#Devonshire magic

[wytchoftheways]

This is my version of the three bees in a bag charm housed in the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic; Hung in the best room of the house, they will bring good fortune, happiness, health and sweet luck. This version includes a hag stone and allspice, and are held in a black bag for protective qualities. 🐝

[spiralhouseshop]

RESTOCKS!

Southern Cunning: Folkloric Witchcraft in the American South by Aaron Oberon

Backwoods Witchcraft: Conjure & Folklore from Appalachia by Jake Richards

Silent as the Trees: Devonshire Witchcraft, Folklore & Magic by Gemma Gary

The Witch at the Forest's Edge: Thirteen Keys to Modern Traditional Witchcraft by Christine Grace

[artemis-fowl-incident-report]

Welcome to my throwback day contribution!

So I did a post a while back talking about what I would have done with the Fowl Twins books, and a subsequent chapter by chapter breakdown for the second book. And thus, as my throwback, I'm gonna break down what I would have done for "Deny all Charges" aka the third one.

(Just to preface, I never finished the third book. I dont know what Eoin was doing there, but I wanted no part of it)

Chapter 1

The Twins have recently turned 14. Following the trend of his character development from my version of book 2, Beckett has really come into his own, doubling down on his talent for engineering and languages, and is actively working on writing his first children's book (since he found that, with all his passion for the "Alien Pooping Boy" books, he might as well try writing all his ideas for himself). Beckett also keeps bees now, since he can talk with them, and bees are one of the only creatures that consent to their domestication by humans. Myles is as snarky as ever, but is a bit less vicious about it, since he's begun realising how hurtful some of his statements can be.

The boys are in Italy with their parents, visiting their Uncle Foxy and his boyfriend, one Giovanni Zito (because I said so). They're just discussing when Artemis will be returning from Mars when the boys get a message. The Crown of Frond they saved from the last book has been stolen from the Section 8 archives. The trail leads to Venice, so the boys head over to investigate.

They tail behind the fairy thief who they believe stole the item as they twist and turn through the city until they come to a church. Just as they get there, however, the building blows up. No one is hurt, but they can only assume their target is dead.

Chapter 2

As they're preparing to head home, Myles keeps fretting about the explosion. He goes over the security footage over and over, until he remembers that many churches have catacombs under them. He keeps researching until he comes across footage of their thief being whisked away by a boat that looks like an ACRONYM vestal.

Cut to their fairy nervously pacing around a safe house, wondering if the money was worth it- BLAM! Beckett knocks down the door. Between the two of them (and Whistle Blower, who they keep threatening to feed the fairy to) their thief confesses that he stole the crown for one Lord Teddy Bleedham-Drye. The only other information he has is that he's going to be attacking a fairy magical research lab on the Devon moors soon.

They leave him, wandering through the streets to where Lazuli parked the shuttle. Beckett wonders if Artemis will be back in time for this adventure, and how it would be fun for them to get to solve this problem together. Myles is less enthused, noting that Artemis would probably get himself killed with his lack of self preservation instincts.

Chapter 3

A few days later, Lazuli, Myles, and Beckett (with Whistle Blower in his backpack) scale the Devonshire Moors. Since the area is well known for its military training camps they deemed it best to go by foot.

Lazuli is doing rather well since the last book, discovering she was from a secret branch of the Frond royal family. She's practically been adopted by Lily Frond, since most of Lily's family isn't great and she always wanted a sister. They may only be distantly related, but its the only family Lazuli's ever had (my heart!)

The magical testing facility is disguised as a Tor (big piles of granite that jut from the moors surface). But its clearly been attacked recently, with chunks taken from the surface, revealing the buildings structure underneath.

They head inside, learning that all the scientists and engineers have been kidnapped, and one piece of tech stolen. A magic amplifier. It was originally being developed for No1, as a way for him to cast spells on mass like healing the Amazonian rainforests or large groups of people during emergencies.

As the Regrettables leave they find themselves surrounded by the British Army. They're about to be fired upon, when a bright light shines down upon them. A ship descends, and a familiar voice in their ear pieces telling them to cover their eyes. There's a brilliant flash of light, and the army men drop to the ground, dazed and mind wiped of the last hour.

The spaceship's pod descends and two people step out. Butler and Artemis.

Chapter 4

Everyone (except for Myles) is overjoyed to see Artemis. He and Butler are rushed down the Haven with the Regrettables, and tearfully reunite with their friends, before buckling down and getting to business. (yes, Artemis is most pleased to be back on earth because he gets to wear suits again. Go figure)

Myles does not appreciate being side-lined like this, being treated like a child as Artemis and the others take over the situation. (Beckett tries to point out that they are actually children, but it doesn't go well for him). Its actually Lily Frond who gives them the means to listen in on the situation, having the keys to the office connecting to the situation room.

Turns out the machine is missing one key element, a very rare crystal that draws in magical energy from its environment and stores it within itself. They decide to contact Minerva about it, but it will take a day or so, since she's still a smuggler in this story, but a more high quality smuggler (also, Artemis is Godfather to Minerva's daughter. Its so sweet). Myles convinces Beckett they need to go to Minerva themselves, for which they steal a pod and head for the surface. (They leave Lazuli behind since they want her to, you know, keep her job)

Not that Beckett doesn't like a good heist, but he's usually the impulsive of of the two. He doesn't understand where this grim determination has come from with his brother. When pressed on the subject, Myles simply points out they shouldn't be overlooked like this.

Chapter 5

They turn up in New Orleans, and Minerva is very confused, but agrees to help when the situation is explained. Turns out, she has just the rock they are looking for, and a large chunk of it at that. The Twins buy it off her (because they got that Fowl money, you know what I mean?) and decide to take it to a secure location so Teddy cant get his hands on it.

Teddy gets his hands on it. He attacks the boys as they're transporting the crystal. During his big Villain monologue, he reveals he wants to be King of England, and he will use the fairy people to do so. He does, however, accidentally mention that a certain "she" will demand her share as well.

The twins are pushed from the pod, but not before Myles accidentally manages to get hold of a baby chunk of the crystal. They fall into the Atlantic Ocean, being picked up by a fairy rescue vestal.

Chapter 6

Back at Villa Eco, the twins get scolded by their parents and Artemis. Beckett kind of accepts it, but Myles refuses to. He runs away, reflecting on how all of this has been an absolute mess, that maybe they really should have left it to Artemis and the others.

When he catches up to him, Artemis and Myles have a heart to heart. Myles admits that he used to idolise Artemis, that he thought his big brother could do anything. But then he got himself killed at the end of the Last Guardian. Worse than that, he got killed from information Myles supplied him with after being possessed. He wants to be an equal to his brother, he wants to be close to him, but he felt his death stronger than anyone else. And then, when Artemis came back, he headed off to Mars like an Interstellar hipster on a gap year trying to "find himself".

