Yarn & Yummies

Retiring to Reno to Knit with Mary

2008-04-19T14:19:00.005-04:00

Well, it's time to retire Penelope Pinkstone. I think she will join her friend Mary out in Reno to spend her time lounging and perfecting her knitting skills.

It has been a sincere pleasure to meet all of you and to share our experiences as HSKS4 participants! I'd like to especially acknowledge my swap partners--Bathilda Boomslang from Slytherin and Cliodna Trelawney from Hufflepuff! I'd also like to send much love to my partners in crime--Cassandra Puddlemere, Lily Durmstrang, and Tuna Cadogan. Peace and love to you all!

Woo Hoo--My Kit Has Arrived!

2008-04-09T14:59:00.003-04:00

Bathilda--You Rock!!!

Two owls banged into my window this afternoon:

I was so excited, I really didn't want to open them! But, I knew I had to do it, so I could share my joy with all of you! Lookee at what Bathilda sent to me!

Look at this great bag--it's done in plastic canvas and is way cool!

Here's a closer pic:

And here's the back!

And the inside (complete with glitter off the wrapping paper!)

Now tell me--how cool is that?!? Max checked it out and gave his approval also.

Then, there were a whole bunch of other goodies inside:

Some of them had tags on them that said, Open in Case of Dementors (Jelly Slugs), Accio Keys (keychain), Every Gryffindor Should Be Familiar With These (Lemon Drops) and Well, I Am a Slytherin (Slithering Snake Sucker)! Very clever and very cute!

Again, I really hated to unwrap everything, but just had to do it. Here's what I found--

There was Knit Picks sock yarn in Gryffindor colors, the aforementioned candies and keychain, Bertie Bott's Beans, a knitted cup holder (with a tag that said butterbeer not included), 2 packages of cocoa, 2 M&Ms lip glosses, Knit Picks size 0 dpns, a sock pattern and a tie pattern (because I'm surrounded by men!) and beautiful stitch markers in Gryffindor colors.

Max had to check everything out, but he especially loves the bag!

And then, he had to try to climb inside the box! He just couldn't fit, though :)

So, he decided to lay on the wrapping paper instead!

That was such a great package, and Bathilda was such a terrific spoiler! Thank you SOOOO much! Much love to you!

Penelope Pinkstone meets The Yarn Harlot

2008-04-08T18:40:00.004-04:00

Last night I dressed up and went out amongst the Muggles to a bookstore named Borders in Annapolis to meet a rather famous Muggle knitter--Stephanie Pearl-McPhee! She's known to the knitting world as The Yarn Harlot, which is rather odd, since she did not look much like the harloty type! It was a very exciting evening, with about 200 Muggle knitters in attendance. I was able to pick up a copy of her newest book, "Things I Learned From Knitting . . .whether I wanted to or not" and have it signed. As a matter of fact, I also picked up two additional copies, one for a knitter friend who lives far away and one for some lucky swap partner in the future, and was able to have them both signed as well. Ms. Harlot was extremely accomodating to the large group, and stayed late into the night to sign and take pictures with her fans. I was able to get a few pictures myself, and thought I'd share them with you!

Ms. Harlot giving her talk.

Almost my turn!

Ms. Harlot meets Penelope Pinkstone, and lets her hold THE SOCK!

I'm so glad I got to enjoy this Muggle experience! Now, if I could only go to a JK Rowling book signing . . .

Perfect Fit

2008-03-25T21:51:00.002-04:00

Which Class at Hogwarts Would You Excel at?

You excel at Care of Magical Creatures. You must have a thing for those cute furry things...or big scaley things...or scary firebreathing many teethed things...
Take this quiz!

Last House Quiz for this Term

2008-03-23T14:24:00.002-04:00

The term is quickly coming to an end, I am sad to say. Here are my answers for the final Gryffindor House Quiz:

Grimmauld Place
Luna Lovegood
Dolores Umbridge
Occlumency
Grawp
Thestrals
Extendable Ears
Scrimgeour
Prophecy
Saint Mungos
Centaur
Skiving Snackbox
Room Of Requirement
Dumbledore's Army
Department Of Mysteries

Quidditch Champions!

