Happy Halloween from our Superheroes to Yours!

Batgirl, Ironman, Cat Woman and (ta da!) Abby Sciuto - the forensic tech from NCIS - all stopped by to wish you a "Happy Halloween!"

In honor of their fine work, take a look at this week's Friday Film:

Finally, time to put away the Palindrome Scarf!

Okay, this really wasn't that hard or terrible to knit. In fact, the Palindrome Hat and Scarf were really easy to knit. Those decreases were excellent! But I really want to be working on my February Lady Sweater and Mr. Daisy's Gentleman Socks. Time to move on, time to move on!

A new wand for a new year at Hogwarts

Wood type: holly Length: 10½ inches Core: Unicorn Hair get your own wand!

I have to admit, I never liked my old wand. It was old and a hand-me-down. So, just in time for HSKS 6, I leapt at the chance to visit Diagon Alley for a new wand of my own.

According to Mr. Ollivander, my wand is made of holly which "tends to pick an owner who's brave and pure of heart, not to mention has a high intelligence." And holly wand owners are generally "determined." Well, so far so good. The core is made of unicorn hair (I'd like to see who gets that job!) which is for "those with pure intentions."

Thanks, Mr. O! I'll be sure to bring it to the Halloween Ball.

They're mad for Mad Libs at Hogwarts!

Me? Not so much. But, as there are points involved, I'll do it. Remember the list I posted a few days ago?

1. Name of a male professor at Hogwarts - Remus Lupin
2. A subject at Hogwarts - Charms
3. A prime number between 53 and 1000 - 59
4. A professor at Hogwarts (either gender) - Minerva McGonagall
5. A body part - a leg
6. A verb - to swim
7. Your character name - Penelope Clearwater
8. Your favorite Quidditch team - Moose Jaw Meteorites
9. Someone (or someones) you'd find in a portrait at Hogwarts - Sir Cadogan
10. A number between 1 and 7 - 5
11. 20 minus your answer for #10 - 15
12. A craft (noun) - knit
13. A Hogwarts House other than Hufflepuff - Ravenclaw
14. Something they'd sell in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes that makes a big mess, loud noise, lots of smoke, or general nuisance - Portable Swamp.
15. The character name of another swapper in HSKS6 - Emma Wigworthy
16. A subject at Hogwarts - Ancient Runes.

This is where they come into play:

Run, Hufflepuff, Run!

Professor Lupin was having a terrible morning, and it wasn't even breakfast yet. Someone broke into the Charms classroom the night before, hid a Boggart in the closet, and set loose 59 doxies. How did he know there were 59 doxies? Because each one took a bite out of his leg as he tried to capture it, and Madame Pomfrey had to swim each wound separately. And comment annoyingly about how Professor Minerva McGonagall would've had the room cleared out with 2 waves of a wand.

It took forever to get out of the infirmary, and by then Professor Lupin was in a foul mood. Luckily, he knew how to improve it: by finding the culprits and making him, her or them pay. Lupin had overheard some students giggling in the hallways the other day about Penelope Clearwater's stash of doxy eggs, so he had a good idea of who to interrogate first. Unfortunately for him, but rather fortunately for Penelope Clearwater, the common room password had recently been changed to Moose Jaw Meteorites, so Lupin couldn't enter. Sir Cadogan looked up from his portrait and laughed at the cursing, frustrated Professor.

The old Professor Lupin would have thrown a hissy fit at being taunted by a mere portrait, and blasted the thing all the way into the 5th floor girl's bathroom. The new Professor Lupin went to 15 weeks of Anger Management classes, punched a lot of pillows, and took up knitting. And started subscribing to the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes catalogue.

Professor Lupin's first class of the day was Charms with the 3rd year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. It took them 2 hours to clean up after the entire carton of Portable Swamps that went off and clung to their robes, schoolbooks, and any exposed flesh. The students all knew that Penelope was planning to do something in Charms to get Professor Lupin, so everyone blamed her for the prank and gave her the cold shoulder for 17 days, until Emma Wigworthy blew up the Ancient Runes classroom with a misplaced charm and became the new pariah-of-the-hour.

Silly but - it is just high school!

What a beautiful day!

But the lovely fall weather has nothing to do with the Saturday Seven.

Here



and here.



Cleaning out my kitchen cabinet, under Oldest Daughter's bed and the table in the basement produced a number of unrelated items. I'll leave you to guess which spot produced which items! I do count the two ice cube trays as one item, however.

Just another chance for knitters to get together:

Knitwear designer and knit blogger Annie Modesitt will be reading from " Knit With Courage, Live With Hope: A Year in Saint Paul" on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Common Good Books, 165 Western Ave N. in Saint Paul, MN.

She's a great teacher and a funny writer - and it's within walking distance for me! Parking is kinda tight in the neighborhood so get there early!

Bike Boulevards - a good example

I think this film a great way to explain what a Bike Boulevard is. I had heard that Saint Paul was considering turning part of Highland Parkway into a Bike Boulevard and wondered how such a thing would work. I think this film very clearly explains how cars, bikes and pedestrians can work together. If you are a Saint Paulite and a cyclist, you might be interested in attending this meeting.

