Dearest Witch:

 

I'm putting my SW thread answers (so far) here for your benefit. Also, I'll be updating my questionnaire with more helpful info. Or at least I'll try to.

 

Are you interested in things like home remedies for ailments, cleaning solutions, etc.?

Yes. I prefer using all-natural, non-toxic, bio-friendly products for just about everything, if possible.

 

If you do any kind of craft, could you use supplies? What kind? knitting needles, yarn, amazing fabric, pinking shears, cool thimbles or pincushins, jewelery making supplies, beads, etc.?

I'm so non-crafty! No supplies needed...unless you want to send me pipettes for decanting BPAL!

 

What's your favorite pain-relief remedy or ritual?

Depends what it is. For medical reasons, I have a really hard swallowing pills, so Advil and Tylenol are usually out (unless they're in liquid form). I find a hot bath, sleep, and a heating pad along with exercise/stretching/yoga for body aches/pains will work on most things.

 

Do sounds make you happy? What ambient noises make you smile?

Windchimes and the sound of rolling waves -- my favorite two sounds in the world. Even better when they're together. Also the sound of my puppies as they ran down the hallway. It sounds like a herd of wild Shih Tzu elephants, but their happy noises make me soooo happy!

 

When you receive your SW packages...do you like receiving things that are individually wrapped inside? or unwrapped? or both?

I kind of prefer when people use less wrapping products -- it's better for the environment.

 

Of course, we're all going to be grateful no matter what our witches give us, but for the record, what is your anti-present? Tell us something that you think your future witch might give you that you absolutely, unequivocally DO. NOT. WANT.

I really don't want tea. I have so much tea that people gift me, and I don't drink most of it because I'm really extra-super picky about my tea. Please don't send me tea. Or socks -- I don't want socks. Also, I don't want anything with caramel in it. Caramel is soooo grossss!!!

 

What BPAL scent have you never tried but always wanted to? What scent have you tried and LOVED, and haven't been able to get more of and why?

See my wishlist. The ones with asterisks (*) are the ones I haven't tried and desperately want to because they're impossible to find! The one I loved and can't find more of beyond the few drops I got is Three Jacks. I love it so much.

 

I know we're all scent sensitive here. What are your favorite non-perfume smells? Day in the life stuff?

Restaurant smells -- when you walk by a restaurant and want to walk in because the smell coming out of it is so yummy. Also, there's a store here in town that always burns incense, and when I walk by it, it smells awesome. I love the smell of a snowy winter morning and I love the smell of the ocean, particularly in the morning or late at night. The scent of my freshly-bathed dogs. I love kissing their little clean and powder-fresh furry faces!

 

Coffee drinkers, what types of beans to you like? Kona, Sumatra, Kenya..etc. How do you like them roasted? Do you like flavors, such as hazelnut, vanilla, etc. in your coffee?

I am not picky about the type of bean. I prefer light-roast coffee. However, I don't have a coffee maker at home, so I don't want to receive coffee unless it's a Starbucks GC.

 

Who has a birthday falling in this round?

Not me!

 

For those of us who like chocolate, do you like anything /in/ your chocolate, like fruit, nuts, or for the more daring among us, chilies?

I like cherries, chilis, and orange/orange peel in my chocolate. I really like unique chocolates with things like beets, bacon, and saffron in the chocolate. I only eat dark chocolate, and the more exotic, the better. Vosges is an excellent brand of chocolate.

 

Are there any childhood shows/movies/games/books/etc. that still hold a really special place in your heart?

Books I'd love to read again: Beat the Turtle Drum, The Gammage Cup, Those Miller Girls, the entire Little House on the Prairie series

Books I have read again: A Diamond in the Window, How the Red Fern Grows, The Bridge to Terabithia

Movies from childhood that I love: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz

 

Super power?

My first answer was that I want to be invisible. But really, I've been thinking about it and I want to be immortal. It drives me crazy that I won't get to see what the world's like in 100 years, 200 years, etc. I really want to stick around forever.

 

If I send you whole spices or coffee beans, would you be able to grind them or would you prefer them preground for your convenience?

Pre-ground spices. Please don't send coffee.

 

For the tea and coffee drinkers: Opinion on tea- and/or coffee-related accessories/etc? (Teaware, sugar crystals, infusers, tea chests, etc)

Accessories sound like fun! Yes, please! Especially things like artisan rock sugars and honey sticks (I really want to try blackberry honey sticks, lavender-infused honey sticks, and other flavors of honey sticks. Mmmm!)

