My Package Arrived!

And, boy, is it great!!

The cats like it too!

It began with a nice note from Penelope (Daisy) Clearwater of Slytherin, explaining in Harry Potter terms what each item was . Bath salts = potions, balls of yarn & needles = Muggle artifacts, hand sewn purse = wand pouch. Everything was so nice. It was obvious that Daisy had selected each item with an eye to my wish list. On my list I had said I'd like to try the Lantern Moon Sox Sticks, but I knew they were too expensive for a swap. But I got them - Ebony, size 2.25! I also said I wanted to try out the Panda wool and bamboo sock yarn, and I got 4 skeins in a gorgeous blue/green mix, plus a pattern that looks marvelous, called Lupine Lace Socks from Fiber Trends. I got a fun Christmas card with a picture of a box of "fast growing moths" which is what Santa gives to naughty knitters. There was a nifty little knitters notebook with pen, a tin of ginger candies, bath salts, a can of spice tea, two bars of really nummy chocolate. All those items were on my wish list. The one thing I really did not expect to recieve is a tea pot. I collect tea pots. My spoiler didn't disappoint. She gave me a ceramic tea bag holder (like a spoon rest) in the shape of a teapot. It's adorable. So I really did get everything I had wanted, and more than I expected. Thank you Daisy! It is a lovely package. And tonight I am planning on opening one of the chocolate bars and having a cup of tea.

Bad News

My brother in law was found in his home this morning, dead. It appears he had died several days ago. He and my sister have been estranged for the last two months, trying to reconcile but unable to reach any agreement. The cause of death is unknown, but may be self inflicted. My five year old niece doesn't know what is going on and my sister is overwelmed. Please pray for us.

Here is a picture of my sister, her husband and their daughter a couple years ago.

I am going now to take comfort in the lovely assortment of goodies my spoiler sent me. I think a cup of tea is just what I need right now. I am not able to properly post about my package now, but I will post tomorrow.

Handmade item finished!

I got my handmade item finished in time for the deadline on Friday. See? Here's my scroll.

yay! Now I have to wait for the witchy knitting needles to arrive by owl before my package is complete.

RavenClaw Quiz

Here's the next house quiz for Ravenclaw. I'm guessing on a couple of these:


What security question does Mr. Weasley ask Mrs. Weasley before he enters the Burrow? What is the answer? Mr Weasley asks what is his private name for her? Mollywobbles

What two names does Mrs. Cole call Dumbledore when she takes him to see Tom Riddle at the orphanage? Mr. Dumberton/Mr. Dunderbore

What is the name of Ginny's Pygmy Puff? Arnold

What three D's are needed for apparating? Destination, Determination, and Deliberation

What spell did Harry perform when he was attacked by Dementors? Patronus Charm

Who did an arrow salute at Dumbledore's funeral? the centaurs

What did Dumbledore set on fire to prove to Tom Riddle that he was a wizard? Tom's wardrobe

What Christmas present did Kreacher give Harry? a large number of maggots

What is on top of the Weasleys' Christmas tree? a golden garden gnome in a ballet costume

What was the most popular item at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes? Love potions

Why did Harry threaten to kick Ron off the Griffindor Quidditch team? His bad attitude about the other players

What happens if you break an Unbreakable Vow? You die

Who did Hermoine go to Slughorn's party with? Connor McLaggen

Who is Mrs. Weasley's favorite singer? Celestina Warbeck

Who are the only two people who know the full contents of the prophecy made about Harry and Lord Voldemort? Harry and Dumbledore

A Dollar Short and A Day Late

That would be me...

My Favorite Character and Magical Animal

Really, how can anyone choose one absolute favorite Harry Potter character? My friend Daye would chose Snape hands down. She teaches literature at a Michigan university, and one of her classes is actually about Harry Potter. She's written scholarly papers on the appeal of Snape's character. And don['t get me wrong, Snape is a very complex and well written character. But somehow I'm drawn to the bad boy openly on Harry's side: Sirius Black.

Unicorns have been sadly over-done. They tend to look almost cartoon-ish. Anyone who has read Anne Bishop's Black Jewels books knows that unicorns are not sweet cartoons.

