Fit For a Queen

I received my kit today from Violet Starfire of the Schmufflepuff House. Let me tell you, it took me quite some time to sort through all the loot! That was the most generous package I've ever received--kind of reminded me of the one I sent to Ms. Lizzie Wychwood two terms back. Everything in there but the kitchen sink! Where to begin? Well, I'll let the pictures say 10,000 words!




The cutest little handmade notecard--sorry pic is fuzzy! My hand was shaking, I was so excited!
That's before I opened it all! First I had to extract many small gifties out of the many pockets sewn into the lining of the bag! Now, on to the contents:

There were 8 patterns--and I had NONE of them already in my collection! How awesome is that?

All kinds of goodies, and it was so sweet for Violet to notice that I am a cardinal fiend, and have cardinals all over the house, hence the very cute snowman candleholder with the cardinal!

Look at all that yarny goodness! She even knitted me a pair of ankle socks! Love, love love! Can't wait to use the hand-dyed from ShelbyB! The colors look more blue in the picture, but the actual color is much more purple (my fave)!

This loot I am calling my Fashion Stash! Lot of lip stuff, hair stuff, scarf, necklace and hand lotion to enhance my natural feminine charms!

Here is my sanity stash--when the going gets tough, I've got candy! And all three my favorites!

Here's all the loot together--I had to get pretty far away to get it all in!
And last, but certainly not least, the biggest, purplest, most pocket-filled bag I've ever seen! It warrants more than one pic for you to fully appreciate it's AWESOMENESS!




Violet, I can't thank you enough! If you don't win best kit, well, that would be a shame. You seriously went above and beyond to put a truly ROYAL kit together! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Stick a Fork in Me

1. This “Harry Potter” character’s first name comes from Roman mythology. The mythological character’s twin brother is named Romulus. What is the Harry Potter character last name?
LUPIN

2. Which “Harry Potter” character’s first name is the Roman equivalent of the Greed (?really?) Goddess Athena?
MCGONAGALL

3. In ‘Harry Potter’ World, this wizard has created the Philosopher’s Stone (called the Sorcerer Stone in the US). The historical figure from the 14th and 15th centuries was a scribe and a manuscript-seller who became famous as an alchemist. Who is this individual?
NICHOLAS FLAMEL

4. What is the first name of a character whose last name is the name of a Bulgarian leader from early 9th century who doubled the country’s territory?
VIKTOR

5. Which character’s name is the name of goddess in Indian mythology?
PATIL

6. “Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of Max, a young boy sent to bed without his supper for his wild antics. Who created this winner of the Caldecott Medal?
MAURICE SENDAK

7. What was NOT one of the unexpected defense mechanisms that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Griphook encountered in their attempt to rob Gringotts?
THE GEMINIO CURSE

8. What was Snape aiming at when he cut off George’s ear?
ANOTHER DEATH EATER'S WAND HAND

9. How much older than James was Lily? (Referring to Harry’s parents, not children).
2 MONTHS

10. Food is one of the five exceptions to what magical law?
GAMP'S LAW OF ELEMENTAL TRANSFIGURATION

Picture Hunt
George


McGonagall


Patil


Where the Wild Things Are

The Way Knit Was

For Quinn:
Here's what my Yarn Harlot calendar says for today, Thursday, April 9.

Passover commemorates the Jews' exodus from Egypt and slavery, and, as with many Jewish holidays and the Shabbat (Sabbath days), some observant Jews do not knit at this time, since knitting is considered work, and abstaining from work is an important observance for them. I once asked a rabbi about this, explaining that for most knitters, knitting is a pleasure, not a duty, but there was no change in his rule. He explained that the activity that is prohibited is not "work" as we would all normally think of it, but melachah, which is work that creates or changes. In fact, the quintessential melachah was the creation of the world, which took six days and was followed by a day of rest. Understanding this, I had to agree. Knitting is both creative and changing. It is melachah.

Happy Passover!

Gads, I'm Going to be a Schmufflepuff!

Seems a bunch of us are defecting to the Schmufflepuff house for the HP Knitting/Crochet House Cup! I can't believe we're doing that, but I just have to believe it will all turn out. In honor of my defection, I am even knitting something in the appropriate colors. Not intentionally of course, but I think it was subliminal.


I'm actually knitting this for the Sunshine Yarns April KAL. I'm calling it Edward Nuzzling My Neck because it is in the Edward colorway. She does the most fantastic colors, and has both HP and Twilight themed colors. Check her colorways out at SunshineYarns! You probably have to look in the Sold Out section, because most of her stuff sells out pretty quickly. I'm expecting the Esme Island and the Twilight mini-skeins to be delivered any day!

A Most Incredible RAOK!

I came home from a particularly crappy staff meeting today, which lasted 8 hours, to a rather large box on the counter. I was so excited, sure it must be my HSKS7 kit! I marveled at how early it was--must be the second to be received after Ronni's. I opened the box to see many goodies all wrapped in black tissue paper, and tied with Slytherin colored string. This was the earliest in the term I had ever received my kit! That was ok, though, it came on the perfect day!

First I opened the letter (on Slytherin parchment), only to find that it was NOT my kit, but the most amazing and generous RAOK I had ever received! Ms. Clara Clovenhoof, a fellow Slytherin, had bestowed upon me such a beauteous bounty! I am so not worthy, and extremely humbled by her generosity. Look at all the marvelous gifts she sent!

There were SIX felted bag patterns (none of which were in my collection!), hand-dyed yarn in a green fit only for a Slytherin, a handmade beaded row counter (I've never owned one of these!), a model of Crucio to use as a bookmark, a very cute drawstring bag (House colors, of course!)in which to conceal charms and potions, green black and gray hair ties, my FAVORITE sweets (Chocolate Covered Peanuts), and my very own pet owl (named Maximus after my dearly departed cat)! Can you believe all that in an RAOK? Sir Jinx promptly sniffed out Maximus, became insanely jealous, and hid under the bed!

Meet Maximus--I love him already!


Clara, I can't tell you how much I love my RAOK! Thank you, thank you, thank you! That was so kind, and so generous, and I truly, truly appreciate it!

Weekly Blogging

Hmmm, what to blog about? I know, how about some poetry? Written by none other than Prince Cody!

Bad Day

Just let me have this bad day
Let me lash out at myself
For being lazy
For being ignorant
To things I know I needed to do

Just let me have this bad day
Guided by my frustration
Because of my lack of drive
Because of my lack of will
To do things I needed to do

Just let me have this bad day
Quiet and alone is where I want to be
Just for this day
Just for this one time
To do things I need to do

Just let me have this bad day
So I can re-align my thoughts
To gain a clear mind
To gain confidence once again
This is what I want to do

Just let me have this bad day
Because things today will let me see
Where I’m at fault
Where I’m weak
Make me stronger
That is what today’s going to do

Seriously Hard House Quiz

1) Fawkes
2) black
3) magical remedy
4) 1971 feet
5) knitted cupcakes
6) St. Mungos
7) met Titus Pullo aka Ray Stevenson
8) Fire and Ice
9) one
10) Odin’s bird, Odin is considered the chief god in Norse paganism, the god of battle, magic, inspiration and the dead.

There, done! Thanks for helping Emma and Esme!