Christmas Countdown Day #10 : Harry's Christmas at Hogwarts (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Harry Potter's first Christmas at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone must have felt very special for him. I'm sure he was happy that he didn't have to go back to his terrible Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley's home to celebrate the holiday. It's been a while since I read the book but I believe his aunt and uncle sent him really crappy gifts which was basically junk. At least in the movie that wasn't shown. Instead Harry got gifts from his best friend Ron Weasley's mom, Molly. As well as a very timely mysterious gift that once belonged to his father. Harry's first Hogwarts Christmas turned out to be a really good one.

Banned Books Week (+ Geeky Holiday List)

It's the last day of Banned Books Week and for some reason, I always forget about it. Not intentional of course, but it always seemed to happen. Anyway, no matter the time, it's always important to protect the freedom to read. It's so disheartening that books continue to be targeted for censorship. I always wonder, what are they afraid of? What is it they don't want readers to know? They are so afraid of knowledge that they want to keep everyone from reading something they themselves most likely never read. All because of something they don't like that's in a book. And even if they read the books and didn't like them, that doesn't give them the right to try to keep others from reading them.

When books are banned, our freedom to think critically, be challenged and access information is threatened. I guess they are also so afraid of the creativity, imagination, thought, love and joy readers get from simply reading a book. The old saying is true, Knowledge is Power. So, keep reading, learning, using your imagination and growing. Don't let censorship keep you from reading and please continue to read banned books.

So what can we do to help fight censorship? Well, there are three things I can think of:

1. Read and recommend banned books.

2. Support banned books that are being censored. Speak out whether it's online or in person.

3. Advocate for the importance of literature of all kinds. These stories deserve to be read and shared and not treated as something to be removed or hidden away.

Not to be forgotten, below (under the cut) is my Banned Book Geeky List of shows and movies.

Artwork: Banned Books by Jane Mount

Art of the Day: Harry Potter

Artwork: Harry Potter by smelslikeart

This is so sad but it truly highlights how intentionally cruel and awful Harry's Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley were to him. Which also included making him sleep in the small and cramped space under the stairs. That is until they were scared and gave Harry his cousin Dudley's second bedroom. Out of the three, Dudley was the only one that changed and that was only after being affected by the Dementors when they had attacked him and Harry. So if it wasn't for that, I doubt Dudley would have ever changed.

Book of Interest: The Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook

The Magical World of Harry Potter just became a little more plant-based with this new cookbook, The Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook by Imana Grashuis and Tylor Starr. I love geeky cookbooks and recipes, which I know I've said quite a few times but I just love trying fandom inspired recipes. I think it will be interesting to see the authors plant-based or vegan take on the many of the popular Harry Potter inspired foods.

As the plant-based and vegan diets and lifestyle have become more popular and mainstream, I think it's cool that vegan and plant-based Harry Potter fans have an option for making some fandom inspired foods.

Book: The Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook by Imana Grashuis and Tylor Starr with Foreword by Evanna Lynch

Publication Date: November 1, 2022

Description:

The Unofficial Harry Potter Vegan Cookbook is a stunning, visual delight that features more than 75 mouth-watering recipes certain to be enjoyed by vegans and non-vegans alike.

Created by Imana Grashuis, kitchen witch, recipe developer and photographer and Tylor Starr, founder of The Protego Foundation and the Chickpeeps podcast, the book is both an amazing recipe collection as well as an encouraging, uplifting invitation to the vegan lifestyle.

From Molly Weasley’s Breakfast Spread to Giant Pumpkin Patch Brownies, the authors imbue every recipe with text and imagery that capture the feel of the Wizarding World, with a bit of storytelling thrown in for good measure.

The book's Foreword is written by Harry Potter actor/icon Evanna Lynch, best-known for her role as Luna Lovegood.

Nesting: Slytherin Mug

I know I need to stay off the Harry Potter Shop website because I always find something that I want, like this Slytherin mug. I'm not the biggest Slytherin fan but I really like this mug. I like all the little details from the symbols to the Slytherin house traits including the snake on the inside of the mug.

Why am I always looking at mugs? And it's not like I don't already have plenty of them but that doesn't stop me from wanting to add just one more. Alright Harry Potter fans, would you get this mug?

