Recipes

With the focus slowly shifting towards the food and indulgence of the festive season, this group might be just the space to explore for ideas. Threads on the discussion board include 'Pasta Recipes', 'Beef and Fish Recipes', 'Quick & simple recipes', 'Chicken Recipes' and 'Wanted :: Any Asparagus Recipes and/or Cooking Tips...?' to name a few. There are plenty of links to other online food resources in wall posts and close to 300 mouth-watering images in the gallery.

What's great about this group: Celebrate the art of cooking.

Update (26 October 2023)

As can be expected, there are now numerous Facebook groups for sharing recipes. 

Fans of Charles de Lint!

I visited this group for personal reasons - I am a fan of Charles de Lint's writing - but decided to also include it in this blog. Threads on the discussion board include 'Favourite Book?', 'Newford as a TV series...', 'Favorite Character(s)', 'Favourite short story?', 'Other authors' and 'What was the first CDL book you ever read?' In the gallery, you will find mostly images of book covers, a few photos of Charles de Lint and a little fan art. What's truly interesting, is that you will find  several posts from Charles de Lint's wife on the wall and in the discussion section, including an invitation (with link) to the author's personal Facebook page and an invitation to his annual yard sale.

What's great about this group: An example of what's (still) good about the internet in general and Facebook in particular.

Update (26 October 2023)

I could not find the Facebook group, Fans of Charles de Lint. However, I do know that there is a really awesome community centered around the magic of Charles de Lint's stories and fantasy and folklore in general entitled Mythic Cafe with Charles de Lint & Company. Since it is a private group, you can request access here. Additionally, there is a smaller Facebook group focused on Mapping Charles de Lint's Newford, (which is, of course, the fictional setting of many of his books). This group is also private and access can be requested here.

Aspiring Novelists

With NaNoRiMo (the initiative to write a novel in a month) having just kicked off, here's a group to explore for some support and encouragement. Threads on the discussion board include 'How many words in a novel?', 'What Genre Do You Write In??', 'Books on Writing', 'Titles? How do you decide?', 'Fitting Names for Supernatural/Paranormal Characters', 'Help with story idea' and 'Editing Help needed' to name a few. More feedback continues on the wall. Just beware that you don't get so caught up that your writing falls behind.

What's great about this group: Share the ups and downs of novel writing with people who understand.

Update (26 October 2023)

This Facebook group still exists and has approximately 9,000 members. Go here to visit or join.

Steampunk Fashion

The advent of steampunk literature quickly gave rise to a related style explosion involving a reinvention of the past, with plenty of creative new twists and turns. The information section gives a detailed definition regarding the origins and meaning of steampunk subculture. On the wall, you will find links to steampunk conventions, steampunk balls, items for sale and even on casting call for steampunks to appear as extras on an episode of 'Castle'. Threads on the discussion board include 'What is Steampunk Fashion to you?', 'A great site for clothing', 'making your own clothes...' and 'If you had a Steampunk wedding, what would it look like?'. There are over 300 images in the gallery.

What's great about this group: Connect with other enthusiasts of steampunk culture.

Update (28 October 2023)

The good news is that there is still a Facebook group for steampunk fashion and their content is gorgeous and intriguing. The group has about 15,800 members. Go here to visit or join. 

We Love Horror Movies

With Halloween coming up, time is ripe to explore a great resource for horror movies. Threads on the discussion board include 'The Worst Horror Movies Ever', 'Who is your favorite villian or slasher in the last 10 years?', 'Urban Legends Do You Believe?', 'The Future of American Horror', 'NAME YOUR FAVOURITE HORROR MOVIE TAGLINE', 'stupidest scene youve ever seen in a horror film', 'Top 10 based on true story horrors', 'WHAT'S THE GREATEST DEATH SCENE IN HORROR MOVIES', 'name your favourite horror movie quote', 'Favorite Horror Actors/Actresses' and many more. Also check out the various topics that share trivia from the making of certain horror classics as well as regular updates in the field of horror. There are over 1000 links in wall posts and almost 1500 images in the gallery

What's great about this group: It really aspires to inform on the subject of horror movies.

Update (28 October 2023)

There is a Facebook group called We Love Horror Movies, which has about 49,800 members. It is unlikely to be the one profiled here, though, because the group was only created in 2014. It is a private community, but you can go here to request access. 

Hair

If you like eye candy, which I do, feast your eyes on thousands of images showing people with beautiful and amazing hair. There are over 4000 pictures in the gallery. Some photos show absolutely unique dye effects or creative braiding and other artful manipulations. My only complaint is, why so conservative on the male side? Where are all those beautiful Goth & Emo boys (not to mention the metal heads) with their wonderful hair? Okay, I did find a few eventually, but women's styles dominate.There are also over 100 links to hair related resources on the internet.

What's great about this group: Explore the many possibilities of what you can do with your hair.

Update (28 October 2023)

I could not conclusively link this Facebook group to any of those currently focused on hair design.

Wild Food

With budgets getting tighter and tigher, the option of exploring nature's bounty might be worth a mention. This group, which is UK-based, informs on what is available when for foraging. Threads on the discussion board include 'spruce beer', 'Birch sap Wine', 'October Foraging 2009', 'Sweet Chestnut', 'April Foraging 2010' and more. There are links to video resources and photos in the gallery depicting edible plants.

What's great about this group: Get in tune with nature.

Update (28 October 2023)

While I'm not sure that the Facebook group I discovered is conclusively linked to the group I profiled 13 years ago, they do post content on foraging. There are 13,900 members. Go here to visit or join.