The Trophy

I give up... I have no idea. Clues point both to Diagon Alley in London and Hogsmeade Village. I am going to have to go with the latter since the items included could be purchased but the Hogs Head is just too much of a clue.

So... I vote to look in Hogsmeade.

OWL POST!!! SQUEE :D

I was out of town when an adorable owl showed up at home. Thank goodness my mom was nice enough to take him in and look after him while he warmed up before making his way back to Agatha. I am so happy that the little owl missed out on our horrible snowfall that started last night. :( We really don't need more snow.

What I unpacked from the adorable box :)

As I began to rip off carefully remove the tissue paper look at what I found...

Two nummy pumpkin pie candles. Mmmmm my favorite :) Two adorable post it pads of paper. And look at the lovely Wanderer earrings!!! I love them and am wearing the round pair right now :D

An absolutely adorable bag! I love the way it looks and it really is so very roomy; perfect for toting my other kit and knitting items.

Nummy nummy nummies :) Snickers, Ferrero (squee) and nutella :) Nuts galore! Unfortunately the Ferrero is already gone but they were just so good ;)

Rounding out my kit is... some lovely red and black Galway worsted wool. Hat and fingerless mittens patterns from my Ravelry favorites. And a Brittany hook!!! SQUEE :) oh how I love them so much!

Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much Agatha! I love everything so much :)

I think I am going to get cracking on those patterns soon because it is getting quite cold and very snowy here.

You are totally awesome and thank you again!!!

To Do: Jose Cuervo Cookies

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup or brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl,
check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality,
pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter
in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point
it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok, try another
cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup
of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit off the floor.

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry
it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who geeves
a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can
find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall
over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the
Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.

Cherry Mistmas ! 

Early Xmas Present

Today I got my grade for a super tough and intensive course that has plagued me for the past 5 weeks. The subject matter wasn't exactly mind bending but the fact that there wasn't a break in between the previous class and this most recent class made my brain want to cry. However I am happy to say that I have passed through the class with a 97.5% and maintaining my lovely 4.0 gpa. Only one more class to go that starts January 4th. I am so looking forward to February 7th, my graduate degree program will be completed at that time.

Now I need to find myself a job. I am really up for moving anywhere although I would love to land on the northeast or northwest coasts somewhere. Let the MBA job hunting begin. I have until August when my loans will be wanting to get repaid. Wish me luck :)

An Owl is Off...

Well, at least soon. The post isn't open just yet, but today Stig will be taking off and heading his way to Cassandra with some delightful gifts. I would have gotten the package out much earlier than the deadline, in fact I had hoped on it, but this class as well as other life goings on just seemed to snowball. But I am happy to say that everything is completed, and ready to go. I hope that she enjoys the crocheted and knitted items. Yes, you heard right, knitted as well. I decided to test out my newly regained knitting skills by doing a couple of simple items. Okay... I will supplement this later. Right now I am off to work on my final class assignment before holiday break (which is due tomorrow). And later I have a birthday party for my friend, so I have yummy yarn to wind as well.

A Quick Post

This week has been one large headache. I have a group project due and because everyone else didn't want the responsibility, I am group leader. The assignment was extremely vague and I finally got an explanation from the professor.. yesterday. The project, both the individual and group portions are due tomorrow before midnight. And to do the group portion, each member of the group must complete the individual portions first. Yes... such a joy.

Okay, well I better get back to my homework and get this cracked out before my group meeting at 7.

Wish me luck ;)

Wants to go the way of the bear and hibernate!!!

Well this has been some week... There is proof that I did things but it feels way too much like one reaaaaallly long day just ran together with a few small intermittent naps. I have no idea where the time has gone, I really don't. I swear I got stuck in some time-space continuum and just stepped out with nearly a week elapsing. Wtf!

Class is going well. Is it done yet? Sadly, no. I still have a bit over two weeks left of class before the holiday break. This coming week is a "group" project which so far it seems our group is quite dysfunctional. Joy.

I ran to the store a bit ago to get more yarn for my spoilee's item. I ran out of yarn and after everything I hope it fits nicely. At some point in time I think I will make it for myself.

I have two three packages to get out in Monday's mail. I will post an edit to this with more info on Monday.

Turkey day was... turkey day... not too thrilling although the Packers won (my dad's team so yay)

Our xmas tree is up which means... it is now the Nightmare Before Christmas at home. Halloween should be everyday (imo) and here it nearly is ;)

Okay well I am off to bed to wake up before dawn so that I can get my homework done tomorrow. (My typical Sunday routine.)

