I’ll have a second Order of Phoenix, please.

Information about the upcoming release of the 5th Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix has been slowing emerging through the internet. The Movie Informer has posted the reported front and back cover of the 2 disc DVD collection. The cover art has not been confirmed by Warner Brothers, so [...]

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Continue reading → I’ll have a second Order of Phoenix, please.

Jazz hands and Magic Wands…

Make way on the big white way (eventually) for Harry Potter: The Musical. The Sunday Mirror on line reports that London casting agents have been told to to be on the look out for young actors who might star in a musical version of the popular books. Producers, reportedly, hope to bring the musical [...]

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Continue reading → Jazz hands and Magic Wands…

I knew moving to a quaint village would pay off…

Lacock Abbey (and its surroundings) has been a favorite filming location for the producers of the Harry Potter movies, and the latest, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is no exception.
The Wiltshire Times reports that the production folks have met with the (ie 40) villagers and they’ve agreed to give up their [...]

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  • Halloween We had some really cute costumes here. Even at lunch the wait staff was dressed up, from pirates to speak easy. It made it fun to eat out. At night, the little boys especially were adorable. One little fellow said he was Jack Sparrow. He was just the cutest thing.......

Continue reading → I knew moving to a quaint village would pay off…

Take the Last Train to Hogwarts…

That is, the Hogwarts Express…
Our Hogwarts Express train cake was a big hit. The cake was made with the Williams Sonoma train cake pan and decorated and just about every black, red and yellow candy in Hogsmead!

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Continue reading → Take the Last Train to Hogwarts…

It was a dark and stormy night…

okay, maybe not stormy, but…
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POST (as will other “read along” posts) CONTAINS DETAILED INFORMATION (ie spoilers) REGARDING Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!!
Chapter 1 - The Dark Lord Ascending
Book 7 opens darkly. It’s night and 2 figures appear from the shadows. It’s Snape and Yaxley. As they walk [...]

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  • Review of HP I loved this review from Times Online Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows By J.K. Rowling Reviewed by Alice Fordham Death and vengeance hang over this book from the outset. Readers know that this is the last episode and that resolution will come only with heavy losses, besides which Rowling......
  • College Girl's Harry Potter predictions These are CG's predictions. They've morphed over time. What are yours? I'd like to think Snape is not evil. Grown son thought, at one point, Snape wants to take over from Voldemort. I'd like to think that Sirius and Dumbledore show up for the final show down. JKR better not......

Continue reading → It was a dark and stormy night…

Que Pasa?

Kelly, over on Tiny Treasury is reporting on efforts to ban Harry Potter books in Georgia (USA).
Generally, the people I know are big fans of the Potter series - and even those who have not read the books, at the very least, commend the revitalization of “chldren’s reading” that the series has inspired.
As K

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Never fear…it’s Butterbeer!

The muggles have replaced my computer and assure me that this one will not crash every time I touch it (we’ll see about that!).
We’ll be posting much more soon… but in the meantime - take a gander at the butterbeer coolers - yum!

Continue reading → Never fear…it’s Butterbeer!

But first, a quick pop quiz…

CBBC has prepared a series of quizzes related to the content of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
The first quiz focuses on the first five chapters of the book (coincidence? I think not).
As they warn on the site - there are spoilers amongst the questions - so if you haven’t completed your reading…

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Continue reading → But first, a quick pop quiz…

I Remembrall

and I haven’t forgotten about our Harry Potter read-a-long! Computer woes have kept me away from the Herald lately - but never fear - all should be righted soon.
In the meantime - let’s go ahead and read the next two chapters of The Deathly Hallows: “The Seven Potters” and “Fallen Warrior”.
Also, be sure [...]

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Continue reading → I Remembrall

The in-between time…

Warning - this post comments/speculates on happenings near the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
So, J.K. Rowling has offered some ideas as to what happens to Harry and his friends during the 1 - 18 years later in an online chat with fans - she suggests the unions and occupations of some of [...]

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  • Review of HP I loved this review from Times Online Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows By J.K. Rowling Reviewed by Alice Fordham Death and vengeance hang over this book from the outset. Readers know that this is the last episode and that resolution will come only with heavy losses, besides which Rowling......

Continue reading → The in-between time…

A ward of the Schmooze

Lawmummy has awarded us with the above accolade.
Thanks Lawmummy!
Protocol directs that we pass along the award to five other bloggers who comment, read and schmooze with the best of them…
As I’m really dreadful at this whole “tagging” thing - I will, once again, direct my presentation to the Academy, Hogwarts Academy, that is.
Five habitants (even [...]

Continue reading → A ward of the Schmooze

Deathly Hallows Read-a-long

Yea! We’re going to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows together!
This weekend’s task is to read (who am I kidding? reread) Chapters 1-3.
The Dark Lord Ascending;
In Memoriam; and,
The Dursley’s Departing.
Let’s consider how the book opens in connection to Book 6 - what is happening and what has happened since Harry left Hogwarts?
These first [...]

