Double Double Toil & Trouble or Club Kid Eye Candy

Believe me, I have enough to do in the day - taking pictures of boiling beets isn't something I do out of boredom. I just love the color. It looks so ghastly in a boiling in a pot!



Then, you slice and put um in a glass jar and they look so comforting and remind me of my grandma.



I have been lucky enough to gather some fun goodies to show off. I joined the Yarntini Sock Yarn Club via Pureknits. Here is the first kit and it is just lovely! My photo doesn't do it justice! And, of course, the yarn stripes!



I also joined Jacey's Insubordiknit Art Yarn Club. Here is the first installment!



I am a huge fan of Jacey's work. I should start a fan club, seriously. So, the big question is hat or scarf or...

I also got my Rockin Sock Club Kit but I figure that's been posted around enough. The new silk blend yarn is so soft - can't wait to do the Grasshopper.

I am one hat away from finishing my Charmed Knits hat! Ravenclaw here I come!

HSKS Trivia!

Happy Memorial Day Everyone. It was great to see the comments left from my last post. Thanks for stopping by to check out my Slytherin Socks!

Now on to the HSKS Trivia Question - Who is Talking:

"I'm not trying to say what she did was sensible. I'm just trying to make you see how she was feeling at the time."

"You should write a book, translating mad things girls do so boys can understand them."

Ron and Hermione are talking!

It's Not Easy Being Green

I am dangerously close to finishing the first sock for my Hogwarts Sock Swap Pal. A few more inches to go to the toe! I am using Savvy Minx's Slytherin yarn and the famous Jaywalkers patern. I really love the way the gray spirals around the sock like a slithering snake. I hope my pal likes it!



And, to celebrate, I couldn't help casting on some socks for myself last night. I feel silly about that in light of the knitting I need to accomplish in the next few months but I couldn't help it. The yarn is form the Yarning Yenta via Etsy. The colorway is Kermit Loves Piggy and it self stripes! So bright and very soft. I'm using 0's.

More HP Trivia - For the HP-BK7 Swap

Here are the questions and answers:


1) For the dinner party where was Aunt Petunia suppose to be in order to welcome the guests? IN THE LOUNGE


2) Who picked the lock with the hairpin on Hedwig's cage as they drove away from Privet Drive in the flying car? RON


3) Where did the Weasleys practice Quidditch when they were at home? A PADDOCK


4) What did Ron say might happen if Creevey and Ginny ever met in regards to Harry Potter? THEY’D START A HARRY POTTER FAN CLUB


5) On what page does Professor Binns start explaining the history of Hogwarts and the legend of The Chamber of Secrets? 150


6) What comment did Wood previously make to Harry Potter that upset George so much during the Quidditch game against Slytherin when the bludger was trying to attack only Harry Potter? GET THE SNITCH OR DYE TRYING


7) What time did the first Dueling Club meeting start? 8:00 PM


8) What was the name of the book that Ron's father told him about that if you read it you would only be able to talk in limericks ever after? SONNETS OF A SORCERER

9) What was the single word written on the torn page from the book that Harry and Ron found clasped in Hermione's hand when she was petrified and in the Hogwarts hospital wing? PIPES



10) What was the sentence Tom Riddle said to the stone face of Slytherin to get it to open so the basilisk could come out? SPEAK TO ME, SLYTHERIN, GREATEST OF THE HOGWARTS FOUR

Lions, Zebras & Owls

My sons love animals - well, plastic animals. They like real flesh and blood and fur animals too but they really like to play with these little plastic animals. The other day they built puzzle towers for the animals to stand on. I normally don't like posting photos of my kids for some weird reason but I thought these didn't invade their privacy too much. I love the colors. These boys bring color to my life in so many ways.

I am happy to say I am 1/4 of the way done with my Hogwarts Sock Swap socks. I am only one hat away from finishing four house hats for the Charmed Knits KAL. And, I packed up this tonight for my HSKS pal and will mail tomorrow!



So, check the skies in Big Sky Country! The owl will leave tomorrow!

HSKS Trivia Round 2

HSKS TRIVIA ROUND 2!!!!!!

1. Who is the Fat Lady's friend?
- Violet

2. When the Fat Lady was attacked by Sirius Black and fled her portrait, who took over for her as guard of Gryffindor Tower?