Artemis apologises, explaining that he'd lived his first life for other people for so long, being the genius, the heir, Artemis Fowl II, that he didn't really know who Artemis was away from those things. He just wanted to keep his family safe, even though he had no idea how to be anything but a stranger in said family. That he should have reflected more on how him and Beckett were affected, that he does see them as his equals, and that he's sorry.

They hug it out. Myles is crying, Artemis is crying (I'm crying!)

Chapter 7

Much like the Death Star, it turns out this magical amplifier has a very specific (plot contrived) flaw. The crystal at its heart is not only rare, but its very fragile. If shot through with the right frequency, it will shatter and explode, all the magical energy contained inside it bursting out in one shot. However, they don't know what that frequency is, since they would have to run tests on some of that specific crystal vein.

Myles is happy to announce that he has one of said crystals, but will only hand it over to the LEP if they agree to let him and Beckett help. Their parents try and argue against it, but finally (finally) realise that nothing will stop their sons if theirs something they want to do and so elect to come along and help.

They fly across to Isle of Scilly to meet up with the rest of the team. Lord Teddy's manor is a virtual fortress, guarded by the fairy scientists and engineers he had kidnapped from Devon. They're clearly being mind controlled, and they have anti shield goggles on, so there's no way they could attack the house by air.

They had, however, contacted the Hortenut Seven, through Mulch, to dig them in. While they face off against Teddy, the dwarves will disable the guards, in exchange for Artemis backing their political interests (he has quite a bit of sway with the People since his resurrection, being viewed more like a Hero than the monster he used to be).

Artemis Sr and Angeline are actually surprisingly good help navigating the halls of Childblain House (turns out Angeline used to be a cat-burglar and Tim was, you know, a former crime lord so that helps). They reach the grand hall where the machine has been set up, the crystal humming away menacingly.

They each separate into one of three teams. Team A, Myles, Fowl Sr, and Butler (who between them are lugging a large box). They will be dug around the back of the hall by Mulch through the garden. Team B, Angeline, Juliet, and Beckett move to various positions around darkened hall out of sight ready to snatch the crown at the first opportunity. And Team C, Holly and Lazuli, who are shielded in the rafters with their guns ready if something goes wrong. Foaly is also there, in spirit, or rather on tech support, using his little bug drones from the Last Guardian to keep eyes on everyone.

Taking a breath Artemis, now wearing a gloop tie and glasses, steps into the hall.

Chapter 8

Artemis tries shooting at Teddy, but misses, being tackled and chained down by fairy guards for his trouble. When Teddy comes closer to inspect the intruder, he's told that this is "Myles" come back from the future to stop him. The maddened Lord wholeheartedly believes this, and takes it as a sign of his future victory. Since, if he hadn't won, there would be no need for "Myles" to have been sent back.

The crystal is changed up. Teddy is monologuing, strolling up have the crown on his head hooked up to the machine, regal in his throne

BLAM

He's shot in the chest.

Teddy looks over, betrayed, as Sister Jeronima, or rather her corps puppeteered around by Opal's ghost emerges.

All the fairies are suddenly released from the crowns spell and try to run, only to freeze back in place as Opal puts the crown on her own head.

Of course she has a villain speech, and of course she knows its Artemis. She talks about how he's always been small and pathetic, with a mind that could once rule the world but no resolve to do so.

She gets her guards to round up all the various Fowl's, Butler's and others. She hooks herself up to the machine, ordering Holly and Lazuli to take aim at their friends.

BOOM!

The crystal explodes, the machine Myles had set up vibrating at just the right frequency to release the magic trapped inside. There's chaos, Opal trying to order her fairy minions as the humans all rush forward to get the crown. Angeline is actually the one to get Opal, punching her in the face with a war cry of "that's for what you've done to my sons!" as Whistle Blower tears Opal/Jeronima's ankles to shreds.

But not before Lazuli goes to take a shot at Artemis, with Myles pushing him out the way.

Chapter 9

Between the two of them, Holly and Lazuli manage to heal Myles, where he wakes up in his big brothers arms.

It ends with them all sitting on the beach eating ice cream, waiting for the LEP to come sort out the mess and take Opal into custody.

They give the crown to Lazuli to look after, who resolves to hide it just as her ancestor Darach wanted.

Artemis tells his brothers how truly proud he is of them, and how he hopes this is the Fowl's legacy. He called an old man by Beckett, and a simpletoon by Myles.

The end

(I have been writing since 3am and now it is 7am. Why do I do this to myself? I have no idea)

[thefisherqueen]

“The exact date is 1742.” Dr. Mortimer drew it from his breast-pocket. “This family paper was committed to my care by Sir Charles Baskerville, whose sudden and tragic death some three months ago created so much excitement in Devonshire. I may say that I was his personal friend as well as his medical attendant. He was a strong-minded man, sir, shrewd, practical, and as unimaginative as I am myself. Yet he took this document very seriously, and his mind was prepared for just such an end as did eventually overtake him.”

Oh spooky time! An ancient curse, a prophecy, with the added dynamics of: was it magic? Was it coincidence? Did the tragedy merely happen because they believed in it? Did someone take advantage of the opportunity? I'm excited for this!

[superconductivebean]

###: HLMCOctober - 1

link to the masterpost

Introduce yourself and your MC

My humble self has been around in the fandom since February and was admiring everything from a distance. Thought, won't be here for long, you see. That until Aesop Sharp happened to my fairly serene life, and I've decided to try and yank myself out of the native language comfort zone to write something anything about him -- and subsequently, the MC of mine, Julia Wright.

I had an intro post about her, can be found here. Her inspo sheet:

Her pinterest board:

A couple of gorgeous screencaps made by the gracious @phinik:

Essentials only for trivia, because I have quite an extensive hc posts listed here (although, please forgive me: older posts may have outdated info):

Julia is of dutch/faroese descent;

Ravenclaw, through and through;

Her scar looks menacing and pain it may cause is as horrid;

Half-blood but-- let's just say she didn't know until Aesop happened to her life;

She is natural to Charms and Transfiguration magic due to her ancient magic, wyrdish abilities, and she spend a great deal of hours on potion-making (she went a long way from being mildly curious and enamoured with the discipline to it becoming her livelihood; spoiler alert, Aesop was a help but not the cause);

Her mood swings may be harsh and have many explanations to them (physical pain, mental fatigue, underlying stresses, etc) but all you need to know: she can be sullen, she can be hysterical, yet she always remains a goof, especially around friends;

She likes sparkly and glossy things, her assigned House bird is a magpie;

Julia is a cosy lesbian but will kick arses if necessary;

No bullying on her watch and no house elf slavery either (you can already imagine: her life isn't easy);

In her later, aftergrad years, she'll move to Wales to live alongside her throuple besties, Poppy and Imelda;

what else can I say: her foster-family lives in Devonshire and Dorset, her extended blood-family is spread across northern Europe and has-- spolier alert, long-standing family business;

Julia collects last names like they're pokemons. ^ ^

[ljfeed-spn-j2-bigbang]

2022 Big Bang Masterlist

Bet you thought this was never coming, huh? But here it is! The lovely

firesign10 made and coded this masterlist back in July. And here is it now!

