Murder on the Orient Express

Today we are going to talk about Murder on the Orient Express movie! This movie is based n the novel of the same name by Agatha Christie.  In the past Murder on the Orient Express has also been adapted as a TV Film (2001) and this one is a remake of the 1974 film. This time, Murder on the Orient Express is packed with  star studded cast including: Kenneth Branagh, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Dui Dench, Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer to name a few. 

The movie starts in Jerusalem. Belgian detective Hercule Poirot has just solved a mystery at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We learn quickly that being a detective takes its toll on Poirot. It is obvious that his work takes over his life more often than not. 

Another case comes to Poirots attention. He is forced to take a ride on the Orient Express, to travel back to London. While on there, he meets a gang of strange characters but none more so than Edward Ratchett. The businessman is clearly on edge and even offers to hire Poirot as a bodyguard for the journey. Poirot refuses, though after a strange night filled with commotion and odd sightings, Poirot quickly realize he may have been mistaken to say no. The next morning, Rachett is discovered dead. Having been murdered, it falls on Poirot to find who killed the businessman and why.

Chateau Des Charmes

At this time last month we were exploring Niagara! One of our favourite places to see is Chateau des Charmes in Niagara-On-The-Lake. The area itself is beautiful and the vast majority of the area is Wineries. Chateau des Charmes is one of many but its beauty stands out above the rest. 

"Château des Charmes was founded in 1978 by Paul Bosc, a fifth generation French winegrower. Paul and his young family arrived in Niagara in the 1960’s with the idea that growing our own grapes was the best way to make fine wine. More than ever, we believe in this Estate Winery model and we make our wine only from grapes we’ve grown ourselves.

We believe we are custodians of the land. From the beginning we have been committed to using sustainable practices and are charter members of Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario. Paul and his team are meticulous. They use modern science and a lot of TLC to coax the best out of every vine. And with more than 30 vintages in our vineyards we think we now know which varieties grow best in which spot. But there is always more to learn. We believe our groundbreaking research with unique grape varieties will blaze a trail to the future of our industry." - Chateau des Charmes (Our Story)

The entire staff is very welcoming and they have something for everyone. They offer tours in English and French. They have a wonderful tasting bar or you can just walk around the winery. We especially recommend the tour. It is very informative, they have nothing to hide, and they show and answer any questions you have. Their tour also includes a wine tasting! 

Book Club - Chapter 37 (Cinder)

The thirty-seventh Chapter of Cinder is by far the best chapter. Cinder has been imprisoned in a white cell. Seemingly resigned to the fact that she is going to be put to death at the hands of the Lunar Queen, all Cinder wants to do is rest. 

Dr. Erland comes to visit and after a few Lunar mind tricks, gets a moment alone with her. Dr. Erland has come with gifts for Cinder. A new foot, a new hand and with news of what he had discovered. Along with all his gifts he is there to help Cinder in more ways than one. 

1) What similarities do you see between Cinder and Cinderella? 

2) Why do you think Dr. Erland is helping her?

3) Did you see this twist coming?

4) Do you think Cinder can play a bigger role than she believes?

3am Grace Designs

Today we are talking about 3amgracedesigns. This website is amazing! They have so many amazing things to offer and the end results are adorable! First they offer Crochet-Alongs. Some of these are simply amazing! They have a Game of Thrones CAL, they have a Croflix CAL, a City Playmat CAL, a Grey's Anatomy CAL, a Nature CAL, a Big Bang Theory CAL, and a Dollhouse CAL. They have wonderful Kawaii Cuddlers patterns (they make beautiful pillows!), and Amigurumi patterns! 

They have amazingly cute things that everyone will enjoy! 

Freebie Fridays - Word Search

This is the second Word Search puzzle we are posting! It is plain and simple, you look at the jumble of letters and try to find the words listed below. This one is themed! 

Hope you enjoy!

Adding Ribbon to Crocheted Blankets (Blanket Stitch Blanket)

This post is sort of a two for one. I showed how to do the Blanket Stitch in a post, now I am going to show you the results of that stitch and a modified version of it. Also, I will show you how to add ribbon to a project.

Finished Product for a friend's Wedding

This blanket has a funny story behind it. I started doing the blanket stitch for it and suddenly life got in the way. I put it aside for a while, focused on other projects and wedding gifts and when I picked it back up I forgot how to do the stitch! I thought I had it right but I forgot a small detail. You have to chain 2 before starting the next round of stitches! 

So I may have invented a new stitch. I have never seen anything close to this before so not sure if it goes by a different name but for now I will call it the "Little Blanket Stitch", it is done the same way as a blanket stitch with one less chain. (The Little Blanket Stitch will turn out bumpy, the normal Blanket Stitch will be flat). 