 

How do you take your coffee (or tea)? Black or with cream and/or sugar?

I like my coffee like I like my men: white, sweet, and creamy. Ha ha ha ha ha!

 

Restaurants you'd like a gift certificate to on Restaurant.com?

Bonefish Grill, Mimi's Cafe, P.F. Changs, Pei Wei

 

In your perfect world it is chocolate and...?

In my perfect world, it's vanilla. It's chocolate only if there's no vanilla.

 

How do you scent your home: tarts, reed diffusers, BPAL, candles?

Yes, all of the above. Nene's Kitchen Melts are the wax tarts I prefer. They're amazing! I love WoodWicks candles. I have yet to find a reed diffuser that works really well.

 

What's your favorite dessert treat? Ice cream? Cake? Pie? Fudge brownie cake with pie flavored ice cream on top?

Cake. White cake with white frosting. LOTS of white frosting. I don't eat chocolate cake and I rarely eat brownies or fudge. Too chocolatey.

 

Do you believe we control our destiny, or does our destiny control us?

Both.

 

What one thing that is missing from your life would you like to have above all else?

Skinniness

 

What was your favouritest job ever, and why?

The job where I've been working for the past 8 years. I love it because the work stays interesting, I'm continually challenged, I am respected, I have responsibility, I have a great boss, my coworkers are fun/intelligent/competent/capable and we're all friends, we've got a fully stocked kitchen for breakfast and lunch daily, and in highly profitable years they take us on fun trips to Mexico. What isn't there to love?

 

Which three albums would you take to your apocalypse bolt hole and how would you power the generator?

Three albums: Hounds of Love by Kate Bush, Finally Woken by Jem, Us by Peter Gabriel (if I could take four, I'd bring The Joshua Tree by U2)

Powering the generator: I'd rely on my husband to do it

 

What GC scent have you been putting off getting since it'll "always be there"?

New Orleans

 

Any cooks? Could you use anything cooking related? Aprons? Cookbooks? Measuring Cups? Recipes? Herb/Spice containers? Fancy Spices? Dish Towels? Cocktail napkins? Amazing Beaded Pot Holders? (like from our very own Pottersville! ) Something else?

I can always use the cookbooks I have on my amazon wishlist. I love holiday-themed dish towels and kitchen decorations. I love fancy spices!

 

Are you an avid reader? What's your favorite book/series?

Yes. I'm reading all the time. I generally read about 2-3 books a week. I'm currently reading the Ender series by Scott Orson Card and loving it. Most recently, I read the Sookie Stackhouse books and loved them. I also am enjoying the Women of the Otherworld series. I love quality literature, but I also love trash fiction. I'm not snobby about literature. I have nothing to prove to anyone.

 

What's your favorite candy to stock up on at Halloween?

Runts.

 

What are your phobias?

Oh, I have so many! I won't swim water where I can't see the bottom in case of shark or pirahna attack. Yes, seriously. I hate driving through tunnels or over bridges. I can't stand getting stuck in traffic beneath a bridge. I'm claustrophobic, especially in broken elevators and mazes of any kind.

 

What is your favourite flower (or plant)?

I love all pretty flowers, but I'm particularly fond of the bleeding heart.

 

Duct tape purses and wallets and things are pretty darned cool. Who else thinks so?

I think they're very cool, but I don't want any.

 

An anonymous benefactor gives you $500 (or an equivalent amount of money in your currency of choice) with the following stipulations. You must spend all of it within a week: any money left unspent must be returned. You must spend at least half of the money on yourself. You may not use it to pay off debts or bills of any kind. What do you do with the money?

I buy a nice, fancy new purse and shoes. If there's any leftover, I'll go to lunch when I'm done shopping. Then I'll buy my dogs a new toy or two.

 

Who likes coloring books?

Not me

 

Do you have a Good Reads profile? If so, make with the link! If you don't have one, go make one!

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1349972

 

You're in the kitchen at the end of a pay period and groceries are pretty scarce. Do you take the five ingredients you find first and make something fabulous, or do you order take out?

Well, that's not been a problem in years. back when I was in college, I'd eat whatever I had and make something not-so-fabulous. Now, I'd just order delivery and put it on the credit card.

 

If you could decorate/redecorate any 1 room in your home, what would it be and how would you decorate it?

