A journey to see my family | Krissie ♥

It feels like the half term holidays were a very long time ago and if you have seen a couple of the recent YouTube videos that I have made, then you will know that I spent that week with my family. 

This is my journey to Scunthorpe and a round up of the moments that were not featured in the Photo booth challenge, Cooking a roast dinner or Isabelle's rendition of Roar. 

I had tons of fun hanging out with my sister, her fiancé, the two bambinos and my mum and dad! 

I'm very lucky to have a fantastic family and miss them very much when I'm away from home. As you can tell from the video, we are all a little bit crazy, but that's what makes us The Akrill's. 

You can watch the video by clicking on the photo below: 

Here are a few snaps taken during the few days:

All wrapped up for my train journey.

Reunited with my sister Holli. 

Isabelle practising singing Roar

Finley watching his sister singing!

Squeezes with Grandad Brian!

Grr - we love pulling funny faces!

Keep smiling  :-)

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 |Week 7|                                               |Roar by Isabelle|

  

Katy Perry | Roar by Isabelle | Krissie ♥

Children literally say and do the funniest things and my latest YouTube video featuring Isabelle is no different. 

She discovered a new love for filming her self singing and watching it back and if her mum and my mum (Nanny Chris) weren't talking in the background, this would have been a full length video (they didn't know that we were filming). Instead I have edited the best bits together with a cute moment thrown in the middle! 

I laugh every time I watch it, especially when she makes up the words! 

Izzy is only six years old, so please show her lots of support and enjoy :D

Keep smiling!

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|You're in the YouTube video Grandad|                |Week 7|

  

Social media favourites | Week 7

Happy Sunday!

This weeks favourites are all about singing and most importantly, Beyonce and Frozen! But i have also added in a couple of amazing heart warming stories to balance out the power ballads. 

A quote I have found today which I am feeling really inspired by, is:

"If it's both terrifying and amazing then you should definitely pursue it!" - Ereda. 

I interpret this to be linked with having dreams and changing your direction. 

Hope you have a great week ahead!

1. Let it Go - Disney 

YouTuber, Brian Hull recorded a phenomenal cover of Frozen’s Let it Go with the help of Seth O’Neal this week and what makes it special, is that Brian sang the song whilst imitating other Disney characters, such as Mickey, Minnie and Winnie the Pooh. 

Click on the image below to listen to the mashup!

Source: +Brian Hull


2.  BEYONCÉ

You may have heard or watched a video from American acapella group Pentatonix at some point over the last few years. They are a group of 5 vocalists who are just incredible at putting together covers of their favourite tracks. Two of the group, Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi, host their own spin off YouTube channel called Superfruit. 

Each Tuesday see’s them uploading a new video and their latest Beyonce inspired cover demonstrates how their voices are truly sensational. Listen to them singing a collection of songs from her new album. 

Source: @sup3rfruit  @scotthoying  @mitchgrassi

3. Anything for love

Photographer, Albert Bredenhann recently documented and shared a video of a few loving ladies participating in a photo shoot which had been organised to show support to their friend Gerdi McKenna who was diagnosed with cancer. Not only was the photoshoot a surprise, Gerdi also didn't expect the courageous acts of kindness her friends and family made. 

Source: @albert_pixelpro

4. Random act of kindness

An anonymous donor left fresh knitted hats on the statues of canal workers inside the Wellend Memorial Monument, in a bid to keep those in need, with warm heads throughout their recent snow storm. Each hat came with a handwritten note encouraging people to take one. 

What a lovely gesture and the statues look cosy too! Read more about the story by clocking on the image :)

Source: @StCatStandard

5.  Christina Bianco's 'Let It Go' 

Heading back to Frozen and in particular, another fantastic cover with a twist. Christina Bianco who is a well known actress, singer and impressionist has put together her rendition of Let it Go by impersonating Idina Menzel, Demi Lovato and a few other celebrities.  

It’s brilliant how she captures their accent and mannerisms in a few words. Close your eyes and you won’t be able to tell it’s the same person. 

Source: @XtinaBianco1

Happiness Fact!

Did you know that Penguins only have one mate their entire life and “propose” by giving their mate a pebble?

Keep smiling :-)

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 |Week 6|                                                     |You're in the YouTube video Grandad|

 

HOW TO: Cook a pork slow roast dinner | Krissie ♥

A few weeks ago I went back home to mum and dad's house in Hull for a couple of days and my niece and nephew came too. One night my Nanna was rushed into hospital and mum went to be by her side, so Aunty Krissie stepped up to the plate (literally) and cooked tea for us all. I've lived away from home since I was 18 (give or take a few months in between moving house) and I've cooked this meal at least twice a month, but I had to giggle when dad actually looked like he was contemplating not letting me cook. It's probably because I am accident prone, so luckily everything went well, otherwise I'd have never lived it down. 