2008-03-22T19:52:00.002-04:00

Well, my fellow Gryffindor Quidditch players proved to be Master Snotch Seekers! Gryffindor won all three Quidditch matches! I'm very proud of my house!

Congrats to all the others houses also for well played matches!

More Goodies from My Spoiler

2008-03-21T21:48:00.003-04:00

Goodness, I do believe I have the best spoiler in this entire school! I received another package from Bathilda Boomslang! This time I got Easter and St. Patty's Day stickers, teas, and a Peanuts Easter Coloring Book, along with a lovely card. Bathilda's been so thoughtful throughout this term--I really wish she could get special recognition for that! I've received multiple e-cards and postcards, a valentine card in the mail, and two other packages from her. That makes three owls from her, and the Enchanted Kit is still yet to come! She's wonderful about emailing, even if it's just to say hello! I really feel that I must be the luckiest girl in the school!
Thanks so much Bathilda!

Final Quidditch Round

2008-03-13T07:10:00.007-04:00

1. When Rita Skeeter prints a bad articles about Hagrid in the Daily Prophet, which Professor teaches Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class while he is away?
c. Professor Grubbly-Plank

2. What was the article Rita Skeeter wrote about Hagrid called?
c. Dumbledore's Giant Mistake

3. When the school champions were being chosen from the Goblet of Fire, whose name cam out first?
b. Viktor Krum

4. What is the spell Ludo bagman says to magically magnify his voice when he commentates?
a. Sonorus

5. What kind of dragon did Cedirc have to face in the first task?
b. A Swedish Short-Snout

6. Who raised the trophy after winning the world cup?
b. Troy and Quigley

7. How many bedrooms did Mundungus Fletcher claim to have?
d. 12

8. For what did Moody mistake his birthday gift of a carriage clock?
b. A basilisk egg

9. What did Mr. Ollivander produce for the end of Cedric's wand?
d. Silver smoke rings

10. The dark mark is on Snape's left arm.
a. Yes (At one point he grabs his right arm, but then shows his left later. Perhaps he has the dreaded "Double Dark Mark"?

Getting Ready for Final Quidditch Match

2008-03-05T19:02:00.002-05:00

GRYFFINDORS--ARE YOU READY FOR QUIDDITCH?!?

Fleur

2008-02-29T11:56:00.003-05:00

I just don't see what all the fuss is about over Fleur Whatzhername. So, she's another beautiful blonde who just happens to come from a snooty exclusive French all-girls school, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. What's so special about that? Hogwarts did win the Tri-Wizard Tournament, remember? And the whole carriage with horses, that's so five minutes ago--Cinderella, anyone? Ok, so maybe Cinderella's horses didn't fly, but they started out as mice and that's pretty darned impressive. And, yes Phlegm . . . I mean Fleur, was very charming and enchanting and bewitching and all, but she was surrounded by hormonal teenaged boys whose brains are located in their netherregions. The fact that she is a veela is no biggie either, since I'd be willing to bet we all have veela capabilities on at least a monthly basis! Nothing charming, enchanting or bewitching about that!

Guess you haven't seen Fleur in a while, huh? Well, here's what she looks like after three kids . . .

Surprise from Bathilda

2008-02-23T16:59:00.003-05:00

Finally, access to a digital camera will allow me to post pics of the surprise I received from my spoiler, Bathilda Boomslang, some time ago. Behold!

Again, thanks a million Bathilda! You're a very thoughtful witch!

The Queen

2008-02-20T19:28:00.001-05:00

Lily Durmstrang is the QUEEN!

::bows down to L to the D::

The Gryffindor Girls just ROCK! (Don't be hatin'!)

