we’ve got an avocado plant!

avocado plant

It’s been about a month since we planted “the little avocado that could” and just when we were about to give up on it, a little shoot peeked out of the dirt. Honestly, I thought it was part of the root that didn’t get buried far enough in the soil, but upon closer inspection I noticed leaves. Since then, it’s been growing like crazy.

I have really enjoyed this little experiment with my daughter. It was slow going and she lost interest for awhile, but it has definitely been a lesson in patience. (We started way back in April.) But given our recent success, we’re talking about starting something else from our book. I’m thinking lemon seeds.

What’s growing in your garden?

my creative space

In my creative space today, and this week, I’ve been working on Pioneer Woman’s photography assignment: black and white. This is the first time I’ve participated in one of her assignments. Every time I post a picture that I think is really great, I am immediately humbled as I take a look at the other shots. Some make me laugh out loud, some get me a little choked up. All of them are pretty excellent.

Here are my contributions so far:

black and white bella

black and white toes

black and white moon

black and white sculpture

What’s going on in your creative space this week? More creative spaces here.

Pioneer Woman’s photo assignment flickr group here.

recipe: green smoothie pops

green smoothie popsicle recipe

My daughter has been cooling off this summer with popsicles made from my green smoothies. Interestingly, she doesn’t like drinking the smoothies, but she loves the pops. Go figure.

School may be starting next week, but it’s still hot out. I have a feeling we’ll be making these for the next few weeks. Here’s my basic recipe:

Green Smoothie Pops

8 oz milk
2 cups loosely packed greens
2 cups frozen fruit partially thawed
1 scoop whey protein powder (optional)
reusable popsicle molds (mine make four pops)

Combine the milk and greens in a blender and process until liquified. It will be a lovely bright green color. Then add the fruit and powder and blend until you are happy with the consistency. It will no longer look green, so if you don’t want to tell your kids there’s spinach in them, your secret is safe with me.

Fill your popsicle molds and put them in the freezer. Enjoy the rest of the smoothie! (I try to drink one a day.)

I like using almond milk for my smoothies, but you can use any kind of milk or even water. My greens are usually spinach, but I have had good results with romaine and baby salad mix. Fruit is usually 2 cups of frozen strawberries with a small handful of blueberries. Sometimes I mix it up with 1 cup strawberries, 1 cup frozen mango. I’ll occasionally add half a banana.

Go vegan: Leave out the whey protein or use hemp protein instead.

Feel free to play around with the fruit combinations and post your tasty variations in the comments. Enjoy!

thrifty thursday: denim edition

denim jeans

I haven’t done a Thrifty Thursday post in awhile. I haven’t done a lot of thrifting either. It might be because it’s too darn hot for garage sailing. It might be because my best thrifting buddy up and moved to California. (Hi Kelly!) Whatever the reason, I decided to remedy my situation last week at the 99 cent sale. My daughter was at camp and I spent the whole morning finding some pretty awesome deals.

I came home with six pairs of jeans, one brand new with the tags still on. The new pair is for me, the others are for my daughter. They are size seven. She’ll be the first to tell you that she’s only a size six. She doesn’t need size seven clothes. She’s not the only one in denial. I can’t believe my baby girl will be wearing size seven soon, either. But that’s what comes after six and I’m sure I’ll be happy to have these when she pops up another inch or two this winter.

Thrifting is a serious hit or miss adventure. Many times I go and come home empty handed. Maybe that’s the real reason I haven’t been hitting the stores lately. But then some days the stars are aligned just right and I score some great stuff. If the weather would just cool off a bit, I might just rediscover my thrifty spirit.

finished: good luck cowl

good luck cowl

I am in love with this cowl. It’s so soft and warm — totally not perfect for today’s heat index of 103 degrees. Sooner or later the weather has to cool off and eventually it will get cold. I will be ready.

good luck cowl

I used almost every bit of yarn for this. Couldn’t even finish another round with what was left. The Malabrigo Silky Merino is a dream to work with and is so nice on the neck. Definitely worth the splurge.

good luck cowl

pattern: It took awhile, but I finally memorized the pattern: Drop Stitch Knitter’s Good Luck Cowl. Photos were taken before blocking. Previously blogged here and here.

re-refashioned tote bag

More sewing! I’m on a roll!

A few years ago I refashioned this conference tote bag* with an old t-shirt. I used it until poor Siouxsie started to get holes. Amazingly, the canvas tote underneath showed practically no wear. I think it might be indestructible.

refashioned conference tote bag

So I re-refashioned it. I have another black tote and I’m thinking of making a set. I really love this fabric.

refashioned conference tote bag

*Wow. Did you click on that link? My blog photos have really improved over the past few years!

ladybug water bottle carrier

water bottle carrier

Yes! I did a little bit of sewing!

The heat wave has passed, but it’s still hot. (It is Summer, after all.) My daughter has a few days left of camp outside, so I got her a small water bottle to take along. I couldn’t imagine her carrying it around without leaving it somewhere, so I whipped up a little carrier for her.

“It’s not a water bottle carrier, Mom. At camp they just call it a bottle carrier.”

Whatever. I made one of these awhile back and it came out kind of snug. I added generous seam allowances to this one and it’s a little big. Maybe if I make third one it will fit just right.

And yes, it matches her neck cooler. She’ll be super coordinated next year at the Kearney Cruise.

resources: I really did wing this, but not before checking out tutorials by Pink Chalk Studio and The Long Thread.