Planner journal to help you get control of your home and tasks. The 52 card format comes in a stylish, compact packaging cardboard box to keep them together and secure. Try a card once a day, or once a week to help get your home back on track and organized. You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.

Positive affirmations this week:

Your feelings are valid, you thoughts are valid, and what you're going through is very valid. Don't let anyone ever tell you that they aren't. The most important thing to remember is that better days are coming. Today my not be that day, but tomorrow will allow you to start again.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (February 7)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This branch.

Every time I drop Skylar off at LBCC I've been watching this branch. It's a bit of a misfit branch that has grown in a direction unlike the other branches around it. Every time I see it I say in my mind, "Hold strong, little branch! Hold strong!"

2. This sifter.

It's new and it is a lot of fun to use. We sifted brownie mix with it recently and it made for a fun time in the kitchen for us all. *It's the little things, right?*

3. This kitty.

Always watching.

4. This food.

Super Bowl Sunday has us eating all the cheat meals. These 🌶 poppers are amazing!

5. These tags.

Always a positive message on the tags of the teabags from Yogi tea.

One last thing:

These cute pocket flower press and travel journal are now in the shop.

This Pocket Sized Flower Press is 2" x 4" with 1.25" bolts. Handmade and coated in an oil finish to preserve the wood and a lavender design carved into the top. The kit includes: Flower press, three cardboard inserts, and eight reusable blotting papers. It is a great addition to carry with you on hikes, or camping to press your favorite finds from flowers to leaves. The "My Travel Journal" has hand drawn details by bestselling artist Korie Herold and offers guided prompts, space for mementos, and cloth cover with foil accents. It also have archival quality paper with hand drawn artwork throughout.

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

Positive affirmations this week:

Sometimes removing the stressors is all that you need to do to slow things down.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.