17 Things To Expect When You Date A Girl Who’s Used To Being On Her Own

Another this gem on Thought Catalogue:

1. Expect her to do her own thing often and without letting you know, at least at first. It’s not that you don’t matter; it’s just that she’s learned to love doing what she wants, when she wants, and without asking permission or informing anyone.

2. She’ll probably want to take things slowly because she’ll not be used to all the attention. Don’t think she doesn’t like you enough, she probably likes you a lot; it’s just all new to her.

3. Expect her friends to be overprotective of her and to be suspicious of you at first. They’re not used to her being with someone and they’ll want to make sure you’re the kind of guy who will treat her well.

4. She’ll have a hard time letting you do things for her. Try not to take this personally. She’s just used to taking care of herself and it’ll be hard for her to live in a world where she’s got someone else looking out for her in that way.

5. Expect her to be stubborn, to always want things her way, and to fight you when she doesn’t get it. Don’t always give in to her, but do let her win sometimes.

6. She needs to be left alone often especially when you first start seeing each other and it should feel like she’s head over heels. Believe that she has more butterflies in her stomach than she knows what to do with, which is why she’ll need to compose herself.

7. Expect her to pull away from you, especially when she realizes how much she likes you. She’ll come back to you but she’ll need time to think her feelings through.

8. She’ll question you, sometimes directly, sometimes implicitly, about your feelings for her. She’ll always want to know if they are real or if she’s making things up in her head.

9. Expect her to be headstrong. She’ll tell you, “I’ve got this,” more than you’ll want to hear. But she’ll get used to your offers to help. And in time she’ll know how to let go of the tight grip she seems to have on everything.

10. She’ll be guarded, and she won’t be keen on letting you in. She’s waiting to see if you’re patient, she’s waiting to see if you’re worth it. She’s hoping that you’re worth it.

11. Expect her to be stingy with trust, to only give a little bit at a time. But every time she gives you a little, it’ll feel like a big step for her. Cherish these big steps.

12. She’ll come across as strong, maybe too strong for you at first. But don’t be intimidated, this is her outer shell. And when you get to know her, you’ll know she’s strong but soft; tough but kind.

13. Expect her to be reserved, at least about the things that matter. Until you really get to know her. And then you’ll see the untamed, raw, and always beautiful open version of her that she’ll let you fully discover.

14. She’ll be slow with her vulnerabilities, and hide many of her weaknesses. And when she shows you them, she’ll feel naked. Clothe her with your words.

15. Expect her not to need you, and not to believe in needing much of anything at all. But she’ll want you. And when she does, it’ll be the most exhilarating feeling you’ve ever experienced.

16. She’ll be scared – scared to be hurt, scared to love, and be loved. Scared that you’ll eventually hurt her or leave her and if and when that happens, she won’t know who she was before.

17. Being alone is her default, it’s her comfort zone. But expect her to fall in love with you faster than she’ll admit and in a way that isn’t loud but still powerful; it’ll be like a little bit of heaven. And it won’t matter if you love her for a while or for a lifetime; her love will change both you and her forever.

20 Things You Should Know About Dating An Independent Girl

Found this gem on Thought Catalogue:

1. We need alone time. A little each day and more than a little on other days. It doesn’t mean we’ve lost interest in you.

2. We don’t mind if you don’t call or text us every second. We like it. We won’t be contacting you either. That said, if you’re late, don’t keep us guessing as to when you’ll show up as we’ll make other plans.

3. We can clean up our own messes. We’re not waiting around for you to fix our problems.

4. We are perfectly fine doing chores, running errands, and exercising by ourselves. If you want to join us, we’re glad to have you along, but don’t talk to us while we’re in the zone.

5. We sign up and attend charity events, races, and cultural exhibits on our own. We don’t need a date to feel comfortable at these things. Set us loose in a room with a bunch of people and we’ll have 10 best friends before the night is through.

6. If we have a sleep over, don’t expect me to cuddle you all night and cook you a hot breakfast. I will actually want to sleep and we can go out to the diner for brunch.