If you see any errors, please let me know and I'll get it corrected.

SPN J2 Big Bang Masterlist 2022

J2

Fic title:The Stolen Voice

Author name:

candygramme and

spoonlessone

Artist name:

dwimpala21

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 32K

Warnings: none

Summary: Jared is an elf lord who has been in exile in our world for many years. He sees a beautiful singer on the television and just as he's about to cast a spell to capture his attention, the queen of Elfland gets there first and begins to seduce him. Jared is able to stop that happening, but she is furious and takes Jensen's voice away and hides it in a grim fortress back in Elfland.

All Jared can do is help Jensen get his voice back, so he leads him and his musician friend Steve to Elfland along with their dog. Will Jensen get his voice back? How can he, a mere mortal, defeat the evil queen and her magic?

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: AO3

Fic title:Fateful Summer

Author name:

jdl71

Artist name:

emmatheslayer

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 94,675

Warnings: mention of infant death

Summary: During his sixteenth summer, Jensen travels to Devonshire to stay with his aunt and uncle, so he can experience pack life. There he meets Jared Padalecki, the pack alpha’s son, the alpha who catches Jensen’s eye. They quickly become friends with that friendship blossoming into something neither expected until events pull them apart, resulting in Jensen being hurt and left broken and possibly beyond repair. Years later, Jensen returns to the pack lands and discovers that fate isn’t quite done with him or Jared. Can Jensen let go of the hurt he’s been carrying around for ten years? Can Jared reconnect with Jensen, the omega he still can’t get out of his mind? They say that time heals all wounds but can it mend broken hearts?

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: DW

Fic title:The Ceiling Can't Hold Us

Author name:

firesign10

Artist name:

bluefire986

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 25K

Warnings: discussion of alcoholism

Summary: It's been many years since Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles fought their way back to being together, after their first attempt at a relationship crashed and burned. Over a twenty year span, they deal with professional successes and troubles as well as personal joys and demons. Their story is one of trials, tribulations, and a testament to enduring love.

Link to fic: LJ | AO3

Link to art: LJ | AO3

Fic title:A Man of Few Words

Author name:

tcs1121

Artist name:

aggiedoll

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 31K

Warnings: Violent assault with resulting permanent injury. Anomic aphasia. NSFW artwork in Part One

Summary: In high school, Jensen had it all. A popular star quarterback with straight A's and the raw talent to get offered a full football scholarship to Cornell Law school. His beautiful high school sweetheart, now fiancée, was the head of the cheer squad. Jensen was on top of the world. He also had an envious teammate who savagely beat him and left him for dead.

This was how Jensen became a man of few words.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: AO3

Fic title:Jensen, Go Solid

Author name:

1bad_joke

Artist name:

amberdreams

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 55K

Warnings: Ghosts, explicit sex, alcohol use

Summary: In 2015, lonely handyman, Jensen Ackles returns home from a long day of work only to unexpectedly bite the big one. A random happenstance, he's none too happy about. All he knows for damn sure is that no one else is going to live in his house. Years later in 2022, his home has become a local legend and is the next filming location for the hit paranormal show, Supernatural, starring Jared Padalecki. Jensen can't help but be annoyed by the show's theatrics, especially those of its leading man who reminds him of a Criss Angel knock off claiming to be psychic... Except both men are shocked to discover Jared can actually see him. Together, the two strike up a deal.

A tale of a stubborn ghost, a prima donna, mild enemies to lovers, strange domesticity, and way too many references to movies featuring ghosts. Oh, and a happy ending, so don't be scared!

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: LJ

Fic title:Across the Hall

Author name:

lullys

Artist name:

beelikej

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 47K

Warnings:

Summary: So no one told Jared that life was going to be this way

His life’s a joke, now he’s broke, his love life's D.O.A.

It’s like he’s always stuck in second gear

But moving to Dallas and meeting Jensen,

maybe it’s finally going to be his day,

his week, his month, and even his year…

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: LJ

Fic title:All the Flowers of All the Tomorrows

Author name:

ju4jen

Artist name:

blondebitz

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: PG13

Word count: 47K

Warnings: none

Summary: After his last worldwide tour, Tris Galloway is sick of his music, the way he looks and the life he is leading. So he runs. Straight back home. Fifteen years ago he escaped his father, the bullies, and the love of his life and Jared Padalecki became one of the world's most famous rock stars, Tris Galloway.

But who is he, now that he has shed that persona? And will restoring his historic home and garden help him find the peace he is desperately craving.

And then there is Jensen. Who is still there. And he isn't very happy with Jared.

Link to fic: LJ | AO3

Link to art: LJ | AO3

Fic title:Lottery

Author name:

junkerin

Artist name:

aomasade

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 29K

Warnings: none

Summary: Jared is a young guy from a trailer park that wins in the jackpot in the Lottery. Then he meets Jensen rich, good-looking and old money, so everything should be fine, right? Only Jared´s family is difficult. His sister tends to steal, his brother doesn't see why he should work when Jared won 998,536,258 $ and his mother doesn't want to be bothered as long as she can watch TV. Can Jared finally see that his family is the trash everybody sees in them or will he give up Jensen and stay with his family?

Link to fic: LJ | AO3

Link to art: LJ | AO3

Fic title:Kneeling By the Roadside

Author name:

tsuki_no_bara

Artist name:

aggiedoll

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 23K

Warnings: A lot of inner monologue. Misha the asshole. Off-screen Chad.

Summary: Jared lives in Austin and plays bass in a band called Potatoes of Defiance. His life makes sense until it doesn't, and because he can't deal with the sudden changes he drives off to see his ex-boyfriend Jensen, who moved to Seattle after they broke up. It's 2100 miles from Austin to Seattle, which gives a man a lot of time to think. And think Jared does - about his past and his future, the band he plays in, the musicians he knows, the gigs he's done, and the ex he's going to see. Once he gets there, Jensen listens to him, talks to him, shows him the sights. They won't - can't - get back together, but it turns out that's okay. Jared just needed to get out of Austin and into other parts of the country, where he can think things through surrounded by different landscapes and the fun parts of a different city, in the company of someone he still kind of loves.