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  • Review of HP I loved this review from Times Online Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows By J.K. Rowling Reviewed by Alice Fordham Death and vengeance hang over this book from the outset. Readers know that this is the last episode and that resolution will come only with heavy losses, besides which Rowling......

Continue reading → Deathly Hallows Read-a-long

And there’s more????

Going through the stages of mourning over the completion of the Harry Potter Series? Where are you now? Anger? Denial? Well - there may be a light at the end of the corridor…
The Today Show reports that JK Rowling is planning a “Harry Potter Encyclopedia” (minor spoiler warning - clicking on [...]

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  • Halloween We had some really cute costumes here. Even at lunch the wait staff was dressed up, from pirates to speak easy. It made it fun to eat out. At night, the little boys especially were adorable. One little fellow said he was Jack Sparrow. He was just the cutest thing.......
  • Review: Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer I'm devoting four posts to the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer. Consider them the unofficial guide to Twilight. When I first heard about this new teenage vampire romance I was skeptical. This is probably because my favorite vampire/human duos from other fandoms do not work out. For instance, Angel left......

Continue reading → And there’s more????

Your Hallowed Opinion

Tiny Treasury has posted an open thread for readers to post their opinions and thoughts on HPatDH.

Continue reading → Your Hallowed Opinion

The Deathly Hallows - was it what you expected?

The seventh and final Harry Potter Book was released this past weekend. My copy arrived Saturday morning (before 10am - I was impressed) - I read a little during the day (under 50 pages) and then really settled in for a “read” around 5pm - well, next thing I knew it was 5am and [...]

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  • Harry Potter spoilers here in comment section, not in main post For those of us who would like to discuss the book without spoiling it for those who haven't read it, use the comment section to this post. It can only be read by clicking on the comments, so if you haven't read the book, come back to this section later!......
  • Halloween We had some really cute costumes here. Even at lunch the wait staff was dressed up, from pirates to speak easy. It made it fun to eat out. At night, the little boys especially were adorable. One little fellow said he was Jack Sparrow. He was just the cutest thing.......

Continue reading → The Deathly Hallows - was it what you expected?

Saturday won’t be the end of Harry’s marketability…

CNN Money has an article reviewing Harry Potter as a franchise. The business community is confident, that regardless of the outcome in the final book, that Harry Potter books and merchandise with still sell.

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Continue reading → Saturday won’t be the end of Harry’s marketability…

To love, honor and read?

One couple is taking their love of Harry Potter books to a new level - by attending the book release at their local bookstore after they say “I do”.
As reported on Yahoo!, the Oregon couple will hold their wedding ceremony (and reception) on Friday evening (I wonder if their wedding planner has checked out ourmenu?) [...]

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  • Review: Beauty and the Beast by Hannah Howell Beauty and the Beast by Hannah Howell is not a spectacular read. It is however a pretty solid read. I found several segments to be unnecessary and jumpy and predictable in others. This Highlander romance contains all the elements of the sub-genre including bride stealing, thwarted love, revenge plotting, and......
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Continue reading → To love, honor and read?

Let me repeat

our policy on Spoilers -
WE WILL NOT POST SPOILERS regarding the final Harry Potter book, nor will we tolerate comments that post spoilers.
If you have some sort of defect and can not comprehend this and post any sort of spoiler before 12am July 21st - then your comment will be deleted.

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Continue reading → Let me repeat

They’re after you, Harry…

Let the wackiness begin!
The spoilers are beginning to be posted on the internet. A site originating in California had posted photographs of the entire Deathly Hallows book (my goodness that must have taken some time) - It would appear that Scholastic has secured an injunction (or such) as (according to Mugglenet.com) the content has [...]

Continue reading → They’re after you, Harry…

What’s your plan of attack?

How, and where, will you read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?
WIll you read it, leisurely, at your own pace, over time, ignoring or embracing any clues or spoilers around you?
Will you lock yourself in your house/room/apartment for the weekend (you have asked to take off Monday, right?), and read right through - breaking only [...]

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Continue reading → What’s your plan of attack?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Theories abound - Revisted

We’ve been getting a lot of responses on a topic that was posted back in December. click here to read the original post - and below is the text of the last few comments…

Emil Says:
July 1st, 2007 at 3:59 pm e
We now for a fact that 2 characters will die, i think that one [...]

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  • College Girl's Harry Potter predictions These are CG's predictions. They've morphed over time. What are yours? I'd like to think Snape is not evil. Grown son thought, at one point, Snape wants to take over from Voldemort. I'd like to think that Sirius and Dumbledore show up for the final show down. JKR better not......

Continue reading → Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Theories abound - Revisted

Are you a seer?

