That was the first thought I had. This was supposed to be an easy task. Find a container, put stuff in it, seal it away for 10 years, call it a day. Yet here I am unsure of what to do. I have a container, an old tall cookie tin, perfectly reasonable size for a time capsule.
Taking to Pinterest, I have found several ideas:
Photos
Maps
Trinkets
Favorite X,Y,Z's
Letters
Yet I still am kinda unsure. Do I take new photos to put in? Do I print off a google map? Should I buy a special trinket just for the capsule or do I use one from my past travels? Will I still be able to use a USB drive in 10 years if I put one in? What am I to do?
In 10 years I will be 34. My life could be so different by then. What will be so important to me now that I want to remind future me of it? I could be married with a baby. Own my own home. Perhaps have a car that is not older than I am. So many thoughts are plaguing me.
After a lot of deliberation, I ended up putting a mix of things in my time capsule. One of which being this worksheet that I found and filled out for myself. Here is the link to it: I filled it out as best I could. I think it is more directed at children but all of the questions are pretty relevant to me still.
I was greatly debating putting a Twinkie in the time capsule. Although in the end I designed to not put any food in it. But one creepy thing I did include were teeth. Not just any teeth but dog teeth. My Puppy Sappho, currently a year and a half old, was how I learned that puppies also loose their baby teeth. I collected hers and put them in a really small Jar. Creepy, I know, but it makes for an interesting addition to a time capsule.
I also included several letters and photos. Mainly photos of my pets, myself, and the house as it currently is. It is almost bittersweet thinking about how many things will change in 10 years time. So before I cry, thank you for reading and I hope you stick with me until I open it again!
On February 14th 2023, I became an Ordained Minister. I can now legally officiate weddings!
When I started thinking of things to do to celebrate being 24, becoming an ordained minister was near the top. I knew that I had to save doing it for Valentine’s Day. A day that is fully associated with love and romance.
I think marriage is a great thing to celebrate. The whole ceremony of it and getting to announce to the world that you’ve both found someone you love, is a beautiful thing.
I currently only know one couple who is planning to get married, so I probably won’t get to officiate a wedding anytime soon. But I will be practicing so I’ll be ready once the big day finally comes where I get asked to officiate. I may post a video of me practicing or some writing samples of things I could try to incorporate. For example, maybe it would be fun to try seeing how funny of a speech I could make it.
Being an ordained minister also gives me the opportunity to oversee other occasions. For example, funerals and baptisms. But marriages are the only events needing to be officially filed that you’re a part of. Sense I was ordained non-denominationally, it kinda makes me think of Father Mulcahy from M*A*S*H, because he oversaw the religious prayers for the soldiers of all faiths. I hope I do not have to go to any funerals anytime soon.
Back to the topic of love! As someone who would like to get married someday, I’ve never thought about who would officiate it. I’ve thought a lot about who would take on all the other roles- brides maids, friends and family, who’d walk me down the isle- but not officiant. I guess I was assuming it would be a catholic priest.
But looking into and becoming ordained has made me think a little into what I would want as a bride. I think that I would want someone a little closer to me, like who I’d pick as a maid of honor to officiate. To be fair I’d have to consult with my would be spouse. But having a close friend also be the officiant does sound special.
For now I’ll have to settle for day dreaming about my own future wedding as well as the ones I might attend as an officiant. One more achievement unlocked!
So I thought Decluttering would be fairly easy to do when spread out over a month. Clearly, I was wrong. I thought the struggle would be that December is the month of Christmas, my birthday, and gift giving. While that is partly to blame for the current state of affairs in my room, it is also not the full story. But first let's go over what I initially thought would happen...
On November 30th, I brought out the camera to announce my plan of action. I honestly thought this would be a pretty chill video. Here is essentially what I said:
That I know it will be kinda difficult but I wanted to take on the challenge of decluttering. I decided due to work, christmas, and my birthday being all in December, when I was going to be decluttering, I would break things up. Each Week I'd give myself a task to work towards. For example the first couple of days of December would be focused on decluttering my Dog's things, the second week would be tackling clothing, the third et cetera.
So there you have it, a little every day for the month of December focusing in on certain areas for a week. And you know, it started out pretty good. I was left thinking after this first like two day week that this might have to be a scrapped video. This was going almost too well.
I was inspired to to this video after watching one about the abundance of the middle class (https://youtu.be/3AhSNsBs2Y0). There was this project, where they took photos of basically everything in a selection of middle class homes. And it showcased the connection between middle classes, clutter and excess, and the mental health side of things. Clutter being seen as almost a reflection of people's mental state. Clutter is stressful to look at, to constantly work around, and this idea of "I can't get rid of it because what if I need it someday". So here I was starting on a journey to reduce my clutter.