Quidditch Round #2

2008-02-18T11:49:00.008-05:00

1. With whom does Ginny go to the Yule Ball?

a. Neville

2. When Harry arrives at the Burrow and Mrs. Weasley makes them all dinner the night before they leave for the Quidditch World Cup, what does her wand turn into?

a. rubber mouse

3. Since some of the sixth-year girls didn't have any quills on them, what did they think Krum might sign their hats in?

c. lipstick

4. How old does the Quick Quotes Quill say that Rita Skeeter is?
a. 43

5. What color cloak is wormtail wearing in the Riddle house?
b. Black

6. What color is "Mad Eye" Moody's magical eye?

d. Blue

7. What color are the robes that Rita Skeeter was wearing when Harry meets her at the Weighing of the Wands ceremony?

b. Magenta

8. What does Sirius Black tell Harry, Ron and Hermione to call him when speaking around anyone else?

b. Snuffles

9. Which team beat Wales, disqualifying them from competing for the Quidditch World Cup?

c. Uganda

10. What does Madame Maxime say is the only thing her steeds will drink?

c. single-malt whiskey

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T18:23:00.001-05:00

Did I mention that my spoiler ROCKS!!!! Here is the Valentine I received in the postal mail today from my spoiler, Ms. Bathilda Boomslang!

Happy VDay! Thanks, Bathilda ::hugs::!

HE IS NOT ALONE!

2008-02-07T21:13:00.000-05:00

Seeing (and hearing) that, the girls all fall back into the hallway, panting and sweating. They can't believe what they've just seen . . . or heard!

"Alright, guys, let's get out of here!"

"No way!!! I'm sticking around to see what he does next! Can you believe how completely HOTTTTTT he is?"

"I don't want to get caught. Next time it will be something much worse than those disgusting flobberworms!"

"Who cares about detention? I'll serve a lifetime of detention if I can keep watching McPotions perform!"

Just then, the girls hear a female voice coming from inside the room. With everyone craning their necks to see inside the room, they were definitely not prepared for what they saw next . . .

You're not going to want to miss this . . .

Gryffindor House Quiz # Deux

2008-02-06T07:16:00.000-05:00

ACROSS
1. Shell Cottage
5. Herbology
6. SNAPE
8. Warbeck
10. Thestral
11. Azkaban
13. Phoenix
14. Bludger
15. Hogsmeade
16. Griffin

DOWN
2. Expelliarmus
3. Transfiguration
4. Polyjuice Potion
7. Patronus
9. Whizzhard
12. Voldemort

Quidditch--IT'S ON!!!!!!

2008-01-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

1. What was Harry dreaming about the first time he woke up with his scar on fire?
b. Voldemort and Wormtail plotting to kill him

2. What is the problem with leprechaun gold?
a. It vanishes after a few hours

3. Why did Mad-Eye Moody turn Malfoy into a ferret?
c. Malfoy attached Harry when Harry's back was turned

4. Sirius warns Harry to be careful around Karkaroff because he had been a Death Eater. Which one of the professors at Hogwarts, who also used to be a Death Eater, is frequently bothered by Karkaroff?
SNAPE

5. Voldemort could have used the blood from any foe to make the potion that revived him work, but he held out for Harry's blood. Why?
c. The special protection Harry received from his mother would also pass to Voldemort

6. How old would Frank have been on his next birthday?
d. 77

7. Amos Diggory works for?
b. The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures

8. Who shared a carriage with the three friends on the way from the train to Hogwarts?
Answer: Longbottom

9. What date in October did the delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive?
a. 30th

10. What color were Percy's dress robes at the Yule Ball?
a. Navy Blue

Ollivander

Dark Mark

Cedric Diggory

World Cup Tournament

Mad-Eye Moody

Oh, the Luckiness of Me!

2008-01-28T17:31:00.000-05:00

The most beautiful owl came to visit today, with a package from a most wonderful spoiler, Ms. Bathilda Boomslang! I was sooo very excited to receive the package--it contained a calendar/journal with pictures of all our heroes who have inhabited Hogwart's in the past! And I will engage in fisticuffs with anyone who dares drag the Slytherin name through the mud from this point forward, as my spoiler is none other than a Superific Slytherin! Who says that snakes can't be splendifically stupendous?

