Olive Bumblebirch

Awesome Kit Received From Lizzie Wychwood!

2010-06-10T15:43:00.000-07:00

I can hardly contain my excitement while writing this post. How does one report such awesomeness in writing!? Lizzie sent me a kit themed around Hermione Granger, my favorite character.

Lizzie's owl Specky showed up this afternoon, pecking at the window and soaked from the rain. Of course I brought him inside to warm his tailfeathers and rest before his return trip. I think I've convinced him to stay a few days since we're supposed to have sunny and warm weather after today.

Now here's the package!

All the little wrapped packages neatly stacked inside.

So many little packages!

Official Hogwarts packing paper.

Everything Hermione would need while traveling (and running from Death Eaters).

Black beaded bag with a change of clothes, portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black, and Essence of Dittany.

One of Hermione's favorite books, by the dreamy Gilderoy Lockheart.

Hermione pin and a tin with more SPEW buttons!

Hermione finger puppet and Crookshanks. How fun!

Yum! Mmmm. ::drool drool::

Fun fat quarters for some stitch-witchery!

Sweet House Elf knits!!

A wool diaper cover and lanolin for waterproofing.

Matching sweater and socks

Look closer: perfect for a baby!

Lovely cotton chenille yarn that I can't wait to try out.

The softest cotton yarn I've ever felt!

And of course a new book for my library!

A book specifically for baby knits! There are some sweet momma knits, too.

SO MUCH AWESOMENESS!

I can't thank you enough for your thoughtful kit, Lizzie!!

Way To Go Ravenclaw!

2010-06-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

Our Quidditch team played their final match of the term this morning, and it was awesome! The team has worked hard all term to communicate well, hit hard Bludger trivia, and be a unified team! Each and every player, and supporting House members, have been invaluable.

Congrats team! Here's some well-earned treats!

Arithmancy Homework

2010-05-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Since Arithmancy is one of my favorite subjects, it wasn't hard to get this homework done early.

Puzzle 1: Dobby
Puzzle 2: Harry Potter
Puzzle 3: Hog's Head

Here's how I got the solutions:

Now I can spend the rest of the week working on my independent potions projects!

Who's Who at Hogwarts

2010-05-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

PART 1

Who is new to HSKS this Term? Genevra Dreamy
Who has played Quidditch for their House this Term? Rowan Dagonsinger
Who is working on the same project (WIP) as you? Fleur Sweeting
Who has more items in their Queue than you? Intarsia Bindoff
Who has donated to SPEW this Term? Hermione Bagnold
Who has participated in Dueling Club this Term? Misty Moonbleu
Who lives within 100 miles of you? Andromeda Finch-Fletchley
Who is from a different country than you? Elladora Madley

PART 2

Rowena Bladvak: Rowena and Fleur are opening up an etsy shop together this summer. Incidentally, the launch date is my birthday, August 31st.

Lizzie Wychwood: Lizzie spent her 25th wedding anniversary in Florida with her husband and children. They went to Discovery Cove and swam with doliphins (I'm so jealous!).

Minerva Lovegood: She's raising chickens! And they're super cute!

Go Ravenclaw!

2010-05-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

When I'm refereeing a quidditch match, I must be impartial and objective, but rest assured that my heart always belongs to Ravenclaw! I love my house, I love my team, and I really wish I could play too!

Go Ravenclaw, eat that snitch!

...I mean CATCH that snitch!

Score, Ravenclaw, then let's eat!

...I mean, we can't be BEAT!

Obviously I have baked goods on my mind today. I think I'll make a little visit to the kitchens and bring some goodies back to the common room for my housemates.

Potions Homework

2010-05-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

I had a great time with Potions this week...well, mostly. I certainly learned a lot during a special independent project I worked on. Earlier this week I spent a whole day in the Potions classroom, working carefully on Felix Felicis, one of the most difficult potions ever. Something went very, very wrong along the way--perhaps my sopohorous beans weren't fresh enough, or I didn't stir the right number of times in the correct direction?--and I ended up with something like a cross between a Draught of Living Death, Wound Cleaning Potion, and split pea soup. Needless to say, I had to come back in the whole next day to clean up the mess I made. Good thing there were no classes and Snape has been distracted lately!