My basement family room. I don't know what I'd do, which is why we haven't done much. Now, if I could remodel any room, it would be our kitchen/dining room area because it's such a small area and we'd like to make it more functional.

 

Any rabid sports fans out there? What teams do you root for?

I'm a rabid fan of the Puppy Bowl!

 

What's your favorite animal? (You can have more than one.)

PUPPIES! KITTIES!!!

 

This is how the world ends... zombie apocalypse, robot uprising, alien invasion, return of the elder gods... which doomsday scenario do you prefer (or make your own!)?

Alien invasion, of course. Or maybe some horrible disease. Or a giant meteor. I'm a huge fan of cheezy disaster movies (especially the cheeziest made-for-t.v. disaster movies), and kind of would love to see ALL of them happen at once: massive earthquakes, meteor destruction, supervolcano explosions, instant ice-age, and bugs that eat everything.

 

In the year 2525... if man is still alive... what sort of future do you imagine? (apologies to anyone who gets that song stuck in their head!)

Let's see... I'll be 55, and life will be good because I will have FINALLY paid off my student loans!

 

Do you believe in magic (or magick, if you prefer)? What does it mean to you?

I can't really answer this without a long essay, but yes, it's very important to me.

 

If you found the puzzle box from Hellraiser, what would you do with it? ( and would you be able to resist playing with it? )

I have no idea what this means.

 

Do you like pinup art/images?

No. Definitely not.

 

What are your plans for Halloween? Have you made any yet? Do you have any traditions?

Was hoping to go to New Orleans to visit friends and party on Halloween (and go to the Anne Rice Vampire Ball!), but lack of vacation funds is keeping us home. I don't think we'll do much -- decorate the house, dress up, hand out candy.

 

Who are your BPAL forum buddies? You know, people I could conspire with to Witch you!

alicia_stardust, moonminx, schackjj, honeycat, filigree_shadow, karen

 

What is your favorite color?

I don't really discriminate. I love all colors. Currently, I'm a little partial to red -- dark, brick red. For clothing, I lean toward primary colors. For decorating, I like muted colors, neutrals and earthtones with a splash of red.

 

Any other steampunk fans/lovers?

I'm so sick of steampunk

 

Describe your ideal picnic lunch. Where would you go? Who (if anyone, and yes there can be multiple people) would accompany you? What sort of food would you take? And, of course, if a picnic lunch sounds like a horrible idea, feel free to say so!

I'd go to Chataqua Park in Boulder and bring my husband and dogs. Knowing us, we'd talk in advance of preparing a fun homemade picnic lunch, but in the end, we'd probably just drive through KFC and bring it with us.

 

Any Gamers here? What kind? Board games? RPG? Miniature? MMORPG?

I'm not remotely a gamer and have no interest in becoming one.

 

Is anyone playing this round of SW into ABJ? (asian ball jointed dolls)

I have no idea what this is and don't want to know.

 

What is your favorite Halloween icon?

I don't have a favorite icon unless you're talking about avatar-icons, in which case, it's my batty bat! Oh, and two-headed babies.

 

Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. Which items do you choose?I'd fill it up with photos. My family, friends, dogs, places I've traveled, etc. pretty much reveal who I am.

 

Are you involved in any long-term, ambitious project? something like decorating your house or saving for a trip to the other end of the world, for example.

Saving money for a trip for my 40th birthday next year.

 

Favorite kind or take out kinda burger? Whats your burger preference? Veggie,meat or ????

In-N-Out! If there's not an In-N-Out around, then Smashburger. Otherwise, I don't really eat burgers.

 

Whats your favorite childhood toy?

Whatever I could find in the fields outside -- sticks, ladybugs, tadpoles, crickets. Or books. I tended to spend a lot of time reading books. And making mud pies.

 

If you have a pet, what kind of gifts would be good for them?

Beggin' Strips, Pupperoni, any sort of dog cookie, and fluffy, plush squeaky toys or rope toys for small/medium-sized dogs.

 

Do you Tweet? What is your Twitter name?

n/a

 

Are you on Ravelry? What is your Ravelry name?

n/a

 

What are everyone's favorite Halloween-y/Autumn-y/spooky movies?

Honestly, I have no idea. Most spooky movies are pretty hokey. There aren't many I've found that are actually scary.

 

Are there any you don't own but would like to?

I just finished reading "Something Wicked This Way Comes" and would love to see the film. I've never seen some of the classics like The Exorcist and Poltergeist and Halloween. I'd love to see those. I've also never seen any Stephen King movies except for Misery, so that's something I'd enjoy, too.