Time For Quidditch Again!!

Hopefully the RavenClaws will get the Snitch this time. Rah-Rah-RavenClah!!


Quidditch Round 2
1. What animal does the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minster’s office resemble?b. Frog

2. What drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?a. Gillywater

3. What is the name of the person who heads the Holyhead Harpies?b. Gwenog Jones

4. How many ‘Exceeds Expectation’ grades does Harry receive in his O.W.L’s?c. 5

5. What is Professor Sughorn’s favorite candy?d. Crystallized Pineapple

6. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?c. Hippogriff

7. What color robes do the staff at the Weasley’s shop wear?b. Magenta

8. What is the man outside Flourish and Blotts selling?a. Amulets

9. How much is the skull, which Hermione enquires about at Borgin and Burkes, worth?c. 16 Galleons

10. What are Professor Slughorn’s initials?b. H.E.F.

A Great Time At Crown Tourney!

I just got back from my trip away from Hogwarts for my home country's semi-annual armored combat tournament to determine our next King and Queen. I got to put away my school robes and put on my native garb. The talented Lady Berenice spent half an hour putting my hair up in the stylishly elaborate braids and loops that are the current fashion at home.

I made my curtsey to the King and Queen and their new heirs.

I had a wonderful time renewing my friendships with the friends from home.

I even snuck out with a couple friends to investigate a local yarn shop. Naturally I spent my entire allowance there. :)

I'm back now in good old Ravenclaw Tower, and I have some hard studying to do to get caught up with my school work. I've been in the irmfirmaty so much this year I bet my room mates don't even know what I look like! I'll have to re-introduce myself.

What a Week!

The entire month of September was horrible, health-wise. October has been better, except that at my annual exam they found a cyst, so I've been in and out of the clinic for that. Getting a cyst in a highly tender place cut out is... um... uncomfortable. yeah, that's the word. It's sad that when you hit a certain age things just go downhill.

Tonight I'm heading out to the other end of the state for the Kingdom of Northshield Crown Tourney. They're supposed to get 9-12" of snow on Saturday and Sunday. :( But I'm hoping to get my life together during the week after the Tourney. I'm gonna clean lilke a madwoman and knit as much as possible.

Ravenclaw House Quiz

*What potion has the strange side effects of excessive singing and nose-tweaking? Euphoria Elixir
*What ingredient can be used to counteract the effect of the above side effects? Peppermint
*How much can you get for Acromantula venom? 100 Galleons a pint
*What is the most powerful love potion in the world? Amortentia
*What antidote does Harry use to help Ron when he is poisoned by Madam Rosmerta's finest mead? A bezoar
*How does Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' Owl Order Service get their potions past the security at Hogwarts to their customers? Cough syrups and perfumes
*What did Draco Malfoy make in Potions class when Professor Slughorn assigned them to make something amusing? Hiccuping solution
*What spells will not work in an area affected by Instant Darkness Powder? Light or fire spells
*What are the ingredients for the Draught of Living Death? Wormwood, Asphodel, Valerian roots, and a Sopopherous bean
*How much will unicorn tail hair fetch? 10 Galleons a hair

Extra Credit:

I. I prefer to knit
II. I don't think I have a favorite weight to knit with, it depends on the project. For socks I like sock/fingering weight. For hats and scarves I like worsted or aran.
III. I really don't like the feel of acrylic, although there are some decent acrylics out there now. FAves? I made socks out of a cashmere blend once and it was heavenly to work with.
IV. I'm not sure how many socks I've made i nthe past 6 years... maybe 30?
V. Right now I'm on a hat kick. But I bet I'll get sick of it soon. Sock knitting desires may come and go, but I'll always have a pair of socks going.
VI. Fave treat? Hmmm... high quality chocolate. Caramels and nuts.
VII. I drink coffee in the morning, herbal tea (cinnamon or spice is good) in the evening.
VIII. I did put a "things I collect" list on this blog.
IX. I am in about 10 Ravelry groups, but I really only look at 4 of them regularly.
X. We don't have really decent silk or linen fabric here in North Dakota. Or the Harry Potteryar nby Opal. Sigh.