The Randomness of Kindness

The wonderful prefects of Slytherin, that is you Ms. Moody Prefect, I mean, Ms. Prefect Moody and Ms. Head-Girl Puddlemere. They put together some terrific things this past semester. A really small version of our sock swap. Or maybe it was patterned off the muggle community named Ravelry that has a group called the Reducio Sock Swap? Anyway, we did a mini sock and sent it to another within our house. 

Another fun activity was the RAOK. What is that you ask? It stands for Random Act of Kindness. It totally doesn't have to be knitting related. Just whatever. I had not been RAOKed. Not sure why, but never the less, wasn't too worried about it as I am still feeling a bit overwhelmed. (I'm sure getting this new job and signing back up for classes to start this fall really didn't add the work load. NOT!) 

Today, as I went about the normal routine of stopping in to pick up the junk mail from the owlry office box, there awaited me a lovingly wrapped box. I wondered at who would be sending me an owl as I had already received my swap package, my mini swap package, my Reducio package, and the last installment of Eleanor's Sock club yarn. Who or better yet what could this be? 

I gently undid the packaging to reveal a beautiful purple oriental box. 

Opening the lid I see this:

I am a bit more giddy to see my familiar "O", (only used by those who love me). The quiet scribble I find inside tells me it is from none other than the incredibly talented and observant Esmeralda Beanswallow, otherwise known to her friends as "Esme". She had sent me after hearing one day in the common room, my long but soppy story of my torrid love affair that occured while I ran away went on holiday to Australia. I was reminiscing about how I haven't had a decent cup of tea since. ::insert big sigh here::

Anywhoo, back to the surprise, I find in the box not one, but TWO, bags of loose leaf tea. One is the very one my heart had been aching for the infamous, but incredible, Darjeeling. The other is a beautiful Cherry Moon Green Tea.  She even included one cup liners so I don't have to share oh wait, I really mean I don't have to make a whole pot can extend the enjoyment of this wonderful experience.

Oh, my soul cries out to just sit and drink. Sit and drink. Sit and drink. And then sit and drink some more, with knitting done in between. 

Thank you, Esme. Thank you from the bottom of my heart that you were able to bring back a bit of peace and happiness that can only be recaptured when the senses are fully aware of what it has been missing. I don't know if this was a Random Act of Kindness from the Swap or just from the Kindness of your Act. Either way, be assured that it will get forwarded. Thank you. 

Almost there

There are two more posting assignments. Here is one. I am not posting alot due to my arm being in a cast. It is a red one. But when I try and type it gets in the way, making it very long and tiring to chicken peck the keyboard. 

Glad to see so many owls flying by.

Quidditch Round 3

Quidditch ~ Round Three

1. When Hagrid returns to Hogwarts after being sent to see the giants with Madame Maxime, Professor Umbridge questions him on his late return to school. She suspects that Hagrid had been to the mountains, but where does he tell her he has been?
d. South of France

2. Professor Umbridge comes to Hagrid's Hut and searches his cabin one evening (as she believes Harry, Ron and Hermione are there visiting him at night when they are not supposed to). When she walks past the place where Harry, Ron and Hermione are hiding under the Invisibility Cloak, Harry holds his breath. True or false?
b. False

3. A stately-looking witch in an emerald green shawl is one of the members of the Advance Guard who rescues Harry from Privet Drive. What is her name?
a. Emmeline Vance

4. What is the name of the witch who was killed two weeks after the photo of the original Order of the Phoenix was taken?
b. Marlene McKinnon

5. Which two fifth year Ravenclaw students does Dumbledore choose to be prefects?
d. Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil

6. Which house was Rose Zeller sorted into?
d. Hufflepuff

7. What is the color of Murtlap's essence?

c. Yellow

8. Name the Ravenclaw girl who became prefect in Harry's fifth year.
b. Padma Patil

9. According to a healer's portrait at St. Mungo's hospital, which disease was Ron suffering from?
d. Spattergroit

10. Which book did Harry give Hermione for Christmas?
a. "New Theory of Numberology"

Picture Scavenger Hunt

Padma Patil

Hannah Abott

Percy

Dumbledore's Army

Cedric Diggory

(Extra 5 pts - What movie will Robert Patterson star in this December? Twilight)

The Arrival of the Owl

So here are the promised pictures of the FANTASTIC kit I received from none other than Ophelia Hopkirk. She was a SPECTACULAR SPOILER!!! I do hope that everyone who reads this becomes INSTANTLY SLYTHERIN GREEN with envy. 