Link to fic: LJ

Link to art: AO3

Fic title:Blue Mountain Lake

Author name:

aelia_1980

Artist name:

dwimpala21

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC17

Word count: 71K

Warnings: mention of homophobia, injured Jared, injured Jensen, wheelchair Jensen (not permanently), mention of stalking/harassment

Summary: After a fallout with his domineering father, Jared gives up his career as a criminal defense attorney to become a ranger at the Adirondacks Park. Discontented, he lives in virtual isolation in a remote cabin near Blue Mountain Lake with only his hound for company. While hunting, Jared accidentally shoots a sleeping hiker and provides first aid until medical care arrives. Unable to forget the stranger, he visits him in the hospital and immediately notices Jensen is restless and anxious, seemingly running from something. Or is it someone? Inexplicably drawn to him and to make amends, Jared does the unthinkable and invites Jensen to his home to recover from the accident. Neither of the men believes in love, but their irrefutable bond and mutual attraction quickly develop into them becoming friends with benefits. Will these two lost souls learn there are many things to save each other from and that true love always finds its way?

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: AO3

Fic title: Swans and Skates

Author name:

oobydooby67 (Compo67)

Artist name:

slurpyart

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC-17

Word count: 30K

Warnings:

Summary: Five years post-retirement from the professional circuit as a Principal ballet dancer, 38-year-old Jared works as the Dance Coordinator for the Richardson Park District. He enjoys his work and his carefully constructed routine. With four months until recitals in May, he must remain focused.

Jensen, a NHL player, is two seasons into his time in Dallas. At age 40, he doesn’t take hits like he used to and he knows it. His game is a little slower, his moves a little sluggish, and he needs to step it up if he wants any chance of helping Dallas make the playoffs.

When Jensen’s ex-wife, Oli, needs to travel more often, he picks up the responsibility of taking their little girl Lilah to ballet class. It’s then that the worlds of ballet and hockey start to merge.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: LJ | AO3

Fic title: Gambrels of the Sky

Author name:

cyndrarae

Artist name:

aomasade

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: NC-17

Word count: 102K

Warnings: a/b/o dynamics in the sub-plot

Summary: The brave new post-apocalyptic world stands on the brink of war. Lycans of the south will stop at nothing to overthrow the mighty Ackles in the north. So, First Alpha Jensen Ackles returns home, and brings his mate, Jared Padalecki, with him. But as expected, not everyone in Albion is willing to accept a non-lycan, sub-human outsider in their pack. Jared struggles to assimilate, not knowing what his purpose in Albion is, besides maybe just staying alive. Meanwhile, Jensen is struggling too, losing his own purpose and position, everything he's worked so hard for, all because of his accidental bonding to a damn shifter.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: LJ | AO3

Fic title: The Intern and the Dragon

Author name:

zubeneschamali

Artist name: seleneheart

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jared/Jensen

Rating: PG-13

Word count: 39,200

Warnings: none

Summary: When Jared gets a summer internship working for a dragon named Jensen, he's thrilled at the opportunity to learn more about a species that's always been a bit mysterious. Jared has studied dragons and other non-humans in college as part of his major in Interspecies Communications, and he relishes the chance to work with one of the most famous but least-studied species. Jensen is wise and patient, funny and kind, and a pleasure to work with, and Jared's really enjoying his time with him. Then a mistake on Jared's part changes everything. Suddenly all that he thought he knew about dragons has changed—and it turns out there's a lot more at stake than his internship. Maybe even the fate of the world.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: DW

Wincest

Fic title:Always My Guide

Author name:

delanach

Artist name:

quickreaver

Genre: Wincest

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating: NC17

Word count: 23,500

Warnings: none

Summary: After Dean goes to hell, Sam turns to Ruby but using his powers for the first time after tasting her blood takes away his sight. Bobby takes him in but it's not until Dean is pulled out of hell that he faces up to having to learn to live with a new reality. As for Dean, helping Sam relearn everything from the ground up gives him something to focus on. When Sam insists on tagging along on a simple salt and burn and they encounter a demon, they realize that Sam still has his powers, they are stronger than before, and he can sense other supernatural beings in different ways. When they are faced with the possibility of Lucifer rising, they must work together with Bobby and an angel called Castiel to stop it happening.

Link to fic: AO3 | DW

Link to art: AO3

Fic title:Room Service

Author name:

kelios and

tammyrenh

Artist name:

cherie_morte

Genre: Wincest

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating: NC!&

Word count: 27K

Warnings: none

Summary: It’s a road movie,

a double-feature, two boys striking out across America, while desire,

like a monster, crawls up out of the lake

with all of us watching, with all of us wondering if these two boys will

find a way to figure it out.

--Driving, Not Washing

Richard Siken, Crush

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: LJ

Fic title:His Shoulders Blot Out the Sun (But the Minutes Don't Stop)

Author name:

scorpiod1

Artist name:

slurpyart

Genre: Wincest

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating: NC17

Word count: 110K

Warnings: blood drinking ,self harm, underage sibling incest, mention of past underage prostitution

Summary: A hunt gone wrong leaves sixteen year old Sam a vampire, and forces Dean to choose between his baby brother and his father. John wants to put Sam down. Dean chooses to save him. He takes Sam and runs. Together they embark on a roadtrip of a quest across America to find a cure. There are rumors, whispers of a secret vampire cure—they just need to find the recipe. All Sam has to do in the meantime is not feed on human blood.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: Tumblr

Fic title:Bloodlust

Author name:

gracerene

Artist name:

midnightsilvers

Genre: Wincest

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating: NC17

Word count: 37K

Warnings: canon-typical violence, vampire turning, blood drinking, biting, hunting (big game and supernatural creatures)

Summary: Sam and Dean have more than enough on their plate, what with the clock ticking down on Dean's deal and the host of demons that escaped from the Devil's Gate wreaking havoc across the country. But when a vampire hunt goes bad and the unimaginable happens, they have no choice but to rearrange their priorities and adapt if they want to survive.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: AO3

Fic title: In the Woods Somewhere

Author name:

enteselene

Artist name:

ameraleigh

Genre: SPN

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating: NC17

Word count: 64K

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence; Rape/Non-Con

Summary: Two days before Halloween 2005, Sam drops out of college. Hunting alone, haunted by terrifying visions and disturbing nightmares, he wanders the country. When the nightmares and visions cease, Sam senses that something terrible has happened to his family. An old case of John and Dean’s rears its ugly head in the Pacific Northwest, and an ancient danger beckons now to destroy Dean. Sam must plumb the depths of an ancient horror, and risk everything to save the brother he left behind and hasn't heard from for years but is unable to forget

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: LJ

Fic title:And the Dreams Bring Back the Memories

Author name:

runedgirl

Artist name:

lotrspnfangirl

Genre: Wincest

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating:NC17

Word count: 23K

Warnings: Amnesia consent issues; NSFW artwork in Part Three

Summary: Sam Wesson woke up in an ambulance in 2003 and couldn’t remember how he got there. He’s got an admissions essay in his duffel and a letter that says he has a full ride to Stanford, but he has no idea who he is or where he comes from. It leaves him feeling like a freak, not knowing who he is or what he’s done. One thing he does know is that the mysterious stranger with the green eyes and leather jacket who keeps appearing and disappearing is someone he can’t stop thinking about.

