Harry Potter Has Arrived

No spoilers here.

Doesn't this Horcrux sock look perfect to accompany the new book? My Hogwarts sock swap package has not yet been delivered by owl post yet, but I woke up early this morning to greet impatient garage sale buyers. I was informed yesterday afternoon by DD that she and a friend were holding a garage sale at my house this morning. Of course they both overslept (!!) They eventually arrived and had a somewhat successful day of sales while I did the laundry and read DH.

My book package did arrive at about 10:45 am, stuffed in the mailbox. I think the muggles started their shift early today to avoid being rushed by anxious readers. My friend who lives around the corner was leaving for a party and her daughter was stalking the mailbox because it hadn't arrived before they had to leave. I lent her my copy of the book so she could read it on the way to the party (and probably at the party too). I was already on page 83 when they showed up to snatch my copy. I had to wait another hour and a half before I could walk over to her house and look in the mailbox for a now familiar package. I was a little paranoid that I might be arrested for stealing mail, so I walked up to the front door, rang the doorbell, opened the package, left the empty cardboard by the door, and walked away carrying my book.

Birthday Week

I found this fun meme on Marigold's blog while I was looking at her Hogwarts swap socks. She's making Ravenclaw socks out of Koigu! Maybe they're for me?

1. Go to Wikipedia and enter your birthday without the year:
May 3

2. List 3 events that occurred that day:

• 1960 - The Anne Frank House opened in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. On my way back home after 9 weeks in England I arrived in Amsterdam for my charter flight home with about $40 and no credit cards. I thought I had a place to stay for the weekend, but the people had gone out of town. I had to find a hotel room cheap. I walked for blocks looking for a room. After paying for the room I had enough money to take the canal trip to see Anne Frank's house and a shuttle to the airport, but not much extra. I had a wheel of Jarlsburg cheese that I had bought at Harrod's to take home, and I bought some tomato juice and a book to read. I ate nothing but that cheese for the whole weekend so I could visit the Anne Frank house. It was a powerful experience for me and I recommend it to anyone who visits Amsterdam. I missed the Rijksmuseum with the Rembrandts, Vermeers and Van Goghs to see the house. I have never been able to stomach Jarlsburg cheese from that day to this (over 30 years).
  
• 1916 - Easter Rising leaders are executed in Dublin. There is a wonderful movie about this event available on DVD, but the name escapes me right now.
  
• 1937 - Gone with the Wind, a novel by Margaret Mitchell, wins the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. When I was 15, I was reading this book (not for the first time) in my bed after midnight. I was reading about the Klan attack where Scarlett's husband was killed. My dad came upstairs to see why I was crying. All I could say was "Frank died". He was reassured and left me alone. This is the father who read the encyclopedia when he was growing up because that was all he had to read. One of my favorite books.
  

3. List 2 important birthdays.

• 1919 - Pete Seeger, American singer, composer & peace activist
  
• 1898 - Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel (d. 1978)

4. List 1 death:

1152 - Matilda of Boulogne, Queen of England (b. 1105) Empress of Germany, mother of Henry II, second husband of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and grandmother of Richard the Lionheart and King John.

5. List one holiday or observance:

• World Press Freedom Day. What a great day to commemorate
  

Sunday Seven Times Ten

Seven Things I'm grateful for this week:

1. Cicely Barker and her Flower Fairies
2. Online Libraries
3. Warm hand knitted socks
4. Easter egg dyes
5. Knit Wiki
6. Movies that make me cry happy tears
   
7. EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann)
   

A Knitting Book List Meme

I like it!
This is only a partial list of the thousands of knitting books, how-to's and fiction available. Copy the list to your blog, italicize the ones you’ve read, bold the ones you own, **the ones on your Wish List, change the color to red on the ones not worth the money. Note alongside any one that is very special to you, or that you use most often. Have FUN