Edit:

 The three packages are on their way. One is headed to Minerva Lovegood and the other two are care packages to my wonderful assistant captain, Rowan and Perenelle, who is still recovering from surgery.

And here is our tree: -- Click on it to see it larger.

And here are just a few things that can be found on the tree:

And the inspiration for my tattoos :

I Am Thankful For...

My family, my friend Nick, Ravelry and all my friends throughout the site, Lush and their wonderful products, all of the fantastic sheep that give up their coats so that I can crochet, spin, and knit, learning how to knit again, the Windy City knit group, the Stateline knit group, and my animals (Zeus, Athena, Hades, Wolf, and Ziggy)

Real Quick Post...

This week blew by fast. I have made good headway with my spoilee's package. Only bit more to go of things to make and a few more finishing touches. I am really hoping to send during the early send which begins tomorrow!!! Well off to relax for a small bit before working on my homework.

Look Look Look!!!

After many attempts to make my hands and my brain reconnect as to the right things to do so that I can once again knit... IT FINALLY WORKED AND... I'M KNITTING!!!

::happy dance::

::squee::

::happy dance::

I can do a long-tail cast on, and knit and purl in the Continental method! Even though I more dominant with my right hand, holding my yarn with my left hand is just more natural especially since I have been crocheting so much. I can not tell you how many times I have been attempting to get the hang of knitting again. I finally (after way too many tries) figured out that I was going wrong in my method. I have been trying the American way and it just felt way too cumbersome and I couldn't get the hang of things, which would lead to needles flying and me being pissed. Yesterday I nailed down the long tail cast on and Continental knit stitch through the help of a few books at home and some internet videos. Today I finally got the hang of the purl stitch and figured out what I was doing wrong. Even though it doesn't look like much, here is a tiny swatch of my CO, and 2x2 rib stitch! YAY!!!

Here is an extension I have 2x2, 3x3, and 1x1 all separated with rows of garter. I am so thrilled! :D

Some Visitors...

We have quite a few visiting animals frequenting our back yard. There is a constant influx of birds that are quite humorous to see dive into the bush and then pop back out. Unfortunately due to the sudden drop in temperature, the bush has lost most of its leaves in a short amount of time. Another comical critter in our yard, that I have dubbed Jabba Squirrel because he is a portly sight and just seems to get fatter. I swear, pretty soon he probably won't be able to fit into his winter home. He is so chunky I want to just poke him ;)

A Boring Post...

Let's see what has happened this week...

I had high hopes of going to an awesome party area of Chicago for Halloween with my friend. Unfortunately plans fell through. I could say plenty more but I will just leave it at that. Any plans that I do make on Halloween seem to fall through. It has been that way for years. I swear I have been cursed on what I consider my "new year". So instead of going out and having fun, I retired to the basement away from the ringing of the doorbell, that I let my parents answer. I had to get as far away from the doorbell because everytime it rings, my heart jumps (even if I know it is going to ring) and my heart is in a tricky state as it is. So no use trying to make it stop sooner than it should.

My car, Isis, is starting to die. It's sad because even though she is technically my second car, I have had her the longest and I got her when she was brand new back in 2002. I can't believe I have had her for seven years. I also can't believe just how much traveling I have done with her. I got her while I was living in Florida and she has been with me all through my moving including when I was living out in New Mexico. Ahhh those super long rides out in the desert, how I miss them so. Sadly, her breaks, spark plugs, wires, air filter, oil, O2 sensor, belts (which I found out are the original ones) need to all be fixed or replaced. And all costing way more money than I have. And because of this predicament I will be stranded in this prison of a town that I am living even more than I already am due to lack of a vehicle.

Thursday was fun. We actually got to finish three games of quidditch before we were rained out. I swear this Fall, if you can count on anything it is that it will rain on Thursday evening (when we have quidditch games scheduled). Oh well, it is still tons of fun even though we are out in the freezing rain and slipping and sliding around in the mud. Our matches this week were Ravagers vs Falcons, Falcons vs Hemlock, and Ravagers vs Hemlock. We (my team, the Ravagers) beat the Falcons easy-peasy. Their seeker is quite slow which makes us laugh because the snitch loves to taunt him. Unfortunately we lost to the Hemlocks. Their team is quite good and even though our chasers were scoring quite well against their team and our keeper did an excellent job of blocking their attempts, their seeker is one tough little bugger and ended up winning the game.