PART ONE

Anyway, this week's homework was a little easier, though finding the time to gather ingredients was hard. Here they are, accompanied by my green thumb:

Chopped Daisy Roots
Used in Shrinking Solution

Alihotsy
Crushed leaves are used in Confusing Concoction and Babbling Beverage, as they cause hysteria.

Fluxweed
These springs were picked a week ago on Wednesday (the full moon) to maximize their changability potential in potions like Polyjuice.

Common Knotgrass
Used in Polyjuice Potion and rather tasty in salads.

A variety of Belladonna
While quite poisonous on its own, this useful flower is used for making an essence found in most common potions.

PART TWO

1. Sneezewort, scurvy grass, and lovage are used to make what?
A: Allergen Solution
B:Confusing Draught
C: Babbling Befuddlement
D: Wandering Agent

2. Porcupine quills are to be added when to a Boil Cure Potion?
A: It is the second ingredient you add
B: Before it is removed from the fire
C: You don't add them, they aren't part of the potion
D: After it is removed from the fire

3. What potion, if brewed correctly, should change color numerous times throughout brewing including deep purple, lilac, and finishing clear?
A: The Draught of Living Death
B: Amortentia
C: Calming Draft
D: Elixir to Induce Euphoria

4. This ingredient in the Draught of Peace, would likely bring you permanent peace since it is poisonous, what is it?
A: Murlap
B: Belladonna
C: Mugwort
D: Hellebore

5. Chopped daisy roots, skinned shrivel-fig, sliced caterpillar, one rat spleen, dash of leech juice are all ingredients to what?
A: Swelling Solution
B: Deflating Draught
C: Shrinking Solution
D: Sleeping Draught

PART THREE

Since my only potion experiment this week went sadly awry, I'll have to substitute pictures for my favorite potion, a simple version of Draught of Peace. Of course, I have tweaked the formula a bit to suit my tastes:

A glass of soymilk

+

Homemade chocolate syrup

=

Peace and happiness!

Mad Lib...Revelio!

2010-04-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter And The Curse of Dudley

Harry Potter, the boy wonder, the clown of the wizarding world; sat alone in his tiny bedroom scratching his toenail and cleaning the iocane powder out of Hedwig's cage. This summer wasn't nearly as boring as his previous summers had been.

Over the summer, his cousin Dudley had grown quite frightened of him. Harry secretly kept cursing him, even though under age use of magic was strictly forbidden outside of Hogboils's school of shoehorncraft and clever thoughts.

It seemed the wizarding world turned a blind elbow when it came to Harry, and he never got in trouble for his... transgressions.

One particularly memorable curse on Dudley happened on the 32nd of June. It was so hot, you could climb a yarn on the sidewalk.

Dudley sat on his enormous backside in front of the telly, spooning dead sea tupperware-ful after dead sea tupperware-ful of garlic down his throat. Harry thought he looked rather magical leopluridonish, with his piggy little eyes and fat body.

Harry got an evil little grin on his knee and raised his wand behind Dudley's head. "CARPE DIEM" he shouted; which translated to English means "Turn this boy's head into a mango and make him dance around like a lemur with amnesia!"

And that's just what Dudley did! He kicked off the couch, screamed "WANNAWANNAJUNGDA!" at the top of his lungs, and began cuddling on the floor, while turning in circles and flapping his nosehairs.

Harry was laughing so hard, he almost peed his bra. He was still laughing, and Dudley was still flapping, when Uncle Vernon came thundering down the stairs. He had gone a nice shade of purple. He looked at Harry, shaking in anger, then looked at Dudley, horrified. "YOU WILL AWAKE TOMORROW MORNING WITH ALL THE ELASTIC MISSING FROM YOUR UNDERWEAR!" he screamed, then calmly turned and walked away.

