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.
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!
The Strawberry Festival was June 5-8 this year and we always do two things every year. Skylar and I go through the House of Mirrors together and we get a lemonade slushy. I don't like large crowds and the fireworks sounds get to us, so we don't stick around long. We do like our two traditions, and that is just fine with us.
2. This watermelon.
Along with strawberries being in season here it's also watermelon season. The stranglehold that summer fruits and berries have on me every year will never let up.
3. This news.
The Goodnewspaper has been a reading staple in our house for several years now. When politics were starting to get out of hand and mostly negative information being posted almost every day starting in 2016 I had to find a better outlet for the exposure to so much negative news. In our house we believe in the statement than everyone is equal to the next regardless of skin color, sexuality, and even political differences. But when those political differences target a group, it's no longer political, it's discrimination. The Goodnewspaper brings in all good news from around the world without making any one group feel marginalized. You can subscribe to this monthly, old school-type newsprint here. It comes in your mail and brings in some of the best stories from around the globe. I also post good news links on my Blue Sky profile. Every day I post 12 stories from around the world that bring in a bit of hope to a bleak world right now.
4. This list.
So proud!
5. These socks.
Anything with honey bees. Always.
One last thing:
We attended the No Kings protest near us this past week, and it was the first time I had attended any sort of protest. I am untrusting of our current government, and people around us who are okay with the current administration haven't said or done enough to convince me that they should be trusted. Not to mention, I wouldn't trust the judgment of those who are for the current administration on anything, anyway. Their logic is lost on the person over the party, and protesting that alone has given me a lot of pride in knowing we are definitely not alone. One main reason I have turned my back on the current government is the comments Trump made about the California wildfires. With our own people from Oregon being sent to help, he claimed, "Not a token of defense being made." What leader, or even a person put in charge of leading a nation, would even remotely make a comment like that? It is disgusting to know that people are proudly and without any reservations throwing on "Women for Trump" hats and "Make America Great Again" shirts and justifying these comments. Trump's hate of blue states not only affects those who vote blue, but it also affects those who vote red. But the people supporting this administration and making excuses for comments, especially the ones about first responders, are demonstrating stupidity in its highest form. They don't even see how supporting these statements from a man who has never even picked up a water hose to water a plant is a form of shooting themselves in their own foot. The types of behavior that are being allowed by people who voted in that direction are appalling. There is no way in hell these people would be okay with any of this had it been flipped in the opposite direction. The Trump family has gained a significant amount of money in the time he has been in office, and that fact alone should anger anyone. The "Don't Tread on Me" crowd has really become the "Tread on me any chance you get" It's disgusting, embarrassing, and disgraceful. I don't like to talk about politics on my blog, but speaking out about the corruption that is happening within our own country right now is the best approach. You're either speaking out against it, or you are on the wrong side of history and pretending not to understand for your "guy."
Skylar used the opportunity to write up an article for The Commuter Magazine at Linn Benton Community College. There was one guy standing across the street in a MAGA hat and shirt and Skylar went over to get his side of things. The guy said he was there just to make sure that no one started destroying property and were actually protesting peacefully. I found his view of our protest very obtuse and definitely mentality from listening to the current administration trying to drive a wedge between people. You can read Skylar's article here.
It was a great day and everyone stood up for their constitutional rights and it felt good to be part of something instead of just sitting by and complaining about how bad it has gotten since Trump took his second term. There were a lot of Trumps supporters that have now turned their back on his policies and attitude that were protesting with us. The No Kings protests aren't because we feel there will be a king in the United States again, but because of Trump's attitude about how he and others view our country. I would be incredibly ashamed if I still supported someone like him that doesn't even know what it's like to put gas in a vehicle, buy a gallon of milk, or even walk through a National Park, or go camping. The people that still support someone like him and think he knows what it's like to live like the middle class, or upper middle class, has no idea what they stand for then. Not to mention, those below those classes. I feel everyone should have the opportunity to live a good life, no matter where they fall on the social class spectrum.
I reposted this on my Instagram story. It is the streets of Portland, Oregon, and those standing up for what they believe in and protesting a dysfunctional government. The energy in these protests are incredible! If you never been part of something like this, January 6 doesn't count, then I highly recommend it. Peacefully protesting, no matter what MAGA people claim, doesn't include breaking into the Capitol and taking a shit on the floor, and threatening to hang the vice president.
My dad sent us a text to let us know that he was going to gather in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and attend the No Kings protests there. I am so proud to come from the background of two hardworking American people that stand up for my rights as a woman, stand up for the rights of gays, transgenders, and every single person being targeted by hate from the MAGA population backed by a racist, bigoted, selfish, discriminator currently occupying the White House. And every single one of the people in his administration that are unqualified to do their jobs, and the exact definition of DEI hires.
Positive affirmations this week:
Live your truth. Don't ever shrink yourself down to fit into a group of people. You only get this one life. Don't waste it on trying to be something you aren't around people that aren't even being themselves around you.
Getting our garden going. I am trying out of plan that my dad mentioned. It seems to be working well so far.
3. This breakfast.
Not feeling that great this week, so meals in bed it is for a bit. Hopefully, it passes soon. I am immunocompromised, so when people don't cover their coughs or sneezes, and don't wash their hands, it affects people like me. Just a quick reminder, wash you hands frequently and stop coughing and sneezing on people.
4. These stickers.
With a new laptop comes stickers on the cover. Here is the lineup I plan on using. One of the fun things about stickers is, you're never too old to use them. Life is short, display what you love.
5. This kitty.
She always stays with me when I am not feeling well. Maybe she was a nurse or doctor in a past life. She watches over me and follows me to the bathroom. Her bedside manner is perfect!
One last thing:
This week was the last week for this cool kid. He is going through finals and I have high hopes for him to pass them all with great marks! Paint me proud!
There was also a Pride event at Linn Benton Community College this week. Skylar picked up some swag from the event. I love the Rocky the Roadrunner items. The Pride flags are awesome!
Positive affirmations this week:
I saw this message this week and it really hit me. Children are not given a chance to be themselves and allowed to feel their own feelings. I think a lot of the older generation, as they were growing up, weren't allowed to feel things. So, as they got older they didn't know how to regulate their emotions in a healthy way and that reflected onto their own kids, and then on their grandkids. The disfunction continued until one generation finally said, "enough!" Allowing ourselves and our children to be more human and feel what they feel allows them and us to regulate them when the time comes that they are spiked. Punishing kids, and ourselves for having feelings is a horrible way to process them. It's okay to be sad, it's okay to be mad, and it's okay to feel anything. A lot of times I see the older generations even get upset at their grandchildren for being happy at times they don't think they should be happy. To me, that is disfunction to the very core of their existence. We, as parents, can do better and not allow past disfunction to dictate our feelings. Feel what you feel and allow those around you to feel what they feel, too.
Life at a "Swell's" pace is a lifestyle and travel blog chronicling the life and travels while living in Oregon's beautiful Willamette Valley. It is mostly written by Shelly HW. Click the image to learn more»
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