Seattle Pt. II

Behind the Scenes: Friendsgiving 2015

Seattle

Abbreviated Pt. II

Three years ago I wrote out a list of meaningful memory triggers summarizing the course of time since the onset of sophomore year. Funny enough, a lot of those memories don’t resonate with me like they once did. The brita filter and broken door memories probably held a lot more meaning at the time, but now they’re more or less just words on a page. Regardless, it still gives me a feel of 2012—the spontaneity, randomness, and gentle chaos. So for the sake of my future-reminiscing-self, here’s the 2015 abbreviation of my life.

November 14th, 2012:
Unicorn party. New friends. Below freezing weather. Hot chocolate. Halloween shopping. Jell-o. Election day. Celebratory apple pie. Brita filter. Smashed pumpkins. Broken door. Improper garbage disposal. Basshead. Movie watching. Spongebob party hats. Spongebob marathons. Spongebob references. Spongebob. Candlesticks. Late night shuttle riding. Planning. Skyping. Waffle fries. Food deliveries. Catch phrase. Tiny Tim. Doorway climbing. OnDemand workouts. Fred Meyer adventures. Temporary house pet (A.K.A. Renee’s dog). House guests. Crown making. B&W silent video game playing. Running into parked cars. Potatoes.

November 15th, 2015:
Graduation. New apartment. Netflix. Messy roommates. Western employment. Timesheets. 3-year anniversary. /r/freebies. Making goals. Everything pumpkin. Trader Joe’s. New phone. President baby. Dayquil. “Ergonomics.” Duffle coat. Packing lunches. Eating out. Co-workers. Morning trail walks. Crockpot soups. Promo codes. Grocery lists. Perler beads. Mall field trips. Hazelnut macchiatos. Space heaters. Cake mix cookies. 5v5s. Broken screen. Washi tape. Seattle. Hydroplaning. Spreadsheets. Daily doodles. Man pies. Dollar store decorations. Warm socks.

Halloween Twentyfifteen

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

(click here for original recipe!)

Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
baking chips, optional

Steps:
1.) Preheat oven 350 degrees.
2.) Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs.
3.) Stir in baking chips.
4.) Bake for 8 minutes.

Pumpkin Coffee Syrup

(click here for original recipe!)

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Steps:
1.) Mix water and sugar in saucepan and bring to light boil.
2.) Continue mixing sugar and water until sugar dissolves.
3.) Reduce heat and mix in pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
4.) Continue to stir occasionally over low heat until mixture thickens.
5.) Remove from heat and allow mixture to thicken more.
6.) Serve desired amount with brewed coffee.

Woods

3-Ingredient Funfetti Cookies

Ingredients:
1 box funfetti cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup coconut oil

Steps:
1.) Preheat oven 375 degrees.
2.) Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Make sure coconut oil is in liquid form.
3.) Roll dough into small balls about a quarter in diameter.
4.) Place on cookie sheet and bake in oven for 6-7 minutes.

Easy Banana Cheesecake

(click here for original recipe!)

Ingredients:
Store bought graham cracker pie crust
12 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1.5 eggs
2 brown mashed bananas
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:
1.) Preheat oven 350 degrees.
2.) Beat cream cheese until creamy.
3.) Beat in sugar and cornstarch.
4.) Beat in one egg.
5.) Crack second egg in small dish, whisk together, and pour half into cream cheese batter.
6.) Beat in mashed bananas, whipping cream, and vanilla.
7.) Pour batter into pie crust.
8.) Place pie pan onto cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
9.) Decrease oven temperature to 200 and bake for additional 70-75 minutes.
10.) Let pie cool and then place into fridge for 4+ hours, uncovered.