Hufflepuff Quiz #2 HSKS6

Trying to be a good Hufflepuff and keep up with my homework!

The Quiz...
1 Which is your favorite book in the series (and why)? Order of the Phoenix - its dark, Harry is angry, it really seems to build depth and intensity to the story. I think we needed this part of the story to enable the next two books - not sure Harry could have had the strength to work with Dumbledore on the Horcruxes, especially the one in the lake, without getting angry and being forced to start standing on his own.

2 If you were taking Owls, which class would you get an E in? Would you get any Ts? I would probably be an E in Runes as I love code and looking for meaning in codes. Herbology might be a T as I can kill a silk plant.

3 Who is your favorite character (or characters) in the Harry Potter series?

4 If you had to pick 1 character for a roomate, who would you pick and why? Who'd be your least-favorite to have as a roomate? Ginny as she seems fun with a bit of a party side. Luna would also make a great choice - I love her view of the world.

5 Hufflepuffs are a hardworking bunch, but also a bit mischevious. Which Hogwarts professor would you most like to prank, and how would you do it? I would love to try and prank McGonagell but I think she would be hard to get. It would have to have considerable creativity and show some thought/skill in order to impress her. I think shrinking her office to the size of a teacup would be appreciated, as long as it was done perfectly.

6 Favorite DADA professor? (from the books, Lucius does NOT count :) Lupin - he showed the most passion for the subject (well - for the non-psycho DADA professors)

7 Favorite magical creatures? (Also, if for example you like a certain creature in general, but not how they are represented in the HP canon, feel free to elaborate :) Yep - I still love Unicorns. I like that they were portrayed as the innocent mythical creature that I have loved since I was a little girl. What girl can resist a Unicorn?

8 What is your favorite food in the HP universe? Which food or foods would you like to try in real life? Do you have any recipes to share with us ;)? I totally want to try Pumpkin Pasties. I love Pumpkin so they have to be yummy!!!!

9 Broom, floo powder, portkey, or magic carpet? Broom - more control and independence

10 Since we're Hufflepuffs... Yellow or Black? Yellow

Quidditch Round 1

1. At the beginning of the book, Cornelius Fudge is talking to the Muggle Prime Minister. Which member of the Order of the Phoenix has recently been found dead?
c. Emmeline Vance

2. What animal does Bellatrix Lestrange kill when she and her sister, Narcissa, are going to see Professor Snape?
b. Fox

3. What time does Professor Dumbledore collect Harry from Privet Drive?
b. 11 p.m.

4. What did Professor Slughorn transform into when he was trying to hide from Harry and Professor Dumbledore?
a. An armchair

5. What grade did Harry get for Herbology?
a. E – Exceeds Expectation

6. Herbert Chorley, the Prime Minister’s Junior Minster, has been entertaining the public by impersonating which animal?
b. A duck

7. What is Professor Sprout’s first name?
d. Pomona

8. What is Dumbledore’s idea of ‘a few words’?
d. nitwit, oddment, blubber and tweak

9. Who is Marcus Belby’s famous uncle?
b. Damocles

10. What is Snape’s mother’s name?
b. Eileen Prince

And now the pictures - uploaded in reverse order because I made a mistake:

Dumbledore, Professor Sprout, Bellatrix, Snape, Narcissa

You want me to do WHAT???

Ok - so its picture day at Hogwarts. Yeah, like that's gonna happen. I like to be behind the camera. But, since I am a good student, here it is:

Hufflepuff Quiz #1

1. Do you knit and/or crochet? Knit. I consider myself a good knitter having been at it for way more years than I really want to admit considering I learned at 15. I can’t crochet to save my life. Well, I can do a chain stitch but that’s it. So I can make a great yarn chain.
2. How long have you been at your craft? Oh goodness, now I have to do the math and admit how long. Ok 38-15 = WHOA!!!!! 23 years! My knitting skills are old enough to drink. OK – lets be fair, I learned to knit around November so technically it is still 22 years. Yeah, like that sounds better.
3. Do you spin? If yes do you use drop spindle or wheel. I spin on a Babe wheel. I have tried a spindle but when you have a wheel, spindles take too long.
4. What is your favorite color? Purple, blue, pink, red, yellow – oh I guess almost all. Better to say I least like brown.
5. Do you have any other hobbies? I have a four year old and a full time job – I don’t have much time for other things. I love to read and always have a book going. Other than that I am mostly knitting and spinning when I have free time these days.
6. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? I love good yarn. Wool, silk, bamboo. Would love to try Handmaiden Sea Silk. But I love all kinds of yummy yarns. Mostly when I pick a yarn it is for color, touch and texture. I love yarn that I can enjoy visually and tactically. The other day I said to my husband “I’m petting my yak” and he understood. If you get that sentence, you get me and what I love in yarn and fiber.
7. What are your LEAST favorite yarns/fibers? Acrylic. It has its place but usually that place is not in my house.
8. Are there any yarns that you’ve been eyeing and wanting to try? Handmaiden Sea Silk has me curious but haven’t indulged yet. Marthas Vineyard Fiber Farm yarn – I am a CSA owner but won’t see my share for quite some time. But she has some dreamy colors. I am in the Wollmeise watcher category hoping to get lucky someday but not really serious about it. Kauni looks very interesting but haven’t indulged yet.
9. What are you currently working on? I am incapable of project monogamy. On my needles right now: The Roadwork sweater for my son with Knitpicks Pallette yarn, Foliage Shawl with my own handspun/handdyed Cormo for my MIL, Pacific Islands scarf for me with Sereknity cashmere, Forest Canopy shawl for me with my own handspun/handdyed Corriedale, Luce scarf for me which is in danger of becoming a UFO and a second Fluke scarf with Noro. Soon to cast on is my HSKS6 project. I love what I am going to do for my spoilee but I’m not telling!
10. What is your favorite Finished Object? (Pictures are welcome.) Right now, Beverly’s Birthday socks. I made Fluke out of Sereknity’s Maui Sunset sock yarn. I also modified the toe since Beverly wears flip flops. I am really proud of these because I finished them, on time to send to Beverly with my husband on his trip to CA, I modified the toe without any help, and my friend Michele, who is an amazing knitter, apparently spent quite some time going over them oohing and ahing.
11. Are their any knitting/crochet techniques that you would like to learn? Not at the moment. I find that I pick up knitting skills easily. I guess if anything I would like to learn more ways to cast on and off.
12. What is you favorite type of book or movie? Comedy and light romance. For some reason ever since I had my son I can’t seem to watch anything to heavy or serious. Its weird. I got to see Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day on the airplane the other day. That was an excellent example of a movie I like – it was well done but fun and entertaining. It was a pleasant surprise as I had never heard of it. I also like old movies. Anything from the 40s and 50s. Cary Grant, Doris Day, Marilyn Monroe – what great movies. As for books it’s the same – light and enjoyable. Nothing to intense or emotionally demanding. Something happened to me when I had my son and I just cant handle anything to intense. I just finished Friday Night Knitting Club. I enjoyed it but the ending was a bit tough. I am probably going to release it into the wild. I don’t think I can read it again. My favorite author besides JK Rowling is probably Christopher Moore. He has an amazing sense of humor.
13. Who is your favorite person at Hogwarts? Oh gosh – that’s a tough question. Hogwarts just has too many wonderful people to pick!
14. Favorite class and/or subject at Hogwarts? Lately I love Herbology because of the wonderful magical plants that transform plain yarn into pretty colors.
15. How many family members do you have? Its me, my husband and my 4 year old son. We also have one dachshund who rules the house.
16. What is your favorite Fall activity? Making huge leaf piles and watching my son and the rest of the neighborhood kids play in the leaves.
17. How many projects do you have on your needles/hook? See question 9
18. What is your favorite type of footwear? What – pick a favorite? I LOVE shoes. But I am a careful shoe buyer. I tend to buy good shoes that last for years. My all time favorites, though, are a pair of Prada heels in linen with bright green ostrich skin toes and heels. I wear them with jeans and they are the focus of the outfit. They are gorgeous and as far as heels go they are the most comfortable heels I have ever owned. I can walk all day in these shoes. When I am at home, though, the shoes come off and I prefer bare feet. I did just buy a pair of really cute Kate Spades that I think I need to knit a cute pair of socks to go with though. These are little lace up oxford types with a high heel in a grey flannel. I think I need a lacy little cuff sock to peek over the top of the shoe. Like the old little girl lace top socks.
19. What is your favorite beverage of choice? Coffee!
20. What is your favorite park of Half-blood Prince? I don’t remember any parks in Half-blood Prince. I remember the Park in the beginning of Order of the Phoenix, but no parks in Half-Blood Prince. Ok – just kidding. My favorite part is probably where Dumbledore talks about liking to read knitting patterns.