Link to fic: LJ

Link to art: AO3

Fic title:Mercury

Author name:

lovetheirloves

Artist name:

yanyann

Genre: Wincest

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating: NC17

Word count: 32K

Warnings: Dean Winchester and Sam Winchester are Raised Separately, Adoption, Sam Winchester's Demonic Powers, Sam Winchester's Visions, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Minor Character Death, Canon Typical Violence

Summary: After John Winchester abandons his young sons in Blue Earth, Minnesota, Pastor Jim starts looking for a permanent placement. Dean is adopted by Bill and Ellen Harvelle, but they worry Sam’s behavior and apparent supernatural powers will be a danger to their young daughter, Jo. A year after leaving the boys behind, John returns and reclaims Sam, raising him as an only child and honing his psychic powers to make him the perfect hunter. Dean Harvelle grows up in a happy home, attending art school for ceramics and helping his family run a New Age shop in Asheville, NC, blissfully unaware of Winchesters, hunting, and things that go bump in the night. That changes when Sam shows up at the shop asking for help trapping a powerful demon. What starts with a gift of a simple ceramic protection charm and a tarot reading ends with both lives turned on end as the truth of their history is revealed. Also, Jo uses her family’s hunter contact network to find the Colt and is a total badass.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: LJ

Fic title: Burn Out the Night

Author name:

sysldadrkplace

Artist name:

quickreaver

Genre: Wincest

Pairing: Sam/Dean

Rating: NC-17

Word count: 34,800

Warnings: Canon divergent, Implied/Referenced Dubious Consent, Attempted Non-Con, Murder (minor character), Arson, Homophobia, Anti-Social Winchesters.

Summary: The brothers spend their childhood criss-crossing the vast plains and prairies of the Midwest, holing up in sleazy motels and run down rentals. Having more in common with the drifters and criminals with whom they shared those liminal spaces than the kids in their schools, they learn to rely on and trust only each other. Over the years and miles, the Winchesters leave ashes in their wake. And when a haunted shotgun shack threatens their bond, one will use a witch’s grimoire and a rosary made of human hair to protect them and in doing so sets powers in motion that will change the course of their lives.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: AO3

Other / Gen

Fic title: The Covenant and the Prophecy

Author name:

paleogymnast

Artist name:

lotrspnfangirl

Genre: SPN RPF

Pairing: Jensen/Felicia/Jared

Rating: NC17

Word count: 86K

Warnings: graphic violence, fantastic racism, magical eugenics, body horror, explicit f/m/m sex, implied/discussed m/m sex, homophobia, speciesphobia, vampirism

Summary: For 2500 years, House Ackles ruled the Kingdom of Mor-Thir, in relative peace and harmony. Together with the three adjunct Royal Houses, House Day, House Padalecki, and House Collins, they formed a sacred Covenant with Magic to protect the continent of Fearann Draoidheil and her inhabitants, magical and not. But 25 years ago, House Ackles died in a mysterious cataclysm and Royal House Collins rose to power and brought about a great Reformation of the Kingdom.

Now Mòr-Thìr lies in ruins, ravaged by civil war, its government increasingly hostile to those with magic, as whispers of mysterious black orbs and boxes spreads throughout its displaced refugee populace. But all is not lost. Twenty-five years ago, a Prophecy foretold the coming of a new age when the four Royal Houses would be united, three by marriage, and one as the General to defend them all. Many think the Prophecy died with House Ackles, but did it? Four strangers are about to discover the answer. This is their story.

Link to fic: AO3

Link to art: AO3

Fic title: Meet Me at the Blue Jay

Author name: [Unknown LJ tag]

Artist name: [Unknown LJ tag]

Genre: Gen

Rating:

Word count:

Warnings:

Summary:

Link to fic: LJ | AO3

from Supernatural and J-Squared Big Bang Challenge! https://ift.tt/agRDKTF

[lgbtqiahistoricalromance]

LGBTQIA+ Historical Romances for Winter 2022

A Christmas Engagement by Ellie Thomas

In 1805, Charles Denham’s comfortable life in Regency London with his long-term partner Avery Mallory is disrupted by the sudden death of his father. As the heir to a modest country estate in Gloucestershire, Charles returns home to care for his bereaved family and take up his new responsibilities.

Overwhelmed with grief, rather than leaning on Avery, Charles rejects his love and becomes fixed on the idea of taking a wife for reasons of family duty alone. With this plan in mind, during early winter, he travels the short distance to Bath only to find that Avery and his family have already arrived at the resort.

Will Charles follow through with his ill-conceived plan for a hasty betrothal by Christmas? Or will he come to his senses and resume his relationship with the nicest man in England?

When the Glow Lights the Woods by Eule Grey (dystopian fantasy)

A snowy story of healing, birds, and the magic of connection.

The Wall? Who gives a snowman’s kiss about when the wars ended, or who built the divide that goes all the way around the planet? Whatever!

All anyone cares about is Christmas, when one lucky person gets to date someone from the other side. Who will it be this year?

Eighteen-year-old Kite Ripples loves birds, animals, and gazing at stars. He’s a good brother to leader, Mal. Mostly. As teacher, it’s Kite’s responsibility to dispel the rumours about people on the other side being robots—just a myth, right? Deep down, he understands no human is better, or worse, than any other. And, if he dreams of meeting a guy like him—who wants to kiss—it doesn’t mean Kite’s a rebel. Not he!

Manu Feathers, also eighteen, lives on the other side. Gets into trouble. Likes boys. Breaks laws and wants more. Like everyone, he’s fixated on those over the divide—simultaneously scared and excited by rumours of too much sex. It’s a lot to get your head round.

Kite is selected to climb under the Wall, and it’s the best Christmas present ever. But nothing goes to plan. Instead of picking the perfect boy, all he notices is the guy on the end, acting out. Who’d choose a nuisance like him?

Can the highest Wall prevent first love? Can a kiss heal a baby bird?