MUUUAAAHHHHH, Bathlida!

Busted

2008-01-28T05:13:00.000-05:00

"Ugh, these things are deesgusting!!!"
"Ooooh, one just crawled down my robes!"
"Let's just get this detention done and get back to the common room. We've got so much homework to do."
"Has anyone seen my charm bracelet?"
"Do you really think we're here because we were giggling in class . . . or do you think he saw us?"
"If he saw us he surely would have told Headmistress Wartbobble by now. We'd be all packed and on the train home."
"Lily, did you borrow my charm bracelet?"
"He did seem to look me straight in the eye when the cloak came off!"
"I think he saw us when we snapped that picture. And I must say, that was a really great picture."
::twitters and giggles shared by all::
"Ladies, a little less noise please and a little more sorting!", says the dreamy voice from behind the desk.
"Shhh, see, that's why we got detention in the first place! He didn't see us, we just giggle too much!"
"Has anyone seen my charm bracelet?!?"
"Penelope, what are you going on about?"
"I've lost my charm bracelet. I went to take it off before having to deal with these foul things, and it wasn't on my wrist. I can't imagine where it might be."
"When did you last see it?"
"Well, I know I had it last night when we went on our adventure because it got caught on the cloak at one point, and I had the devil of a time getting it undone. It was right before you snapped the picture."
"Oh no, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"We've got to find that charm bracelet!"

the rest of the story

Scandalicious

2008-01-24T13:31:00.000-05:00

"Oh, Crispy! Crispy dear! Where are youuuuu?"
"Mandy! What on earth are you doing in my bedchambers?!?"
"Well, I went to knock and the wall was open, so I just thought I'd come on in! You're not asleep are you?"
"Mandy, I mean, it's late . . . I WAS sleeping . . . what are you doing up and wandering the halls at this hour?"
"Oh, Crispy. I've just been so lonely this evening. I could use a little company. Be a dahhhlllinng and keep me company."
"Mandy, have you been drinking?"
"Oh just a few little cuplets of coffee . . ."
"Oh yeah, just how many "coffees" have you had?"
"Enough to quench my thirst, my precious Crispy. But now I'm hungry. Really hungry. So I set out in search of some Spotted Dick. I do soooo lurrrrve Spotted Dick!"
"Now, Miss Finch Fletchley!"
"Tee-hee. I was just coming 'round to ask if you'd accompany me to the kitchens in my quest. A girl can't be too careful, you know with Trolls and Dementors on the loose. Then I promise to bring you back and tuck you in to beddy weddy Crispy."
"Well, let me get some clothes on. I'd better take you to the kitchen--you certainly shouldn't be wandering around Hogwarts by yourself in this condition! Just give me a minute . . ."
"Oh, Crispy, you're such a dahhhllinnnggg!"

what happens next?

Tonight's the Night

2008-01-22T22:05:00.000-05:00

All interested parties present.
Check.
Everyone else asleep.
Check.
Lookout posted at door.
Check.
Banana hot fudge sundae bribe for lookout prepared.
Check.
Cloak ready.
Check.
"Lily, move over, my leg's sticking out!"
Everyone under.
Check.
"It's too dark under here--I can't see where I'm going"
"That's because you're standing beneath my armpit!"
"Can we get going already? We'll get caught before we even get started!"
"Who tooted?"
"Sorry, too much butterbeer last nite"
"Can we please get on with it--I wanna see McPotions!"
"Everyone ready?"
"CHECK!"
"Ok, let's go!"

to be continued . . .

Very Clever Quiz, Dear Acting Prefect!

2008-01-22T16:02:00.000-05:00

Hogwarts School Song
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts
Teach us something, please
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff
For now they're bare and full of air
Dead flies and bits of fluff
So teach us things worth knowing
Bring back what we've forgot
Just do your best, we'll do the rest
And learn until our brains all rot.

TGIF!