Dad's an avid photographer with a camera and tripod, which meant that we set it all up and had a go at filming my first 'Cook with Krissie' video. You can tell that he left me to film though because it went out of focus half way through, and I now know to check that! 

It wouldn't have been a great YouTube video without an appearance from my little niece Isabelle, who thankfully didn't chop any of her fingers off and my dad who peeled the potatoes for me! 

Please take a look at the video I made and bare in mind that I'm not a chef, it's just the way that I like to cook. 

(Click the image to play)

Here is the recipe if you would like to have a go at making this meal yourself. Let me know if there are other methods to use or if you would like to see me making another meal? 

Good Luck! 

(Feeds 5)

Ingredients:

200g pork chops (one per person)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
10g butter
750g potatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
Silver foil
sea salt
ground black pepper
1 onion
85g broccoli
Gravy granules 
280ml boiling hot water
5 mushrooms
5 carrots, scrubbed

Preparation method:

1. Brush both sides of the pork chops with butter, then grind sea salt and black pepper.
2. Chop up five mushrooms (more if you would prefer) into small pieces.
3. Peal and chop an onion 
4. Turn on your slow cooker and choose a cooking option that suits you best. Then add your pork chops into the slow cooker. 
5. Next add four teaspoons of gravy granules into a measuring jug and make up to 1/2 pint (280ml) with boiling water, stir well then pour it into the slow cooker.
6. Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/Gas 7.
7. Grate 5 carrots (one each) then chop them into small chunks.
8. Peel and cut the potatoes into large chunks.
9. Cut the broccoli into florets
10. Par-boil the potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water for about eight minutes, then drain well, return to the pan and shake with the lid on to fluff up the edges.
11. Place silver foil over a roasting tray and add the potatoes. Season well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and shake to ensure the potatoes are evenly coated.  Drizzle two tbsp of oil over the potatoes and roast in the oven for 45-50 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden-brown.
12. Boil the carrots in salted water for 15 minutes, then drain. 
13. Boil the broccoli until soft, then drain. 
14. 5 mins before the end, you can also add Yorkshire puddings into the oven to cook along with your potatoes. 

Dish it all up and voila! 

Keep smiling :-)

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 |Photobooth|                                                     |Week 6|

 

Social media favourites | Week Six

Good morning! It’s Tuesday, which means that this post is a couple of days late. I have been experiencing some terrible internet problems over the last few weeks and have just had to trial uploading blog posts and YouTube videos when the internet will allow.

There seems to be a running theme of ‘doing good’ this week because the majority of the videos i’ve chosen are about people being kind but there are a couple of incredibly funny clips to keep you giggling too. 

Enjoy! 

1. Man gives homeless guy a ‘winning lottery ticket’

A YouTube magician and prankster who goes by the name MagicofRahat gave a homeless man called Eric a lottery ticket as a gesture for not having any spare change. He had set up the scenario so that once Eric cashed in the lottery ticket he would ‘win’ a great amount of money. What the homeless man did next will bring a tear to your eye! Please click on the video to watch. 

In addition, because there has been a tremendous amount of support for Eric, a campaign has been started to improve his lifestyle and raise $20,000. If you would like to help give Eric a pick-me-up then please donate here: https://fundly.com/eric-s-fundraising

Source: @MagicofRahat


2.  Cooper Loves Ice Cream

Coopers Dogpatch is an outdoor action resort for dogs, ran by Sunni and Katie who also happen to have a YouTube channel for capturing the doggy days!  In this particular video they took two dogs, Cooper and Daisy through the drive through at McDonalds because they both love ice cream and you have to watch below to see why Daisy gets to try the ice cream first. 

Source:  +Coopers Dogpatch 

3. Seeing her for the first time again!

Jason Mortenson had a hernia repair to fix residual tears from a previous surgery. But when he woke up, he didn't recognise his wife and unintentionally began to chat her up! It was his fifth surgery in six years and this time, his wife Candice was smart enough to capture his sweetness. 

The couple are now raising funds to be able to adopt an orphan from Africa http://www.gofundme.com/5s0100

Source: @JasonMortensen

4. Wee Bunny taking the pish

Two Scottish guys are driving home at night when they are obstructed by a rabbit that just won’t get off the road. They try to slow down and even park up, hoping that the rabbit will jump into the fields, but instead it seems the rabbit is tormenting them! All you can hear is great commentary and belly laughs.  

This video contains strong language. Please don’t watch if you are easily offended. But with that aside, it’s guaranteed to make you laugh, a lot.

