Meet Collin, a 1.5-year-old male dog who’s brimming with playful puppy energy! He gets excited when it’s time to go outside, and his enthusiasm is contagious. Collin still needs some continued training and can be a little mouthy at times, but he’s learning that this behavior isn’t acceptable. With his goofy spirit, he knows how to sit and takes treats gently. Fun-loving and adventurous, Collin is ready to explore the world and would make a fantastic companion for an active family or individual who can help him continue to grow and thrive.
In his first playgroup session, Collin had a tucked tail, was nervous, but warmed up slightly. By his second session, Collin was ready to play! He prefers to not be the center of attention, but he enjoyed trailing the playing pack and chasing others. Nice temperament and played equally well with males and females.
If you’re interested in learning more about him, please reach out to our volunteer matchmakers at [email protected] with the subject line “Collin 254124”.
He is up to date on vaccinations, flea/tick, and heartworm prevention, is microchipped, and will be neutered prior to going home. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 16 pieces, room temperature, plus more for bowl
Topping and Assembly:
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for assembly
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
Photo by Getty Images
Directions
Dough:
Activate Yeast: In a small pot over medium heat, warm milk until about 105°F (warm to the touch, not hot). Transfer to a liquid measuring cup, stir in yeast and 1 tsp. granulated sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In the large bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 4 cups of flour, salt, and the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.
Combine Ingredients: Once the milk mixture is foamy, add it to the flour mixture along with the eggs. Stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead Dough: Attach the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mix on medium-low speed, adding more flour 1 tablespoon at a time if the dough sticks to the bottom. Knead until smooth and elastic but still firm, about 10-12 minutes.
Incorporate Butter: With the mixer running, add butter one piece at a time. Wait until each piece is fully incorporated before adding the next. This process might take up to 10 minutes.
First Rise: Brush a medium bowl with softened butter. Shape the dough into a ball, transfer it to the prepared bowl, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft-free area until nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Topping and Assembly:
Prepare Topping: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together 1 cup flour, powdered sugar, shortening, cocoa powder (if using), vanilla, and a pinch of salt on low speed. Increase to medium speed and beat until smooth, resembling frosting (about 1 minute).
Shape Dough: Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Turn the dough onto a clean surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place 6 balls on each sheet.
Add Topping: Using damp hands, scoop about 2 heaping tablespoons of topping and pat it into a 3-inch disc. Drape the disc over each dough ball, leaving about 1/4-inch of dough exposed at the bottom. Smooth the topping gently with damp fingers.
Score Topping: Use a conchas mold or a sharp knife dipped in flour to score the topping into patterns. Let the conchas rise again until the dough balls are about one-third bigger, about 1 hour.
Bake:
Preheat Oven: Arrange racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat to 350°F.
Bake Conchas: Bake for 20-22 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until golden and risen.
Cool and Serve: Transfer conchas to a wire rack to cool before serving.
Honeywell, one of the last remaining U.S. industrial conglomerates, will split into three independent companies, following in the footsteps of manufacturing giants like General Electric and Alcoa.
The company said Thursday that it will separate from its automation and aerospace technologies businesses. Including plans announced earlier to spin off its advanced materials business, Honeywell will consist of three smaller entities in hopes that they will each be more agile.
“The formation of three independent, industry-leading companies builds on the powerful foundation we have created, positioning each to pursue tailored growth strategies, and unlock significant value for shareholders and customers,” Honeywell Chairman and CEO Vimal Kapur said in a statement.
Honeywell had said in December that it was considering spinning off its aerospace division. The public announcement arrived about one month after Elliott Investment Management revealed a stake of more than $5 billion in the aerospace, automation and materials company. Elliott had been pushing for the Charlotte, North Carolina, company to separate its automation and aerospace businesses.
The board of Honeywell International Inc. had been exploring strategic options for the company since earlier in 2024.
The company, which makes everything from eye solution to barcode readers, has been seeking ways to make itself more nimble. Over the past year and a half, just after Kapur took over as CEO, Honeywell has announced plans for the advanced materials business spinoff, entered into an agreement to sell its personal protective equipment business, and made several acquisitions.
The separation of the automation and aerospace technologies businesses is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. The spinoff of the advanced materials business is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year or early next year.