A few days, in and I slowly started to feel my own anxiety creep in. So I decided to take some of it off camera. Some of my things are a bit personal, like paperwork that I don't want to accidently dox myself with. This off cameras anxiety quickly spiraled. Here I was, trying to declutter for the benefit of less anxiety but was in the thick of rising stress.
I spent a fair amount of time just evaluating my space and trying to figure out things. Evaluating my space meant realizing I had not been decluttering at all. I have just been moving things around constantly. My anxiety heightened, I moved my whole bed back to the other side of the room! Convincing myself that a different layout is what I need. Then the feeling of defeat when moving my bed did not suddenly spark motivation to actually declutter.
Instead, I got on camera to say [cut to me on camera saying that I keep pushing things around] So I got a trash bag and started again. And too be fair, I have one pile of donate and I filled a whole trash bag to toss.
Anxiety now gone, I still don't feel decluttered. I genuinely prefer my bed where it is now, under the window, but I feel I need bookcases under the TV area to continue with the organization that comes along side Decluttering. I have a lot of things that I like having out and getting to see, but they need surfaces to live on. Which means that they feel cluttered on the few surfaces I do have for them.
Also another thing I did not factor, is that my room is the storage access point. So when we don't feel like, or have time to, bring down the ladder and putting stuff up. They pile and live in my room as their purgatory. So this is where I'm at. 31 days later...
Not exactly where I thought I'd be. But hey, I am a work in progress. So while I did not fully declutter and simplify my life in some way in 31 days, I did move my bed and that is quite the feat for one person. Queen sized beds are heavy and bulky haha. No, I learned that addressing the clutter with a deadline is almost more stressful for me than without a hard deadline. And being that Christmas means a lot of storage access and things living in my room, it probably is not the best of times to do it. But I did manage to get one bag of clutter solved, which is a start.
I hope to declutter more going forward, and hopefully a bookcase will help with the 'things living on surfaces' roadblock I seem to be hitting. So with all that said, What would you like to see me try next? Let me know if you have faced the same rising anxiety of trying to tackle decluttering I have. Thank you for reading. I post every Saturday on YouTube and periodically on Instagram!
Yes, Every chocolate chip cookie recipe I can find! At least in my own cookbooks to start with. I have always liked chocolate chip cookies and I was having a "Chocolate Chip Showdown" here at one point that I could not continue. But Compiling all the various versions of Chocolate Chip cookie recipes is something that interests me also, and is a lot more cost effective than making every version of them at the moment. So I will be trying my best to compile every version I can. So here are the ingredient lists of every chocolate chip cookie recipe in the cookbooks I own:
cook's Illustrated cookbook (2011) thin and crispy chocolate chip p.628
Betty Crocker's cookbook(1986) p.97
The 5 ingredient college cookbook by Pamela ellgen (2017) p.175
The joy of cooking 75th anniversary edition (2006) p.766-7
Flour
1 3/4c
1 1/2c
2 1/4c
2c
1c 2T
Baking soda
1/2 t
3/4t
1t
1/2t
1/2t
Baking powder
0
0
0
0
0
Salt
1t
1/4t
1/2t
0
1/4t
White sugar
1/2c
1/2c
3/4c
1c
1/2c
Brown sugar
3/4c
1/3c
3/4c
0
1/2c
Butter/shortening
14T
8T melted/cooled
1c
1c
1/2c
Vanilla
2t
1T
0
0
1 1/2t
Egg
1 whole plus 1 yolk
1
1
1
1
Water
0
0
0
0
0
Chocolate chips
1 1/4c
3/4
2c
1c
1c
Nuts
3/4c
0
1c
0
3/4c
Alternatives
2T corn syrup, 2T milk
Quantity:
16 large
40
6dozen
N/A
36
Temp
375*
375*
375*
350*
375*
Time
10-14
12
8-10
10
8-10
Ingredients/Source
Let's cook southern by Margaret Crawford (2003) p.141
Betty Crocker's cooky book (2002 reprint copy of 1963) p.108 easy chocolate chip
Betty Crocker's cooky book (2002 reprint copy of 1963) p.144 chocolate chip
Flour
2 1/4c
0
1 1/2c
Baking soda
1 1/2t
0
1/2t
Baking powder
0
0
0
Salt
1/2t
0
1/2t
White sugar
3/4c
0
1/2c
Brown sugar
3/4c
1/2c
1/2c
Butter/shortening
1c
1
2/3c
Vanilla
2t
0
1t
Egg
2
1
1
Water
0
0
0
Chocolate chips
3c
1c
1c
Nuts
1 1/2c
1/2c
1/2c
Alternatives
2t lemon juice, 1/2c oats, 1/4t cinnamon
2c bisquick
Quantity:
2 dozen
4 dozen
4 to 5 dozen
Temp
350
375*
375*
Time
16-18
10
8 to 10
As you can see, there are a lot of similarities and differences between the 13 recipes! I will be breaking them down in a video coming up soon, so stay tuned! If it is already out, I will have it up here too.