5. Photo Booth Challenge with Isabelle & Finley

For the last feature of this weeks social media favourites, I couldn't help but include my gorgeous niece and nephew. I filmed them playing about with the Photo Booth application on my MacBook a few weeks ago and created a montage of the best moments. Watch how we turned them into aliens, chipmunks and lots of other funny faces. 

Source: @Krissie_Akrill

Happiness Fact

This week our happiness fact is just adorable! Did you know that Sea otters hold hands when they sleep to keep from drifting apart? Here is a picture to extend the cuteness.

Keep smiling :-)

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 |Week 5|                                                        |Photo booth|

 

Photo Booth Challenge | Isabelle & Finley | Krissie ♥

Hello, 

Over the half term holiday’s I spent some time back at home in Hull visiting my family and made a pit stop to my sisters house in Scunthorpe on the way. My sister Holli has two beautiful children, Isabelle and Finley who are just the most adorable little people and I couldn’t help introducing them to the wonderful world of photo booth! For those who don’t know, photo booth is an app available on apple products which can change the shape of your face or the setting around your face. Also, because i’ve just bought a MacBook, I have the newest version which includes turning your face into animals and is obviously a child pleaser! We had hours of fun, so i thought i’d share with you a montage of the funniest moments. I also filmed with other family members too and I am hoping that they will let me upload those clips after seeing this one of Isabelle and Finley. 

Here’s a few snaps of what to expect: 

 Finley & Isabelle

Please check out the video below and let me know what your thoughts are in the comments!

Keep smiling :-)

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 |Week 4|                                                        |Week 5|

 

Social media favourites | Week five

Good afternoon! We are in March and doesn't it just feel great to see the sun shining and the sky blue? For this weeks instalment of social media favourites there are some fab, heart warming stories, funny dancing and a crazy animal. But first things first, here’s a little bit of motivation for the week ahead. 

“There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying about things whig are beyond the power of our will”

1. Do it for the vine

Vine is a mobile app owned by Twitter that enables its users to create and post short looping video clips. Video clips created with Vine have a maximum clip length of seven seconds and can be shared to Vine's social network, or to other services such as Twitter. 

The beauty of the app is that many videos are of great comedy value, including this one that features a dancing grandad! 

Source: @JakeFoushee

2. Would you help a freezing child in need?

SOS Mayday, part of the SOS Children’s Villages action network in Norway, released a heart-wrenching social experiment video to raise awareness of displaced children in Syria who lack coats to weather the winter.

In the video, a young boy sits at a bus stop in Norway, shivering from the winter cold because he doesn’t have a coat. Compassionate passers-by stop to help the boy and give him their coats, gloves, hats or scarves, and all of it is captured by a hidden camera. The point of the video is to illustrate that the same kind of aid can be given to cold children in Syria by donating to the SOS Mayday campaign. To contribute to their efforts, please visit their website: SOS Mayday.

Source: @SOS_barnebyer


3. YouTuber Dance Battle With Marcus Butler and Alfie Deyes

Alfie Deyes, also known in the YouTube world as PointlessBlog is a British Youtuber and all round funny man!  He has a tag line of ‘do more of what makes you happy’ and that’s certainly what happened in his latest video featuring fellow YouTube sensation, Marcus Butler. 

The pair took on the ‘Just dance’ game, over on Alfie’s gaming channel and proceeded to dance in a battle to be crowned the winner. This film had me laughing from start to finish, with their serious faces and terrible coordination, you’ve just got to watch it! 

Source: @PointlessBlog @MarcusButlerTv

4. A 99 year old Beggar! 

Dobri Dobrev from Bulgaria to most looks like an old beggar but what he does everyday to benefit children without families is out of this world. I won’t give away his story, please follow the link below. 

It just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a book my its cover and we could all take a leaf out of Dobri’s book. 

Source: @ViralNova

5. Dancing Cat - What is love?

When you think of amazing 90’s tunes, its guaranteed that one of your go-to songs is Haddaway’s ‘What is Love’ as it’s such a great song and makes you want to dance. To my surprise, this week I came across a cat dancing to this very song on Vine, created by Esa Fungtastic and now I can’t stop listening to the song! 

Here is the cat bopping:

For a weekend special, here is the original video - let me know in the comments if you can’t get this out of your head too!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhrBDcQq2DM

Source: Esa Fungtastic via @vineapp & @HADDYMUSIX

Happiness Fact:

It has been suggested that there are several factors that contribute toward happiness. This is an ”equation for happiness,” suggested by psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman:
H = S + C + V

H = Happiness
S = Set range (genetics: about 50%)
C = Circumstances (8-15%)
V = Voluntary Control (past, present, future)

Keep smiling :-)





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 |Week 3|                                                        |Week 4|