By Paula Flinchum

Take 30 seconds and think back over the last decade; think back on every movie remake you can remember. Ready…GO!!!

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from dailyfilmdose.com

Ok, I’ll help get you started, how about the one that started it all Oceans 11 (and twelve and thirteen), then there’s the, yet to be released, Conan the Barbarian and The Three Musketeers; Batman, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (cleverly re-named Guess Who? But guess what?! You can’t fool me!), Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13^th… Speaking of the latter let’s throw multi-sequel franchises into the mix… Movies like the Pirates of the Caribbean(s), the Harry Potter(s), and The Fast and the Furious 1 through infinity, cause trust me, they ain’t done yet!

So! When did Hollywood become so worried about making franchises and completely abandon any hint of individualism and creativity?! Is it the economy? It seems as though producers too scared to take the gambles that enhance their industry, only looking to what has made them money in the past. Or is Hollywood just out of touch? As a population many are forced to go to the movies as one of a few real sources of entertainment, but dollars don’t always equal satisfaction. Gone are the days of fresh new ideas and now we, the creativity loving population, must suffer through the same old plots and same old characters (though the names may change a little). Is Hollywood just out of good ideas?

Movies aren’t not the only entertainment industry to blame, however; Broadway, over the past 5 years, have aspired to transform every movie and television show known to the modern world into a stage stompin’, lung bustin musical; Spiderman, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Monty Python, and Wicked (modeled after The Wizard of Oz) just to name a few!

The question is: is there any way to fix Hollywood? To gain back the creative spirit that gave us such classic films as Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, even Mary Poppins!! I certainly don’t have the talent or the cash to create a slew of hot new screenplays, but somebody has to! People have to stop worrying about what’s been successful in the past and look to the future! A silver screen fashonista, if you will! The music industry isn’t stuck in neutral, NO! They’re coming up with new ideas, new sounds, new beats, every minute of every single day. The music industry moves so fast it’s really hard to keep up; so take a hint Hollywood—make your own beats!!

Paula Flinchum resides in Blacksburg, Virginia, with her puppy dogs and long time beau.

]]> http://jesseyschaudt.com/2011/10/08/hollywood-remakes-grrr/feed/ 0 schaudtgallery oceans11 original paula profile pic http://jesseyschaudt.com/2011/10/07/introducing-paula-flinchum/ http://jesseyschaudt.com/2011/10/07/introducing-paula-flinchum/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:55:03 +0000 Jessey Schaudt http://jesseyschaudt.com/?p=462 Continue reading →]]> Our newest addition to the site, here to lend her opinions and questions, and whatever else moves her to put fingers to keyboard: Paula Flinchum, age 23. Here is a quick interview to make you more acquainted.

JS: What is your occupation?

PF: Professional Student

JS: What is one major life goal?

PF: Change lives through education

JS: Do you prefer to cook in or take out?

PF: Cooking in! You never have to send anything back!

JS: Are you a pet person?

PF: Love Dogs! Autumn a Pug and Izzy a Pit-Mix

JS: Are you tech savvy or more fond of the pen and paper?

PF: Pad and paper. Otherwise I would destroy my backspace key!

After baking a few different kinds of bread, just for fun to be honest, I had the task of finding something to do with my little creations. For the focaccia I decided to do something with an Italian flare, and top it with yummies such as cheese, grape tomatoes, olive oil, and white beans. The result was delicious, and I will most likely make this again soon. This would make  a good appetizer or maybe even a small lunch.

Focaccia with White Beans and Tomatoes 

Ingredients:

extra virgin olive oil

grape tomatoes

can cannelini beans

red onion

garlic

mozzarella cheese, sliced

parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

focaccia bread

Start a small saucepan on medium heat, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil with a handful of grape tomatoes (about ten or so), sea salt, and pepper. Turn down to medium low when the tomatoes begin to burst, and allow them to poach and infuse the oil with all their flavor.

In a separate pan, pour a tablespoon of the oil from the tomatoes and turn onto medium. Add half a red onion and a little salt. I am so impatient with my onions, I let them caramelize slightly, but if you can manage to wait, your result with be even sweeter.

Back to the tomato pan, add one can of rinsed cannelini beans, or white kidney beans, and one peeled garlic clove. Stir and allow to heat thru. Remove garlic clove before serving.

Take focaccia bread and cut in half. Then slice it into two thinner pieces. Place each thin piece of bread on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Layer the bread with slices of fresh mozzarella, onions, bean and tomato mixture, and grated parmesan.

