In this episode, Swag builds the Supporters Hall, where paid members’ signs and blocks will go. Don’t remember how this system of rewards in my public Minecraft worlds works? Check out Signs, Blocks, and You – The Update here or search for the post on Swagnilla Ice where your paid membership can get you into this hall and begin your journey of support!
As the calendar turns to 2026, there is always a familiar sense of a clean slate. For me, this year is about finding renewal in what I build and how I live.
First, I have a major update for the fans of my gaming series, Creative Engineering. After a lot of work behind the scenes, the Creative Engineering Season One modpack is officially available for public download. You can find the link right here on the blog (under My Downloads). I am excited to see what you all build with these tools, especially since I am already preparing for the future—the next pack will be its own world and not in this one, so now is the perfect time to dive into this version.
On a more personal note, I am making a change to how I handle my time, my budget, and my health. I’ve recently received a diagnosis of minor arthritis in my knee and some slightly elevated cholesterol. It means a few more meds, but it also means I need to be more intentional. I have officially decided to give up on ordering in via delivery apps. To tighten my purse strings and ensure I am actually staying active and enjoying the experience of food someone else has cooked, I am restricting my dining out to a specific ritual.
I will only be going out to eat after Mass on Saturday or Sunday when I attend in person. As long as I am not sick and the weather isn’t too cold to make the trip, that will be my time to sit down and appreciate a fresh meal. It is about reclaiming the experience and making it a deliberate choice rather than a habit of convenience.
Whether you are downloading the new pack to start your own engineering journey or making your own small shifts in daily habits, I hope this year brings you a sense of fresh momentum.
f you enjoyed this blog post and the other content here on Swagnilla Ice, consider becoming a member. Members get to comment on posts as well as communicate directly with me and each other via a Discord server. Your support is what will keep this blog alive.
Wishing all of my readers a truly Happy New Year. May you find abundant happiness and hope in the days ahead, and may God bless you and your family throughout the year.
Welcome back to the final Power Up Notes of 2025! It has been a massive year for Linux, and we are closing out December with some record-breaking news and updates that show how far the platform has come. In today’s episode, we explore the latest Steam hardware survey results, a major new Long Term Support kernel, and the tools I use to put these videos together.
In this episode:
News Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Support the Journey: If you enjoy this family-friendly look at tech and gaming, consider supporting me. Your support helps me keep this research independent and accessible for viewers of all ages.
I have spent years stopping by the golden arches for a quick meal between shifts, but lately, something has felt off. After some reflection, I have decided to officially move on from McDonald’s, and it is honestly a bigger relief than I expected.
The breaking point happened on Christmas Day. I checked the official app and Google Maps, both of which confirmed the location was open 24/7 for walk-in customers. However, after making the effort to get there, I was met with locked doors and a sign stating it was drive-through only. As someone who doesn’t drive, I was left standing in the cold with no way to get service despite the glowing Open signs.
What made the situation even harder to swallow was the weather. It was freezing outside, and a big part of the plan was to step inside for a few minutes to warm up before the walk back home. Standing there in the cold on Christmas, staring at a Drive-Thru Only sign while the app insisted the lobby was open, felt like a slap in the face. When a billion-dollar company can’t keep its own digital hours accurate, it shows a lack of respect for a customer’s time and effort. It is one thing to have a technical glitch; it is another to leave a customer out in the elements because your business model only accounts for people in heated cars.
The kicker? I’m walking away from nearly 3,000 McDonald’s points, but honestly, it’s a small price to pay for my peace of mind. When I look at the competition, the choice is easy. Starbucks actually serves hot chocolate that tastes like chocolate, not watery sugar. Tim Hortons and Subway offer fresher, more diverse food options that don’t leave me feeling sluggish. To top it off, the rewards system at Tim’s actually feels like it respects my wallet—I earn freebies way faster there than I ever did at McDonald’s.
Missing out on that meal ended up being a blessing in disguise. Instead of settling for fast food, I had a proper brunch yesterday: two egg, ham, and spread cheese sandwiches, a hot glass of apple cider to shake off the chill, and some vanilla-flavoured almond milk. Not only did it taste better, but using eggs with Omega 3 is a win for my heart health, too.
It isn’t just about a missed meal; it is about the principle of the matter. This experience reminded me that my time and my patronage are better spent elsewhere—somewhere that actually values accessibility for everyone, not just those behind a steering wheel. From now on, I will be taking my business to places that keep their doors open and their digital promises honest.
To all my readers, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. May your celebrations be safe and full of joy alongside your family and friends. It is a beautiful time to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
I have decided to officially retire from the lottery. After a long streak of what can only be described as impressively bad luck, I am hanging up my tickets for good. From now on, I will be investing that six to ten dollars into things with a guaranteed return, even if that just means a cup of hot chocolate to get me through my next temp assignment.
To keep the Swagnilla Ice website operating in its current form, I need the support of my community. While the financial reality of the annual hosting fee—228 USD (approximately 314 CAD)—is substantial, the motivation to continue comes from seeing a clear commitment from you.
The tangible goal is to secure the equivalent of five annual Knight memberships (50 CAD annually each) before June 15, 2026. Reaching this 250 CAD milestone proves that the community values the website, giving me the vital motivation needed to bridge the remaining financial gap and keep the site running for another year.
If this essential support is not secured, the website will unfortunately have to shut down and be replaced by a basic Ko-fi page (as well as other 3rd party services for hosting files). This change is not just a platform switch; it represents a significant loss for our community:
If you love the exclusive access and Discord perks of the Knight tier, your support now directly ensures the preservation of the Swagnilla Ice blog, archive, and independence.
If no one chooses to step up in this time of need, the history of this site will be lost forever as well as my full independence to create the content that you enjoy whether it be thought-provoking articles, fun gaming videos, or quotes from the past that are still relevant today. Please consider becoming a Knight member today to help us meet our goal and save the Swagnilla Ice website.
It’s been one year of Creative Engineering on YouTube! Before taking a two-week hiatus for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, Swag gives an extensive tour of his Minecraft world. See all the progress and changes the gaming series has made to the flat world, and get a sneak peek at what’s coming in 2026!