Well that is all I have to say... I could ramble on about my lovely MBA class having a group project due this weekend (lovely) but I will stop.

ttfn

What a Week...

This week seemed to fly by. I don't know where the time has gone. This week also seemed to be the week for never ending rain. And this week's quidditch match got rained out, yet again... What is it with rain and Thursdays?!? While I do quite enjoy the rain, the constant hard rainfall can get bothersome, especially when there are crops that should be getting harvested. This year's corn crop has seemed to be plagued by problems. First there wasn't enough warm weather to get the crops grown fast enough. Now the rain is preventing them from being dried out enough to get combined. If you do it while they are still wet, you will end up with a lovely moldy mess in your silo. Poor corn :( 

On a side note, 2.5 pumpkins down and 1.5 left to finish before Friday.
The baby blanket is roughly 40% done and that needs to be kicked out soon as well.
Hopefully I can get some good work done on Monday when I am riding the train for 4 hours or so into the not so local- LYS.

Where in the World is Winnie?

10/15- Winnie gave us a clue in her letter as to where she is. I think she is at the Ministry of Magic in London. Poor Winnie having to deal with pesky wizards spouting lies. Don't they know any better?
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
10/24- Our second letter from Winnie has given us some interesting clues. It sounds like she is traveling all over. The first place I think she stopped this week was Larnach Castle in New Zealand. How lovely to travel there and skip out on Winter all together and go right into Spring ;) The second clue I am going to have to say is Stanstead, Quebec. Stanstead was combined with Rock Island and Beebe and were previously known as Tois Villages. I am unsure what the CLR and CLS clues mean in her letter though.
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
10/31- From Winnie's clues I am guessing that she was looking for Cyprian Youdle in Queerditch Marsh and then ended up going to Appleby village located in Lincolnshire, which was sadly void of any shops. Clues- DNT
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
10/7- One of the stops Winnie mentions is a Capital city which lies where there once was a lake. I am going to say that this is Mexico City. Her second place this week gives a clue that kites are flown and made there. I found little on this but am throwing out my guess that it is Chile because it is tradition to fly them during their independence celebration. Her third stop this week landed her in a location with a pink library and nearby carnival. I am going to guess she landed in Brasil. Curious Letters- OT
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

11/14- Looks like Winnie has traded in South America for somewhere not as humid and has a lot more sand. She mentioned a book shaped library. Well, I found the Library in Dubai, UAE that is book shaped (i guess)  Seen Here -->

But I think this building is much more book like - Don't you?

This building is located in Turkmenistan and is the National Press Building. I have found little about the building itself except where it is located and the name of it. However, I think they took their inspiration from the Derek Zoolander Center For Children Who Can't Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too. The second place Winnie mentions going is to see the pyramids in Giza, Egypt.

And more interesting letters -- DOTEOU

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/5 - After Winnie seemingly going AWOL for nearly two weeks, Olive found some letters caught amongst the clutter on Siobhan's desk.

With her first clue, I think that she has been visiting the notoriously religious city of Rome which also contains the Vatican City. She must need to stock up on holy water and  crosses for a reason. Her second place must be riddled with Vampires. I think she is somewhere in Romania. Perhaps in the famous area of Transylvania.

And even more mysterious letters -- HPCHWPYIQ

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -   -   -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

12/12 - Winnie this week mentions going somewhere that was the beginning of Christmas which is also seemingly freezing in temperature. My guess is that she is up at the North Pole.

Clue letters- IR

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12/19- Oh my a mysterious package... whatever could be inside. It looks like the letters as to what has been going on throughout Winnie's travels has been about the STOLEN QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP TROPHY

Week 1 Assignment

1.Someone with the same craft as you (either those listed above or another one).
Quietus- we both create our own costumes :D
2. Someone who was born in the same month.
Wisty - Both Cancers and July babies
3. Someone from a different country.
Emma Wigworthy- UK
4. A new HSKS Quidditch player.
Albatross Harbinger- Yay for the newbie :)
5. A player who has been in 3 or more HSKS swaps.
Hermoine!
6. A player who has a bigger stash than you! (And if your stash is the biggest, proudly say so!)
Rowan Dragonsinger- she claims 15 tubs of fibery goodness. I think she needs to open a store.
7. A player who both knits and crochets.
Ceelena Cree- Hooray for the best of both worlds
8. Someone who has the same favorite color as you.
Andromeda- Go black and red!