Sir Cadogan

3. Usually when Harry is in Dumbledore's office, what are the portraits of previous headmasters doing?
- Snoozing

4. Which one of the Triwizard champions did not go to the World Cup?
- Fleur Delacour

5. Who did Harry give his Triwizard winnings to?
- Fred and George Weasley

The next two are anagrams. Rearrange the letters to get the correct words.
6. Minerva McGonagall

7. Oliver Wood

8. What author's name appears on the book "Quidditch Through the Ages"?
- Kennilworthy Whisp

9. What does the Keeper do in a game of Quidditch?
- Guards the goal

10. In the Goblet of Fire why did the Mad Eye Moody imposter put Harry's name in the goblet?
- He wanted Harry to win the tournament - and be delivered to Voldemort

Picture Scavenger Hunt
Find these pictures and either post the pictures on your blog or links that will take us to those pictures.

- Dobby holding his sock from Harry



- Cho Chang and Harry's first kiss


- Viktor Krum and Hermione at the dance


- Mad Eye Moody

HP 7 Sock It Trivia Questions

Trivia Questions for HP 7 Sock It:

1) In the beginning of the book Aunt Petunia is soaking some clothes for Harry Potter in a metal tub in the kitchen sink for his new school uniform. What color is she dying the clothes?

GRAY!

(hint: answer between pages 23-43)

2) In Harry Potter's letter of acceptance to Hogwarts what is Dumbledore's entire title?

HEADMASTER
(ORDER OF MERLIN, FIRST CLASS, GRAND SORC., CHF. WARLOCK, SUPREME MUGWUMP, INTERNATIONAL CONFED. OF WIZARDS)


3) What was the Goblins name at Gringott's that took Harry and Hagrid down to Harry's money vault and Hagrid to vault number seven hundred and thirteen?
(hint: answer between pages 62-82)

GRIPHOOK

4) In what book did Harry find Hedwig's name?
(hint: answer between pages 79-98)

A HISTORY OF MAGIC

5) What is the name of Hufflepuff's House Ghost?
(hint: answer between pages 105-125)

THE FAT FRIAR

6) What kind of dog (not name) is Hagrid's dog?
(hint: answer between pages 131-150)

BOARHOUND

7) How tall was the troll that Harry Potter, Ron, and Hermione encountered in the girls bathroom?
(hint: answer between pages 166-182)

OVER 12 FEET TALL

8) The Weasley Twins got punished for bewitching (what) and bouncing it off the back of Quirrell's turban?
(hint: answer between pages 186-201)

SNOWBALLS

9) How old is Mr. Nicolas Flamel the maker of the Sorcerer's Stone?
(hint: answer between pages 215-227)

658 YEARS OLD

10) What is the name of the Centaur that Hagrid called out of the forest? (the first Centaur they came in contact with)?

RONAN

PHEW!

Mother's Day Redux & HP 7 Swap it

Here are the beautiful flowers that I got from my husband and sons. I am so happy with them and move them from room to room with me!

I don't have any knitting photos to post. I feel that if I post any photos of my HSS socks that I will somehow give up the secret. I guess that is because I am knitting for the somebody in the house with the fewest members. I am almost done with my Hufflepuff hat for the Charmed Knits KAL. That's about it folks!

I joined another sock swap. I think they are such great ways of doing something nice for somebody that knows all the hard work you are going to and will hopefully appreciate your efforts, even if you knit a simple rib pattern and not some fancy schmancy pattern. The swap is called the Harry Potter Book 7 Sock It or Swap It. I don't have a button yet and will link it soon. I'm going to request some Dobby socks.

So, how about some random photos from last Saturday in the front yard.

Blossoms on the apple tree planted for me by my grandma when I was born:



Baby squirrel:



Lovely, but what is it?




Bottlebrush blooms:



Agave:

Happy Mother's Day & Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap Trivia

What a lovely day today was. Good food, beautiful family - I even ran through the sprinklers! I got some amazing flowers, thoughtful cards, key lime pie cookies...I could go on and on. My oldest even picked out a beautiful orange candle and some cherry white chocolate bath gel! Pretty good for a four year old!

I want to post pictures but it is late and I'm tired. So, here are my HOGWARTS SOCK KIT SWAP TRIVIA QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:

Trivia #1
What's the name of this potion?
This potion has the colour of molten gold, and while exposed to the air, large drops will leap like goldfish above the surface without spilling. FELIX FELICIS

Trivia #2
Which book is this line from?
"Harry and Cho were now too embarrassed to look at each other, let alone talk to each other; what if Ron and Hermione started going out together, then split up? Could their friendship survive it? Harry remembered the few weeks when they had not been talking to each other in third year; he had not enjoyed trying to bridge the distance between them. And then, what if they didn't split up? What if they became like Bill and Fleur, and it became excrutiatingly embarrassing to be in their presence, so that he was shut out for good?" HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

Trivia #3
Who utters these words?
"Oh I am glad I'm not on duty. I wouldn't fancy having to go and tell the Irish they've got to stop celebrating. ARTHUR WEASLEY

Wonky Blog and FO's

Well, I tried to add the button for the Green Sock Knit Along yesterday and I totally wacked my blog out. Every time this happens I think of the Mac/PC commercial and imagine them in a big slap fight. So, problems are fixed via our ancient PC and things should look better now.