HSKS6 Questionnaire

Potter Name: Emma Kettleburn

Rav ID: chloecat262

I am allergic to: grass, trees, weeds and guinea pigs. Not seeing any as an issue in a swap.

Pets that I have: One dog - Tucker the dachshund

My favorite yarn: D) all of the above Seriously, I have gotten so many amazing new yarns to try that I don't have a favorite at the moment. Some of my current favorites, in no particular order, Sereknity cashmere, Noro, Malabrigo, Aracunia, Dream in Color, Panda Silk, this alpaca twist yarn I got at the knitting show this summer, handspun of any kind, and so on. I am sure I have left something off the list.

If you are a Ravenclaw, do you prefer the film colors or the book colors? HUZZAH HUFFLEPUFFS!!!! Not Applicable but I do prefer film just as an FYI

My favorite flavor: Right now, fruity stuff. Like fruit flavored gums. Know what I mean? Im on a fruit flavored gum kick. And coffee is a yummy flavor as well. Oh and tis the season for Pumpkin flavor! Yummm.

My favorite holiday: Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas Halloween all the way, although I love being with family for turkey day and Christmas

I would like to receive a: (Sock kit, scarf kit or yarn dyeing kit) I am actually fine with any of the above. Honestly being as its the silly season, if one type of kit works out best either logistically or economically for my spoiler, please do what is best for you. I love swaps for the people and the sharing and I always feel so lucky with what I get in my box. First and foremost, please be sure you are having fun. If forced to choose the knitting kit would be nice (sock or scarf) but I am also an avid dyer so, as I said, any of the above would bring joy to my day.

List your favorite brand of needles or hooks, including size and length: Right now I am hooked on both my addi's and my knitpick Harmonies. I have the 40 inch circular addi turbos in size 5 and I have the Harmony circular set. I have found the project dictates the needle. But I have also become a needle snob. Oh isn't that awful! For so long I was happy with those easter egg colored Susan Bates aluminum needles because I didn't know any different. Now that I have discovered not only the pleasure of a beautiful needle to look at but how much a difference the right needle makes in crafting an item I just can't go back. My old aluminum needles are now banished to the "in case of emergency" stash.

Is there a brand that you are dying to try?: No - not really. I have to admit, I am in the Wollmeise watcher category. Every now and then I check the availability but am not going out of my way to get it. Its more a curiousity thing to actually touch it and see it up close. Oh wait, I am wanting to try the yarn from Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm. I keep meaning to buy some but because I am a shareholder I know I will be getting my share someday.

I've participated in HSKS: (How many times have you participated in HSKS swaps?) This is my second time with HSKS. My first was HSKS5.

Do you have a birthday during this swap? If so which day? Nope - I fall right after the swap ends.

HSKS6 Term has started!

Hi - its Emma here. I am so excited. The latest Hogwarts term has officially begun. This time I'm a second year so I feel better going into things because I already know how much fun I will have! It is nice to be back at the castle and with all my friends, chatting in the common room and talking about the DADA teacher. 

I had a great break though. I practiced my herbology and made some Hufflepuff colored wool to play with in the common room this term. Hufflepuff has the best colors. I am so glad I got back into Hufflepuff this year. 

Well - my owl has arrived and I know who I am spoiling - Miss Ophelia Ballycastle from Gryffindor. I remember her from last term. I think she was in on some of the Quidditch secrets. I need to go make friends with her! Spoiling me is Miss Minerva Wood. I can't wait to get to know both these classmates as well as lots more. 

