I’ve been so excited to write this newsletter for days and now that I am sitting down to do it my mind is totally blank. Isn’t that the way of things?
This is the first Slice of Life Newsletter, the Monday Musings email you’ll get with crumbs from the site and life (see all I did there?) Since I prefer to under-promise and over-deliver, I’m not setting a gold standard by which they’ll be written, however each week will have a sort of quasi format with some (or all) of the following:
An intro from me (hi!!)
What I’m baking or cooking this week
Current Favorites (be it books, shows, foods, places)
My Husband’s Cardboard Pile (what I’ve ordered online recently)
Sometimes a recipe, sometimes BTS, sometimes just pictures of Abby
And really…anything that enters my brain.
So, Monday, April 28, 2025. It’s been a second since January and also 25 years since then.
Here are 5 fun facts about me:
My favorite movie as a teenager was Pretty Woman. I watched it so many times (on a VCR) that the tape actually broke and my boyfriend had to go buy me a new copy so I’d stop crying.
I don’t eat condiments, except occasionally BBQ sauce and some dressings (Caesar and Balsamic). I’m not allergic to mustard but I say that I am because even a hint of it and I can’t eat whatever is being served. And IDK why mayo freaks me out so much? But it does? I grew up eating everything plain so now it’s just normal for me.
I saw the Era’s Tour 4 times (not including the 100s of grainy livestreams): Philly N1, Santa Clara N2, LA N4, and London N3 (YES LONDON NIGHT 3; Travis on stage lives rent free in my mind). I’m a Taylor Swift super fan - although she’s really just my anxiety reducer/comfort pop star. I have lots of ideas for Swiftie content…say hello if you love her too!
Cheeze-Its and a Coke Zero can make my day better, and often do, daily.
I majored in Mathematics in college, with my favorite subject being Non-Euclidean Geometry. I don’t think I could explain what that is anymore; it’s been too long, but I do still enjoy doing Algebra and Geometry problems as a stress reliever.
Leave me a comment and tell me something about you!
What’s Baking & Cooking This Week
This section will include links to my website, where all my free recipes live. Sometimes I’ll include another free recipe, right here on Substack. Occasionally, more complicated recipes will live behind the paywall, as does the chat function, where we can talk all about baking, cooking, and lots of other things too.
I’m currently working on summer content and remaking old recipes for YouTube and social media.
Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
A No Bake Dessert made with those rectangular ice cream sandwiches we all love. Plus Cool Whip and sprinkles! I’m doing a YT video for it.
Peanut Butter Cheesecake (No-Bake)
Creamy and delicious - easy to make too. Plus it’s no bake and it’s peanut butter!! I’m making a YT video for it, and it needs refreshed photos and a Reel-style video.
Banana Cream Pie
The pie that reminds me of childhood, but from scratch. It needs new photos (that pie crust is too done) plus it’s going on YT.
Pistachio Cream Pie
Needs new photos - obviously - but it’s such a great no bake pie. If you like Watergate salad, this pie is for you.
Greek Pasta Salad
One of my all-time favorite pasta salads. It’s more salad than pasta salad - and since I make the dressing I’ll eat it - no mustard allowed. Sometimes I add rotisserie chicken!
Currently Loving
I’ve been on a bit of a reading kick lately (not so un-normal but I did go through a book slump early on this year). Latest reads:
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (5/5)
Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino (3.5/5)
The Patient’s Secret by Loretta Anne White (3/5)
Currently Reading: Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
I’m currently binging ER (a rewatch) and am on season 3. I still can’t believe it was 30 years ago!!
Other than that, I’m keeping up with all things Bravo, except I’m underwhelmed by RHOA this season.
Mel and I have watched The Residence and Zero Day (both on Netflix, both really good)
Mel’s Cardboard Pile
I ordered more Souper Cubes (1/2 cup size) because one of that size wasn’t enough.
Dryer Balls with Lambs and Pandas - we no longer use dryer sheets and have had these for about 2 years now. I think they lose their oomph after awhile, and also they go wherever the single socks do, so we needed more.
I got a Pilates Ring - I’ve been doing pilates (using my wedge; I get vertigo) for about a month now, and the ring is one of my favorite things. It’s perfect for stretching! Now I can stretch at home.
I now have a 40-ounce Owala (for daily use), a 24-ounce Owala (fits in my car), and a kids 16-ounce Owala (fits in my purse). Sorry Stanley, my Owala is my new comfort water bottle.
Misc Mayhem
My studio is finally finished and I LOVE it. I’m enjoying filming on camera, even though it’s hard to do and I usually bang my head on something.
I’m heading to Charleston in a few weeks. Where should I eat? What should I do? I’m staying downtown.
See you next week! Paid subscribers might get another Disney guide this week.
xo,
Dorothy
So great learning more about you! I love that your stress reliever is math 😂 Looking forward to more ❤️
hahaha, I love Mel's cardboard pile 🤣 i'm so grateful and lucky that i got to attend 2 of the Era's Tour with you! 🫶🏼 can't wait to read more!!