1. Dyed in the Wool: A Knitting Mystery by Mary Kruger
2.Knit One, Kill Two (Knitting Mystery) by Maggie Sefton
3 Needled to Death (Knitting Mysteries) by Maggie Sefton
**4. The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
5.The Knitting Circle: A Novel by Ann Hood
6. A Deadly Yarn: A Knitting Mystery by Maggie Sefton
7. Knitting: A Novel by Anne Bartlett
8. The Shop On Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
9. A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
10. Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures by Kay Gardiner
11. Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
12. One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet by Leigh Radford
13. Wendy Knits: My Never-Ending Adventures in Yarn by Wendy D. Johnson
14. At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
15. Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
16. Knitting Vintage Socks: New Twists on Classic Patterns by Nancy Bush
17. One-Skein Wonders by Judith Durant
18. Knit 2 Together: Patterns and Stories for Serious Knitting Fun by Tracey Ullman
19. Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters by Donna Druchunas
20. Knitting Around by Elizabeth Zimmermann A wonderful reminiscence illustrated with EZ's own watercolr sketches and great patterns.
21. Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann
22. Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes by Elizabeth Zimmerman Hilarious and empowering all at the same time. YOU are the boss of your knitting!
23. Knitting from the Top by Barbara G. Walker
24. The Opinionated Knitter by Elizabeth Zimmermann
25. Sweater Workshop by Jacqueline Fee
26. Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann
27. A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker The Bible of Stitch patterns
28. Knitting Beyond the Edge: Cuffs and Collars Necklines Hems Closures - The Essential
Collection of Decorative Finishes by Nicky Epstein
29. Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby
30. Cables Untangled: An Exploration of Cable Knitting by Melissa Leapman
31. Lace Style: Traditional to Innovative, 21 Inspired Designs to Knit by Pam Allen
32. A Gathering of Lace by Meg Swansen
33. Knitting Under the Influence (Paperback) by Claire LaZebnik
34. Not Tonight Darling, I'm Knitting by Betty Hosegood
35. Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature by Norah Gaughan and Thayer Allyson Gowdy Very intriguing ideas and beautiful projects
36. The Knitting Experience: Book 2: The Purl Stitch (Knitting Experience Series) by Sally Melville
37. The Knitting Experience: Book 3: Color (The Knitting Experience) by Sally Melville I love the ideas and projects in this book. I made a cardigan last year using an idea from the linen stitch chapter.
38. The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman
39. The Knitting Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every
Question You'll Ever Ask by Margaret Radcliffe
40. The Knitting Experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch (The Knitting Experience) (Paperback) by Sally Melville I like the clear how to pictures in the book and the different ideas for beginner projects.
41. 440 More Knitting Stitches - Volume 3 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
42. 250 Creative Knitting Stitches - Volume 4 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
43. Knitting Techniques - Volume 1 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
44. 220 Aran Stitches and Patterns - Volume 5 (Harmony Guides) by Harmony Guide Staff
45. Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns by Inc. Sterling Publishing Co.
46. 450 Knitting Stitches - Volume 2 (Harmony Guides)
47. Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas by Melanie Falick and Ericka McConnell
48. Knitting With Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man by Michael Del
49. A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker
50. Charted Knitting Designs: A Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker
**51. A Fourth Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker (I think I already have this in its original title of Sampler Knitting)
52. The Baby Knits Book: The Ultimate Collection of Knitwear Designs for Newborns to 3-Year-
Olds by Debbie Bliss
53. Special Knits for Babies: 22 Gorgeous Handknits for Babies by Debbie Bliss
54. The Yarn Girls' Guide to Kid Knits: Patterns for Babies and Toddlers by Julie Carles
55. Quick Baby Knits: Over 25 Quick and Easy Designs for 0-3 year olds by Debbie Bliss
56. Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss
57. Knitting Color: Design Inspiration from Around the World by Brandon Mably and Kaffe
Fassett
58. Knitting Heaven and Earth: Healing the Heart with Craft by Susan Gordon Lydon
59. Yarnplay by Lisa Shobhana Mason
60. Natural Knits for Babies and Moms: Beautiful Designs Using Organic Yarns (Paperback) by Louisa Harding
61. Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss
62. Itty-Bitty Hats: cute and cuddly caps to knit for babies and toddlers by Susan B. Anderson
63. Knitting for Baby: 30 Heirloom Projects with Complete How-to-Knit Instructions by Melanie
Falick
64. Special Knits for Babies: 22 Gorgeous Handknits for Babies by Debbie Bliss
65. Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle
**66. Folk Socks by Nancy Bush (lots of info for new-to-socks knitters)
67. Folk Vests by Cheryl Oberle
68. Stahmans Shawls and Scarves by Myrna Stahman
69. Fitted Knits by Japel
70. Twinles Big City Knits by Wenlan
71. Big Girl Knits by Jillian Moreno
72. Mary Thomas' Knitting Book by Mary Thomas
73. Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts
74. The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook by Lynne Vogel
75. Andean Folk Knits by Marcia Lewandowski

I don't think any of the books on the list above that I own aren't worth the money. There are a few I own that aren't worth the money but they aren't on the list. It seems to be slanted towards baby knits. I would have added a few more to the list, maybe bring it up to an even 100. Here are some of my favorites, those books in my library (amd some that aren't) that I feel are useful additions to any collection. I'm sure I've left off some great titles, too. It was hard to add just 25.

76. Felted Knits by Bev Galeskas
77. Modular Knits by Iris Schreier
78. Module Magic by Ginger Luters
79. Slip Stitch Knits by Roxana Bartlett
80. Unexpected Knitting by Debbie New
81. Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
**82. More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
83. Socks Socks Socks by Elaine Rowley and XRX Books
84. No Idle Hands, a Social History of Knitting in America by Anne Macdonald
85. Fairisle Knitting by Alice Starmore (OOP)
86. The Art of Fairisle Knitting by Ann Feitelson (OOP?) wonderful on color
87. Designing Knitwear by Deborah Newton (OOP?)
**88. Knits from a Painter's Palette by Maia Landru
**89. Confessions of a Knitting Heretic by Annie Modesitt
**90. Knitting for Anarchists by Anna Zilboorg
**91. A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt
92. Cool Socks, Warm Feet by Lucy Neatby
93. A Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi
94. Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi
95. A 2nd Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi
96. A Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd
97. A Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns by Ann Budd
98. No Pattern Knitting by Pat Ashforth and Steve Plummer
**99. Free Form Knitting by Prudence Mapstone
100. Fabulous Felted Knits by Jane Davis

Meme: 100 Books

Copy this meme to your own blog and edit it to match your reading style. It's kind of fun to see the kind of books everyone likes. A very wide assortment.

Look at the list of (100) books below.
Bold the ones you’ve read.
Italicize the ones you want to read.
Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in.
Movies don’t count.

1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) one of the best
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell) at least 20 times
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien) at least 20 times
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien) at least 20 times
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien) at least 20 times
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery) at least 20 times
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry) -
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien) at least 20 times
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) at least 20 times
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25 . Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis) at least 20 times
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck) several times
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) many times
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy) I've read parts of it.
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice) no thank you
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett) at least 20 times
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith) at least 20 times
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier) over and over again
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)

What, nothing by Rosamund Pilcher? I was surprised I've only read 47 out of the total 100. I read a lot, but I tend to read in groups. If I like one book I will look for the rest of the author's books and read them too. I've read everything Fitzgerald, CS Lewis, Steinbeck & Michener wrote, plus all of the OZ books. (I know I'm forgetting some favorites.) I was also surprised that there's nothing by Hemingway on the list.