Thursday, July 23, 2009
Busy, Busy, Busy...
Wow! I didn't realize how much I was putting off by focusing on the trip to England! (And no, I've not yet completed blogging about it...Poppy and I got a whole day with Lizzie that I have yet to share!) But as of right now, I am working on Ms. Pettigrew's bag and the Cabin CAL/KAL...then I need to take pictures, wrap it all up, and send Persephone on her way with the completed kit. On top of that, (that's right, there's more!) my cousin's husband is going to be visiting Venice within the next couple of weeks (I was going to try and meet up with him in bella Venizia) and I have a friend that is in dire need of some crafted items. Okay, well, maybe not dire need, and it doesn't have to be crafted...she's working on a VBS-style camp with a church related activity, and she needs pirate-y stuff. So I want to try and make a bunch of eyepatches and booty bags. I found a couple of good, free patterns (and even some elastic for the eyepatches so I don't have to bother with the straps!), but whether or not I get to it in time to send it out and get it to her before she needs it is another story altogether...now I'm off to the Trumpet to share where I'm at with my kit, since I really shouldn't do it here...
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!! (Part 3)
So after the moors and the pottery shop, we headed back to Emma's house to meet up with Lizzie (who, sadly, was unable to spend the better part of the day with us, as she had a wedding to attend) and prepare for seeing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in the IMAX theater!
I, naturally, went representing Ravenclaw (seen here sporting the Harry jacket, Hermione Hat, Radish earrings, butterbeer cork necklace, Ravenclaw hip scarf and book in hand):
Lizzie, of course, sported Gryffindor colors (seen here wearing her hat made by Kaae, Gryff hip scarf worn as a tie, radish earrings, butterbeer cork necklace, and Gryff bag made by Queen Frysia):
Emma portrayed Tonks as a Hufflepuff (who I did not get a separate photo of, but is wearing pink tonks hair with her witchy hat, Hufflepuff Pride socks, Hufflepuff wristies, radish earrings, and butterbeer cork necklace):
So Poppy went dressed in Slytherin colors to "complete the set," as she said :) (complete with green top, snake necklace, butterbeer cork necklace, and radish earrings):
And here we are at the theater:
I was surprised when they handed us 3-D glasses! I hadn't known it was going to be 3-D! I was also shocked by how long the 3-D bit was...until I realized that there wasn't going to be anymore for the rest of the whole movie. (All other movies I've seen in IMAX 3-D have had tidbits spread throughout the movie of the special effect...) As to the movie itself...well, I've always nitpicked movies based on books to itty-bitty bits and pieces before appreciating what was actually there, but, as my elder brother stated, "there is so little left from the book in the movie that there is no need to pick out little things that were different or just plain wrong. Instead, get a backhoe and start digging for the remains of the book." I have to agree, he's quite right. I'm sure I'll end up liking it (as I did Order of the Phoenix), but for now, I'm largely unsatisfied with it as a whole. (The storyline, that is...the effects were amazing!) I won't go into detail over that because a) it would take far too long, and b) I know there are still quite a few people out there that haven't seen it, and I don't want to spoil it for them!
I, naturally, went representing Ravenclaw (seen here sporting the Harry jacket, Hermione Hat, Radish earrings, butterbeer cork necklace, Ravenclaw hip scarf and book in hand):
Lizzie, of course, sported Gryffindor colors (seen here wearing her hat made by Kaae, Gryff hip scarf worn as a tie, radish earrings, butterbeer cork necklace, and Gryff bag made by Queen Frysia):
Emma portrayed Tonks as a Hufflepuff (who I did not get a separate photo of, but is wearing pink tonks hair with her witchy hat, Hufflepuff Pride socks, Hufflepuff wristies, radish earrings, and butterbeer cork necklace):
So Poppy went dressed in Slytherin colors to "complete the set," as she said :) (complete with green top, snake necklace, butterbeer cork necklace, and radish earrings):
And here we are at the theater:
I was surprised when they handed us 3-D glasses! I hadn't known it was going to be 3-D! I was also shocked by how long the 3-D bit was...until I realized that there wasn't going to be anymore for the rest of the whole movie. (All other movies I've seen in IMAX 3-D have had tidbits spread throughout the movie of the special effect...) As to the movie itself...well, I've always nitpicked movies based on books to itty-bitty bits and pieces before appreciating what was actually there, but, as my elder brother stated, "there is so little left from the book in the movie that there is no need to pick out little things that were different or just plain wrong. Instead, get a backhoe and start digging for the remains of the book." I have to agree, he's quite right. I'm sure I'll end up liking it (as I did Order of the Phoenix), but for now, I'm largely unsatisfied with it as a whole. (The storyline, that is...the effects were amazing!) I won't go into detail over that because a) it would take far too long, and b) I know there are still quite a few people out there that haven't seen it, and I don't want to spoil it for them!
ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!! (Part 2)
As I was reading over yesterday's anecdote, I realized that I had forgotten to put a bit in there...before we went to the train station, we had popped by the nearby wool shop (which is what they call...or at least used to call...an LYS), and it turned out to be a good thing we did! I was able to get some lovely gray yarn (acrylic/nylon/wool blend, looks to be about DK weight) that I have plans to make into another Hermione Hat. I can't believe I didn't think to take a photo of the wool shop! But back to where I left off yesterday...