When the blanket is done (I worked a chain of 150 for 100 rows), You want to add the border for the ribbon. Chain one after the last row, in the first chain from the hook place two double crochets. Next chain three and then place two double crochets in the next spot. (Spot being where you would have placed the blanket stitch). It should come out looking like the picture below. Make sure you repeat the process all the way around. On the corners you will place two  double crochets, chain three and place the next two double crochets in the same corner before continuing.

Before adding the Ribbon

There are a few ways to lace up your blanket. I did mine the hard way since it was my first time. I started at one end and tried to work my way back around. This was very difficult because once you make the turn (and even before) the tension will pull the blanket tight together (the way a drawstring bag would close). I suggest trying to unravel the whole spool of ribbon, finding the middle and work from the middle out. (Or you can start at the 3/4 mark and do three sides and then meet the ends up that way). To me this sounds easier because you will already have enough slack to go around. 

Cautions and Tips: 

I got a spool of ribbon from Michaels, it was about $7.99 (CAN), and it was a good size spool. It just to say went around this blanket, there was enough to tie a bow and that was it so be careful when playing around with the size of the blankets. 

Book Club - Chapter 36 (Cinder)

The thirty-sixth Chapter of Cinder is action packed. The Queen is sick of talking and has decided to take action. We see Cinder grab the gun a guard is carry and put it to her head. It quickly becomes obvious that it is the Queen's doing. 

We also learn some new things in this chapter. Cinder isn't what they thought after all and from the Queen's reaction, she didn't expect what she learned either. As Cinder tries to escape we see Kai learn the truth about her. They get a few moments together before Cinder is taken away. 

1) What similarities do you see between Cinder and Cinderella? 

2) What do you think Queen Levana has figured out?

3) Why do you think Kai is trying to buy her some time?

4) What do you think Cinder's options are?

The Try Guys!

Today we are sharing a post about The Try Guys! You may know them from Buzzfeed but now they are branching out on  their own! The Try Guys are Keith Habersberger, Ned Fulmer, Zach Kornfeld and Eugene Lee Yang. They all write, produce, direct, shoot and act in their episodes. One of their most popular videos is "The Try Guys Try Labor Pain Simulation", which has received over 26 million views on Youtube. 

They released a video specifically explaining why they left and what to expect from their new youtube channel. Already, you can see the new channel gives the guys more creative freedom and they are doing more things they enjoy. 

Bubble Bath Truffles (Tutorial) By Missouri River Soap

Today for Freebie Friday we are sharing a video by Missouri River Soap. In this video the Soap Artist is showing the Free Recipe from SoapQueen.com for Bubble Bath Truffles! Missouri River Soap makes amazing soaping videos, and wonderful tutorials. All the products look amazing! And the demonstration show just what you can expect from all the products. Every product is tested before hand and that is what makes them so special too. 

Tips, Tricks, and Tutorial Thursday - How Long and How Hot to

For today's tip we are sharing another one from social media. This tip is for how long and at what temperature to steep tea at. This is a good thing to keep in mind with different types of tea and people who aren't used to drinking tea. 

Vista Print

Today we are talking about  Vista Print! Vista Print is a great resource for businesses no matter what the size. Anything a business would need, they offer it. They offer Business Cards of all sorts, they will create your own logo for you, they have amazng marketing items like Flyers, Postcards, Brochures, Gift Cards and more. They also have labels for products, signs and posters, stationery, paper bags for your products and a million other things. It is hard to imagine any business tool you would need that they don't offer. 

Rainbow CAL - Week 3

Today is week three of our new Crochet Along! Below is the diagram we are going to be following. We have decided that each "row" will be two rounds in the Granny Square Pattern. (The diagram will always be at the bottom of the post.) This week we did the green section. This means that we had two rows of white, two rows of green, and two rows of white again.

Book Club - Chapter 35 (Cinder)

The thirty-fifth Chapter of Cinder is much more interesting. As Kai gets ready to announce his plans to marry the Queen, Cinder grabs him in a kiss. This is Cinder's last hope in trying to convince Kai not to marry the Queen. All of it is met with laughter from the Lunar Queen. 

As the crowd stops to watch Queen Levana starts to let all the secrets spill. She calls Cinder a shell and uses the fact that she is Lunar to threaten Kai and the Commonwealth. It is illegal to house "Shells" and she is using it to her advantage as she and Cinder exchange comments. 

1) What similarities do you see between Cinder and Cinderella? 

2) Why do you think Kai is standing up for Cinder?

3) Do you think Kai loves Cinder?

4) What do you think the Lunar Queen has in mind?

Critical Role (Update)

Just last month we shared a post about Critical Role and their new campaign. Today we are updating that a little and showing you all the new stuff they have going on! Like last week, Critical Role has ventured out on their own. They have created their own twitch channel, their own Youtube Channel and their own website. They have taken over producing not only their own show, but also Talks Machina, Critical Role Recap, other Dungeon and Dragon themed things and other Critical Role themed things.