Huzzah Hufflepuff

I got my owl - Hufflepuff again this term! I am so excited!

And you can join as well. Just click on the HSKS6 logo over there on the side of this post to find out more. 

They're Home!!!

So last night I finally got my family back home after two and a half weeks. Yeah. The flights went smooth and I was waiting to get my hug at Logan as they came out. I could not believe how much DS had grown and changed. Honestly - two weeks is a long time in kid time. I am so glad he got to go on this trip and spend the time with his grandparents but I am now so happy to have him home. But for some reason the remote controls have grown their legs again. 

In other news its almost time for Hogwarts to start up again. My alter ego, Emma Kettleburn, is already to return to Hufflepuff - just waiting for confirmation that we got in this term. I do hope I made it back into Hufflepuff and not one of the other houses. I am already working on my kit to ensure my spoilee is thoroughly spoiled. 

We are getting hit with the end of Hanna today so its going to be a great day to stay inside, play with DS and maybe spin. I still have to turn the big pile of yellow fluff into yellow yarn. 

Priceline and Great Fun - FRAUD ALERT

So this past week I rented a car for my husband through Priceline - a service I had used successfully in the past. I got a great deal but it turns out I also got some very slippery service at the same time. At the end of the transaction I was asked if I would like to get cash back - since I had used another program that offers cash back I thought I would check it out so I entered my email address and my transaction swooped me over to Great Fun welcoming me to my trial membership in their service. WTF??????? I never acknowledged it - I just screen captured it for the record. I let a few days pass and then I checked out the site - never logging in - and decided to call to cancel. Sure enough - this other site had all my personal information and was all set to start charging me a monthly fee. HOLY S*. WTF. I never agreed to this. I never accepted this. Its a darn good thing I called and cancelled because I then looked on complaints.com and found people had been getting charged for months without knowing they signed up. This is some serious fraud. So I went and left a nasty gram for Priceline and now I am blogging to let anyone who reads this to watch out when visiting Priceline. Don't accept anything from them or you may be setting yourself up for trouble. Argh - this just ticks me off!

End of summer vacation

It is so hard to believe my family has been away for two weeks now. Unbelievably I have remained fairly content. I have to admit to having enjoyed the heck out of time to myself and have got quite a bit accomplished. Of course little of it was on the "need to do list" ie clean house, weed toys, etc. Instead I spent time on my "like to do" list and enjoyed spinning, knitting and even, most shocking, shopping. Yes, I actually went out with a friend from work and spent some time (and money) at Nordstroms. Just makeup though - I refrained from the cute pair of Lamb shoes. At home I managed to finally finish spinning up my first skeins of Cormo. I got about 500 yards of two ply 19WPI out of my first batch. Around 4-5 ounces though I didn't weigh it. It took forever to spin because I spun from the lock but it did end up pretty and OMG it is the softest ever. It reminds me of Cashmere. Right now it is natural. I am not sure what color or what FO it will become - for now it is sitting and looking pretty. Its nice to see something that started as this:

Turn into this:

I still have a lot more wool to spin but eventually I should have skeins of this fibery goodness. My next spinning project is to start on the yellow goldenrod dyed wool. I have four ounces to spin up as is - if it is too bright after washing I will blend the next batch with raw wool to tone it down. I still cannot believe I have neon yellow wool from freaking flowers!  If I had wanted to get this color I would have been hard pressed to find something equivalent in a chemical dye - its seriously that neon. 

Well today is my last day off alone so I have to tackle the "need to do" list and get the house cleaned up  in preparation for the boys to return home. I have been talking to them both now that DH has returned to the country and they both had fun. DS has apparently spent considerable time in the dirt and the plans last night (now that everyone is back at my parents house) is a much needed good bath. I am so glad he had fun camping. I hope to make this a regular activity as I have so many fun memories camping. Even if it is sending him with my parents when possible. Besides, it turns out that I had a mini-vacation on my own with this long weekend to myself (taking out the fact that I had to work all Saturday night - unplanned of course).