End of Spring Break

My eldest is in year-round school. She just got back home last night after spending almost 3 weeks with her grandparents (THANKS!) Tomorrow she has to make up a snow day, so back to school we go. I'm not sure I'll be able to drag her out of bed to catch that 7:05 bus... I hope I can.

I'm so happy that she is home, but really need to get her back into the routine here. And, I need to get myself back into the routine of picking up after two kids. (She went, he stayed at home & in school.)

Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday.
I had TWO different groups call me & sing the Birthday Song.
I got Banana Pudding with a star candle!
My brother fixed an amazing dinner od pork loin & pasta & green beans & had us over for movie night. (we had to leave mid movie as it was already 8:30.)
I discovered that birthdays give us another "fresh-start" for resolutions-- so an April birthday is the perfect time to revisit New Year's Resolutions, because they've about worn off by now.

So:
Things I want to do this year...
get life insurance
get health insurance
get a will
skate/walk/cycle more
revamp kids room storage
finish fixing back room
new yarn storage
finish some wip afghans
write letters/cards to old friends
keep up with car maintenance

Happy April!

The Pollen is OUT. I had another root canal. Winter Term of HPKCHC is over. MC is on Intersession. I've made tons of amazing projects that I need to share. B is learning to use the Knifty Knitter. (seriously.) I made the best chicken pot pie E V E R. I need a hair cut. I still hate folding laundry. I'm out of loaf bread. I need to pack clothes for a weekend in the mountains. I have a nagging feeling that I forgot to write down an appointment. The bathroom sink is sparkly clean. (I'm pretending to be using Flylady.) This weekend= big trip to Sams Club & restock the pantry shopping. (ugh- just typing that one makes me tired.) Okay. I'm off for more antibiotics & ibuprofen & bed. But that's my update. And I'm sticking to it. More later. Maybe.

I haven't been motivated to update my progress on various projects around the house.

I have been busy catering the dinner each Sunday evening for about 100 people.
I did get all of my HPKCHC assignments done, including reaching 25% mark on my 3 OWLs.
My score for February was 95 & the highest in my house. Yippiee.

Its been cold & yucky all week, I'm really tired, and its supposed to be in the 70s on Sunday. Very messed up weather. In fact, last Sunday's meal was canceled due to ice & freezing temperatures.

I'll be working on the House Cup Blog this weekend posting voting ballots for a badge design contest for OWL students. And Pasta for 100.

The Garden Gnome

Okay, so today, the kids & I ventured out into the front yard. (I can't even call it a garden, because we barely have grass.) I kept glancing over to the big ivy covered pine, hoping to catch another glimpse of the garden gnome.

I finally did see it & I was ready with the camera.

We played for a bit & then went back indoors. I had to get back into the kitchen, as I'm in the middle of prepping mashed potatoes for a big dinner. I've done about half of the potatoes, and have about 20 pounds left to peel, dice, cook, mash & season. You can imagine my shock when I reached over to the potato basket & saw this:

My only guess is that it followed the kids or was captured by one of them.
Upon close inspection, I realize that this must be an infant. You see, it has sprout eyes.

Unlike the root vegetable potato, which grows eyes as it ages, Garden Gnomes have the eyes when they are young. This is to aid in their camouflage, as they have a tendency to wander off & be spotted by muggles. The eyes & stumpy legs make them look like a random potato lost in the yard/brush/shrubbery.

I left the back door open for a bit & when I looked out the window, I saw him vanish as he reached the edge of my yard. I guess he found his way back home!

My Patronus, Pretending to be a Scarf

TA-DA!

My Portuguese Man Of War Patronus Neck-Scarf Thing

I used the free pattern I found through Ravelry.

Could it Be Any Easier? Neck Cozy by karendeane
I really like the look of the sample scarf, but I knew mine would be different. First off, I used an 8mm hook, instead of the 6.5mm & 6mm called for. I used 1 strand of bulky acrylic boucle yarn, which really isn't bulky, just uneven. The pattern calls for 2 strands of Bulky Alpaca Wool.
They suggest 2 buttons; I had the perfect button, which was really a pendant that a friend brought back from a trip to the Amazon. (Hi Bibb!) I had to tear out about 20 chains when I started so this thing wouldnt meet below my navel. I had to tweak the stitch placement to achieve the fabric qualities I wanted. Oh. AND, I had to add tentacles. But only to one end, because the Man of War is sorta asymmetrical like that.

Now, this appears to be quite dense and solid, but actually it is light weight yet cosy.
I actually remembered to photographically document some of my pattern changes & I'll try to show that with the following photos.

The working fabric stretched to show stitches:

Hook is through Chain Space, as indicated in pattern:

2nd Hook showing placement of next Chain Space:

White Hook added shows placement of my stitches BETWEEN the 'V' of the sc:

Work this space front to back:


Continue the pattern of sc into 'V' space as shown here, and chaining, as indicated by the pattern.

In about a dozen rows, you will have your very own scarf/neck wrap thing.

I have wizarding neighbors.

HA- I KNEW it!
I’ve suspected it since we moved here, but now I have proof. I have a whole slew of wizarding families living next door. But, since I’m a part time muggle, I can’t see their houses. MY house is number 852. My next door neighbor’s house is number 890. So there are several houses that should be in between us. I can’t see them but I have proof.

You see I found this by chance having to make a run out to the car after dark. Because of the full moon, I caught a glimpse of some sparkly blue in my ivy. I ran back inside & grabbed the camera. I didn’t think about the flash, so the first shot– Well you see.

Then I popped the flash & CAUGHT proof on film. Well, digital media card, but same difference. I tried to get a second shot, but the flash must have sent him(?) scrambling, as I might have blinded it.

If you are a muggle and aren’t sure what I’m so excited about– let me explain. I have photographic proof of a garden gnome. These creatures usually only reside in wizarding yards & gardens. But I think this one has taken up residence in my front yard. I’ve noticed the strange hole in the ivy around the tree, and now I know why. I’ll try to explore it further in daylight.