Freebie Fridays - Trail Mix

Today we are sharing our Sweet Tooth Trail Mix, but we are also going to share healthier alternatives. Of course with homemade trail mix you can add whatever you like, you don't need to stick to tradition or any guide. 

We used Mixed Salted Nuts (in Bulk) a healthier substitute would be just natural nuts (unsalted).

We also like adding a special nut (usually we use Candy Coated Peanuts), a healthier option would be BBQ Peanuts or extra of your favorite nuts (the one below has extra Brazil Nuts).

We also added a few dried fruits (Mangos and Apricots) and one candied fruit (Pineapple). Healthier would be to skip the candied fruit and include other dried fruits (raisins, or cranberries).  

Finally, for a little sweetness, we added Peanut M&Ms. Again, a healthier option would be dark chocolate chips. 

Tips, Tricks, and Tutorial Thursday - 10 Easy Ways to Texture Your Soap (By Brambleberry)

Today we are sharing a Youtube video from SoapQueenTV/BrambleBerry. In this video Anne Marie shows 10 different ways to texture the tops of soap. This isn't a nessecary process of soap making but it does add a cute design to the top and a little extra to make your soap pop! 

Kate Mosse (Author)

Today we are talking about Kate Mosse and her books. The first book in her mult-million selling Languedoc Trilogy (Labyrinth) was the start of something amazing. Along with being a wonderful author, Kate is also a great inspiration and person.

Labyrinth follows the story of Alais from the year 1209 and Alice from the year 2005. The two stories intertwine together and it is a great journey to follow. Alais is a young lady from Carcassona France (eight hundred years ago) and she is the daughter of the Steward of Carcassona. She is an average young lady for her time, until she discovers a  mysterious book that changes her life. Meanwhile, in 2005 Dr. Alice Tanner is volunteering at an archaeological site in Pic de Soularac (France). While there they discover two skeletons in a cave on the hillside. Beyond the bones, in the cave, something gives Alice the overwhelming sense that the cave is bad news. 

Following Labyrinth, Kate also wrote Sepulchre and Citadel. for the series. Along with those books, Kate has also written: The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales, The Taxidermist's Daughter, The Winter Ghosts and more recently The Burning Chambers. 

Rainbow CAL - Week 2

Today is week two of our new Crochet Along! Below is the diagram we are going to be following. We have decided that each "row" will be two rounds in the Granny Square Pattern. (The diagram will always be at the bottom of the post.) This week we did two colours! Two rows of Orange, two rows of White, and two rows of Yellow.

Nerd Rug - Week 1 (Take Two)

Welcome to our new CAL! We are sticking with the Super Mario (1) theme and doing what we like to call a Nerd Rug! You can use any of the graphs we have released so far. We recommend a smaller one to start with but any graph you like will work perfectly fine! 

For our example we are going to make the Red Mushroom, feel free to follow along with us or just follow our example. We are going to be using basic yarn for this you can use anything you'd like, you may have special preferences in yarn depending on where you will be using this rug.

For the Red Mushroom we are only using three colours, Red, Brown/Burnt Orange and Off White, you can use any colours you like it should come out looking wonderful either way. We are using a Solid Granny Square pattern for our examples. You can find a tutorial on youtube on how to make that. 

This week we are starting with the white base. For any mushroom you will want to crochet 33 white squares for the bottom.

Book Club - Chapter 34 (Cinder)

The thirty-fourth Chapter of Cinder is a little bit of a transition and a little thrilling also. Once Cinder has been introduced at the ball, all eyes are on her. We really get a description of what she looks like later on in the chapter and it makes it easy to see why  she is gaining so much attention. 

Adri and Pearl are livid when they see her. And they start making a scene at the ball. With Kai right there, he puts an end to Adri's rant and malice by grabbing Cinder to dance. As they dance, Cinder is convinced that Pearl has told him her secret. For a brief moment, she enjoys the feeling of being honest with Kai, until she realizes they aren't talking about the same things. 

1) What similarities do you see between Cinder and Cinderella? 

2) Do you think Cinder is putting herself in danger?

3) Do you think Kai will care about Cinder being a Cyborg?

4) Do you think Cinder is too late?

BuzzFeed Unsolved (Updated)

Today we are talking about BuzzFeed Unsolved. We wrote a post about them earlier this year and today we are updating that a little. As we said before, Buzzfeed Unsolved - True Crime currently stars Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej and it follows their explorations of unsolved crimes. They mostly cover murders, deaths or serial killers however they do explore other unexplained things.

With their show being so popular, Ryan and Shane have also started a Q& A Series where they answer viewers questions about what they talked about in their most resent episode. Including True Crime, Buzzfeed unsolved also offer series based on Supernatural experiences and tales along with Sports Conspiracies. 

Now they have their own Youtube Channel/Network!