2008-01-18T22:10:00.000-05:00

Wow, what an exhausting week! So many new friends, so much homework, so much shopping for the Enchanted Kit! I'm totally worn out! Not to mention my Gryffindor housemates keeping me up late last night, making me drink "just one more" butterbeer! :)

All is going very well--I'm definitely settled in and absolutely love it here at Hogwarts! Everyone is just the best! And, I'm having SO MUCH FUN!!!!

A lot of us are off Monday to celebrate the birth of a great Muggle leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will be spending all day Monday working on the Enchanted Kit! YEAH!!!

A few of us have a secret plan for Tuesday night . . . it involves Prof. McPotion and a wall . . .I'll say no more!

Birds of a Feather

2008-01-16T22:06:00.000-05:00

Jeez! I can't believe so many first years fell for the old transfiguration candy trick! There are feathers flying everywhere! Thank goodness Cassandra Puddlemere had the good sense to gather some up--now we can save money on quills, and have more to spend on our Enchanted Kits!

We had a great visit in Gryffindor Hall last night. All you Gryffs should come join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 pm EST. Also, please be sure to visit CP's site to answer the survey about additional meeting times. You DO want to win the cup, don't you?

Great Fun in the Great Hall

2008-01-15T08:15:00.000-05:00

The feast in the Great Hall last night was fun! I got to meet so many new school chums, and both my spoiler and spoilee were there! Very nice group of girls, even though someone suggested we change the name of the school to Hogwarts School for Wayward Girls---just because hormones are raging! It isn't our fault that Headmistress Wartbobble keeps hiring magically delicious professors!

I did seem to miss some of the fun because I left a little early. There was a little potion passing that I would have enjoyed being in on. . .

That'll Teach Her

2008-01-14T18:22:00.000-05:00

Esmerelda Beanswallow tried to pull a fast one on me today! She almost had me convinced that classes didn't start until next week, but luckily I didn't listen to her and showed up on time. She was trying to embarass me in front of the new Potions Prof, as she told him she overheard that I had planned to skip class! Boy, was she surprised when I walked into the room, prompt as could be, and with my crisp nice new robe and my new 7 3/4 inches maple wand with a griffin tail hair core. Hah on her! Turned the tables and embarrassed HER, I did! The Prof thought she was a looney!

Can't wait for the big feast tonight! I haven't seen my Enchanted Kit Planning partner all day, and I'm so looking forward to finding out her color preference--bumblebee yellow and black, or a more subdued pale yellow and charcoal. I've been having such a difficult time trying to find out! Hope I see her tonight!

Love Potion #9

2008-01-13T17:37:00.000-05:00

Yippeee! I have Potions class tomorrow, and the Professor is just to die for!Phat! Dreamy! The Bees Knees! Oh, please, please, please let me get through the class without fainting! Just look at that angel face . . .

Oh, and congrats to Hufflepuff House, even though I was sure we Gryffs were going to take this first round. The Ravenclaws are awfully cocky, and there's an awful lot of them. The Hufflepuffs have been mighty humble. And the Slytherins . . . well they're just keeping pretty much to themselves.

Come on Gryffs--I know we can do better next round!

Roar, roar, Gryffindor!

Making Friends

2008-01-12T22:25:00.000-05:00

I've made the most delightful friends so far at Hogwart's! Naturally, my housemates are all very friendly, but I've also found the most delightful friend in the Slytherin house! I'm very glad to fit in here--I was so worried I wouldn't.

Seems everyone is settling in just fine. There are orchids everywhere--I hear it was a joint Hufflepuff/Gryffindor effort! The water from the Ravenclaw mishap has vanished--the charms they used worked wonders.

I believe one of my housemates has suggested a field trip! Oh, wouldn't that be lovely! Hmmm, I wonder if any of my school chums will be attending the Stitches West next month? Yes, it's a Muggle function, but they do have the most delightful fibers there. Could be a good place to do some Enchanted Kit shopping!

Must ponder further on the field trip idea . . .

The Owl Has Landed!