Ravatars!!!

Stig Arrived Back Home

Stig arrived back home... with a package!!! Oh my goodness! I was shocked when my little owl returned home with a package in tow. Cym sent back some amazing goodies with my little one.

This yarn is absolutely amazing! It is suuuuuuper soft. I love it. Don't worry, the lace weight is perfect and will become a beautiful shawl! I am still amazed at how soft it is. I am not sure what the other two are going to become, but the possibilities are near limitless. :) (I was just squeeing over the lace weight) lol

Yummy goodies!!! I can't wait to nom on these tomorrow while I am working on my homework.

Look at this gorgeous roving! Stig even loves it (as they totally match his colors). I can not wait to spin this. I think I am going to spin it to a fingering weight. The colors are so pretty and are not fully represented in this picture.

Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much!!! I love everything :D This certainly was an awesome surprise. Cym, you totally rock :D

HP:LBOE Adorable RAOK

Look at this very cute little snakey sock that I got from Lady Felula the Forgetful :) This sock is just too adorable. I absolutely love it :D What an awesome RAOK!

Hooray!!!

Quidditch season is upon us!!! Can you believe it? Oh I am so excited for this season to be happening. I am really hoping that I make it as a beater or chaser this this season. Being a keeper is fine and all, but I really want to be deep in the action all over on the pitch rather than just in the scoring end.

Stay tuned for updates!!! :D

LBOE - Herbology

A favorite muggle plant of mine is the herb plant- Chives, also known in the scientific world as Allium Schoenoprasum (gotta love seemingly nonsensical Latin). The Chive plant is a perennial plant and belong to the onion family, which is the main reason that I love them so much. The chive plant is very similar to the green onion plant with its growth of hollow tubes that make up the plant. There are several different types of chives, even a Chinese one that not only tastes of onion but garlic as well. How wonderful ;) Along with these different types, the flowers that are part of the plant vary in color too. Harvesting of chives needs to take place before August, unless you have a greenhouse or other indoor locale that you can grow and harvest from year round.

At The End...

Sadly, tomorrow is the end of summer camp. I have really enjoyed my time meeting new people, hanging out with friends, and making more friends.

I hope that everyone had just as much fun as I did.

I can't wait until HSKS9! Quidditch, here I come :)

-Clara

LBOE Potions

1 What were two potions made during Harry’s first year in Potions class?
*Boil cure potion
*Forgetfulness potion

2 What potion were the students making during the second year when Harry threw a firecracker in Goyle’s cauldron to create a diversion?
Swelling Solution

3 What potion imported from Peru did the Weasley brothers give Harry when he visited their store in Hogsmeade in Half Blood Prince?
Instant Darkness Powder

4 Name 5 ingredients available in the Students Store cupboard at Hogwarts.
*Knotgrass
*Lacewing Flies
*Fluxweed
*Nettle
*Moonstone

5 What tricky potion, which is an O.W.L. standard, is taught in fifth-year Potions?
Draught of Peace

6 What is the N.E.W.T.-level textbook for Potions during Harry’s sixth year?
Advanced Potion Making by Libatius Borage

7 Who invented Wolfsbane potion and who’s uncle was he?
Damocles, Marcus Belby's uncle

8 What 2 ingredients in your kitchen will make a fizzy potion? (used in home remedies to help
with bee stings)
Baking soda and Vinegar... though with me it had better be an epi pen

9 What ingredient added to a carbonated drink will make the drink foam? ( We all love these!)
Hint: A tree has …, your pint of ….. is on the bar , and you ….down a river
Ice cream. Rootbeer Float :D

Lily May's Owl has Arrived

Caution... Yummy goodness and kit pron to follow :)

The package that was waiting for me on the porch along with a patient owl that definitely needed some care after such a long (and fast) journey.

Look at this adorable bag!!! There are three zippered compartments which all had goodies waiting inside for me. I can't believe how much she was able to cram in here ;) I think Hermoine must have put a charm on it for everything to fit.