 

Are roasted pumpkin seeds and home made chex mix the best fall snack foods, or what?

Don't like chex mix unless there is spicy chili, etc. involved, but I LOVE Trader Joe's Roasted Pepitas. They're the best things EVER!

 

Whats your favorite pie, my dear SW's?

Coconut cream pie, rhubarb-strawberry, and that awesome peppermint mousse pie that Village Inn bakes during holiday season

 

What kinda socks ar you wearing tonight?

I don't really wear socks unless I've just put a ton of lotion on my feet.

 

Do you like socks? Blankets? Wrist warmers? Arm warmers? Headband? Shawl? Or what kind of knitted thing would you love the most?

I love blankets. LOVE 'EM. I don't like socks or arm/wrist warmers or headbands. I love shawls. I would love a knitted shawl or warm winter fingergless (or half-finger) gloves.

 

How do you feel about ghost stories? Do you like to tell the old tales around a campfire? Read true accounts on the web way past your bedtime? Do you like to pick up a good anthology of Poe stories on a blustery day? Or is all that too scary for you?

I love ghost stories, but I find I don't have much time for them. I recently read Something Wicked This Way Comes and LOVED IT. So creepy!

 

Who here is LOVING Warehouse 13?

What is this???

 

Nother question! Coffee or Tea?

For gifts, neither really. Sorry. I'm just too picky about my tea and I don't have a coffee maker!

 

Interested in locally produced products? Food, skincare or both? Olive oil? Lavender oils or soaps?

Yes, I love locally produced stuff. I don't like lavender scented items (unless it's food, like lavender-infused honey or chocolate). I love local food, skincare, b&b, etc.

 

Does anyone in here wear a lot of dangly earrings or collect pendants of all kinds?? How about hair clips or pony tail band things?

I collect jewelry -- I have tons of earrings and pendants/necklaces. I prefer matching sets. I don't like other people to give me stuff for my hair b/c I'm too picky.

 

What is your favourite historical period?

1st century Palestine

 

What other hot beverages everyone likes for fall?

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, FTW!!! Oregon Chai, marzipan cocoa (or any sort of gourmet cocoa)

 

Did you order anything from the most recent update?

Yep, I couldn't run a decant group, so I got decants of everything I wanted. I'd already tried most of it and knew what I was to like/not like. Hideous Heart = YUM!

 

Vampires or Werewolves? Or some other monster?

I like both, but prefer vampires, especially cheezy vampires

 

What sort of odd or regional foods do you crave?

crawfish etouffe (NOLA), beignets (NOLA), ketchup chips (Canada), beet chips (TN?), fried cheese curds (MN/WI), It's-It (San Francisco), local honeys, local candies, anything from Mike's Pastries in Boston, and just about anything from other countries that you don't typically find in the U.S. Oh, also -- and this is IMPORTANT!!! I don't have a Trader Joe's in my state or any of the surrounding states! I know, it's a CRIME!!! If you have a TJ's near you, I would DIE for some vanilla Joe-Joe's. They are absolutely my #1 favorite cookie in the world. Whenever I travel, I make sure to stop at a TJ's and I make sure my luggage is big enough to bring 2-4 boxes home with me. Also, TJ's has this 500 mg peppermint-flavored melatonin. I love that stuff. I can't find anything less than 2-3 mg melatonin here, but TJ's 500 mg melatonin is all I need. So I stock up that, too, when I travel. I also like their dried fruit bars (like fruit roll-ups, but TJ's brand -- any flavor). I currently have 3 Joe-Joe's left (not boxes, but a total of 3 cookies, and they're stale. So this is something I would DEARLY love!

 

ETA: No, I do not have a Blu-Ray player, but if you want to buy me one, my husband would be so happy he might want to marry you.

 

 

I forgot to mention that one thing I love are foo dogs in small statue form (anything from really small to ~10" tall) or on stationary or foo dog stickers or foo dog patterned cloth or anything that has to do with the Chinese foo dog. My husband loves foo dogs, too. They remind us of our cute little spoiled little Shih Tzus. Actually, I would LOVE Foo Dog stationary or note cards.

 

I also love things that are wacky, goofy, and make people laugh. A good example would be this knitted chicken hat (http://alohamedia.net/otherweb/chicken-viking-hat.jpg). I have wanted one of these for several years, even though it would give me the worst hat-head. I'm dying for one of these!