My mom and I finished my first quilt yesterday. It is for my grade school best friend who had her first baby in March. It is a bit big but will be good for tummy time. I think it turned out great! I just need to tie it now.





I also finished my first of four Hogwarts House Hats for the Charmed Knits KAL. I used Knit Picks Andean Treasure in Barn Red and Yarrow. Next up will Hufflepuff! I am on the leg for my Hogwarts-Sock-Swap. I have everything else now I just need to knit. For the Hogwarts-Sock-Kit-Swap I have everything but the knitting bag sewn. I have the fabric just need to cut and sew!




I think Yarn Pirate has some of the most amazing colorways around. Here is proof. I bought this last week during the sale from her site. It was oversold in her cart but she made good on the sales and dyed more for everyone. I present you with Culture Club:

I got my Charmed Knits book in the mail this week. I can't wait to make Errol and Mrs. Weasley's Bag of Stitch Witchery! The patterns are amazing.

I will sign out with the coolest picture of a sea lion. Our family went to San Francisco last weekend and aside from belly aches and lack of sleep we had a blast. We met this guy on the wharf in Santa Cruz. Have a swell weekend!

Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap Trivia Questions

Here are my answers!

1. Who isn't or hasn't been a Quidditch captain?
Cho Chang

2. Who are the Gryffindor chasers? (books 1-5)
Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell

3. Who are the Slytherin beaters? (books 1-4)
Derrik and Bole

4. What type of broom isn't made anymore?
Silver Arrow

5. The Slytherin team all ride the same broom, what is it?
Nimbus 2001

6. Which of these is not a Quidditch team?
They all are but Tudshill is spelled Tutshill Tornados

7. Who is Head of Hufflepuff House?
Professor Sprout

8. Which Hufflepuff student is reported to have been one of the only peple to have ever given Hufflepuff success?
Cedric Diggory

9. In Book 1 who was the first Hufflepuff student to be sorted?
Hannah Abbott


10. What is the emblem of Hufflepuff House?
Badger

What's Goin' On...

I have been dreaming of things to write for the past several days. Being sick stinks. Having your family sick stinks. Having said that, I will move on. I am finally getting up to speed with blogging. I still have to go from mac to pc to make adjustments but I'm catching on. I added Scrumpy the cat to my header as you can see. Now I have to find a way to add Ruby so she doesn't get upset.

First and foremost I am an aunt again! I was in the waiting room when my new nephew arrived Sunday morning at 2:42 AM. He is just amazing. I got to hold him and watches his first bath, first blood pressure reading, first temperature reading, first diapering. I know I am repeating myself here but it is so cool to be there for so many firsts. I get to go seem him tomorrow. He was about 3 weeks early so he is on the small isde. I am almost done with his Dodger Hat which he will be able to wear by the end of the baseball season. Here it is



And, the super cool hand made toys I ordered from Two Little Banshee's Etsy shop arrived today. They are so cute. The Giraffe is for the new baby and the Echidna is for the big brother.



In other knitting news, I started a Jaywalker in Cider Moon's Peas and Carrots using their Flurry yarn. I really like the way it is turning out. It was to be a gift for my sister in law so she could keep her feet warm in the hospital but since the baby came early they will have to be a Mother's Day gift.


I have been wishing for a skein of Socks That Rock in the Seal Rock colorway, which they aren't dying right now. Then I found one on ebay and it was listed for $15. Buy It Now! So, here it is! I am so excited.


Lastly, I have made some progress on my various sock swaps and KALs. I have the yarn from Knit Picks for my Charmed Knits KAL and will cast on after I finish my nephew's hat.

I have the yarn, needles, and stitch markers for my secret pal in the Hogwarts-Sock-Swap. Just need to cast on! I read my secret pals blog and she is quite a stitch. Whoever has me as a secret pal hasn't contacted me yet. Don't know if I should feel sad about that or not. I am new to all this so I'm not sure what to expect.

I have my yarn for my Hogwarts-Sock-Kit-Swap pal. This is not a secret pal thing so I already spoke with her. She lives in Montana and seems super nice.

After my Charmed Knits hats are done I will start work on the Loopy Challange. I have the yarn, just need the time. Isn't that true about everything?