What: Highland District Council Community Meeting
When: Monday, October 27th, 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Hillcrest Rec Center, 1978 Ford Parkway

Curious about plans for better bicycling in St. Paul?
Steve Clark (Bike Walk Twin Cities/Transit for Livable Communities) and Jessica Treat (St. Paul Smart Trips) will provide information on how pedestrians and bicyclists can be safer and more comfortable on streets known as "bicycle boulevards." Other presenters include St. Paul Public Works and the Highland District Council. Public comment will be taken at the meeting.

Please come lend your support for bicycling and walking and help us get the message out that these are safe, efficient, and community-friendly modes of transportation. Projects like bicycle boulevards provide transportation choices for local residents and the broader community, so perspectives from around the city are valuable in this process.

See you there!

RAOK!

When you see RAOK on a package, what do you think of? I was trying to figure this out when I opened it and saw . . .



A beautiful skein of yarn, yummy candy and pretty stitchmarkers!

Lily Mae Clearwater (from my House, Hufflepuff) sent me a Random Act of Kindness package all the way from the Muggle UK!

This really made my day!

And in further Hogwarts business: Some lists:

1. Name of a male professor at Hogwarts - Remus Lupin
2. A subject at Hogwarts - Charms
3. A prime number between 53 and 1000 - 59
4. A professor at Hogwarts (either gender) - Minerva McGonagall
5. A body part - a leg
6. A verb - to swim
7. Your character name - Penelope Clearwater
8. Your favorite Quidditch team - Moose Jaw Meteorites
9. Someone (or someones) you'd find in a portrait at Hogwarts - Sir Cadogan
10. A number between 1 and 7 - 5
11. 20 minus your answer for #10 - 15
12. A craft (noun) - knit
13. A Hogwarts House other than Hufflepuff - Ravenclaw
14. Something they'd sell in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes that makes a big mess, loud noise, lots of smoke, or general nuisance - Portable Swamp.
15. The character name of another swapper in HSKS6 - Emma Wigworthy
16. A subject at Hogwarts - Ancient Runes.

In knitting news: I am finishing up the Palindrome Scarf and working on Gentleman Socks and the February Lady Sweater. That one is so soft that it's drawing me away from the other projects! It's that little Alpaca Problem rearing its head again!

A quick glimpse

Just a quick look at the neckline of my February Lady Sweater. I've been fitting it in every so often when I need a break from my Palindrome Scarf. I've been working on my project for my HSKS partner - lots of fun things! - and getting ready for last night's Minnesota Knitters' Guild meeting. Our speaker was Warren Hanson, author of Kiki's Hats.



He spoke about how he came to find this project and then read the book aloud. Afterwards, he sold and signed books. It was a lot of fun and - guess what? - the real Kiki was there too!

Okay, I never saw this coming!

Funny, I always thought I was a Snape kind of girl but . . . test results are test results. How will I ever break this to Mr. Daisy?

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Harry Potter

Your perfect HP man is Harry Potter.

You like a guy who's not afraid to fight evil when evil picks a fight. There's a lot to say for bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, even if it does come with a prejudice against people who don't fit into his conception of "good guy" and a penchant for hurling objects across rooms when he gets angry. But in fairness, for an orphan who's spent the better part of his life being hunted by the most evil wizard in existence, he's turned out pretty well. Just be prepared to name your kids after everyone he's ever lost, because he's got a bit of an obsession about the past.

(Fanart by hito 76 http://hito76.deviantart.com/ Used with permission.)

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

MEA Weekend - now I really need a nap!

In Minnesota, this is a long weekend off school - designed to allow teachers to attend a statewide convention. While this is a very worthwhile event, it does make for some shellshocked parents. After Youngest Child's trips to the Y, lunch out with young friends and a hiking trip for fossils, I am ready for a nap.



He is, in fact, smiling in this picture.



The caterpillar seemed apprehensive. He may, in fact, be dead.

I did get to spend some time working on the Get Set for Winter Scarf - otherwise known as the Palindrome Scarf - this morning at soccer but my knitting time has been mostly absorbed into "entertain the children" time. I am so looking forward to Sunday!



Luckily, Dear Mr. Daisy cleaned out his dresser drawers: two pairs of gym shorts, a pair of sweatpants, one polo shirt and a sweater. I added a notebook from the Minnesota Knitters' Guild and a former Monday Night Book Club pick. It was worth reading but not re-reading. And the notebook is going to Oldest Daughter at college. She is getting a lot of knitting done while she works at the IT help desk.

Back to cleaning up the playdough!

Knit, Purl, Paper

Paper doesn't often move like yarn but this film shows a whole different side of origami. Just another Friday Film.