Harry and Dudley looked at each other in abject confusion. Harry shrugged his shoulders in a "beats me" gesture, and the two cousins sat on the sofa, temporarily forgetting their animosity toward one another.

Dudley lifted the half empty dead sea tupperware of garlic and offered it to Harry.

"Don't mind if I do!" said the bespectacled young man, grabbing a spoon and preparing to dine.

Dudley's nosehairs gave one mighty final flap, and the boys had a most enjoyable evening, indeed.

Ravenclaw Mystery Mad-Lib

2010-04-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

It's mad lib time!!

1. climb
2. 32
3. elbow
4. clever thoughts
5. shoehorn
6. boils
7. toenail
8. clown
9. iocane powder
10. YOU WILL AWAKE TOMORROW MORNING WITH ALL THE ELASTIC MISSING FROM YOUR UNDERWEAR
11. bra
12. kicked
13. amnesia
14. lemur
15. mango
16. CARPE DIEM
17. knee
18. magical leopluridon
19. garlic
20. nosehairs
21. cuddling
22. WANNAWANNAJUNGDA!
23. dead sea tupperware
24. backside
25. yarn

I can't wait to see how this story shapes up...

Care of Magical Creatures

2010-04-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

Care of Magical Creatures is one of my favorite subjects at Hogwarts! I didn't even know my cat was part kneazle until my second year. Crazy!

Part One

First off, this is Orlando Hoo, my pet owl (and also my originality marker):

Here are a few items I would use in everyday care of magical creatures:

1. Scissors for trimming overgrown fur.

2. Tape measure for measuring growth over time.

3. Herbs for making salves and medicines in addition to magic. Sometimes the animals just respond better.

4. Hot pads for handling hot and fire-breathing creatures, such as blast-ended skrewts and salamanders.

5. Raw meat for thestrals and hippogryffs.

Part Two

1. House elves are short with large bat-like ears and enormous eyes.
2. Kreacher is bound to the Black Family, and later to Harry Potter.
3. Hermione makes small hats and socks for the house elves.
4. A house elf is freed when his master gives him clothes (the ultimate shame).
5. S.P.E.W stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elvish Welfare.

Transfiguration

2010-04-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Whew! I almost didn't finish my homework in time--what a shame that would be! Well, I have to say it's not entirely my fault. All week I've had a cold, and Madam Pomfrey's usual Pepperup Potion only helped for a few hours at a time. I knew I wouldn't be in top form for the first matchups in the Dueling Club, but I certainly wasn't expecting someone to push me into a Vanishing Cabinet! Luckily I managed to apparate out (not into a toilet, thankfully!) but was miles away from my needles and yarn and out of Pepperup Potion. How disappointing!

I know I'm usually an overachiever, but this week has been so trying I'm cutting a few corners and practicing these transfiguration spells all on my kneazle, whose name is also Olive:

Here goes!

Bowtruckle

Remembrall

Golden Snitch

Hagrid's Rock Cakes

Decoy Detonator

Nose-Biting Teacup

Spectrespecs

Time Turner

Back in the Tower

2010-03-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

It feels so great to be back in the Ravenclaw tower again! I've got my same old bed with the blue and gold hangings, and the house elves even remembered to bring me my morning cup of tea right to my nightstand. I think today I'll take a walk down to the lake and try to see the giant squid. It's been so long!

Before I go wandering the grounds, I must finish my homework and explain the 3 characters I chose: Hermione Granger, Sirius Black, and Luna Lovegood.

Hermione

I adore Hermione for her cleverness and hunger for knowledge. She's always forging ahead of the other students, eager to learn. I share her love of books and loyalty to friends, and I suppose I can be a bit of an obnoxious overachiever sometimes, too. I love how Hermione fought for the rights of house elves when no one else cared, and was always learning and using useful advanced spells.