2008-01-11T16:58:00.000-05:00

Great excitement abounds! I have received an Owl from a Slytherin friend, and, in turn, sent Max (my owl--named after my father) to a friend who resides in the house of Hufflepuff! Oh, this is very exciting, the assignments from our Enchanted Kit Planning course! I've already done much shopping for my Hufflepuff partner, as I plan to spoil her plenty! It's so nice to be able to have this opportunity!

On another note, someone inquired as to the the very Mugglish name of my journal. The story behind the name is that a school chum from the Muggle University I attended and I had a dream to one day open a shop/cafe in the Muggle world. We would provide fine fibers for those who like to play with needles and hooks on one side, and on the other we would prepare and offer cakes, cookies, pies, muffins, breads and any other yummy baked goods you could think of! We would have teas, cocoas, juices and coffees, and provide a warm and inviting resting place for those Muggles whose lives are just so darn filled with . . . well, Muggledom! We planned to use the Yarn and Yummies journal to share our ideas, and then I transferred to Hogwarts. In honor of my Muggle chum, I decided to retain the journal name, so she would know where to find me and read about my adventures in the Wizarding World. So, that's the story behind Yarn and Yummies. Hmmm, we hadn't considered opening the shop in Diagon Alley! Wonder if they have any space to let? We'd probably have to change the name, though, to something more, well . . . Enchanting! Anyone have any ideas?

Ssssslytherin Sssssighting

2008-01-10T05:38:00.001-05:00

One of the Slytherin students stopped me in the hall today--struck up a little bit of conversation. Apparently I'd left my journal open on the table last week, and she had caught a glimpse of the fact that I'd chosen Gryffindor over Slytherin! At first she was none too happy, but then she moved on to asking some questions, and even intimated that we could be friends! What she doesn't know is that, during a group chat with fellow Gryffindors, I let slip that I secretly hoped to befriend a Slytherin this term! The Gryffs were mortified, and I covered quickly, but I really would like to know more about them, and to see how much they know, if anything, about my father. I really hope he's not involved in anything nefarious! It's nice to have a new friend! I hope we get to talk again!

Heritage

2008-01-08T17:15:00.000-05:00

I am a half-blood. I have one foot in the Muggle world and one in the Wizarding World. My mother was a Muggle, my father . . . well, he ran with the likes of Lucius Malfoy and He Who Shall Not Be Named! He bewitched my mom on the back of a Nimbus 1957, and then disappeared under the Cloak of Invisibility for the next 30 years. Rumors abound that he's been with You Know Who doing Who Knows What! He's made contact a few times, but only to taunt me with the possibility that I am more like him than I care to know . . .

I am torn between the two worlds--I'm not nearly as clever as some of my school mates in the Arts, but I do try my best to learn as much as I can and to work as hard as I'm able. My Muggle life, however, tries to consume my every waking moment. The only pleasure I get is when I get the time to sit and practice Fiber Arts! I'm so glad to be able to transfer to Hogwarts this semester--I hope they don't make me go back to the Muggle University! I promise I'll try to be a good witch!

The Sorting Hat had some difficulty with me . . . it said I should probably be in Slytherin but, like Harry, I asked to be in Gryffindor. Now, if I can just live up to expectations . . .

Linkage Success!

2008-01-02T14:13:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Miss Mandy Finch-Fletchly, the HSKS4 logo is now successfully linked for 5 points to the Gryffindor house! Let's raise our glasses and give a cheer for MMFF!

I'M IN--Woo Hoo!

2008-01-01T15:36:00.000-05:00

I've been accepted into the Gryffindor house! Woo Hoo!

Now, I just have to figure out how to link the logo . . . must study on this awhile.

Penelope in the HOUSE!!!

2007-12-29T15:54:00.000-05:00

Gryffindor house, that is! If I get accepted into the HSKS 4 swap, then I'll be living large with Harry! Oh, I hope I get in!!!!!

Welcome to Yarn and Yummies! Home of Penelope Pinkstone!

2007-12-29T15:49:00.000-05:00

Hey there, my new Hogwarts friends! Just wanted to say hi, and to let you know that I am very happy for the opportunity to apply to Hogwarts as a first year student!