Like Honeywell, other U.S. conglomerates have been pressured by shareholders to simplify their structures, allowing each segment of the company to move more freely and adapt to changes in their respective markets.
Iconic CEOs like Jack Welch of General Electric spent years building corporate American behemoths with the belief that with scale came power. Yet those massive companies were forced to compete with upstarts with a narrow focus and a more clearly defined set of goals.
Investors also wanted a more clear view of the priorities within each division, which became more murky as the companies grew.
In 2015 metals maker Alcoa said that it was splitting into two independent companies, separating its bauxite, aluminum and casting operations from its engineering, transportation and global rolled products businesses.
GE announced in 2021 that it was dividing itself into three public companies focused on aviation, health care and energy. At the time, the move was viewed as a potential signal of the end of conglomerates as a whole thanks to the move toward a digital economy.
Shares fell almost 3% before the market opened Thursday.
NEW YORK (AP) — Irv Gotti, a music mogul who founded Murder Inc. Records and was behind major hip-hop and R&B artists such as Ashanti and Ja Rule, has died. He was 54.
Def Jam Recordings, which was the parent company of Murder Inc., announced Gotti’s death in a statement late Wednesday night. It did not give a cause of death.
Gotti, whose real name is Irving Lorenzo, founded Murder Inc. with his brother in the late 1990s, with the label gaining worldwide prominence through platinum-selling artists Ashanti and Ja Rule. Gotti had also worked with artists DMX, Fat Joe and Jay-Z, among other huge names in the genre.
“His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide,” the statement from Def Jam read.
The label, which got its name after Gotti watched a documentary on the original Murder, Inc. crew of mob hitmen, once came under investigation for allegedly laundering drug money for a notorious crack kingpin, leading to criminal charges against Gotti. He was eventually acquitted.
The bad press around the investigation led to Gotti dropping the word “Murder” from the title of the label to change its name to The Inc.
“All of these big records, and people would still come back and focus on the negative word ‘murder,’” he said when he announced the change.
Still, Gotti never changed the nickname he shared with the late Gambino family boss John Gotti, which he said was given to him by Jay-Z.
“I ain’t going to change it,” he said of his name.
Lyor Cohen, a former Def Jam executive who is now global head of music at YouTube and Google, said “Def Jam has lost one of it’s most creative soldiers.”
“He was hip hop, and when we were on bended knee he brought the heat and saved our asses. He comes from a very tight, beautiful family from Queens and it’s an honor and a privilege to have known him. Irv you will be missed,” Cohen said in a statement.
24 medium uncooked shrimp (about 1 pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed
1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fish sauce
Juice of 1/2 medium lime (about 1 tablespoon)
1 small seedless cucumber, julienned
1 medium carrot, peeled and julienned
2 large radishes, julienned
1 medium scallion, thinly sliced
To assemble the rolls:
4 ounces dried cellophane noodles (bean threads)
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
16 (8 1/2-inch) rice paper wrappers
30 fresh basil or mint leaves
8 leaves bibb or butter lettuce, halved
Photo by Getty Images
Directions
Cook the Shrimp:
Bring 1 quart of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Prepare an ice water bath.
Add the shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the ice water bath. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain. Slice shrimp in half horizontally (butterfly) and set aside. Reserve the water for the noodles.
Prepare the Vegetables:
In a large bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice.
Add cucumber, carrot, radishes, and scallion. Toss to combine and set aside.
Cook the Noodles:
If needed, break the noodles into smaller pieces. Reheat the reserved shrimp water until boiling, then turn off the heat.
Add the noodles and let sit for about 10 minutes (or according to package instructions) until tender. Drain, toss with sesame oil, and set aside.
Prepare the Rice Paper Wrappers:
Fill a pie plate halfway with room-temperature water. Submerge one rice paper wrapper for about 30 seconds until soft. Carefully remove and lay flat on a clean surface.
Assemble the Rolls:
Place 2-3 basil or mint leaves slightly left of center on the wrapper. Lay 3-4 shrimp pieces, cut side up, over the herbs.
Hold a lettuce leaf in your hand and fill it with 1/4 cup vegetable mixture and 1-2 tablespoons of noodles. Place the lettuce cup next to the shrimp.
Roll the Spring Rolls:
Fold the top and bottom of the wrapper over the filling.
Roll the left side over the shrimp, then roll tightly until sealed.
