Thursday, August 4, 2016

Delicious Drinks and a Friendly Feel


For some of us truly and utterly caffeine-addicted coffee enthusiasts out there in the world, a day really isn’t a day at all unless it starts with some hot, tasty, full-bodied steaming coffee or espresso from a favorite cafe or beverage cart. It’s true, those of us who are part of this “cult of coffee” will plan our lives around having a place to enjoy that first morning cup. Without it, the day just doesn’t seem right, which is why there are so many busy, quaint little coffee carts springing up in corporate lobbies, schools and outdoor patios everywhere.


The companies out there that are renting fully equipped coffee carts from companies like www.allstarcarts.com/coffee-and-espresso are very wise to do so. These carts operate like self-contained little cafes that are polished up and ready to serve the coffee craving multitudes at almost a moment's notice. These carts have special storage compartments for supplies and they also come with advertising displays. Display cases for tasty pastries are also included with the carts, as well as two Cambro 5-gallon beverage carriers. A pull-out sink area and refrigerator complete the compact kitchen area, and a jaunty awning adds a delightful detail while also adding shade.

These carts make setting up a cafe business easy as can be, and there’s no doubt that the lines will be forming as soon as the delicious coffee starts brewing.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Blu-ray Review - The Blacklist: The Complete Third Season



NOT RATED; 980 minutes; $75.99; Amazon
Arriving on Blu-ray today from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is The Blacklist: The Complete Third Season. Created by Jon Bokenkamp, the series stars James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff, Ryan Eggold, Amir Arison, Mozhan Marno, Hisham Twafiq and Harry Lennix.

The Blacklist debuted on NBC in 2013 and quickly became a hit with audiences and critics. The series centers on the "FBI Most Wanted" criminal Raymond "Red" Reddington (played by James Spader), surrendering himself to the FBI. He makes a deal with them that they would not press charges against him in exchange for him helping them locate and apprehend other criminals. He also insists on working with Elizabeth "Liz" Keen (played by Megan Boone), a rookie FBI profiler.

At the end of the second season, Liz is accused of assassinating  a U.S. Senator. With the help of Red, she escapes the authorities and becomes one of the FBI Ten Most Wanted. Season Three finds Liz and Red still on the run from the FBI. Instead of skipping the country, they go on the hunt for the clues that will unravel who had framed Liz.

With Assistant FBI Director Harold Cooper (played by Harry Lennix) under investigation, Agent Donald Ressler (played by Diego Klattenhoff) is left in charge of the FBI Task Force assigned to capture Liz and Red, but of course they are always one step ahead of the FBI.

Blu-ray Exclusives includes:
  • Deleted & Extended Scenes
  • Creating the Stunts: Script to Screen
  • From the Shadows: Villains of Season 3
  • Episode Commentaries

Other features includes:
  • Outside the Box: Making The Blacklist Comic Book
  • All About Aram
  • Red's Gems: Favorite Lines From Season 3

Review - Precious Moments: Happy Harvest


Tommy Nelson; 32 pages; $9.99; Amazon
Available today in bookstores from Tommy Nelson (a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers) is Precious Moments: Happy Harvest, written and complied by Jean Fisher.

The original designs for Precious Moments were created by Sam Butcher in 1974 for J&D, the company responsible for releasing the early greeting cards, porcelain figurines and dolls. After Butcher and J&D parted ways, he started the Samuel J. Butcher Foundation and Precious Moments, Inc. in 1989.

Thomas Nelson Publishers has sold over 12.5 million Precious Moments books and bibles sold over the years.

Precious Moments: Happy Harvest is a 32-page picture book (board book) featuring Bible Verses, famous poems, prayers and original poems/stories by Jean Fisher that all center around the Fall months. Throughout the book there are adorable Precious Moments illustrations.

Monday, August 1, 2016

Review - One Big Turkey


Tommy Nelson; 20 pages; $8.99; Amazon

Yes, Thanksgiving Day is still along way off, but publishers are already releasing autumn-themed titles.

Being released on August 9th from Tommy Nelson (a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers) is One Big Turkey, written and illustrated by Anne Vittur Kennedy.

At around 20 pages, this board book tells the story of a big turkey and his buddy the squirrel enjoying the fall the weather on Thanksgiving Day, where they go on a little adventure throughout woodland. Along the way they meet up with different animal friends - mice, deer, geese, a rabbit, a skunk and an owl.

All the woodland pals enjoy exploring the world that God has created. They play in the fallen leaves, snack on harvest vegetables, and eat the fruit from the trees. At the end of the day, the now sleepy friends say their prays to the Lord and turn in for the night.

Reviw - A Beauty Refined


Bethany House; 320 pages; $14.99; Buy Link; Blog Tour

While I do review many Christian titles on here, I haven't always been a fan of the genre. Throughout my teen years I read only horror novels by Stephen King, Anne Rice and John Saul; however, I stumbled upon the Left Behind books around the summer/fall of 2000. After that I started to expand reading horizons, though I didn't begin to read Christian romances until after I read a Beverly Lewis's Amish title a year or so later.

Since then I have read hundreds of Christian titles, including ones written by Tracie Peterson. The first books I had read by her was the Heirs Of Montana series. Her newest novel "A Beauty Refined" (book two in the Sapphire Brides series) was released to bookstores last month.