These were waiting in the front pocket (they were wrapped of course, but I couldn't wait). The pen has a cute blue floral pattern on it. I also got a set of Slytherin stitch markers that I absolutely loooove. And look at that bracelet!!! Absolutely gorgeous blue and green beads that are so tiny. I love it so much. I have been trying to master that stitch, perhaps one day I will be able to :)

This is what was waiting in the middle pocket. Look at all the nummy treats. Mmmmm :)

When I unwrapped everything, I have a very nice set of dpn needles. I have been having trouble mastering these. But I really can't wait until I can and make soooo many more things. The hard candies are so nummy. I have already sampled a few. She also sent me some strawberry Chewits. I haven't ever had these before. But I can't wait to try them. And look at that cute journal with supply pictures on it. I love journal books. I always have one with me in my purse.

And this is what was waiting in the back zippered pouch. More candy, :) some mini sharpie markers, two balls of super soft and beautiful yarn, and patterns for berets!!! Now I really need to get better at my knitting techniques so that I can make these. :D

Inside that wrapped package was this beautiful shawl!!! Look at how amazing it is :) This looks like it is made of the same yarn that I was sent for the berets. I can't get over just how gorgeous it is. I can't wait to wear it out this Saturday.

Here is a closer look at the super soft beautiful yarn. The color is truly lovely :) The patterns are Springtime in Philadelphia, but the two are are a bit different in their designs. I just looked at some fo's on Ravelry and they look so amazing. I can't wait until I am able to make myself one.

Here is my entire kit. Thank you so very much Lily May!!! I completely love everything, you have really spoiled me! :D I am looking forward to showing off the beautiful shawl and making myself one of these beautiful berets once my knitting is up to par (which I really need to act on once I find a good lys with some classes).

Lily May you totally rock!!! :D

Stig Has Taken Flight!!!

Here is the wonderful and terrific Stig :) He was thrilled to be taking flight. I hope he is able to get there safe and fast. Luckily Minnesota isn't far away.

And here is a teaser for Wisty :D

::crosses fingers:: Hopefully I added enough tissue paper so that shifting should be minimal.

HP: LBOE - DADA Assignment

1) Which is the incantation one must say to repel a Dementor?
a. Anapneo
b. Riddikulus
c. Braccium Immendo
d. Expelliarmus
e. Expecto Patronum

2) Name the three “Unforgivable Curses.”
* The Imperius Curse
* The Cruciatus Curse
* The Killing Curse

3) What is the name given to the language of snakes, which is usually associated with the Dark Arts but that Harry Potter can speak?
Parseltongue

4) The ability to penetrate another’s mind and read their thoughts is…
a. Mind-reading
b. Psychology
c. Memory Alteration
d. Legilimency
e. Occlumency

5) What is the difference between a werewolf and an animagus?
A werewolf is someone that has been bitten and infected with lycanthropy. They have no choice but to change during the full moon. An animagus is a witch or wizard, that through transfiguration, can shift form into another animal at will. This animal is not necessarily a wolf form.

6) What Unforgivable Curse killed Harry Potter’s parents, the Riddle family and – in “Half-Blood Prince” – a certain main character?
The killing curse

7) What creature lurks in places where blood has been shed, waiting to attack unwary travellers?
a. Vampire
b. Redcap
c. Hag
d. Kappa
e. Banshee

8) How can a Petrified person be restored to their original state?
a. They can’t
b. Mandrake Draft
c. Pheonix Tears
d. Essence of Dittany
e. Skele-Gro

9) If a dementor kisses you, what has it done?
Consumed your soul

10) What is the name of a creature that is reanimated by a Dark Wizard to do his or her bidding?
a. Dementor
b. Inferius
c. Flobberworm
d. Boggart
e. Banshee

11) Which is the incantation one must say to repel a Boggart?
a. Obliviate
b. Protego
c. Expecto Patronum
d. Riddikulus
e. Stupefy

12) A Patronus by itself is not enough to repel a Dementor. What else is necessary?
a. A sad memory
b. A happy memory
c. A general memory
d. An angry memory
e. A confusing memory

13) The first basilisk is believed to have been bred by what wizard?
a. Uric the Oddball
b. Herpo the Foul
c. Emeric the Evil
d. Loxias
e. Antioch Peverell

14) The ability to conceal one’s thoughts from external penetration is…
a. Levitation
b. Occlumency
c. Mind Cloaking
d. The “GET THE HELL OUTTA MY BRAIN” Focusing Charm
e. Legilimency

15) What is the only cure to basilisk poison?
a. Essence of Dittany
b. Centaur Tears
c. Pheonix Tears
d. Unicorn Blood
e. Gillyweed