Sirius

Sirius was so misunderstood! The black sheep of the Black family, I admire the way he made his own path in life and protected the people he loved. He was never afraid to be different, even if he did let it go to his head sometimes. He was always a bit dark, but had a good heart. Once he got out of those prison clothes, Sirius definitely had style!

Luna

Oh Luna! Another misunderstood person! She doesn't care what other people think at all, and is truly unique and happy for it. She's helpful and loyal, and brainy as well! While I don't believe in Crumple-Horned Snorkacks, I tend to think differently than most people around me, too.

An owl has landed!

2009-12-14T17:04:00.000-08:00

An owl arrived this afternoon with a rather large package from Emma Wigworthy. The poor owl had long trip! I gave him a few owl nuts for his hard work and am letting him perch with Puck for the night, since it's cold and rainy here.

A little Montrose Magpie pride on the box:

A Montrose tote bag and note from Emma:

I can't believe all these little presents fit in the bag!

A mini-sock and doubleknit magpie bookmark:

A tatted bag and wee soap:

Absolutely gorgeous black lace mitts and wimple (like a smokering), accented with tiny pearlescent beads:

Three kinds of dairy-free chocolates, licorice flyers, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and real English Breakfast Tea, in a tiny tin replica of the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic:

A wonderful new book to teach me how to make self-patterning yarn:

A fun pattern for matching hat and mittens (and I really need some mittens!):

Beautiful autumn-y yarn:

And the tote bag and matching notebook, perfect for taking notes at the next Quidditch practice:

This whole kit is above and beyond amazing! Thank you so much Emma!!!

No sheep for Pandora!

2009-12-05T07:06:00.000-08:00

It looks like my spoilee is getting spoiled rotten this term! She already knows she's getting an awesome tote bag, because I had to make sure the fabrics were just right. But she doesn't know about the goodie I picked up from the local craft market, nor the special items that will be sheep-free (and alpaca-free) that are coming soon. Lucky girl! She doesn't know about the amazing patterns I've picked out for her (yes, plural!) or the other little things that will find their way into her kit. Ah, ignorance is bliss!

Thankfulness

2009-11-21T19:56:00.000-08:00

Siobahn asked: What are you thankful for? What makes you happy?

There's so much!!! I'm thankful for life, for health, for the joy I'm able to find in the mess of the world, for my family, for safety, for jobs, for friends, for food! The things that make me happy are laughter, nature, wonder, beauty, adventure, and community. Oh, and food. I'm looking forward to the feast next week.

Shuntbumping finals

2009-11-07T20:26:00.000-08:00

Wow, today was filled with action in the Shuntbumping Arena! It was the final round for crocheters and semi-finals for knitters. Of course Hermione took the trophy--I never doubted her skills for a second. More interesting are the finalists for knitting. Rowena is a powerful witch and she's quicker than lightening! Antonio ended up winning his match and will face off with Rowena now. Even though Rowena's been the quickest to shuntbump someone in every round, Antonio's a master knitter, so I think it will be an interesting final round next weekend!

fill in the blank!

2009-10-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

Boy this has been a productive week! I have been so busy and haven’t had much time to post! So, I thought I’d do a quickie to tell you about my plans for the weekend! Saturday, I am planning to sleep in and eat pancakes with my husband Paul. If I have time, I might also finish some WIPs since I haven’t in a long time. Sunday will be spent working on a shuntbumping project all over town and maybe winning if I’m lucky!

Shuntbumping

2009-10-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

So far, shuntbumping has been filled with excitement and surprises! I won the first round with this:

And then this morning I rocked the second round with these:

So far, so good. I'm concerned about Rowena, though. That girl really knows how to play!

Teasing my spoilee

2009-10-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

Dearest Pandora,

You don't now how lucky you are that I'm your spoiler! I've already decided that you need some nice warm ____ and a matching ___. I thought maybe you'd like some ___ for them, and I know just how to ___. Of course, you'll be getting some sparkly ___, which you need. And then there's the ___ on your wish list. It's one of my favorite things, so I'll be sure to share it with you. Catch you later!

