Life at a "Swell's" pace

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 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.

Five Simple Things (December 6)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This kitty.

Eleven loves her feather toy.

2. This caramel.

This THC caramel has been helping with my anxiety at night lately. I don't like to depend on something to help me sleep, because I don't want to become dependent on it, but lately, it's been hard to relax. I love all the THC edibles from Hapy Kitchen, though. They are a Portland-based company and make some great low dose edibles for people like me with a low tolerance.

3. These candles.

Burning some of the many candles I have. All this week I've had a candle burning at the end of the day and I feel it has made a bit of a calming environment for everyone. It might become a daily habit I start doing from here on out.

4. This sky.

The view of the moon and Venus this week.

5. This web.

The Jeep Compass is towards the end of its life, but we still use it for local trips to the store from time to time to keep it going. It's been hard for us all to watch it sit and get older. We have a lot of great memories in this old car, especially when Skylar was younger and we had Baz still. It was the first car we took up on the pass to play in the snow. The spiders have been moving in around the outside of it, but when the frost hits the webs, it is a pretty sight. Stay strong, old friend.

One last thing:

Birchbox and Kiwi Eco Box came this week. My favorite thing from Birchbox is the R+Co Television Perfect Hair Masque, and my favorite thing in the Kiwi Eco Box is the UpCircle Face and Body Soap Bar. I love the smell of all of their soaps, to be honest, and I always get excited when I see one in the Kiwi Eco Box.

Positive affirmations this week:

Codependency is a symptom of our upbringing. It is really hard to break that pattern that we were taught. Being aware of how codependency is learned is a good step in recognizing how to heal. The list below can be saved and taken to your therapy appointments to address some of the ones you feel. There is no shame in being codependent. Not repeating the cycle can help your own children not become codependent, too. Healing takes time. Don't punish or talk down to yourself during the time you're healing from trauma you picked up as a child. It is not your fault.

You can do this!🌈