Got my kit!

Actually, I got it a week ago, right before I left to go out of town. So my apologies to Emma Scrimgeour for the delay.

First, when I opened the shipping box, I saw:

Is that a great bag or what? Emma's mom made it!

Inside, there's this awesomely cute hippo tool box.


Inside the hippo:

Harmony dpn's in size 1 (can never have too many of those!) stitch markers, and radish earrings (it's just not a Luna kit without radishes!) The stitch markers spell out "its often infested with nargles" which is what Luna says about mistletoe :-)


There is a pair of awesome mitts in Ravenclaw colors with big "diamond" buttons



There are also a pile of tea bags (yum!); some dark chocolate (gone already); a very nice hand made card; the pattern for Luna's Moonlight Ladies sock (by our own Ann Kingstone); and some hand-dyed yarn by Christina Marie Potter.

Arithmancy homework

This was massively fun! And it means I've got something to blog about early in the week, which is good since I'm going away for the weekend.

Puzzle #1: Dobby
Puzzle #2: Harry Potter
Puzzle #3: Hogs Head

Finished my hand made item

Whew! Just squeaked it in there, but it is done early enough to earn house points. That's a first for me, so I'm extra excited. Obviously I'm not going to post a picture, because I don't want Dagmara to see it before she opens her kit. Now all I need to do is a few more small purchases, and I'm all set for early send points. Yay!

Now I'll just write some cheering charms for tomorrow's quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Slytherin is closer to us in points, so I guess I'll be cheering for Hufflepuff to win.

Battle cry

Ok, it's more like a march, but still:

I don’t know but I’ve been told,
Gryffindor brooms are plated gold
Somehow it has come to pass
Ravenclaw’s are plated brass

Gryffindor’s brooms shine nice and bright,
But Ravenclaws are fast and light.
Gryffindors are smart brave witches
But ‘claws will score and catch the snitches.

Potions Homework, part 1

Pomegranate: juice is used in Strengthening Solution. (Yeah, I know, that pom is past it's prime. I found it in the back of the fridge)


Phlox: used to attract flocks of birds to a garden, which then eat the bugs.


Shamrock: used in Ireland as an ingredient of Good Luck potions.


Muscari: Essence of muscari can be used as food coloring, but too much causes the ingester to turn violet. It was almost revealed to the Muggles when the affect was used in the making of the movie “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” Luckily the film was charmed, so Muggle viewers believe the affect to be just a bit of movie special affects.


Leaves of a bubotuber plant. The pus of the tubers themselves (found underground) is used to treat acne.

Potions homework, part 2

1. Sneezewort, scurvy grass, and lovage are used to make what?
A: Allergen Solution
B:Confusing Draught
C: Babbling Befuddlement
D: Wandering Agent

2. Porcupine quills are to be added when to a Boil Cure Potion?
A: It is the second ingredient you add
B: Before it is removed from the fire
C: You don't add them, they aren't part of the potion
D: After it is removed from the fire

3. What potion, if brewed correctly, should change color numerous times throughout brewing including deep purple, lilac, and finishing clear?
A: The Draught of Living Death
B: Amortentia
C: Calming Draft
D: Elixir to Induce Euphoria

4. This ingredient in the Draught of Peace, would likely bring you permanent peace since it is poisonous, what is it?
A: Murlap
B: Belladonna
C: Mugwort
D: Hellebore

5. Chopped daisy roots, skinned shrivel-fig, sliced caterpillar, one rat spleen, dash of leech juice are all ingredients to what?
A: Swelling Solution
B: Deflating Draught
C: Shrinking Solution
D: Sleeping Draught

Potions Homework, part 3

This is a potion I make that is a quick and dirty sangria-type drink. It's light and refreshing, which makes it nice for summer. I use fruit juice, usually a mixed berry blend, some white wine, and some club soda. Notice in the picture the Ravens on the wine bottle :-)