This is a complete picture of the entire box. I am still amazed that she knows so many spells to make it all fit in one small container. 

From top left clockwise around: a knitted Slytherin tea cozy (A snake on one side and Slytherin on the other), 

a sock pattern titled 'Red Thread Socks, by Cookie A', a square sheep tape measure (my 

kids got a big hoot out of it, they think I'm already 'square' for knitting as much as I do),  a box of my favorite tea, a jar of clotted cream, and an individual size serving of loose leaf tea (yummy.),

 two skeins of Lorna Lace sock yarn in Green and Silver,

 a set of Size 2 Lantern Moon Sock Needles (I am SO LUCKY!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!),

 a beautiful little note book to carry with me (almost too pretty to use.), 

a hand felted wristlet made to look like bacon (private joke, I don't eat it, but

 there were no objections to wearing it. hee hee), a small lizard spool making kit (looks like great fun with my little ones), a hand felted Slytherin Patch (TERRIFIC- all the other housemates are going to fight me for it.),

MY OWN SNITCH! (now I really won't feel left out by having never found one.),

 a package of stickers (super cute.), and last but not least is this FANTASTIC bag. I love the handles!! (The youngest one here modeling it.)

THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN. I LOVE IT ALL!!!!

The Final Stretch

Morgana received her package. YEAH! And she liked it! DOUBLE YEAH!! I am so happy to have that done. I have mailed the Slytherin House mini sock swap. I am sure the Lavender Diggory-Dolohov will appreciate it. She seems really in the dumps since no one has heard or seen Sirius since the beginning of the term. Term is almost over and yet, still no word. 

I have my suspicions, though, it would be completely out of turn for me to say. But I will just hint that it involves a new DADA teacher and another student. Quite shocking I assure you, but I will let the scenario continue to play out and the others to form their own opinions. I never have liked the new prof. I think he was completely unqualified to be here. I am positive the Headmistress knew what she was doing. But could she have been under the same spell? 

Well, I best get back to work. I still haven't a replacement for my broken time turner so I have been extra busy with no breaks. I am so tired. I don't see how the muggles get everything done without one. 

Happy Knitting.

Anyone have one to spare?

I am finished with the kit. I am incredibly excited to be done before the deadline. I am excited to be done before the suggested deadline. I am THRILLED to be done before the holiday. Why? might you ask? Because for the last four weeks I have been pulled in every direction and am about to have the biggest crash I have ever experienced. 

My time turner was crushed so I can't even utilize that to get it all done. I have not had a single weekend in 8 weeks that has not been occupied with someone visiting us. We had not even moved into our new home before people were visiting or staying with us at the hotel. Once the 4th occurs, all visitation stops for 6 weeks. I am so looking forward to that. 

Do you know what that means? HUH? Let me tell you. It means that I can sleep in. It means that I don't have to cook a full 3 course meal. It means I can let my house get messy without worrying about what someone else will think. It means that I can start knitting for myself again. And that my fine feathered friends is what it is all about. I can start sneaking some time back in for me. 

When I had my time turner, I could always get a couple of hours for myself in. With no worries. NO ONE would see me and therefore have no trouble with the continuum. Since it was broken and I dare not ask for a replacement, I haven't had that luxury. OH, how I miss it! 

If anyone has one to spare, may I just borrow it? I will try my hardest not to break it. 

Thanks for checking.