Another round of Quidditch for Hogwarts

1. What animal does the portrait in the Muggle Prime Minster’s office resemble?
b. Frog

2. What drink does Romilda Vane try to give Harry?
a. Gillywater

3. What is the name of the person who heads the Holyhead Harpies?
b. Gwenog Jones

4. How many ‘Exceeds Expectation’ grades does Harry receive in his O.W.L’s?
c. 5

5. What is Professor Sughorn’s favorite candy?
d. Crystallized Pineapple

6. What tattoo is Harry reported to have on his chest?
c. Hippogriff

7. What color robes do the staff at the Weasley’s shop wear?
b. Magenta

8. What is the man outside Flourish and Blotts selling?
a. Amulets

9. How much is the skull, which Hermione enquires about at Borgin and Burkes, worth?
c. 16 Galleons

10. What are Professor Slughorn’s initials?
b. H.E.F.

I am so thankful for my housemates at Hogwarts! Our study group's Quidditch work really helped me out! And I thought I would never be able to fly fast! Although my latest charms work has left me with terrible case of the Exclamation Points!

Secret knitting on the home front

Sometimes you just need a little time on your own projects. I've been working on scarves and hats for a charitable service project of the Minnesota Knitters' Guild as well as a pair of socks for dear Mr. Daisy. Now, I got wind of a cute little project on Ravelry - the February Lady Sweater - and I have to knit it NOW!

I've knitted a February Baby Sweater before.



I especially loved the gull wing lace pattern. So, when I found the adult version online, I just had to make it for myself.



And, since I have 10 lovely skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca cluttering up the yarn closet, a February Lady Sweater it is!

Hitting the Wisconsin road again!

Overheard in my kitchen -

"So, baby, let me tell you about my last goal . . ."
"Is that the one where you poked your own goalie in the eye?"

Let's Play Hockey!

Today is the Minnesota Wild's home opener against the Boston Bruins! Here's hoping Josh Harding's eye is all better . . .

I'm hitting the road again today with the Monday Night Book Club. We're off to Wisconsin and I'm only stopping by to blog for just a minute.




Middle Daughter cleaned her room and I found the Saturday Seven waiting for me. She does pick up the most eclectic sort of books!

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

I thought I would break away from the Snag Films today for a quick trip around the world with Matt! Despite the casual profanity, I would recommend his website, wherethehellismatt.com.

Well, the rest of us can dream, can't we? After all, I am sure I could bring along some knitting . . .

How did I miss this quiz?

Hufflepuff Quiz #3

1. On what day does Harry run into Draco and Narcissa in Diagon Alley?
August 3rd

2. How does Harry get detention in DADA?
He tells Snape that he doesn't need to call him Sir

3. How does Ron get his spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team?
Hermione uses a Confundus Charm on the competition

4. When is the first Apparition lesson?
February 1st

5. When do Ron and Ginny breakup with Lavender and Dean?
April 21st

6. What Horcrux is hidden in the cave?
The locket of Salazar Slytherin

7. Who does Filch have a romance with?
Madam Pince

8. When is Voldemort’s birthday and birth place?
December 31st in London

9. What is Dumbledor’s favorite flavor of jam?
Raspberry

10. Who is “Mollywobbles” and who uses the name?
Arthur Weasley's nickname for Molly Weasley.

Picture Search =




Snape



Draco



Kreacher



Madam Pince




Rufus Scrimgeour

Thanks to ANTONIO DELA WEASLEY - if I hadn't read his blog I wouldn't have gotten this list in time. He is fabu!

Move along - nothing to see here!

Okay, so there was some knitting here but it's just not very interesting except to other knitters! Luckily, Middle Daughter spent plenty of time on her hair this morning. The Palindrome Hat actually has a quite nice set of decreases but this photograph doesn't show them and I couldn't get MD to stand around modeling any more. I've started on the Palindrome Scarf but in the meantime, I'm working on my HSKS exchange gift. Can't say a single word more than that!

The entire time stream has been altered!

That's what happens when you sleep 1/2 a day away. I may go do it again right now.



Today's Saturday Seven was simply cleaning out the Youngest Child's drawers. Seven pairs of size 5 shorts - gone to the big Rummage Sale in the Sky.

And here's a little something to entertain you while I go dream about knitting - it's called

"Pardon me, I didn't knit that for you!"




Good Night!

I was just so sleepy!

Well, I was and that nap I took at 7 p.m. turned into a night's worth of sleep. I did wake up around midnight to take out my hair clip and brush my teeth. Just pretend it's still Friday, okay? I'll blog later, okay?



At lease my hobbies don't need feeding - although I would like a little black pug to sit on my lap while I was knitting!

Blog and run

I finally finished my "Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks" hat. When the pattern author said she fudged the decreases at the top, she wasn't kidding. I knit the top and then ripped it back three times. I was so sick of it by Monday that I just gave up and finished it. Not too bad - please, don't let a real knitter pick it up at the Ronald MacDonald House! That's where these hats and scarves are going.



My next charitable project is going to be a Palindrome Hat and Scarf. It's lovely and I can use some sale yarn, Bingo, in bright pink.

I am still creeping along on the Gentleman's Socks. Mr. Daisy has cold feet!