December Flicks

While I could write about something to do with Christmas, I've decided to go the simple route - NETFLIX!

Binge watching shows on Netflix is something that has become much of a fad. Because it’s often difficult to find the time to sit down and watch a show live, and even though DVR is something we can use – not every person has it.

While it may take some time for your favorite show to appear – or the next season to crop up – Netflix is a fast way to catch up. You can easily catch up on a season – pause it where you leave off and easily pick up where you left off with it. It tracks where you are with it, and there’s no judging. (Though I have heard that Netflix will often ask if you are still alive if you watch for too long – it hasn’t happened to me yet. Fingers Crossed.)

It’s a way to sit down and relax after a day of work, school, both of them – and give you a reprieve from the world at large.

Some of the shows currently on (and on my To Watch and Re-Watch list) that you may enjoy too are (in no specific order or favorite ranking):

Once Upon A Time

This is a fantastic ABC show that takes everyone from the Disney verse and sets them all together in Storybrooke, Maine. It follows Emma Swan, daughter of Snow white and Prince Charming, whose son Henry is currently being parented by the Evil Queen. Currently on its Sixth season (with the possibility of more) you have five seasons to watch. Gold! (No pun intended.)

Supergirl

DC is having a fierce time with hit shows on the CW. I’m only two episodes in, but it is definitely something to keep tabs on. This show will also be tying in with The Flash and Arrow. So stay tuned!

Merlin

This show has been around for a few years (coughsince2005ish). There are only five seasons it’ll be a quick get through if you binge with earnest intent! And Author and Merlin – what more could a history buff want?

Stranger Things

Granted there’s only one season so far (season two has been promised and will coming soon!), but each episode is completely worth it. It’s a unique take on the 1980’s genre, coupled with Dungeons & Dragons, a mystery, and spooky thriller. Take a peek on it – it’s worth the watch!

Penny Dreadful

This one took me by surprise. I first watched it on a plane to Alaska (got through five and a half episodes before reaching Seattle for the transfer, but that’s still a record). It takes the old Penny Dreadful stories (no pun intended), adds a bit of Mary Shelly, Oscar Wilde, and Bram Stoker (so far). This isn’t a series for the faint of heart though, as battling any sort of monster fight comes with its fair share of blood and gore. So be warned of anyone under 18.

The Pinkerton's

I have yet to delve into this one, but just hear me out. The Pinkerton's are to America what Scotland Yard is to England. This will be a fantastic show to watch through – so keep it booked.

Fuller House

Hear me out – this is based off of Full House, only the girls are grown up and living in their old house. The shenanigans involved with the three single woman is a fun comedy to watch through.

Supernatural

I would be a terrible person if I didn’t include this on the list. While I am not up to date with the current season (I’m still on Season five, sue me). There’s a reason why this show has lasted this long. Currently on season eleven, it’s full of everything you could want in a show. Take a look at it – there’s quite a few seasons to catch up on – all of them worth it.

Galavant

While it’s sad this only lasted two seasons – each episode it only twenty minutes. The trick: they’re all musicals. The singers are spectacular, and we fans would love to see the return of this. Netflix said it might just happen if enough people watch it on Netflix – so GO WATCH IT!

(EDIT: Didn't mean for this particular picture to be so big - but it's worth it!) 

What are some of your favorite shows to watch?

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to these pictures. I do not get named for name dropping either.

Christmas Season

With this new season upon us its easy to fall into habits of helpfulness and charity.

There are many different places you can go to around your own home town, or city, to give service. There are plenty of different ways to give service as well.

Check your local newspapers, or local websites, for more information.


Giving service can be more than just going out and working at a foodbank, or volunteering time. It can be driving a friend, taking a meal to someone in need, or hosting.

When given freely and without the intent of gain in return, service becomes something more meaningful. It becomes a gift to not only us, but those we serve as well. It becomes part of a cycle of giving and giving.

With this Christmas Season giving is essential. It is engrained into the days - engrained in the times. It is part of who we all are, to be of service to others. It is something that every one of us have deep inside of us. It's a basic act to want to serve others, to show the same compassion we were given when we were younger. It's something that takes us back to our childhood roots. Something that shows us the joy of the season.

No matter what religion we claim, the desire to do good is always there. All we have to do is act upon it.

Enjoy the season. Wish someone the greeting of the holiday you associate with most. Personally, I will be glad no matter what greeting you give.

Merry Christmas!

NaNoWriMo 2016

I've been competeing in this self inflicted tournment for a few years - it's down to the final two days.

While it's a struggle to write at leas 1,667 words a day (though I always strive for 2,000 because I am an overachiever), for 30 days, it's not all that impossible.

