Sunday, November 24, 2013

Once upon a time, I got the flu.

It just so happens that I am the only one in my family who hasn't gotten a flu shot yet. So of course, I got the flu last week. 
I stuck to my bed for a few days, living off of NyQuil and soup, and started to feel much better.
The last few days I had thought that I was completely over it.

Until last night.

All day yesterday, my throat was a bit itchy. Around bedtime, I started feeling sick again, so I went to bed. This morning, I woke up with no voice, feeling just as sick as ever.

Well, crap.


Friday, November 22, 2013

My Favorite Moments - Book 6

Book 6 is up!


The Other Minister

"It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind...
It was then, as he stood with his back to the room, that he heard a soft cough behind him.
He froze, nose to nose with his own scared-looking refection in the dark glass. He knew that cough. He had heard it before. He turned very slowly to face the empty room.
'Hello?' he said, trying to sound braver than he felt.
For a brief moment he allowed himself the impossible hope that nobody would answer him. However, a voice responded at once, a crisp, decisive voice that sounded as though it were reading a prepared statement. It was coming -- as the Prime Minister had known at the first cough -- from a froglike little man wearing a long silver wig who was depicted in a small, dirty oil painting in the far corner of the room.
'To the Prime Minister of Muggles. Urgent we meet. Kindly respond immediately. Sincerely, Fudge.'
The man in the painting looked inquiringly at the Prime Minister...
'I...oh...very well,' said the Prime Minister weakly. 'Yes, I'll see Fudge.'"
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 1, pages 1-2



This chapter blew my mind back in 2005. Fudge indeed visits the British Prime Minister, brings him up to date on all that's going on in the magical world, and introduces hime to Rufus Scrimgeour, the new Minister of Magic.
I remember reading this and immediately wanting to write a letter to Tony Blair, asking if he'd been visited by any wizards lately. I was thrilled to find out that there are a few select muggles who, for political and safety reasons, are permitted to know of the magical world's existence. That lead me to think about the US Ministry of Magic, and if they are in regular contact with our government; does the Oval Office have a fireplace?



Voldemort's Past

It's impossible to write out a quote from the book, as this encompasses several chapters. If you want to, go read Chapter 10, The Gaunt House, page 194
Chapter 17, A Slugginsh Memory, page 349
Chapter 20, Lord Voldemort's Request, page 423



These chapters follow Harry as he has "special lessons" with Dumbledore, in which they visit Voldemort's past through pensive memories. They meet Voldemort's family and learn of his background, watch him manipulate and frighten others as a youth, and ultimately learn that he has created six Horcruxes.
These chapters were so interesting to me! I was enthralled with Voldemort's past, and what made him who he was. I have gone back and re-read these chapters over and over, and still learn something new every time. 



Ron says Hermione's name in his poison-induced stupor

"'Then the poisoner didn't know Slughorn very well,' said Hermione, speaking for the first time in hours and sounding as though she had a very bad head cold. 'Anyone who knew Slughorn would have known there was a good chance he'd keep something that tasty for himself.'
'Er-my-nee,' croaked Ron unexpectedly from between them."
-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 19, page 402


Be still, my heart! Ron loves her! Up until this point in the books, I always hoped that Ron and Hermione would get together, but this is the moment that I knew it would happen! Swoon!




Book 7 is coming soon!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

3 Queens

A friend of mine posted this video today.
Maybe I'm extra emotional because I'm recovering from the flu, but this made me cry. And not the cute, little, sniffle crying. We're talking hard, ugly, Kim Kardashian crying.
Check it out.


Beautiful. 
I feel like this video perfectly captures what being a mom is about.

Monday, November 18, 2013

My Favorite Moments - Book 5

In case you're just joining me, I am doing a series where I outline my favorite moments from each Harry Potter book. To check out the rest of the series, click here.

The fifth book was really difficult to pick moments from. I think it's my least favorite book (the rest of the books are at a 10, and this one's a 9.9), and it took me several days to pick three. 
You ready?
Here we go!



Harry is cheeky.

"'What were you doing under our window, boy?' 
'Listening to the news,' said Harry in a resigned voice.
His aunt and uncle exchanged looks of outrage.
'Listening to the news! Again?'
'Well, it changes every day, you see,' said Harry."
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 1, page 6


There are several instances throughout the series when Harry is hilariously sarcastic, and I love it. The real wit behind the Chosen One is lost a bit in the movies, but the books are chalk-full of it!  



When Ginny gets Harry out of his crankyness.

"'We wanted to talk to you, Harry,' said Ginny, 'but as you've been hiding ever since we got back--'
'I didn't want anyone to talk to me,' said Harry, who was feeling more and more nettled.
'Well, that was a bit stupid of you,' said Ginny angrily, 'seeing as you don't know anyone but me who's been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels.'
Harry remained quite still as the impact of these words hit him. Then he wheeled around.
'I forgot,' he said.
'Lucky you,' said Ginny cooly.
'I'm sorry,' Harry said, and he meant it."
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 23, page 499-500


Harry, Harry, Harry. He's so angsty. And we get it, really. Last year, he saw Cedric die and fought Voldemort, and now half the world thinks he is either insane or a liar. One of his teachers is literally torturing children as punishment (Die, Umbridge!), and now he thinks Voldemort may be possessing him. On top of all this, he's 15.
But after a while, it gets a bit frustrating. And so far, everyone has been walking on eggshells, especially when he gets all angry. Ginny, however, is not. She tells him how stupid he's being, and it's exactly what he needs to hear. She goes on to tell him that he is not being possessed, and he snaps out of it a bit. 
Ginny knows what Harry needs. They are perfect for each other.



The Twins' Exit.

"'STOP THEM!' shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late. As the Inquisitorial Squad closed in, Fred and George kicked off from the floor, shooting fifteen feet into the air, the iron peg swinging dangerously below. Fred looked across the hall at the poltergeist bobbing on his level above the crowd.
'Give her hell from us, Peeves.'
And Peeves, whom Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about to tumultuous applause from the students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset."
-Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, CHapter 29, page 675


Fred and George are easily my favorite characters. 
This moment is wonderful. The amount of hatred I have towards Umbridge is astronomical, and the twins totally make her crazy. They set of fireworks in the school, sell their products in the halls, make a whole floor into a swamp,  and now, just when she is about to resort to corporal punishment, they Accio their brooms, and speed off. And the best part, is that Peeves actually does give her hell. He goes nuts, even more so than usual, making messes, playing pranks, even following Umbridge around for hours and blowing raspberries every time she speaks. Ha! 
This is the real beginning to Umbridge's downfall.




Stay tuned for Book 6!


A conversation

We spent the afternoon at my sister's house yesterday. The girls had a blast with their cousins, and didn't want to leave. This is the conversation I had with Portia on the way home.

Portia: I wanted to sleep at Dahlia's house.
Me: I know, Sweety, maybe next time we can have a sleepover. But we gotta go home so Daddy can go to work tomorrow. He has to go home and get his work clothes.
Portia: But Dahlia's house has a pool.


Can't argue with that logic.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Fashion for Fashion Friday - Holiday Love

The holidays are almost upon us! Are you excited? Are you ready?
Are you wanting to see some of my fave holiday looks?
Well want no more!


JCrew Side-button Sweater



JCrew Minnie Medallion print pant



Boden Jewelled Georgette Dress



Boden Luxurious Lace Dress


Swoon!



Lena B, Actually


Autumn Leaves

I'm taking a break from my Harry Potter Moments series for a few days, but don't worry, I will be back with Book 5 soon! 

In the meantime, I present to you pure joy, personified in photos:


Hope you're having as much fun as we are!