Olive

Winnie departs

2009-10-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

Well I for one am going to miss Winnie. I know she said she's going on "vacation" but who packs their potions kit for a vacation?! Her farewell letter talked about the Ministry of Magic and included a photo from there, so her last known location was clearly London, England. Who knows where her adventures will take her next?

The expanded wish list

2009-10-11T16:15:00.001-07:00

I didn't get this homework done last week before taking off, but I did have a lot of time over the weekend to think about my preferences. There are a few things I'm picky about, but in general I love surprises!

First off, I'm very practical. I have no use for beautiful things that aren't practical (except as excellent gifts for others!) and I like my practical things to be beautiful as well (for example, I have fun red spatulas and measuring cups). I always go for quality over quantity, and choose classic items that are likely to last me a good long time.

I've sampled a few brands of yarn but don't have any favorites for now. I'm more interested in the fiber content and color. I've been dyeing my own yarn (mostly wool) and love getting creative with color-mixing. I can't wait to try out some new fibers. I'm a little bit obsessed with superwash wool, since I dislike hand-washing things (because I forget about them and they soak for hours on accident).

My stash of yarn has been growing lately, and I believe I have too much sock and lace yarn (though people say sock yarn doesn't count toward your stash). I'm pretty much set up with projects for the next 2 years with socks & shawls alone!

I love to be warm and cozy! My favorite things to do during cool weather are to read, bake, and cuddle up with my husband and watch a movie. (And by "bake" I mean "bake and devour".) I love to drink Stumptown coffee in the morning and have tea in the afternoon. There's just something so soothing about a steaming mug when it's cold outside!

Quidditch

2009-10-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Even though Summer Camp ended some time ago, I have been reluctant to put away my badges and memories. It was so wonderful! I hope I can go back next summer, and maybe even be a cabin leader again.

I was really look forward to returning to Hogwarts, but then a special letter arrived: I've been recruited to the Montrose Magpies for a special season of quidditch training! And because of my leadership experience, I've been selected as Assistant to the Captain! I'm so excited! I know it means lots of extra work, but I'm really looking forward to it.

2009-08-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

I'm sad this will be our last full week at summer camp. We had an awesome time with the games:

My cabin rocks!!!

Let's see, we also built hammocks by the lake, I've made friends with the lake monster, someone put turned my shower water all orange (at least it wasn't pink!), and we've eaten far too many s'mores over the campfire. All in all, a fun summer!

I'm almost done with my kit for Rowena. I've been picking out items very carefully, so I know she'll enjoy them! I'm so glad she likes Herbology...

Follow the Patronus!

2009-08-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today was the last Summer Camp Game, which is bittersweet for me. It was really fun following Hermione's clues all over the place--she knows everything about Wizarding geneology!--and ending together in the chatroom was great. Each time another person joined us, it was time to celebrate another winner!

But being the last of this summer's games means that Summer Camp is drawing to a close as fall approaches. I'm sad at the idea of leaving camp, our charming cabin, the night-time bonfires, the practical jokes...and of course my campers. Pretty soon we'll be at Hogwarts again. I should feel excited to return to the castle, but knowing most of my campers will be sorted into other houses makes me feel strange. I've really come to love my Thestrals, and I don't want to compete against them.

Oh! before I forget: I was taking my morning swim in the lake when I spotted our DADA counselor sitting on the shore by himself. I'm not sure he saw me, even though I stopped and tread water for a bit. He was just staring out over the misty lake. I wonder what's preoccupying his mind these days?

Wizardly Socks

2009-08-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it been a crazy week! I took a little leave of absence from Camp during parts of the day to participate in a sock convention. There are so many crafty witches and wizards here! But I think the Muggles are starting to notice...

I went to a fun event at a local knitting shop and met some of the designers from Gladrags in London. I got to grill them with questions about their fantastic magical clothing. Lucky me!

I'm having so much fun putting together Rowena's kit. She's going to love it! It's already packed with goodies and delicious yarn and...well, I won't spoil the surprise.

