The final decision on the thief and location

Well, I remain stumped.

I don't think it's Draco, as I thought we were led to believe the thief was a vampire.

And, as we were led to think that it could be actually in the muggle world, vice HP world, that would leave out any place like the Malfoy Mansion, Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, or Hogwarts (more specifically Room of Requirement).

And, as we need more specific than a country, less specific than a city, I'm thinking you need to know a region, so I'd say somewhere in the UK the mid regions around London? Scotland? That's a region. Great Britain?

I have no idea. But time is drawing near and we have to have some sort of answer, don't we?

So, I'll say, the region of Great Britain because it's not a city.

(Deep down, personally, if it were in the HP world, I'd say it's in the Room of Requirement because all roads out of Diagon Alley and Hogsmead join to Hogwarts in one way or another either beneath the Whomping Willow or through the Room of Requirement or the One-Eyed Witch Passage.)

There, I think I've covered everything and I'm as vague as the clues seem to me!

Winnie's Pilfered Package

Okay, so, SirDancealot and I (that would be Gryphon the Great and I) have sat her pondering and wondering if the letters were all correct.

We quickly got the 9 letter word, but in trying to decipher the remaining letters, we seemed to come up a vowel short.

So, we have decided that perhaps there was a smudge on the first set of letters sent to us from Winnie, and perhaps one of the green letters should have been a U?

That would make the mystery words: Stolen Quidditch World Cup Trophy!

We hope we are correct!

Winnie? Where are you?

I'm going to say, by the clues, that Winnie needed garlic for some reason, and crosses, so she went to Rome. Perhaps Vatican City for the crosses? But Italy for the garlic, most assuredly.

As for after that, maybe she's in Transylvania?

Again with the hidden message of darkened letters. I still haven't figured out that puzzle, but we've been so busy with muggle holiday preparation ... most specifically, Nutcracker, that I have not been able to piece these letter together. Her latest: HPCHWPYIQ . Wonder if we'll find out?

She has also written that she is heading to a place where Christmas began. I can only think of a couple things here, and the quickest to mind is Bethlehem, in Judea, the City of David. For, that is where Christ was born! Now, if we go back further, I cannot recall where the Holy Spirit visited Mary, so if Winnie's going that far back, I don't know as I can answer that question.

At first I thought she was going to the North Pole, what with it being so cold, but again, I'm at a quandary, so everything is a guess!

Again with the letters. This time: IR. Hmmm?

Reducio Sock Swap

My package arrived today from Celestina Pettigrew (aka Sherry Harrison). It is so amazing.

Everything was neatly packaged in this beautiful cardinal tin. I love cardinals. I think they are the prettiest birds. I miss seeing them. I grew up in upstate NY and we had them at the feeders all winter long. So pretty against the white snow!
Inside was some vanilla chai tea, some Harry Potter Blood Pops, Harry Potter trading cards, Reeces lip balm (I don't need to eat chocolate ... great fix, less calories!), a tiny tin of mints, and three wonderfully knitted items. I think my absolute favorite is Molly Weasley's knitting basket! I LOVE it. Is there enough yarn in each skein for a wee pair of socks I wonder? Next she made me a mismatched handmade sweater with my initial on it ... complete with holly decoration! How cool is that??? Lastly, a fantastically knitted Gryffindor sock ... with a gorgeous lace/cable pattern on the side.

Thank you, Celestina/Sherry!

What am I thankful for?

Because Neila has given us this challenge, I am going to try to attempt to complete it ... but sometimes I just don't feel like I'm very original!

I am thankful my Lord and Savior died on the cross to save me.

I am extremely thankful we have a roof over ours head, heat in our home, running water for showers and a bathroom, and a loving husband who is willing to work at a job he doesn't always love in order for me to be able to stay home and educate our four children.

I am thankful for a car that can get us where we need to go.

I am thankful for the children's blessed dance teachers.

I am thankful for small talents given by the Lord which ease my daily stress burdens (knitting, crocheting, reading, photography, etc.)

I am thankful for my online Ravelry friends whom I've never met but who are always there to offer an "ear" and advice ... so many friends I've never met, but I know I can turn to them :)

Miss Wartbobble's Sandy Misfortunes

Methinks Winnie has made it to the Middle East and Africa.

Winnie wrote about a fascinating public library whose architecture rivals that of an open book. She is most likely in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The plans for this building were set into motion in 2006. She also writes of sand (lots and lots of sand) and pyramids, so my guess is that she is also visiting the Giza Plateau just outside Cairo, Egypt.

I am still questioning her odd placement and use of capital letters. This time the letters DOTEOU stand out. I wonder if we are supposed to do something with these letters? How strange?

Happy vacationing, Winnie! We hope you return back to us soon and share more pictures of your travels!

Winnie's World Wanderings

It seems Miss Wartbobble is doing to Central America to celebrate the Day of the Dead ... more specifically, she would be in Mexico for that.

First she visited the capital city of Mexico City, located on dried up Lake Texacoco (or Texcoco depending on which reference you read!).

As for where she landed next, I'm not quite sure. I originally thought perhaps she was in Ocean City, Oregon, but then remembered "northeastern" so I then I thought Ocean City, Maryland. THEN I remembered the first part of her missive said she was heading south, to THAT leaves out North America, so I think I shall have to investigate kite flying in South America.

In that case, she probably went to Chile. I can't be more specific than that, but they celebrate with kites on Independence Day there, which is mid-September, so maybe they are still flying kites in November? Perhaps it's Brazil? They seem to do quite a bit of kite-surfing on the northeastern coast of Brazil!

Lastly she visited another northeastern coastal city, which I haven't yet been able to figure out. Pink library? Multicultural Carnival? I'm thinking Brazilian Carnaval in Brazil. Did you stay at the Pink House in Brazil, Winnie? It didn't say it was a library, but it was listed as an alternative place to stay instead of a hotel!