We had quite the experience, visiting the MoM, and even got to meet the Minister of Magic himself, albeit briefly. (He is a very busy man, after all!) Following that, we quickly stopped by the local apothecary (I browsed for potions supplies...) before starting back toward the train station.
On our way back, Emma pointed out to us the weaver's cottages (noticeable by their very high windows, for weavers to have good light on their work), and made something of a game of spotting them. (Notice the white picket fence...LOVE IT!)
We strolled back down Butt Lane (I'm not joking! We walked up and down Butt Lane!) to the station and waited for the Hogwarts Express to tote us back to Hogsmeade.
Once back, the sweet Mr. Wigworthy drove us the scenic route (and I do mean scenic!) to the famed Attica wool shop. The moors in England are truly amazing! I could not get enough of them, and now that I've left England,I miss them dreadfully.
After seeing all that beauty, the settings of every book I've ever read that speak of the moors has suddenly changed for me. While we were waiting for the train, I bought myself a book (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte), and reading it now, after seeing what Anne pictured in her mind is truly amazing! Now I have to go re-read all those books over again to grasp the fullness of the novels!
There were livestock all over the hills, and I particularly noticed the knitter's friend: the sheep. As I got a closer look, I noticed that the farmers out here must be truly intelligent...they're making pre-dyed wool!
Ok, so it's really just the markings they put on the sheep to tell the herds apart, but I thought my little joke was funny...LOL
Once we got to our desitnation, it turned out that Attica closed mere minutes before we arrived. It was a bit disappointing to be able to peer into the windows and see the yarny goodness that I couldn't touch, but I must be honest; I wouldn't trade one minute of the beautiful moors for it! I can buy yarn other places (and I did! Another reason I wasn't overly distraught), but you can not find a substitute for the moors! Instead, we poked around in the pottery shop next door (in which Emma found a treasure for Lizzie, which would not have happened, were Attica open for business) until our time to leave for the movie....
We had quite the experience, visiting the MoM, and even got to meet the Minister of Magic himself, albeit briefly. (He is a very busy man, after all!) Following that, we quickly stopped by the local apothecary (I browsed for potions supplies...) before starting back toward the train station.
On our way back, Emma pointed out to us the weaver's cottages (noticeable by their very high windows, for weavers to have good light on their work), and made something of a game of spotting them. (Notice the white picket fence...LOVE IT!)
We strolled back down Butt Lane (I'm not joking! We walked up and down Butt Lane!) to the station and waited for the Hogwarts Express to tote us back to Hogsmeade.
Once back, the sweet Mr. Wigworthy drove us the scenic route (and I do mean scenic!) to the famed Attica wool shop. The moors in England are truly amazing! I could not get enough of them, and now that I've left England,I miss them dreadfully.
After seeing all that beauty, the settings of every book I've ever read that speak of the moors has suddenly changed for me. While we were waiting for the train, I bought myself a book (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte), and reading it now, after seeing what Anne pictured in her mind is truly amazing! Now I have to go re-read all those books over again to grasp the fullness of the novels!There were livestock all over the hills, and I particularly noticed the knitter's friend: the sheep. As I got a closer look, I noticed that the farmers out here must be truly intelligent...they're making pre-dyed wool!
Ok, so it's really just the markings they put on the sheep to tell the herds apart, but I thought my little joke was funny...LOLOnce we got to our desitnation, it turned out that Attica closed mere minutes before we arrived. It was a bit disappointing to be able to peer into the windows and see the yarny goodness that I couldn't touch, but I must be honest; I wouldn't trade one minute of the beautiful moors for it! I can buy yarn other places (and I did! Another reason I wasn't overly distraught), but you can not find a substitute for the moors! Instead, we poked around in the pottery shop next door (in which Emma found a treasure for Lizzie, which would not have happened, were Attica open for business) until our time to leave for the movie....
Monday, July 20, 2009
Week 5 Game, Part 1!
1. Animagus
2. Daily Prophet
3. Bowtruckle
4. Extendable Ear
5. Radish Earrings
6. Forbidden Forest
7. Golden Cherub
8. Thestral
9. High Inquisitor
10. Educational Decree
ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!
So, to be honest, I shouldn't even be posting about my weekend jaunt to Yorkshire until I finish blogging about Edinburgh! But I can't not post! It was a fabulous weekend! And the travel was the easiest, most stress-free I have ever experienced! (It was my first time flying without my boys, and I've only ever flown with them by myself.)
The adventure began Friday, late afternoon/early evening. The husbands cam home from work to care for the poltergeists, (which Mr. Bagnold showed up driving our brand new car!!!!!!!!!!!!) and then Poppy and I walked down to the train station.