My friend Hermione was stung by something this week. And not just once. TWICE!. It definitely wasn't a billywig, as she didn't get giddy and levitate. Actually, she did the opposite. Poor Hermione!!

In other news, I've been invited as a teaching fellow to NAIME, the North American Institute for Magical Education. How fun! I took a quick trip to tour the campus and get to know the other staff (they're all absolutely delightful of course), and to see the Summer Exchange students in action. They definitely do things differently at NAIME (but don't worry, it's not like Beauxbatons).

Winnie's Potions

2009-08-01T21:00:00.001-07:00

Well, it appears one of my own campers has sneaked a trunkful of potions into camp! All right, she does happen to be the Headmistress, so I suppose it's a benefit of being herself.

Here's what I suspect she's got stowed away:

Draught of Peace
Mandrake Restorative Potion
Babbling Beverage
Murtlap Essence
Forgetfulness Potion
Shrinking Solution
Wit-Sharpening Potion

There have been rumors that Winnie brought Mrs. Scower's Magical Mess Remover also, but only Squibs like Filch need it. Besides, she's a master at siphoning and scourgifying--I've see her in action!

Summer Camp Game #5 Part 2

2009-07-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

And now Part 2: the photohunt!

ANIMAGUS

DAILY PROPHET

BOWTRUCKLE

EXTENDABLE EAR

RADISH EARRINGS

FORBIDDEN FOREST

GOLDEN CHERUB

THESTRAL

HIGH INQUISITOR

EDUCATIONAL DECREE

Summer Camp Game #5 Part 1

2009-07-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

PART 1: Syllables

1. Man or mouse? (4) ANIMAGUS

2. Start spreading the news (4) DAILY PROPHET

3. Stick Tree Guardian (3) BOWTRUCKLE

4. Telescoping eavesdropper (5) EXTENDABLE EAR

5. Brassicaceae danglers (4) RADISH EARRINGS

6. Prohibited Growth of trees (5) FORBIDDEN FOREST

7. Metallic rosy-faced child with wings (4) GOLDEN CHERUB

8. Fleshless black-winged skeleton (2) THESTRAL

9. Lofty philosopher (5) HIGH INQUISITOR

10. Instructive Order (7) EDUCATIONAL DECREE

Part 2...still to come!

this week at camp

2009-07-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

This week has been very relaxing here at camp I've been swimming in the lake every day (did I mention I made friends with the lake monster?), knitting a hat along with my cabin, and cooking s'mores every night on the campfire. I know, I could just swish and flick a little heat the normal way, but there's something so endearing about cooking over a campfire like Muggles do.

The other counselors and I have been hiding eggs all week, and the campers are really good at finding them, despite the Unplottable charms we've put on them! I'm sure they'll find the last few.

All in all, pretty uneventful, until this morning. I went for my morning swim and then went to rinse off in the shower, when a cascade of orange kool aid came out of the shower head instead of water. No problem right? Just Tergeo it off and I'm back to my lovely light tan? Nope. Someone enchanted it to stick! I'm going to send Puck off to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes for some of that fantastic stain remover they carry.

Oh, and I totally know who did it. There's only one other counselor who has a huge stash of kool aid and is known to use it for more than yarn dyeing. Antonio.

Riddikulus!

2009-07-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

So this week we've been asked to face our fears. I went into the cabin one evening and heard a rustling noise coming from the bathroom. Thinking it was probably a boggart, I went to investigate. But the boggart turned into my worst fear, a giant spider!

I summoned up some courage and waved my wand bravely, shouting, "RIDDIKULUS!" And the spider changed form:

Well, that boggart was taken care of as soon as I started laughing at it!

Summer Camp Game #2

2009-07-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

Part 1

In the second volume of the HP books by JK Rowling, The (#1)Chrome Cab Festers, we continue to learn the incredible adventures of Hogwarts student (#2) Parry He Trot and his friends (#3) Oral Weensy and (#4) Angering Her More. Belonging to the house of (#5) Dry Off Grin, they attend Defense Against the (#6) Ark Darts taught by Wizarding celebrity (#7) Oracle Dorky Light, a none-too-bright fellow who cannot even handle pixies!