A Chaperoned Christmas by Meg Mardell (FFM - v triad poly)

Candida Damerell avoids two things at all costs: her former hometown, Salcombe Bay, and her former lover, Broderick Carlyle. She’s worked too hard to shake off her sad family history in Devonshire and become a premier London hostess. To think she nearly threw it all away for a bohemian charmer like Broderick! He never understood Candida’s need to keep their secret romance, well, secret. Unfortunately, this holiday season, the fates seem determined to thwart her best efforts at self-preservation.

Broderick Carlyle is not surprised to see his estranged lover on the same coastal railway platform a fortnight before Christmas. Who else could tempt him into such a backwater at this dangerously jolly time of year? Not the country rustic whose need for Society chaperones is the alleged reason for the visit. What Broderick is not prepared to learn is that this windswept bit of coast is where Candida grew up. Even more alarming? The “country rustic” is none other than an earl’s daughter from the neighbouring estate.

Lady Sophia Luscombe has no intention of leaving her beloved Devonshire and her new horse breeding business for smelly, snobby London, especially not under the guidance of two Society chaperones. What if they managed to get Sophie married at last? No, she will distract her sophisticated visitors by making them fall in love with each other. The intimate entertainments of a West Country Christmas will make it easy to force the two together. It would be the perfect plan—or it would be if only the too-perfect Candida were not Sophie’s secret first love.

Just as the web of cross purposes frays to breaking point, a masquerade ball arrives to give these fierce spirits one last opportunity to tell the truth in time for Christmas. Is it too late for a second or even a third chance at love?

The Nutcracker Princess by Courtney Milnestein (f/f fantasy)

In the city of Holmgarðr, in the nation of Garðaríki, on Christmas Eve, there is magic in the air, as Uncle Drosselmeyer presents his gifts before the young children of the ambassador of Gloriana, Clara and Fitz. Yet for all the magic and festivities of Christmas, there is a sense also of danger, the shadow of war growing longer from the neighboring nations of the Hanseatic League.

Caught on the cusp of the peaceful life she has always known and the threat of impending war, Clara finds herself alone in a magical realm save for the company of her cat, embroiled in dangers hitherto unimagined as she finds herself increasingly drawn to a handsome Nutcracker Princess and faced with a choice that will impact both her own fate and that of the world around her.

Sixpenny Octavo by Annick Trent (f/f)

Clockmender Hannah Croft's friend Molly has been arrested for her connections to a Jacobin club. In the tumultuous political climate of 1790s Britain, being in the wrong place at the wrong time is enough to land Molly in gaol. Hannah's one hope to free her lies in the testimony of housemaid Lucy Boone. Lucy has spent her entire life moving from one household to another, never forming a true connection with her fellow servants—nor with her occasional lovers. She prefers it that way. When you can rely on yourself, why would you need anyone else? But when Hannah Croft asks for help, she cannot say no. Working together to free Molly, the two women don't try to ignore their growing attraction. For Hannah, Lucy is a beacon of hope at a difficult time. And Lucy finds herself loving her new life, made welcome by Hannah and her friends. But their situation is fraught with danger. Rumours abound of an informant in their midst, and a sinister man from the magistrate's office dogs Lucy's steps. One wrong move could land them in gaol—or splinter their new relationship from within.

Hen Fever: A Sapphic Victorian Romance by Olivia Waite (f/f)

Lydia Wraxhall is on her best behavior every day of the year—except one: the annual Bickerton Christmas Poultry Show. On that day she brushes her birds, sharpens her tongue, and engages in the closest thing the village knows to war. Harriet Boyne is a soldier’s widow reeling from the worst years of her life. She and her friends have inherited a manor on the village outskirts, and Harriet is looking forward to a quiet holiday far from the anguish of the battlefield. But a dispute over a flock of loose chickens — a rare local breed, which Lydia thinks could be champions and Harriet thinks could be delicious — draws Harriet into the competition under Lydia’s grudging guidance. Harriet’s frozen heart is thawed by Lydia’s gentleness, and lonely Lydia blossoms under Harriet’s keen regard. But the day of the poultry show is fast approaching, and everyone’s drawing up battle lines. And in the contest between secret love and public glory, there can only be one winner.

[xdragonsofavaloria]

xdragonsofavaloria Brittany||32||She/her

rules||the history||verses (needs to be heavily edited)||muses (needs to be heavily edited)||ask box||drabbles/stories

The Muses

Black Dragon King Kassandros Morrigantes (he/him, 10000+)-Richard Armitage

Queen Cassiopeia Morrigantes (co-ruling with her father) (she/her, 10000+)-Rebecca Ferguson/Alexandra Dowling

Duke of Drachaven, sorcery and magic Alektryon Morrigantes (1000+, he/him)-Clive Standen

Duchess of Drachaven, Sorcery and Magic Serine Morrigantes (200, she/her)-Anya Charlota

Fire Knight Simba Morrigantes (20, he/him)-Alexander Daddario

Princess of the Ice Lands Nikoline Kristofferson (130, she/her)-Freya Mavor

Prince of the Ice Lands Nikolaj Kristofferson (130, him/him)-Bradley James

Dragon Mage Charon Rozenburg (30s, he/him)-Jaime Campbell Bower

Crown Prince of the Dark Lands Chase Devonshire Everbleed Wyvercrest (10000+, he/him)-Tom Hiddleston

Queen of the Dark Lands Misericordia Everbleed Wyvercrest (10000+, she/her)-Charlize Theron

Gabriel the White Dragon (10000+, he/him)-Henry Cavill

Rosalie the Bronze Dragon (20, she/her)-Dove Cameron

Well well-versed in high/low fantasy, TVD/TO, cozy mysteries, paranormal, Dragon Age, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and more when I come up with more

[renee561]

Question for you! Since you have so many WIPs loaded in the chamber, I wanna know about some of them.

Can you give me top 3 favourites (or those you’re willing to spill the beans on) and why you like them? Bonus question if you’re stalled, why??

I am a curious cat this morning. Meow!

*Clears throat*

Top 3 Favorites, as if a creator can talk about favorites as if they were able to choose between their children...but alas it is such a task that I am willing to undertake for you.

So, top 3...top 3...hmm decisions decisions.

Well let us go in reverse order because that way I can make sure we are choosing the correct one.

Please note these are WIP titles. So the posted name will most likely change whenever I get around to it.

3. Hedge Witch Suggestions:

So this is a fic is very oof. And by that I mean is dubcon/noncon rated just because I was infuriated at the lack of this type of fic for the movie which is annoying.

Its a Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves AU fic that i wrote out in 10 days because it would not leave me alone. WC: 48k

It starts with the 10:45 friend aiding the Sheriff of Nottingham in getting what he wants, that is Lady Marian. And we know she would not do so willingly post meeting up with Robin in the Forest (she did like the sheriff. Note the dagger scene she is stumbling and fumbling in the exact way she is stumbling and fumbling to the Sheriff about Robin later. Also the Sheriff is hotter then Robin anyway so no truly lost in that department.)

