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!

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?

Winnie's Potions

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

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

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!

Riddikulus!

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

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

3 Truths & a Lie

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

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.