In The (#8) Chrome Cab Festers, we also meet Dobby a (#9)See Flu Oh for the first time. Determined Dobby seeks to sabotage the return of (#10) Parry He Trot to Hogwarts and is pretty persistent but is unsuccessful. After a few weeks at school, the deceased Ravenclaw student who haunts the girls lavatory, also known as (#11) My Molten Grain, shows (#12) Parry He Trot and (#13) Oral Weensy an old empty diary that dropped through her ghostly form out of thin air!

Many nifty things continue to happen for the next several months… we won’t go into all the juicy details right now… however, the ending is prime reading indeed!! (#14) Parry He Trot finally kills Tom Riddle’s (a.k.a #15 Mold Voter) sneaky diary (which we now know is a #16 Crux Rho) and saves the sister of (#17) Oral Weensy, (#18) Gayly Nine Sew!!!

Oh! Of course, we must mention that the thickheaded (#19) Oracle Dorky Light unintentionally erased his own memory, so he won’t be back for book three, The (#20) Snob In A Froze Parka…

1. Chamber of Secrets
2. Harry Potter
3. Ron Weasley
4. Hermione Granger
5. Gryffindor
6. Dark Arts
7. Gilderoy Lockhart
8. Chamber of Secrets
9. House Elf
10. Harry Potter
11. Moaning Myrtle
12. Harry Potter
13. Ron Weasley
14. Harry Potter
15. Voldemort
16. Horcrux
17. Ron Weasley
18. Ginny Weasley
19. Gilderoy Lockhart
20. Prisoner of Azkaban

Part 2

17-4, 14-1, 9-6, 3-3
18-2, 3-3
19-4, 11-2, 9-3, 8-5, 15-9
7-1, 11-2
15-9, 11-2
15-9, 14-1, 9-6
13-8, 18-2, 8-5, 16-3, 6-5, 16-3, 5-3!

"When in doubt, go to the library!" ~Ron Weasley

Patronus

2009-06-27T13:47:00.001-07:00

My patronus is an owl. I see wisdom as my guardian. Owls can be mysterious and aloof, but also quite determined when they want to be. That's a lot like me!

3 Truths & a Lie

2009-06-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Can you spot the lie???

1. My brother and I were due to be born on the same date exactly 8 years apart.

2. My favorite summer sport is water skiing.

3. My resume includes job experience as a lifeguard, event planner, receptionist, graphic designer, baker, teacher's assistant, missionary, and In 'N' Out Burger server.

4. I've never broken a bone in my body.

Camp Games Week #1

2009-06-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Part 1: "What's in your trunk?"

My truck was so full I had to extend it magically just to make everything fit! I mean, you never know what to expect at summer camp, so I brought several different kinds of sandals and swimsuits, a bunch of books, and of course my entire knitting stash. Here are just a few random things I brought:

Orlando Hoo the owl
orange zephyr tea
organic cotton yarn
oil for sunbathing
oven mitts
Oreo cookies
othello (the game)
octopus treats
olives
origami paper

Part 2: Wingo! - Wizard Bingo

Part 3: Get to know your Spoiler & Spoilee

My spoiler, Arriana Stylos, has a bunch of wonderful projects, including a chic tilted duster. My spoilee, Rowena Bladvak, is clearly very skilled with socks, as she's made several pairs of monkeys! This pair is my favorite.

Summer Camp Begins

2009-06-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp has officially begun...and I totally overslept the wake-up call. Good thing we have this kitchen in here. I just whipped up some pancakes with blueberries and then ran down to the lake. No one even noticed I was missing!

My campers are still getting settled in. It's so fun being a counselor! I'm looking forward to all the games and late-night chats and of course a few pranks. I'm already planning a couple...

The first of the summer games is beginning today. I hope our cabin gets a few points for glory!