 

Same with flavors -- I love to taste things that aren't typical -- like rose pastilles or violet mints or lavender chocolate. Those are all sweet things, but they give you an idea. I am one of those "I'll try anything once" people and if you sent me fried cicadas or chocolate-covered crickets, I'd probably try them because I just love to try novelty foods that are weird and wacky and sometimes, they're really delicious. Not that I WANT chocolate-covered insects...I'm just saying that to show how much I like trying novelty foods.

 

Could you use a 'travel' imp case? How many should it hold?

Not really. I use a small tin or just let them float around in my purse or pocket. Or in a pinch, I tuck it into my bra. Then again, maybe a nicely-lined case would work better for me than the brassiere method.

 

As a witchee, would you prefer to have many little packages sent to you throughout the round with a not-so-big final package or fewer things throughout the round with one huge final package to seal the sweetness?

Okay, I'd be happy with anything, but really, I think many little package would be great. That's what I love to do for my witchee, too...unless she prefers the one big package.

 

Perfect evening at home:

My perfect evening at home would involve my husband going out with his friends (since I NEVER have "alone time"), and me curling up with the dogs, a good book, some Chinese delivery, and as long as I'm dreaming....a big white-on-white cake. It's the simple things in life!

 

How often do I update my bpal w/l?

I update my BPAL wishlist semi-regularly. It is currently updated, though, as are my MUA wishlist (user name: edenssixthday), my bookmooch wishlist (user name: edenssixthday), and my amazon wishlist (email address srthatch at comcast dot net).

 

Favorite candy:

My favorite candy is Runts. It's not exotic or exciting or unique, but I LOVE me some Runts! Pretty much anything that's sugary and fruity, like SweetTarts and Spree and Smarties. I don't eat them often, but I really love them. I also love really good quality chocolate truffles -- like you find at Moonstruck Chocolates (www.moonstruckchocolate.com). I just don't like anything with caramel.

 

Do you mind receiving used (in good condition, of course) CDs or DVDs?

Not at all, as long as they work well and don't skip! I think it's best to buy used -- reuse and recycle and all that.

 

what's your stance on cranberries? Mmmm... I make the most awesome "drunken cranberries" recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas (involving Grand Marnier...so yummy!). Anyway, I like cranberries when they're somehow involved with sugar. Non-sugary cranberries are too tart. I love the color cranberry, too. It's a lovely shade of red.

 

Do you have a crush on anyone famous? Do you have a crush on any literary characters? Would you like fanfiction or fan art based on this/these people?

I do have crushes, but since I don't want fanfic or art or tchotchkes or anything based on them, I'm not going to divulge. Plus, a couple would be embarrassing. Except for Eric.... mmmm.... Eric Northman.

 

You're at home, or out, and you want a snack. Something that will get you through to the next meal, or through to the end of school or what ever. What do you grab?

If I'm at home, I generally grab a Power Crunch Bar. If I'm out, I either go hungry, or I splurge. I have never been known to stop at the market and pick up a bag of carrots to get me through to the next meal. I'd rather get a bean burrito from Taco Bell. (I freaking LOVE those nasty little things -- with 3 packs of mild sauce) or I go to Starbucks and get a piadini or a piece of coffee cake. This inability to snack healthily is one of the reasons I have so much trouble losing weight.

 

Also, dear Witch, I have so far failed to mention that in addition to my absurd love for beets and sugar (and sugar beets), I loooove anything pumpkin. And this is the time of year for it. I was at Williams Sonoma the other day and they had this pumpkin pecan waffle mix. Stuff like that rocks my socks. Oddly enough, the only pumpkin thing I really truly dislike is pumpkin pie. I've never met a pumpkin pie I liked. Actually, now that I think of it, I may have failed to inform you of my absurd love for beets. I love beets. all types of beets and all thing beets. I have beet perfume from Demeter, beet-flavored lip balm, a lovely giant knitted beet a friend made as a get-well gift, another cute little felted beet-thingy another friend made, a beet wine-bottle charm, and more. I even went and got myself a beet tattoo on my ankle. Beets rock my world in so many ways. I love their color, their taste, their texture. Pickled beets are my favorite to eat, or a piece of flatbread with roasted beets and chevre, or carrot cake with shredded beets substituted for the carrots (and the batter is SUCH a pretty color before it bakes!) Beets FTW!!!