Anyway, for three nights she is given a potion that makes her susceptible to suggestions and therefore the Sheriff's advances...ahe thinks she is dreaming and eventually he does win by the magic that I wish the movie had played on more, but I digress.

Its *hopefully* over graphic, and it's not something I usually admit to writing on Tumblr or even amongst many others but since it is in edits its actually a work im very proud of and had a bunch of fun writing.

2. Socialite Papers:

Bridgeton is a fabulous show, and the most appealing aspect of it is Lady Wistledown. So inspired by that and my love of Jane Austen is to do a sort of similar concept of Sense and Sensibility.

I haven't worked out the particulars but it would start with the news of Mr Dashwood's death and follow the Dashwoods into Devonshire and the effects being felt by both sides of the country.

It will include things such as:

The move of the sisters

Willoughby

Edward's Engagement

London

Cleveland.

Because there is such thing as gossip being based upon observation.

I will not spoil the ending tho, because I have not yet decided on how it will end (per usual)

Now moving on to the top one that I really wanna get to, but its going to take forever because either has to do with Filmography and I have come to find that I really dislike watching movies alone anymore.

1. ACU:

If you know nothing about know this, I love Alan Rickman and while I will agree that the first time I saw him was as Severus Snape, my favorite is actually Colonel Brandon and the Sheriff of Nottingham. And I have been blessed because of the Rickmanaic Server on Discord and the lovely people I have met there.

Anyway this starts with the original crap ending, where the Sheriff dies. He was married to Marian even though they did not consumate the union (yes, yes I know i know).

Anyway, he was a pagan, and worshiped other beings and while in Christianity he would have gone to hell (though the concept of such a place didn't exist in that period but I digress) what if he didn't? What if his gods decided that he was worth saving?

Therefore, he was..and in each life (each character he's played) he lived there is something he must have had to learn and with the free will of him he had to go back and do it again, again, and again until he learns all the lessons.

It does somewhat follow the period of which his movies are set, and while some are ambiguous (aiw1&2,hitchhikers,Sweeny todd) it is very much an appreciation of his work while also being a fanatic about his growth as a person.

And the faces of the women he has loved over the time is an important factor, because it starts with a woman and must end with a woman, and while its not solely the romance that is important, I'm a romantic at heart and want to give him happiness and pain and love. Because everybody, no matter how evil or broken you are, deserves someone to love them.

Thank you so much for the asks! I love talking about my wips!

Much love,

Ren

[redundant2]

The Devonshire Tiaras

I love anything Mitford, and have every book Debo Mitford Cavendish ever wrote. I wish we could see some of the Devonshire tiaras at King Charles III's coronation - which one would you wear?

I am torn between the Honeysuckle Tiara

and the Palmette

From Debo: "My grandmother-in-law, Evelyn Duchess of Devonshire, was Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary for forty-three years from 1910. Together they weathered long hours of tiara’d evenings, including those during the fabulous Indian Durbar in Delhi in 1911. The magically beautiful but relentless program, carried out in torrid heat, was exhausting for all concerned, and after one particularly lengthy evening Granny Evie was heard to say, ‘The Queen has been complaining about the weight of her Tiara…The Queen doesn’t know what a heavy tiara is.’  Evelyn knew what she was talking about. The larger of the two Devonshire diamond tiaras in indeed a whopper.”

I would be more than happy to wear either one!

[dnickels]

If anyone goes down to those shores now, if man or boy seeks to follow in our traces, let him realize at once, before he takes the trouble to roll up his sleeves, that his zeal will end in labour lost. There is nothing, now, where in our days there was so much. Then the rocks between tide and tide were submarine gardens of a beauty that seemed often to be fabulous, and was positively delusive, since, if we delicately lifted the weedcurtains of a windless pool, though we might for a moment see its sides and floor paven with living blossoms, ivory-white, rosy-red, grange and amethyst, yet all that panoply would melt away, furled into the hollow rock, if we so much as dropped a pebble in to disturb the magic dream.

Half a century ago, in many parts of the coast of Devonshire and Cornwall, where the limestone at the water's edge is wrought into crevices and hollows, the tideline was, like Keats' Grecian vase, 'a still unravished bride of quietness'. These cups and basins were always full, whether the tide was high or low, and the only way in which they were affected was that twice in the twenty-four hours they were replenished by cold streams from the great sea, and then twice were left brimming to be vivified by the temperate movement of the upper air. They were living flower-beds, so exquisite in their perfection, that my Father, in spite of his scientific requirements, used not seldom to pause before he began to rifle them, ejaculating that it was indeed a pity to disturb such congregated beauty. The antiquity of these rock-pools, and the infinite succession of the soft and radiant forms, sea- anemones, seaweeds, shells, fishes, which had inhabited them, undisturbed since the creation of the world, used to occupy my Father's fancy. We burst in, he used to say, where no one had ever thought of intruding before; and if the Garden of Eden had been situate in Devonshire, Adam and Eve, stepping lightly down to bathe in the rainbow-coloured spray, would have seen the identical sights that we now saw,—the great prawns gliding like transparent launches, anthea waving in the twilight its thick white waxen tentacles, and the fronds of the duke faintly streaming on the water like huge red banners in some reverted atmosphere.

All this is long over and done with. The ring of living beauty drawn about our shores was a very thin and fragile one. It had existed all those centuries solely in consequence of the indifference, the blissful ignorance of man. These rockbasins, fringed by corallines, filled with still water almost as pellucid as the upper air itself, thronged with beautiful sensitive forms of life, they exist no longer, they are all profaned, and emptied, and vulgarized. An army of 'collectors' has passed over them, and ravaged every corner of them. The fairy paradise has been violated, the exquisite product of centuries of natural selection has been crushed under the rough paw of well-meaning, idle-minded curiosity. That my Father, himself so reverent, so conservative, had by the popularity of his books acquired the direct responsibility for a calamity that he had never anticipated became clear enough to himself before many years had passed, and cost him great chagrin. No one will see again on the shore of England what I saw in my early childhood, the submarine vision of dark rocks, speckled and starred with an infinite variety of colour, and streamed over by silken flags of royal crimson and purple.

Father and Son, Edmund Gosse

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

THEY ONLY PLAYED A REPORTED THREE SONGS, BUT THEY WERE ALL EXTENDED VERSIONS.

PIC(S) INFO: Spotlight on Jim Morrison of L.A. rock band THE DOOR'S, performing live at the Fantasy Faire and Magic Music Festival, Devonshire Meadows Raceway in Northridge, CA, on July 16, 1967. 📸: Jim Coke and/or Chuck Boyd.