If you (think you) are - check out the “Deathy Hallow Madness” quiz at Mugglenet.com - they’ve put together a series of 65 questions/predictions for the plot of HPatDH - participants are asked to choose what they think will happen in each situation - And there are prizes! Which is always a good thing. [...]

Continue reading → Are you a seer?

Your time is running out…

As July 21st is like, ONE WEEK AWAY (or so) - the chances to pre-order Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows so to receive it on the release date are dwindling…
According to Barnes and Noble , you have until July 16th to order to guarantee delivery.
At Amazon the deadline is July 17th at noon.
Many stores [...]

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  • Halloween We had some really cute costumes here. Even at lunch the wait staff was dressed up, from pirates to speak easy. It made it fun to eat out. At night, the little boys especially were adorable. One little fellow said he was Jack Sparrow. He was just the cutest thing.......
  • Breaking Dawn, Midnight Release Parties Friday night of last week, fans of the teenage vampire romance by Stephenie Meyer gathered at bookstores for the release of Breaking Dawn, the fourth installment of the Twilight Saga. They were dressed as characters in the books, as vampires in general and in particular as Edward and Bella. Several......

Continue reading → Your time is running out…

Soundtrack available on iTunes

The Soundtrack of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” with the movie music created by Nicholas Hooper, is now available for download on iTunes.

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Continue reading → Soundtrack available on iTunes

I’ll have… an Order of the Phoenix, please.

***WARNING - may contain spoilers***
So, it’s officially out! The fifth movie in the Harry Potter series, “Order of the Phoenix,” officially opens today - The first public screening started at 12 midnight -
It was an extremely difficult task to slice down the text of Book 5 - a book with so much (girth) [...]

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Continue reading → I’ll have… an Order of the Phoenix, please.

What should happen to Harry?

Over on Tiny Treasury’s War of Words Wednesday, Kelly’s posted a question as to what JK Rowling should do in the future - Should she abandon the 7 book “promise” and continue to write about Harry Potter? or should she move on to another project?
Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

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Continue reading → What should happen to Harry?

But what are they?

Scholastic.com has posted it’s final Book 7 question:
“What are the Deathly Hallows?”
and the following answer choices…
“We’ll find out right away”
“We’ll find out in the middle”
“We’ll find out at the end”
Well, that doesn’t really shed any light on what exactly the Deathly Hallows are - it’s more of an idea as to what part of the [...]

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Continue reading → But what are they?

Less than 2 days

Until the premiere of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” - It’s very exciting!
Time to jump on the…

Yet another piece of scenery for our Harry Potter Party!

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Continue reading → Less than 2 days

Potter Meme

Taking a break from the Potter Party Planning (yes, I know it’s just 2 weeks away) - I thought I’d participate in a meme that’s actually about Harry Potter…
1. Butterbeer or pumpkin juice? Butterbeer -
2. What House would you most likely (or want to) be in in Hogwarts? Well, I’d obviously like to [...]

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Tiny Coverage

Over at Tiny Treasury, Kelly has posted some of the cover art for the US edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

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What’s brewing in the Hogwarts Kitchen?

Things are really coming together for the party - less than a week to the movie (woo woo!) and just about 2 weeks until the book release! A couple more recipes to plan…
Here’s a nice summery salad/snack - again, we’ve been inspired by Molly Weasley - this time it’s Cauliflower…
Cauliflower Salad
1 head cauliflower - [...]

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Continue reading → What’s brewing in the Hogwarts Kitchen?

Decorations abound

Here’s a picture of the Hogwarts Sign we made for the party - it’s a loose reproduction of the Coat of Arms depicted in the Harry Potter Movies.
I know that the Badger looks more like a dog - but that’s kinda the way the crest looks.
Planning is in full swing - We’ve decided to make [...]

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Continue reading → Decorations abound

Mischief Managed

My how the time flies. We been working on decorations for the party (pictures soon!) - including a Hogwarts sign, Track 9 3/4 (complete with stone wall “entry way”), the entrance to Diagon Alley and much more.
We made a Professor McGonagel hat (complete with feather and tartan trim) in addition to the Dumbledore [...]

Continue reading → Mischief Managed

Dumbledore lives!

Despite what J.K. Rowling says about the fate of dear Professor Dumbledore - there has been a Dumbledore sighting, strangely enough, in the United States. Perhaps he’s taking some down time to explore new places…
Or at least he’s inspiring crafting. I made the Dumbledore hat for the costume. It’s a simple felted [...]

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  • College Girl's Harry Potter predictions These are CG's predictions. They've morphed over time. What are yours? I'd like to think Snape is not evil. Grown son thought, at one point, Snape wants to take over from Voldemort. I'd like to think that Sirius and Dumbledore show up for the final show down. JKR better not......

Continue reading → Dumbledore lives!