Bingeworthy · TV

Searching For: The Summer Binge

JanetLeave a comment

May is the usual end of season (if not series) which leaves us looking for that certain something special to look forward to watching…or bingeing…during the summer. I find myself looking for cozy comfortable things, old or new (to me).

I recently discovered the 2004 The Batman series on Tubi and have been enjoying that very much. I’m also diving back into The Great British Sewing Bee season 10 over on the Roku Channel. I deliberately saved (?) season 10 to watch in those times when I needed a touch of comfort. Also on my proverbial back urner is a collection of The Great [ fill in blank ] Baking Show(s). I’ve enjoyed the Canadian and British versions but am just starting to tap into the American series.

I am looking forward to watching The Other Bennet Sister on BritBox. I have seen several clips and, frankly, find quite interesting.

What else? So far I’m not sure. I am endeavoring to dig a bit deeper into the offerings of all the streaming services and see what catches my eye. On the one hand it is a long summer but on the other hand, it isn’t nearly as long as we might think…

What are you looking forward to watching?

Bingeworthy · TV

Thoroughly Enjoying The Conversation(s)

JanetLeave a comment

I’m one of those folks who enjoy the behind the scenes stuff that you could find on DVDs or VHS tapes. The shorts that showed how things were done or why things were done. Yeah, I’m one of those folks. 😀

I am also enjoying a couple of podcasts that provide insight into behind the scenes or, even better, who the people are. I want to hear the stories, learn the lessons, enjoy the conversation.

NCIS has a YouTube channel that covers the franchise but they also have a podcast, NCIS Partners & Probies, where Brian Dietzen and Diona Reasonover sit down with folks to chat about the shows in the franchise. I am still catching up but I have thoroughly enjoyed what I’ve seen. I’ve learned things I never knew, was reminded of things I already knew and found myself enjoying the conversation.

Dropping Names with Brent and Jonny is a Star Trek fan’s thrill but also a movie/TV fan’s thrill. Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes sit down with guests to talk about…all sorts of things, some Trek related and some not. I am also catching up but what I’ve watched has been fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed LeVar Burton’s visit. He has had an amazing career and the stories he shared … You’ll just have to check in to find out.

NOTE: Both podcasts can be found wherever you get your podcasts. Click the links for more information.

Enjoy!

Musings

A Touch of Disney Nostalgia

JanetLeave a comment

For many of us folks, Sunday Nights were when we watched Wonderful World of Disney*. This Disney staple was a rotating anthology series that gave us insight into all sorts of wonderful things while showcasing the Disney Studio expertise. You might still be able to find some over on YouTube.

Saturday night has become my favorite time of the week because Dennis over at West of Neverland (YouTube) brings us stories about the Disney classics providing context, history and insight. While most are under 20 minutes long, the weekly videos are interesting, thought provoking, memory jogging and enjoyable. In its way, West of Neverland is the modern equivalent of the Wonderful World of Disney.

I’m looking forward to doing a deep dive to see what is in the playlists and discover more about the podcast.

*The name changed a bit when color TV became more of a thing in the 60s.

Around the House

Did Someone Say Whimsy?

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While I love many decorating styles, I have a particular fondness for homes filled with color and whimsy. These homes are created with the intention of NOT going with the grain. They might be Pinterest worthy but they aren’t going to be found on many, if any, home decorating magazines because <gasp> they aren’t whatever the latest version of ‘stylish’ might be.

Ariel Bissett’s very old Canadian home has been her playground for several years now. It is filled with color, creativity, comfort and, yes, whimsy, Her latest video showcases a few small projects that have added that little something extra. Check it out:

The stripes are wonderful. The colors she uses are fun. The best thing of all: You can use whatever colors make you happy. Even if they fall into the current <cough> preferred pallet… And, of course, I love the artwork, too!

Musings

Easing Into…

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I looked up the other day to see a commercial for Memorial Day…! That end of May holiday… Needless to say, I was surprised. Not sure I am ready for that, either.

This has become a time of quiet. A time for peace, wherever we can find it.

As I contemplate this next phase, I wish you peace, calm and beautiful days.

Musings

Reset Time Again

JanetLeave a comment

It snuck up on me. Reset Time. That time you clear your caches, check your To Be Read, To Be Watched, To Be Done lists. You too?

I think the first inkling of it came when I happened across a Memorial Day Sale commercial. Memorial Day??? Then I looked at the calendar and the ‘ah ha’ moment happened. We have passed Spring Break and are honing in on Last Day of School. Summer vacation.

I did manage to find what might be the beginning of a Summer Binge on Tubi. The Batman (2004) was an animated series that ran for several seasons. The atmosphere works. The voices are interesting. The stories are well done. I managed to binge almost the entire first season before I knew it, now I’m trying to pace myself.

This was a lucky find as we head into season finale season. I admit I am not ready for that, either. It seems we just got started…

Have you thought about your plans for the next few months? Is there a series that you want to dive into? Let me know.

Around the House

A More Realistic Look At Keeping House

JanetLeave a comment

Despite what some of the influencers might like us to believe, keeping a clean house is not as simple as 1-2-3. No magic wand is involved. The additional fantasy that a clean house will stay clean is another one of those pipe dreams. Reality is that if there is at least one person living the home, neat and tidy lasts as long as it takes to remove shoes, change clothes, make a meal, eat a meal or even just sit down on the closest chair.

Now I am not one of those pristine housekeepers. My home looks lived in even when the floors are cleaned, laundry and dishes are done and things are picked up. Side note: I am not averse to cleaning, I just choose not to spend 24/7/365 doing it.

If you are curious, See Mindy Mom posted a great video on how she tackles her house where she and her husband and 3 kids live.

Wise use of time and practical methods help tremendously. Mr. Carrington’s Clean In 15 book is a great example of a tool that will help you get your home in order, too.

A home should be exactly that, a home. Not a hotel or a fancy mansion kept up by servants. A home is that place where we should feel comfortable.

Cooking

It Does Not Have To Be Difficult

JanetLeave a comment

Cooking and baking can be extremely simple or excruciatingly complicated and everything in between. For most of us the day to day meals the occasional (or not so) extra special deserts are relatively simple affairs that can be accomplished by reading the recipe and understanding the instructions.

Recently Glen & Friends over on YouTube posted a great example of what happens when recipe writers, and those who use those recipes to make sales, create recipes that are almost certainly guaranteed to frustrate, annoy, and fail. Check it out:

Be sure to check out both recipes in the description box below the video. Eye opening stuff!

I have to wonder if the original recipes might have gone through some tool to adjust it for folks in different parts of the world or who use different measuring tools. That might explain some of the ridiculous measurements.

What Glen does is take the absurdity out of the equation and provide a usable recipe that anyone should be able to make. Even someone who is new to the cookery craft.

As I said, things like this do not have to be complicated but there is also a touch of confusion when you are working with a recipe intended for folks who use scales and those who do not. Either method works you just have to be mindful to be sure you are keeping with the method you chose.

Those cookies do look good!

Bingeworthy · Classic TV

Love Classic Disney Animation? Check This Out!

JanetLeave a comment

If you are like me, you probably grew up watching The Wonderful World of Color from back in the 1960s. There was something special about Sunday evenings curled up in front of the TV, most likely with the entire family, watching the weekly adventure. If you were lucky enough to be able to watch the original Disney films, too, even better.

Now, I know that things have changed with the House of Mouse, but the early stuff was magical on many, many levels. Dennis, over at West of Neverland, has created a channel devoted to those classics providing lots of background information.

Forty Seven videos so far! That is quite an accomplishment. If you’ve never checked out the channel, now is the time to do so.

Enjoy!