Their initial allotted time slot was only twenty minutes, but they reportedly played for nearly half an hour. The setlist was as follows: "When the Music's Over," "Break on Through (to the Other Side)," and "Light My Fire."

Sources: Pinterest, Flickr, & www.rockarchive.nl/photographers/jim-coke.

[ravenbara]

1) Which religion/spiritual path do you identify with?

Thank you for sending me a question!!

Currently? I'm pagan and........ spiritual? I mean, i have three Deities I work with routinely and a spirit i work closely with...... and I also honor the energy of all things, and feel especially called by natural energies...... so possibly under the animist label as well? XD

As a teen I did ID with Wicca... tho i know has too many rules and aspects i don't agree with or find in conflict with my own instincts and personal knowledge. It just happened to be the flavor of spirituality closest to what i felt that actually had books written on it that i could access!

Now i have a few more books and resources, some across the spectrum and some focusing on witchcraft from areas of England a large chunk of my ancestry is from. (Multiple lines of my family tree dead end in Devonshire, England according to the family tree my sis spent time building, even more lines of my family than those that lead to Poland.... which means mum accidentally lied to me and my sis about our dominant ancestry but oh well XD). I enjoy finding inspiration in my family history but i dont' feel beholden to it.

Sooooooooo........ to answer the question..... uhhhhhhhh....... I'm a witch..... and a magic worker...... and an energy worker..... i'm a bit of a spiritual witch as well? When i actually work magic it tends to be very representational and bringing the small action on the representation to the large or a charm with every piece chosen for correspondence of my own making...... SO... witch for sure, spiritual, pagan as fuck and maybe some other labels XD

[onlineshoppinguaedeals]

The Dreamy Delight: A Deep Dive into the World of Fresh Cream

Ah, fresh cream. The whisper-light swirl atop a steaming cup of coffee, the decadent foundation for a luxurious dessert, the secret weapon behind countless savory sauces – its versatility is undeniable. But beyond its culinary prowess, fresh cream boasts a rich history, fascinating science, and a complex production process. So, grab a spoon (and maybe a napkin – things might get messy!), because we're about to delve into the dreamy world of fresh cream.

From Farm to Fridge: The Journey of Fresh Cream

Fresh cream isn't magic; it's the result of careful dairy farming and processing. Here's the journey it takes:

The Happy Cow: The story begins with healthy, well-fed cows. Their diet significantly impacts the quality of the cream, with grass-fed cows producing cream with a richer, more complex flavor.

From Udder to Bucket: Milk is collected from the cows, typically twice a day. This raw milk contains a natural fat content that separates from the rest of the liquid upon standing.

Separation Anxiety: The magic happens here. Cream is separated from the milk using a process called centrifugation. This technique spins the milk at high speeds, forcing the lighter fat globules to rise to the top, forming the cream layer.

Standardization and Pasteurization: The separated cream is then standardized to achieve a specific fat content – light, heavy, or whipping cream, each with its own culinary purpose. Finally, it undergoes pasteurization, a heat treatment that eliminates harmful bacteria, ensuring a safe and shelf-stable product.

The Science of Whipped Cream:

The transformation of liquid cream into pillowy peaks of whipped cream is a fascinating example of culinary science. When cream is whipped, air bubbles are incorporated into the fatty liquid. These air bubbles become trapped within a network of milk proteins, creating the light and airy texture we love.

The key to successful whipping lies in the fat content. Heavy cream, with its higher fat percentage (around 36%), has more milk proteins to trap air, resulting in the sturdiest whipped cream ideal for decorating cakes. Lighter creams (around 18% fat) will whip, but the hold won't be as strong.

A Spectrum of Fresh Cream Delights:

Fresh cream is a culinary chameleon, adapting to a wide range of dishes. Here's a glimpse into its versatility:

The Sweet Side: Fresh cream takes center stage in countless desserts. It forms the base for custards, panna cotta, and ice cream. Whipped cream adds a touch of elegance to cakes and pies, while heavy cream provides richness to ganaches and frostings.

The Savory Symphony: Don't underestimate the power of cream in savory dishes. It creates silky smooth sauces for pasta and seafood, adds depth to creamy soups, and enriches risottos and chowders. Even a simple dollop of cream swirled into a bowl of hot soup elevates the flavor and texture.

Beyond the Kitchen: Fresh cream isn't confined to culinary uses. It's a key ingredient in homemade whipped cream for coffee, adds richness to cocktails like White Russians, and is used in the production of certain cheeses like mascarpone.

A World of Cream Variations:

Fresh cream is a global product, but with regional variations:

Clotted Cream: This thick, Devonshire specialty is made by scalding whole milk and allowing it to cool slowly. The clot that forms on the surface is the clotted cream, prized for its rich flavor and dense texture.

Crème Fraîche: This French staple is slightly thicker and tangier than fresh cream. Its subtle acidity makes it a perfect pairing for both sweet and savory dishes.

Whipping Cream: This is a standardized variety containing a specific fat content (usually around 30%) specifically designed for whipping into peaks.

Beyond the Delicious: The Ethical Considerations

While fresh cream offers undeniable culinary benefits, there's a growing awareness of ethical considerations surrounding dairy production. Issues like animal welfare and the environmental impact of factory farming are important factors to consider.

Thankfully, there are options. Look for cream from farms practicing sustainable and humane dairy practices, or explore plant-based alternatives made from coconut milk or soy. They may not have the exact same richness as dairy cream, but they offer a delicious and ethical option.

The Final Whirl:

Fresh cream is more than just a delicious ingredient; it's a testament to human ingenuity and our love affair with dairy. From its fascinating production process to its boundless culinary uses, fresh cream offers a journey for the senses. So, the next time you encounter that dreamy swirl in your coffee or savor a spoonful of rich cream sauce, take a moment to appreciate the magic behind this simple yet extraordinary ingredient.

[ramblings-of-a-mad-cat]

Another thing I really like about wicked/the oz franchise in general is the names. It reminds me a lot of purebloods in Harry Potter where they tend to have more outlandish/fantastical names. I know this isn’t unique to those books but still. Fun fact; I recently changed one of my mcs, Jane’s surname to Thropp after wicked.

might I suggest checking out Yellow Brick Ramble? It’s a webcomic retelling of the second oz book with more of an emphasis on ozma’s gender identity. It’s really cute and fun, I just want more people to know about it.

I love that too! I love any magical community with silly sounding names, magical names, that sound like they're two hundred years old at least. Siyana Devonshire is probably my current favorite example of this trope @dat-silvers-girl and the Oz books do a great job with it.

I will certainly check it out! Ozma being a trans character is something that deserves more exposure and attention and I just love that it's a thing!

[angelandgypsy]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Nwt Moon Goddess Dreamer Kimono One Size.