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!
We picked up a new something for No Rain the Bus this week. We are still working on the exact solar panels that we want to mount on the top of the bus, but for now, this Jackery will definitely be great!
2. This update.
Along with the Jackery, we started getting the bus ready to rip out the old flooring and lay down new flooring. There is still that certain "school bus" smell in the bus, and we are thinking it might dissipate once the original flooring is gone. I also want to keep a small piece of the old floor for nostalgia. I do love the bus with its original flooring, but it is pretty beaten up and needs a lot more care than we first thought. You can keep up with our bus conversion progress on the blog here, or through our Instagram or Threads.
3. These flowers.
Another week of bringing fresh flowers into our home to boost my mental health, and everyone else that sees them.
4. These gifts.
One of Jeff's gifts from a coworker after retiring. This was such a thoughtful thing to do for him. He misses some of his coworkers, but he is glad to be able to relax and not worry about airplane dimensions and military contracts.
5. This post.
"Feel anyway. That's how we stay human." I love this so much. I've always been called oversensitive, or too sensitive, by, honestly, jackass people who came through my life. What's disturbing about their saying those words is the fact that how can they not be sensitive in a world full of things that we should feel more deeply about? Whether they were saying it out of meanness or because they really can't feel things on a deeper level, I am proud that I can. I will embrace my sensitivity because if it sets me apart from people who don't, I feel really good about that.
One last thing:
These brass ornaments are available in the shop right now. They are made from solid brass and are a cute statement on a desk, a bookshelf, or as a clever gift to give. The praying mantis is 78mm x 23mm in size and the snail is 17mm x 60mm in size. They are priced under $11 and would be a perfect addition to anyone that loves a statement piece. You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.
Straight from out own blueberry bushes. The best thing is being able to walk out of your own door and pick straight from your own garden.
2. This face.
I just love this face. I am so proud of him every single day. I am a lucky mom.
3. This moment.
After 25 years at the same company, it was his time to relax. We love how hard he has worked in those 25 years, and not a day goes by that we are not grateful and appreciative of how much time he has scarified for us. I am happy that he will get some downtime and be able to sleep in a little from waking up at 4:00 a.m. each morning. Retirement looks good on you, Jeff!
4. This kitty.
She's so pretty. She loves looking out the window and talking to the other kitties in the neighborhood.
5. These covers.
New mattress covers for the beds on the bus. We are slowly getting things finished in No Rain the Bus. Slowly but steadily everything is coming together.
One last thing:
This Organic Surf Wax is now available in the shop. It's made from all natural ingredients (organic beeswax, organic coconut oil, lemon essential oils). Each wax comes individually wrapped as a package of three. Three bars weigh 3.4 oz. It's handmade in small batches in Hawaii by My Manoa.
You can check out the rest of the Five Simple Things shop here.
Positive affirmations this week:
Child abuse at a young age affects more than a child's mental health; it also affects their physical and emotional well-being over time. Children growing up in violent households can become oversensitive, emotional, violent, or even depressive. Children are resilient, but when abuse, whether physical or verbal, never ends and continues into adolescence, it leads to damaged adults. The worst thing about growing up in an abusive household is feeling like there is no one to tell you that it's going to be okay. Because of that, you suffer alone. As someone who has been in that environment, the best thing I do now is stand up to any form of bullying. Child abuse stems from a form of bullying, and feeling alone as a child has created the person I am today. Therapy helps process some deep emotions, but the external emotions are difficult to handle on some days. One thing I am thankful for is how kindly I treat others because of the abuse in my past. Some people turn to violence after abuse, but I ended up with feelings of kindness that allow me to make everyone feel included and important. The downside of that is being taken advantage of because kindness is seen as a weakness. It took years of therapy for me to understand that being taken advantage of and being thought of as weak because of it had nothing to do with me or who I am as a person. Familial abuse is the hardest abuse to accept and work past. Cutting ties, even with blood relatives, is sometimes necessary to end that cycle. Not feeling guilty about cutting ties and setting boundaries is another hurdle to work through, as well, but it is doable. If you are working through past abuse, be it childhood abuse, domestic abuse, or family abuse, remind yourself that you are worth so much more and you are strong.
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»
*Disclaimer: If you do make a purchase from the links on this blog, I could earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting me and my family through this little space.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Posts
.png){kind=small}