We went down to Venice, and then hopped on the Knight Bus to a secluded area before hopping onto our Firebolts and heading to beautiful Yorkshire!!!! I honestly don't think the travel could have been much smoother! Oh wait, I take that back...if we didn't have to go through any security checks, it would have been smoother, but we all know that's not happening anytime soon! LOL We had to wait before taking to the skies, due to a massive storm that rolled in, so we were a bit late in our rendezvous with Emma and Lizzie, but all went well. Poppy was quite exhausted from the trip (she had had a looooooooooooong day!), so we had to end up pulling out our wands and levitating her into the house! We had a lovely cup of tea before going to bed. I don't tend to be a tea drinker, but that was quite tasty!
The next morning I got to sleep in without having to care for the poltergiests, which was a bit weird, but very pleasant! We got to meet Emma's little wizards before they traipsed off to their grandparents...very adorable little wizards! Poppy and I got to have tea and crumpets! Sooooooooo yummy! Poppy tried a bit of marmite on hers (I tried it while in Edinburgh), and it turns out that neither of us like it. At all. LOL But the marmalade on the crumpets was certainly more than satisfactory! Following breakfast, kind Mr. Wigworthy drove us around a bit. We went to the train station in Hogsmeade and rode the Hogwarts Express down to Haworth. We even had an encounter with a dementor along the way!!!
Haworth was beautiful beyond description! My photos don't do them justice, I fear.
But before we went on to the museum, we stopped by an inn to have a real British lunch. Poppy had the fish and chips (with mushy peas!) and I had the Yorkshire cheese platter (the Wensleydale was particularly scrumptious!), which also came with a side of tasty bread. The chicken and chutney were superb!
I must admit that visiting the Bronte Parsonage Museum was an experience that leaves me close to speechless...or maybe not speechless, but at least without the proper words to describe it all! They didn't allow photos to be taken inside, unfortunately, so I can't even let those thousand words be heard, but it was something that definitely took my breath away and brought me to tears at more than one point.
After seeing all the exhibits, I began to wonder if one (or more!) of the sisters perhaps had some magical talent, seeing as how they have these tiny books with miniscule writing (which is clearly legible if you use a magnifying glass!) that look to me to have had a shrinking charm used on them. I'm not as brilliant as Dumbledore, though, so I can't detect traces of magic like him, but I don't know how else they could have written so small!!!!
As we were retracing our steps back toward the train station, we stumbled across this:
The visitor's entrance to the Ministry itself!!! We went down right away!
And, sadly, Mr. Bagnold seems to have returned home from his work day, so I shall have to continue this tale at a later date...
The adventure began Friday, late afternoon/early evening. The husbands cam home from work to care for the poltergeists, (which Mr. Bagnold showed up driving our brand new car!!!!!!!!!!!!) and then Poppy and I walked down to the train station.
We went down to Venice, and then hopped on the Knight Bus to a secluded area before hopping onto our Firebolts and heading to beautiful Yorkshire!!!! I honestly don't think the travel could have been much smoother! Oh wait, I take that back...if we didn't have to go through any security checks, it would have been smoother, but we all know that's not happening anytime soon! LOL We had to wait before taking to the skies, due to a massive storm that rolled in, so we were a bit late in our rendezvous with Emma and Lizzie, but all went well. Poppy was quite exhausted from the trip (she had had a looooooooooooong day!), so we had to end up pulling out our wands and levitating her into the house! We had a lovely cup of tea before going to bed. I don't tend to be a tea drinker, but that was quite tasty!The next morning I got to sleep in without having to care for the poltergiests, which was a bit weird, but very pleasant! We got to meet Emma's little wizards before they traipsed off to their grandparents...very adorable little wizards! Poppy and I got to have tea and crumpets! Sooooooooo yummy! Poppy tried a bit of marmite on hers (I tried it while in Edinburgh), and it turns out that neither of us like it. At all. LOL But the marmalade on the crumpets was certainly more than satisfactory! Following breakfast, kind Mr. Wigworthy drove us around a bit. We went to the train station in Hogsmeade and rode the Hogwarts Express down to Haworth. We even had an encounter with a dementor along the way!!!
Haworth was beautiful beyond description! My photos don't do them justice, I fear.
But before we went on to the museum, we stopped by an inn to have a real British lunch. Poppy had the fish and chips (with mushy peas!) and I had the Yorkshire cheese platter (the Wensleydale was particularly scrumptious!), which also came with a side of tasty bread. The chicken and chutney were superb!
I must admit that visiting the Bronte Parsonage Museum was an experience that leaves me close to speechless...or maybe not speechless, but at least without the proper words to describe it all! They didn't allow photos to be taken inside, unfortunately, so I can't even let those thousand words be heard, but it was something that definitely took my breath away and brought me to tears at more than one point.
After seeing all the exhibits, I began to wonder if one (or more!) of the sisters perhaps had some magical talent, seeing as how they have these tiny books with miniscule writing (which is clearly legible if you use a magnifying glass!) that look to me to have had a shrinking charm used on them. I'm not as brilliant as Dumbledore, though, so I can't detect traces of magic like him, but I don't know how else they could have written so small!!!!As we were retracing our steps back toward the train station, we stumbled across this:
The visitor's entrance to the Ministry itself!!! We went down right away!
And, sadly, Mr. Bagnold seems to have returned home from his work day, so I shall have to continue this tale at a later date...
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