Please note that listing ingredients is not covered by copywrite law and by just listing the various ingredients, quantities, temperatures and times like this it is not considered unique enough to be under copywrite law. I did list the sources, although roughly, above each recipe for reference. I think it is common curtesy to let you know were each recipe came from, not to mention it shows that these are real variations on chocolate chip cookies out there! Here is an article that I have used for reference before I posted this spreadsheet.
Please let me know what you think of all the similarities and differences between these recipes and even your own chocolate chip cookie recipes!
As you might have seen in my previous posts, from well over a month ago now, I got a German Shepherd puppy. I ended up taking a break from my blog and YouTube when I brought her home because she has been too much work to maintain my previous balance. But now that she is more settled, I am getting better sleep, and some of my peace of mind is restored, I am going to make a commitment again to update more frequently again. Starting now with talking about my first 30days with this monster.
I had no plans on getting a puppy, but after meeting the (then) 6week old cutie in October and crying about it, my mom said she could be my Christmas present. Rolling around to November when she was 8 weeks old she came home to us. This began a three day and night crying fit where the cute little puppy I thought I was getting turned into a horrible regret. She came home on a Saturday and I did not more than an hour maximum until almost two weeks in. I regretted her deeply.
My three cats that I already have are still upset over the whole matter. They barely came downstairs unless she was locked away in her crate. When she finally stopped crying 24/7, it was that she would only cry if I was out of sight, she could not hear me, and if I was not actively holding her. As you might guess, that meant I was forced into holding her while talking if I wanted any silence. It also meant that I had to work my normal 8 hour job from home while sleep deprived and holding a puppy I wasn't even sure I wanted at that point.
It is really hard to admit that I regretted getting a puppy for those reasons. But honestly I thought the difficulty would not be the fact that my puppy would be inconsolable for literal days. I had blindly assumed that she would cry for 20 or 30 minutes and then be tired and go to sleep. I figured the hard work into a puppy would be training not her teething meaning she gets nippy. It's safe to say I had unrealistic expectations of what a puppy would be like.
Three weeks into her coming home she was sleeping most of the night, enough to were I bought a baby monitor so I could finally sleep in my own bed again. I had slept on the couch near her crate, which was fully covered so she can sleep in darkness, so I could hear her and not have to worry about going up and down the stair case in the middle of the night. It has definitely been nice being able to sleep in my own bed again.
She has also gotten better in the sense that I understand her ques better. She whines and can't sleep at night because she's thirsty or hungry. If we're playing a lot, she needs to go out every hour. But if she's just relaxing on her dog bed, I can wait until she gets playful again or closer to 3 hours if it's a middle of the day nap. She knows some of the rules I have set, like waiting until I say it is okay to come out of her crate or pen. She knows sit and down with hand signals. Overall we are getting more in sync. She has two big walks a day, everyday, unless we spend the afternoon out at the beach. Things are almost perfect now.
I want to make it clear that I don't regret getting Sappho. She is a perfect puppy and I love her deeply. I ranted on and on because I have spent the last 30 days living a sort of nightmare that I feel I was not prepared for, even with research. My Puppy is not quite like what I had read about. Which is why I felt regret, unprepared and like I made a mistake. But that just goes to show that every puppy is different. I wouldn't change it for the world, but I am happy that the first 30 days are completely over and I look forward to when I can reflect on the next 30 days and see that growth too.
The past month I have really been infrequent with my posting. The last one was simply just my YouTube video about dog supplies. The truth is that I have started socializing more, even thought about dating, and yes gotten wrapped up in preparing for my Puppy to come home. I genuinely want to get back into being consistent here and on my YouTube, so here it goes. Here is what I have been up to.
I have been socializing more lately. My friend group has expanded to include more people. I've been getting out and have had people over. In October, I went to the Haunted House twice, a small beer and cider spot several times, and even had my first of age experience at a casino. We also had a game night that lasted into the next morning. It has felt busy and sadly other hobbies got put on pause.