Place seam-side down on a baking sheet and cover with a damp towel. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
Serve:
Cut rolls in half if desired and serve with peanut sauce for dipping.
You may have a full-time job or be in school, so choosing a hobby that fits your current obligations is important. Consider how many days per week you can dedicate to a hobby, how often you’ll participate, and the overall free time you have. You might wonder how your friend manages to attend yoga classes four times a week when your schedule feels completely booked. In that case, consider a hobby that is less time-consuming and tailored to your specific routine.
Family and Friends Influence
While you may not have the same amount of free time as your friends or family, you can always dip your toe into their hobbies. That friend who goes to yoga four times a week? Maybe you could join them once a week. Doing hobbies with loved ones makes it more likely you’ll stick with them and enjoy the experience.
Feeling Like a Kid Again
Think back to when you were a kid. What hobbies did you enjoy? You might consider picking one of them back up. Did you love to bake but stopped making time for it? Hobbies you already know and enjoy are often the easiest to maintain because they bring you joy and familiarity.
Make it Manageable
Start small. It’s easy to jump into something with full enthusiasm, but before committing too much time or money to a hobby, make sure it’s sustainable. For example, if you’re interested in scrapbooking, buy a few basic supplies to get started and dedicate just one hour per week to it. Keeping your hobby manageable is essential for sticking with it.
Wreck-It Journals are becoming popular on social media platforms like TikTok. They’re a creative space to jot down your thoughts, plans, and goals while incorporating elements of scrapbooking. Unlike traditional scrapbooks, which often feature polished layouts, Wreck-It Journals are all about imperfection and spontaneity. That sushi takeout receipt you got the other day? Throw it in there. That random raffle ticket you didn’t win with? Add it, too! You can even use a portable thermal printer for quick and easy prints.
Photo by Getty Images
Learning to Cook
Learning to cook is a valuable skill that combines practicality with fun. Are you stuck in a microwave-meal routine? Find simple recipes for meal prep instead! TikTok is an excellent resource for all kinds of recipes, from step-by-step meal prep guides to elaborate dinner party ideas. Choose a creator or website you like and start by cooking two or three meals per week. If you want to go the extra mile, book a cooking class for yourself (and maybe a friend).
Photo by Getty Images
Sticker Making
Sticker-making can be a fun and relaxing hobby. There are plenty of methods, from using a Cricut machine to DIY tape stickers. A Cricut is versatile, allowing you to create stickers, permanent decals, or even iron-on designs for t-shirts. These stickers can be used as gifts, home organization tools, or just for fun. You can design your own stickers using platforms like Canva or find pre-made templates online.
Photo by Getty Images
DIY Nails
DIY nail products like Gel X are becoming increasingly popular because they’re relatively quick and easy to learn. I started doing my own nails four years ago, and I haven’t been to a salon since. While it may take a little longer to do them yourself, it’s a great way to relax and disconnect.
You can buy Gel X kits or press-ons from retailers like Amazon, and TikTok has detailed tutorials to get you started. Be sure to follow proper safety precautions, such as fully curing your nails and avoiding contact between the gel and your skin. For an extra step, consider using HEMA-free nail polishes for a safer alternative.
Photo by Getty Images
Cake Decorating
Cake decorating was a hobby I loved as a kid, but as I grew older, I found myself with less free time and not as much of a sweet tooth. For me, it was more about the decorating than the baking. I enjoyed gifting small cakes and cupcakes to friends and family. This hobby is perfect for a slow Sunday and is something you can enjoy with loved ones.
Why Are Hobbies Important?
Mental Health
Hobbies provide a way to unwind, whether you’re coming off a 40-hour workweek, a day with the kids, or a long study session. Engaging in enjoyable activities helps release dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone, which can reduce stress and improve your mood.
Creativity
Hobbies encourage you to think outside the box and try new things. Creative hobbies can improve problem-solving skills and spark innovative ideas that help in all areas of life.
Social Connection
Hobbies are a great way to bond with others. Whether you’re attending classes, joining clubs, or trying something new with friends, hobbies create opportunities to build connections and expand your social circle.
Hobbies are an essential part of a well-rounded life. They provide joy, relaxation, and personal growth opportunities. Whether you’re reconnecting with a childhood passion or exploring something entirely new, the possibilities are endless. So, what’s stopping you? Start your hobby journey today!
