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 (November 1)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These clouds.

The sky is the bluest I've ever seen, and the clouds are the fluffiest. West coast skies are always worth looking at.

2. This street.

I will buy you that big house way up in the West Hills....  AI seems to think this quote was about "it."

3. These views.

Autumn comes in as a mix of different moments. Each day could be different from the previous. No complaints.

4. This cookbook.

This cookbook was offered from our local bank when we went to make a deposit this week. The teller told me if was writing by kids, and part of Furniture Share in Albany, Oregon. So, of course, I had to buy it. I have already made the 'Tater Soup,' and it was delicious.

5. These gifts.

Jeff received gifts from Selmet this week. They showed him their appreciation for his hard work in training new employees hired on at the company. He works so hard and has been there for over 20 years. The little gratitude gifts they give out from time to time, really mean a lot to him. We are proud of him, and it was nice of them to show how much they appreciate him, as well.

One last thing:

 

These two new items are now in the shop. 

The travel bags come in three different sizes and four different colors. They are vegan leather and have zippered closures. They are perfect for holding makeup, toiletries, or even school supplies.

The Look Sharp graphite pencil never needs sharpening and makes a cool addition to school supplies, or even using in the office. It comes with an eraser and a cap. Both of these items are under $25.

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

Positive affirmations this week:

This was a post I put on Twitter this week. You can and will get through whatever it is you're dealing with currently. You are strong and you deserve better days. Remember, it's only temporary.

You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Halloween Things

 Skylar went as Indiana Jones this year for Halloween and with a little help he pulled it off completely. We walked around Linn Benton Community College taking different candid shots of him being Indy. The campus was filled with so many people dressed up for Halloween, too. It was a good time and we also picked up a couple of Halloween smoke bombs to light while waiting for trick-or-treaters. It was a good night and we all had a great time.