Heat in the oven until the mozzarella cheese is melted, about 7 minutes. When done, slice the pieces in half and finish with a light drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Serves 4

(September 27, 2011)

Over the weekend I decided to play with some baking, which is something I really don’t do that often. I’m very impatient, and I find baking doesn’t allow for much creativity. I’m hoping to find a few basics that I can dress up and make my own, but until then I want to share my new knowledge.

First, I made herbed focaccia bread with thyme and oregano. I got the recipe from a book about herbs I bought years ago. Making bread is surprisingly simple, it just takes a little time, and definitely makes a big mess! The recipe is as follows:

Serves six:

2 2/3 cups unbleached white bread flour, plus extra for dusting

1 envelope active dry yeast

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1 1/4 cups hand hot water

3 tbs extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for greasing

4 tbs finely chopped fresh herbs

sea salt, for sprinkling

Combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a bowl and make a well in the center. Gradually stir in most of the water and 2tbs of the olive oil to make a dough. Gradually add remaining water, if necessary, drawing in all the flour.

Turn out onto a lightly floured counter and knead. Transfer to a bowl and lightly knead in the herbs for ten minutes until soft, but not sticky. Wash the bowl and lightly coat with olive oil.

Shape dough ball, place in the bowl, then turn the ball over. Cover tightly with a dish towel and set aside in a warm place to rise until the dough has doubled in size. Sprinkle polenta  (I used cornmeal) over your baking sheet.

Turn dough onto lightly floured counter and knead lightly. Cover with upturned bowl and let stand for ten minutes. Roll out and pat the dough into a 10″ circle, 1/2-1 inch thick. Carefully transfer to baking sheet (If you get tears just knead the spots back together). Cover with dishtowel and allow to rise for 15 more minutes. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

Drizzle the rest of the oil on top of the bread and use your finger to poke indentations into the bread (this will keep the bread flat). Sprinkle with sea salt. Heat in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.

(Recipe from The Herb Bible, Barnes and Noble Publishing, 2006)

You can use this bread for sandwiches, paninis, pizza, or for dipping. (September 26, 2011)

photo from thisis50.com

By Jessey Schaudt

This week I saw I Don’t Know How She Does It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Olivia Munn, and Pierce Brosnan, among others. I am a huge SJP fan, and this girl power movie seemed the answer for a soon to be mom with mile long lists of her own. It just fell short of my expectations. I wish there were more interaction between the female characters, rather than testimonials. Christine Hendricks was very charming, but not featured enough in actual scenes. Jane Curtin did do a good job of playing an antagonistic mother in law. Each of the actors, I felt, did what their characters asked of them. It also seemed like half the story between the husband and wife was missing, and the end shots were just sappy and weird. I did like parts of the movie, but I Don’t Know How She Does It didn’t really make a connection. It was kind of cute, but not the best. Two disappointed smiles from me.

image from beyondhollywood.com/tv

by Jessey Schaudt

Last night I watched New Girl (Fox) with my husband, Andy, and laughed my arse off! I was afraid with all the hype I wouldn’t love it as much as I wanted to. Zooey Deschanel has never let me down, and the new show is no exception! Yay! The Damon Wayans Jr. character, Coach, was pretty funny also, and the restaurant scene had me in hysterical tears. I am pregnant though, so tears pop up quite a bit. If you didn’t see it I recommend it. Four smiles for New Girl!

I am going to make some changes to this website so stay tuned to see what fun I come up with. I am no longer in the real estate field, so I am changing the purpose of the site altogether. I plan to write about my own experiences relating to anything and everything. If you have something interesting to say, I’d be happy to post something for you, including pics, writing, art, etc. I will be happy to point anyone to a great Realtor if you are looking, or any other New River Valley information needed. I’m just changing the focus. Have a lovely day!

Jessey

A good day always starts with a fantastic cup of coffee- Dear Lucie Monroe’s, I heart you! (featuring Josh Keith, barista extraordinaire)

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Customers checking out the art and merchandise.

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Me on the phone leaving a tres glamorous message about parking!The event was sponsored by the Christiansburg Civic League with only two months preparation. Not too shabby!

This is a mail cart and a scale, which would’ve been used when all of the mail came into town on the train, and then was dispersed from there.

Plant sale! The chicks and hens went early- sad face.

Like little sunshine kisses.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there!

Hugs,

Jessey Schaudt