Harry Potter Nook

 When my kids were young, they used to enter the magical world of Harry Potter by reading all the books and watching all the movies.  They joined the three wizarding friends up until they were older, but they especially enjoyed the trio who shared such a bond with each other in their younger days.

Nel recently worked on a project in her home - a Harry Potter nook for Mia.  She had wanted to do this little "home improvement" project since they moved in last year and she discovered the closet under the stairs.  This little space sparked her imagination.  She thought it was the perfect time to build a Gryffindor common room.  It was used by the previous owner as an ordinary storage closet, so there was a lot of work to do.  She started by ripping out the original carpet and installing black and white carpet tiles to make the floor look like the chess board from the first Harry Potter book, the Scorcerer's Stone.  She bought a wizard chess set to complete the look and added a couple more Harry Potter themed games. She hung battery powered floating candles from the ceiling and stuffed a red velvet chair with a gold plush blanket into the corner.  And finally, she stacked a few Harry Potter books next to two house mugs in a vintage suitcase for the reading nook.  Mia was so excited to see it, and her and Francesca  will have many fun times sharing this space in the years to come.  Here are some pictures of the work in progress until the project was finished.

Nel and Jess ringing in the new year.

My Christmas stuff is put away, and I kept a few white things out with a pop of blue for the new year.  I got this glass bowl for Christmas, and I think it's so neat.

My son made a big pot of jambalaya for the new year with sausage, shrimp, and rice, and I think it was his best batch yet.

Had to fill out some paperwork, and it was the kind that asks questions from 20 years ago, really?  I try to live in the moment, and dates are hard to remember if I don't write them down.  Most of the time I do, but sometimes we forget or they get tossed out.  After, I went for a ride to clear my head and see the views in town, but I stopped first to get some teriyaki wings at the deli.  They just made them.

I will always love this tree carved with a face on it.

I saw a family of deer on the edge of the highway, and another one laying on the side of the road.  It breaks my heart when they get hit, as I have become quite close to this special animal up here.

I hope the new year is being good to you so far.  Have a wonderful week.

~Sheri

It's a Magical World

Jess and I discovered the magic of Harry Potter through our little brother, who picked up the first book in elementary school and introduced us to a wondrous world we would come to love. 

Over the years, we followed Ron, Hermione, and Harry, watching as they grew from awed first years entering the Great Hall at Hogwarts to an inseparable wizard trio, who through love and loyalty managed to overcome even the greatest of odds. 

Each summer when the new book came out, we would be among the first in line to pick up a copy at our local book store. We couldn't put it down until we had flipped the very last page and seen Harry safely through his latest journey. 

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

~ Albus Dumbledore ~

The books were spell-binding, and we found the movies to be nearly as spectacular. We had been eagerly awaiting the release of Part II of The Deathly Hallows, the final magical chapter in Harry's extraordinary story. Since this Sunday was our brother's 20th birthday, we decided it would be the perfect time to buy our tickets for the last part of a journey we began together almost 10 years ago. 

There's nothing quite like the experience of going to the theater. 

There's something magical about the moment when the lights go down and the music begins, and you settle back in your chair ready to be transported into a world of imagination.

The movie was everything we knew it would be and more! And the best part of it was being able to share the experience together.

We're not sure whether there will ever be another series quite like J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, but we feel grateful for all the many magical moments she has given us over the years.       

"'Tell me one last thing,' said Harry. 'Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?'

Dumbledore beamed at him...

'Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?'"

~ Harry Potter ~

Here's to celebrating imagination!

After Christmas Goodies

Did you have a nice Christmas?  Mine was wonderful.  I don't mind saying that I love when my children spoil me at Christmas.  So many creative and special gifts I received.  Here are a few of them.

Jess always seems to give me a nostalgic gift or two, and a dear feeling came over me when I opened this box of Aplets and Cotlets.  My dad used to love these, and it made me think about him for a moment or so.

She also got her brother some apple butter, which my parents used to love too.  My son made some toast Christmas morning with apple butter and it was so good, tasted like home made.

One of my favorite gifts was from Brian - a box of See's, and it was even more special this year, as it came with a little story about celebrating their 100 years.  In 1921, Mary See and her son Charles opened a small shop in Los Angeles, and people have been loving her delicious candy ever since.

I have been wanting the Mary Engelbreit calendars for a couple years now, but they were all out when I went to the book stores, but Jess managed to find one this year for me, yaaaay.  Her calendars make me happy when I flip through the colorful weekly pages.

My children know I love plaids, and Nel got me some jeans with a plaid flannel shirt from Jess, and my son bought me this lovely plaid throw that's so warm and comfy.  The colors look like Fall.  I can't wait to snuggle in it.

Nel always seems to find pretty frames when she gives me photos of Mia, and Jess made this cute sled photo ornament of Francesca.

I saw this red rose jewelry box that I thought was beautiful, and Nel surprised me with it on Christmas.

My kids have always loved the Harry Potter books and movies growing up.  I'd like you to meet Felix Felicis, Mia's new furry friend strait from the North Pole!  He's named after the Harry Potter potion for good luck.

And speaking of Harry Potter, I wanted to show you this cool and creative Harry Potter nook that Jess made under the stairs in her home.  It is a perfect place for children to read, and just spend time here with their imagination.

Have a magical week leading up to the new year.

~Sheri

Discovering the Magic

I was in Orlando a couple weeks ago for a professional conference, but we all know where "all work and no play" leads...

So I worked up a little magic and found myself transported to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Me, Jess, and our brother grew up with these books. See our 2011 post here for the full story. 

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to check out J.K. Rowling's magical world come to life. Of course, I brought my favorite furry travel buddy along for the ride. 

Through the cobblestone streets and old English alleyways, I was spellbound by every turn around every corner. 

I think this might be my favorite theme park experience yet, and guess what? A new park is opening up right in my own Southern California neighborhood next month!

You can be sure my sister, brother, and I will be first in line for tickets. 

Are you a Harry Potter fan? If you haven't yet discovered the magic, I do hope you will. 

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, 

our most inexhaustible source of magic." 

(Prof. Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

~ Nel ~

Teachers Can Dress Up Too

Jess joined in on the fun with her elementary students by dressing up for Halloween.  Can you guess who she was?

My kids have always loved Harry Potter.  They have all their movies and books!  They often watch the old episodes together and experience the magic of the movie.  Did you guess what Jess dressed up as?.....Hermoine Granger (Harry Potter's best friend).

It just goes to show

that even 

grown ups like to dress

up too. ; )

 

 

~Sheri 

Showered with Magic

My sweet colleagues at the university decided to throw me a baby shower last week, and I have to tell you, it was pretty magical. 

It was Harry Potter themed! 

The Harry Potter books are a treasured favorite. You can read about how me and Jess came to love Rowling's world of wizardry here. The theme of the shower was a total surprise, but it just goes to show how well my coworkers have come to know me!

Don't you just love these golden chocolate snitches...

The Ollivander pretzel wands...

And the polyjuice potion punch...?

My husband was able to join us for the party on his lunch break. We were so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of everyone who came out to help us celebrate.

And I think we've decided on a school for the little one... ( ;

~Nel