Writing is a wonderful art form - it's something that every single person on the planet has done for years. We've all written a story at some point.

With that in mind - writing a novel - which is the same as 50,000 words (in it's entirety) - it's not all that impossible.


Writing out - or writing in - is one of the best things that we can every do. Creativity and imagination in all its forms helps us cope with the world around us. It keeps us able to go through the mundane life of work and life.

Don't give up writing - don't give up the imagination - keep on writing out those stories. Continue working on those works of art because only you can do what you do.

We need you.

Be creative.

Be moved

Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving: Give Thanks.

You can go out and achieve great acts of service by volunteering time.

Fall

Down here in the Deep South, we've finally gone from summer to fall.

Last week started off with still pleasantly warm weather, comfortable enough for flip flops and jeans. This week, however, it's hard to step outside during the afternoon without feeling cold.

Here are a few of my favorite fall recipes;

Mint White Hot Chocolate

2 Cups Milk
2 Cups Half & Half Cream
8 oz. White Chocolate, Chopped
1 tsp. Peppermint Extract
A few drops of Green Food Coloring
Marshmallows (optional, but seriously, why wouldn't you not?)

In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the Milk and Cream over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the White Chocolate, remove from heat and set aside for a few minutes. Add the Peppermint Extract and Food Coloring, whisk until smooth.

Serve Immediately: Serves 4


Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
Author: Dinner at the Zoo

Filling:
1 (8 ounce) Package Cream Cheese, softened
1 Egg
1/3 cup White Sugar
1/3 cup Pumpkin Puree
2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Miniature Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Muffins:
1 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
1 cup White Sugar
1/3 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Milk
1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Miniature Semisweet Chocolate Chips
Cooking Spray

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper cups or coat with cooking spray.
2. Place the cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar, pumpkin puree and flour in the bowl of a stand mixer that has been fitted with the paddle attachment.
3. Beat until light and fluffy - the mixture may curdle at first, but it will come together if you continue beating.
4. Stir in the chocolate chips and set aside.
5. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center and add the milk, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Stir together until well blended. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full with the batter and top with 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the tops of the muffins. You may end up with extra cream cheese mixture, you can put it in an oven safe dish and bake it alongside the muffins for a cheesecake snack!
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.


Check out Pinterest or your other Favorite Blogs for wonderful recipes - food, crafts, and decorations alike!

Elect Your Local

GO OUT AND VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE!

Happy Post Halloween!

Or Happy All Saints Day!

And for those of you who are writers - Happy NaNoWriMo!

There are a few topics I could potentially cover in this weeks exciting addition to Fickle 'N Freelance Forever. After some debate (mostly with myself), I've decided to focus on writing.

At one point in your life you have sat down and written a short story. At one point, you have attempted to write a book. And at one point we all try our hand at novel writing. It's a fun exercise in using your imagination, using an idea from a random source, and a chance to finally use all of those SAT words we were all forced to memorize (or remember until the test, forget, then come back to years later).

First things first: What is NaNoWriMo?

    Na (National) No (Novel) Wri (Writing) Mo (Month)

Basically you write 50,000 words - which is the equivalent of writing a novel.

You can go over this number count, but it is the basic goal hundreds of thousands of people strive to meet each November.

NaNoWriMo - the link here will take you to the main page of the event. From here you can read more about the challenge, sign up and track your progress, read pep talks from actual published authors (James Patterson did a pep talk one year), and find a group close to you and meet with fellow writers.

There are always events going on in whichever region you sign up with. Each year there are at least four "Write-In's" round about where I live.

A "Write-In" is where a bunch of writers congregate in a specified location (sometimes Ikea), and sit in a large space (the cafeteria) and write for a few hours.

Writing with others is beneficial, as you can interact, bounce ideas off others, and help them with blocks or other writing things.

Not only is WriMo an excellent opportunity to meet fellow writers, but it's a way to set new boundaries for yourself. Try it - see what sort of stretchniess occurs when you attempt, and finish a 50,000 novel in the course of 30 days.

Now - 50,000 is a daunting number. The site breaks it down to a simple format.

    1,667 words a day X 30 days = 50,000

Simple, right?

I prefer to use 2,000 words a day - that way if  I fall behind I already have a few hundred in my arsenal (as getting sick each November is always in the works).

Have an idea you've been mulling around in your mind? Something interest you that you've always wanted to write about? Now's the time!

You are writing a FIRST draft here - it doesn't have to be professional. It doesn't have to have perfect grammar, perfect editing. It is a ROUGH draft.

The whole point of this is to get the idea down. Get in locked in place - save all the revisions and editing for December.


How about it? Care to join me on a writing journey this month?

I will be participating this year, if you want a friend: CatherineSilver