Set in the 1907, the novel centers on Phoebe Von Bergen, a young woman who is visiting America for the first time with her German count father. She has been sheltered for most her life, so she is exciting about taking a trip to Montana, where her father is supposed to be picking up sapphires. However, her father isn't exactly truthful as he has other "business" plans that she isn't aware of.

Ian Harper runs into Phoebe while she is staying at the Broadwater Hotel, and of course he is instantly attracted to her. Despite her father's deceptions, sparks fly between Ian and Phoebe, which leads her to consider staying in the USA.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Book Blogger Hop: July 29th - August 4th


Book Blogger Hop

Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews!

Do you give books as gifts?

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer: 

 Yes, I sometimes give books as gifts for birthdays and at Christmastime.


Linky List:

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Review - Green Fat Quarters Bundle


I've been looking for new products to feature as a "Coffee & Crafts" post on this blog, besides from adult coloring books. Luckily, out of the blue, I received a request to review a Fat Quarters Bundle, and of course I eagerly agreed to review it.

What is a fat quarter?

Well, a fat quarter is a pre-cut piece of cotton fabric that is normally cut half lengthwise and half width-wise from a one yard piece of fabric. These cuts typically measures 18" x 22", though some brands might be a tad smaller.

The Fat Quarters Bundle I received is by iNee. There are 6 different fabric patterns in this set, which is currently priced at $8.99 on Amazon.com. It's currently available in three different styles/colors - green, pink and doll skin. Each cut measures 15.7" x 19.7".

As you can probably tell by the photos, I was sent the green fabrics, which features six cute designs - 2 patterns, 2 polka dots, 2 checkered and 1 solid.




Release Day Tuesday: When Calls The Heart: Complete Season 3 - Collector's Editon




Arriving on DVD on October 11th, 2016 is When Calls The Heart: Complete Season 3 - Collector's Edition, a 10-disc set.

Based on the novel of the same name by Janette Oke (from her Canadian West Series), the television series debuted on the Hallmark Channel in 2014 and has been a rating success for the cable channel. It's actually a spinoff/sequel to the "When Calls The Heart" movie that aired on Hallmark in 2013, starring Maggie Grace.

The television series is set in the early 1900s and centers on a high-society teacher Elizabeth Thatcher (played by Erin Krakow), who is assigned to teach at a schoolhouse in Coal Valley, a small coal-mining town in Western Canada (renamed Hope Valley in season two). She tries her best to learn the ways of Canadian frontier.

The series also stars Lori Loughlin, Jack Wagner, and Daniel Lissing.

Retailing at $49.99, the When Calls The Heart Season 3 DVD Set can be pre-ordered on FishFlix.com for $29.99! As added bonus when you pre-order the set, you'll receive a FREE gift - When Calls the Heart Season 1 (3-DVD set) ($29.99 value).

The set will include both the film versions and the TV episode versions of When Calls The Heart Season 3.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Fitness & Coffee Sundays: VALI Core Sliders



Yes, it's been awhile since I posted a “Fitness & Coffee Sunday” post. My fitness plans for this year haven't gone as planned as I've fallen off of my workout routines and I've gained a few unwanted pounds. Actually, I've been ignoring the scales in fear of finding out the exact number that I actually way.

Nevertheless, it's the start of a brand-new week, and there's no time like the present to jump back into exercising. I plan on starting a new workout routine later tonight, so wish me luck.

Several weeks ago, I received a pair of VALI Core Sliders to test out and review. The sliders retail for $19.99, but they are currently priced on Amazon for $13.99.

What exactly are core sliders?

A core slider is a disc made out of either plastic or a fabric. You can either place the discs under your hands and/or feet during floor exercises. They are meant to help you perform the exercises correctly, and to help stretch your arms/legs more than ever before.

What type of exercises can you perform while using sliders?

Well, you can preform:

Mountain Climbers

Planks

Pikes

Knee Tucks

Reverse Tucks

Squats

Lunges

Pushups

Etc.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: How To Get Away With Murder: The Complete Second Season


TV-14; 645 minutes; $29.99; Amazon
Now available to buy on DVD from ABC Home Entertainment is How To Get Away With Murder: The Complete Second Season, featuring all 15 episodes on four discs. Bonus features includes Deleted Scenes and Bloopers.

Created by Peter Nowalk and produced by Shonda Rhimes, the series centers on Annalise Keating (played by Viola Davis), a criminal defense attorney who is also a law professor at Middleton University, where she enlists five law students - Wes Gibbins (played by Alfred Enoch), Connor Walsh (played by Jack Falahee), Michaela Pratt (played by Aja Naomi King), Asher Millstone (played by Matt McGorry), and Laurel Castillo (played by Karla Souza) - to be her interns.

The first season uses flash forward and flashback scenes to show the events that lead to the murders of Lila Stangard, the mistress of Annalise's husband, Sam, and Sam's murder which was caused by the interns.

The second season uses a similar formula with the first eight episodes using flash forward scenes and the final seven using flashbacks. The early episodes centers on Annalise taking on a new case despite the little fact that her lover is on trial for killing her husband. The case involves Caleb and Catherine Hapstall who are both accused of killing their adoptive patents.

Things take a twisted turn when the A.D.A. Emily Sinclair is murdered, and once again Annalise finds herself trying to cover up another murder.