7. If we go to a party where it’s mostly your friends, I don’t need you hovering. I’m perfectly capable of chatting it up with endless amounts of strangers. I’ll even enjoy it. But don’t completely forget about me either as you’re probably my favorite person in the room.

8. We are comfortable paying our own way and will feel funny if you constantly insist on treating us. We don’t mind splitting restaurant bills with you. In fact, it makes us feel like we don’t owe you anything. We never expect you to pay for us or buy us gifts. If it’s not on a birthday or an anniversary, it feels like a bribe.

9. We will never ask you to lend us money. If we do, we feel odd and uncomfortable until we pay you pack.

10. We are capable of going to the bathroom by ourselves. But sometimes we just prefer the company of a friend.

11. We work because we want our own career. We’re not depending on you to be our sugar daddies. Don’t expect us to take a day off on a moment’s notice just because you bought tickets to a baseball game at 1 PM on a Tuesday. We have ambition and take pride in our work.

12. If you want to go watch football or to happy hour with friends, we’re cool with that. Actually, we prefer it, on occasion, because it gives us the chance to catch up with our own friends or spend the night catching up on our independent interests.

13. We know how to save money and are actively interested in planning for our own retirement. We know what a 401K plan is.

14. The idea of getting married sounds great with the right person. But we’re perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves if need be. We choose to be in relationship because we like you, not because we can’t live without you.

15. Sometimes, instead of a romantic partner, we secretly want to marry a cook / cleaning person / personal trainer / masseuse / stylist versus anybody else. If you happen to be one or more of these things, we will love you even more.

16. We like to fix things ourselves and will usually bring a step stool over to get things off of high shelves, even if you’re way taller.

17. We can be stubborn and adamant about handling things a certain way even if you’ve been through something before and want to give us advice. Forgive us. Let us try it our own way first, even if your intentions are good.

18. We get very frustrated with extremely needy, co-dependent people. This frustration may make us seem callous or icy, but it’s more about wanting to see people help themselves.

19. At times, we may seem so self-reliant, content and in control that you may wonder whether you’re needed in our lives. You are. We are confident and directed but cherish someone who appreciates, rather than fears, these qualities.

20. We still love a big hug, lots of affection, and to be told how much we’re loved. Tell us we look pretty every now and then and don’t let us shrug it off. Independence will never trump the desire to feel adored. 

Homemade Ice Cream Making 101

So today I uploaded my very first YouTube video!! It's very exciting for me! 

I did a tutorial for making Homemade Ice Cream. If you know me at all - you know I don't really like being on camera or having my picture taken unless it's under my own parameters. However, for my Church calling, I was put in charge of a Christmas Recipe Exchange for our Christmas Faire. So I bit the bullet and created a video.
Here it is ... please be kind. It's grainy, fuzzy, and out of focus at times, but it's my first effort and I'm really proud of it!

Video

Here is the recipe if you feel so inclined to actually make the ice cream now that you know the basic:

Peppermint Ice Cream

8 Large Egg Yolks             2½ cup Heavy Cream

1 ½ cup Whole Milk         2 tsp. Peppermint Oil Extract, Real Stuff

¾ cup White Sugar           ½ cup Crushed Candy Canes

1 tsp. Salt

                 

*      In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Set aside.

*      Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and put a smaller bowl on top with a mesh strainer on top. Set in the fridge to keep cold.

*      On the stove, warm the milk, sugar, salt, and peppermint extract in a medium saucepan. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

*      To make the custard, slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks a Tablespoon at a time to temper the eggs until all eggs are incorporated.

*      Whisk constantly to avoid curdling, then scrape back into the saucepan.

*      Heat over medium heat, while stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon and scraping the bottom of the pan as you stir in a figure Eight motion.

*      Continue to heat and stir until the mixture thickens into a custard and coats the back of the spatula.

*      Retrieve the Ice Bowl from the fridge and pour the cream into the top bowl.

*      Strain the custard through the mesh strainer and stir it into the cream.

*      Stir until cool over the ice bath.

*      Chill overnight in the refrigerator.

*      When ready to churn then freeze the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

*      Once the ice cream has frozen to a soft ice cream, transfer to an airtight container and mix in the candy cane pieces.

*      Freeze for at least 4 hours.