Next, I thought about dating. Even more than that, a guy friend, I even went to the haunted house with both times, expressed interest in dating. However, after some thought I turned him down. I really don't feel that he was right for me and the idea of dating made me really uncomfortable. I just could not be anything other than friends with him.
Finally, and the most exciting thing, is that I am preparing for my Puppy Sappho! I pick her up this weekend and most of my leftover free time from work and socializing has been spent going wild researching and preparing to have a dog. Which I went over in my dog supply video, but it has been a big part of my life at the moment and soon with my puppy.
So there is where I have been. But I am working on figuring out not only my YouTube/blog scheduling but content that I am happy with making. I find it hard to try and nail down what I want to do to a single thing so I am just going to do whatever I truly want. So if you're interested in that, thank you for sticking around to see or even if you just catch glimpses into some of them. Thank you!
This week's movie night was based on the iconic "Beetlejuice"! I think this movie is a fun time to watch, and honestly a top tier Halloween romp. It has the right amount of spook without being really scary. It also is a bit cheesy which really helps make it even more fun. This movie night was also special, because it was my pre-game in a way to going to the local haunted house.
I have a really easy time with movie violence, horror, and overall scares. They don't bother me too terribly much, but I still will get nightmares on occasion from them. But honestly, the scarcest movie I have seen in a long time is "Rosemary's Baby". Which is not exactly a bloody, horror kinda film, it's more psychological. But with all that said, I am not good with in-person horror things like haunted houses.
I honestly had not been to a haunted house sense probably 3rd grade but this year, I decided to face my fears. Luckily not alone though, I went with someone who was not afraid of these things at all. So overall it went really well. I survived without nightmares!!
So here is the dinner I made:
Greek Shrimp Salad:
Shrimp
Orzo
Greek Seasoning
Dill
Salt/pepper
Lemon zest and Juice
English Cucumber
Cherry Tomatoes
Green Pimento Stuffed olives
Greek Feta
It was basically cooking the shrimp in butter with the seasoning and lemon zest/juices until they were done. I also cooked the Orzo at the same time according to box instructions. After they were cooked it was just letting it cool. The cucumber I sliced into chunks, olives I left hole, and the cherry tomatoes I cut in half. I added more seasoning to the cucumber, olives, and cherry tomatoes. When the orzo and shrimp are cooled, I added it to the cucumber, olives, and cherry tomatoes. Mixed and tasted the seasoning. I refrigerated this until dinner time and added feta at serving. TADA!
Sorry this is rushed. I spent so much time fighting my video editing software so I don't have too much time to finish writing this. But I hope you are enjoying. I am still working away at my 30 day projects!
Welcome to October! One of the best months for spooky vibes and to celebrate all things Autumn! For me that means the transition to spending more time inside getting cozy as the weather turns colder and the days even shorter. So what better way to spice up a week and to get into the Halloween spirit than a good old fashion Movie night!
Which is why I've decided to share some of my movie nights this month with you! This week's movie is a classic: "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"! I have watched this movie every October sense I was really little, just like I always watch "a Charlie Brown Christmas" every December. It is really special to me.
So we have a movie! But what makes a movie night even more fun? A themed dinner and drink to go with it! So here is the Menu:
Dinner:
Pork Chops
Roast Squash
Baked Squash and Apples
Cocktail:
Apple Cider Ginger Beer
This is a very simple dinner, but here is how I made it:
First I halved and scooped the seeds out of a butternut squash. Then I peeled the squash. I cut one half into cubes and then cut the other half into thin slices.
The cubed squash go onto a cookie sheet. Toss them with oil, salt, pepper, and I used a no-salt seasoning.
Peel and slice an apple. Layer this in a baking dish with the slices of squash as follows: Squash, Apple, dots of butter, Spoonful of brown sugar, cinnamon, repeat until dish is full/you run out of squash/apples.
Both the baking dish and the sheet pan of squash can go in the oven together at 400f for 40 minutes, checking both and rotating the roasted squash cubes as needed.
The Pork Chops I made were simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and no salt seasoning. I then just pan fried until they were cooked through.
TADA! Dinner was made! Now honestly it doesn't look the most appealing finished, but it is one of my fall favorites.
Cocktail:
I found a recipe on Pinterest for an autumn apple cider ginger beer cocktail. It was very simply Apple cider, Ginger beer, and vodka. I think it was really nice and I think it would be perfect without the vodka as a normal drink. The ginger beer adds a slight fizz and bite that pairs nicely with the apple cider's sweetness.