Slytherin Attribute Mug                                $20.00                                          Harry Potter Shop (harrypottershop.com)

- 16 ounces

Fashion: Harry Potter Diagon Alley Tote Bag

Happy Saturday!

Earlier today, I watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. That's one of my favorite movie, I absolutely love it. And I love the scene (in the book as well) when Harry first went to Diagon Alley. He was so surprised and in awe of everything he saw.

After watching the movie, I know I shouldn't have looked at any Harry Potter merchandise because I ended up finding this Diagon Alley tote bag. I know I don't need yet another tote bag but I really like this one. I think it's pretty cool that it features the names of the stores found in Diagon Alley on one side of it.

I know I don't need it but I just really like it.

Diagon Alley Tote Bag                                $8.00                                          Harry Potter Shop (harrypottershop.com)

- 14.5" (length) x 16.5" (height)

Trailer: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Check out the new trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. The more I see of this move the better it gets. I really can't wait to see this movie which is in theatres on Friday, April 15th.

Art of the Day: Hermione Granger and Crookshanks

Artwork: Hermione Granger by Sheep Skeleton (sheepskeleton)

This is exactly how I want to spend today. Curled up with a warm blanket, relaxing and reading my book, Mera: Tide Breaker by Danielle Paige and Stephen Byrne (which is really good). Hermione is an inspiration this bookworm.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Posters: Global Wizards

The last group of posters for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore are for the Global Wizards. I do wonder what part they will play in this story? I'm sure the only side they will be on is their own. It will be interesting to see what they will do.


Global Wizards

Anton Vogel

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Posters: Grindelwald's Followers

The posters for the villains of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. With Grindelwald gaining more followers to his evil cause can Dumbledore's Army really stop them?


Grindelwald's Followers

Gellert Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Posters: Dumbledore's Army

Who else is excited to see the third Fantastic Beasts movie The Secrets of Dumbledore? I guess as way to tide fans over until the movie is released there are new posters. There are 18 posters in total but instead of posting all of them together I'm posting in three seperate groups. The first ten posters are of Dumbledore's Army, the heroes. Will they win in the end and if so at what cost? I really like these posters, they give you a good look at the characters.


Dumbledore's Army

Albus Dumbledore

What documentary or special do you want to watch?

At the moment there aren't any documentaries that I'm interested in seeing. However, I want to watch all of the reunion specials on HBO Max: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends and Harry Potter. I need to find time to sit back, relax with a cup of tea and some snacks and watch all these specials. This makes me want to do a best of mini marathon of both shows and movies before watching these specials.

Trailer: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Okay, wow, this trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore looks so good. The first two Fantastic Beasts movie are really good but I do wish there was a little more focus on Newt and the fantastic beasts and not so much on the wizarding world and the ensuing fights. But that's what the writers are going with. Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing this third movie. I just wish it wasn't in theatres only, I still don't feel comfortable sitting in a theatre.


Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Description:

Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald’s growing legion of followers. But with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?

Are you going to watch Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses?

One house will win it all by testing their magical knowledge in the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament Of Houses. The first night of the game will air on Sunday, November 28th at 8:00 PM on TBS and Cartoon Network. Okay Harry Potter fans who else is going to watch this? I'm really surprised they got Helen Mirren to host. This looks like it's going to be fun and it'll be interesting to see which house will win.

Description:

Hosted by Academy Award®-winning actress Helen Mirren, superfans of the "Harry Potter" franchise answer trivia questions about the intricately detailed universe; the winner of the competition earns the title of House Cup Champion.

Only one house can win. With celebrity guests, original film actors, and the House Cup at stake, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses will be the greatest fan competition in Wizarding World history!

Entertainment News #5: Avatar: TLA casting, Harry Potter Special, Hawkeye clip and more

- In some good casting news, actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee has been cast as Uncle Iroh in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender Netflix series. The cast also includes Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai. I think Paul Sun-Hyung Lee will do an amazing job as Iroh, the kind-hearted, tea drinking yet fierce character. Side note, he's also a fellow geek, he has a Youtube channel Bitterasiandude Inc., where he shows off some of his his geeky finds.

It's the 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Movie!

It's been 20 years since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie premiered November 14, 2001 and the magic still has not faded. Fans, including myself, are still enchanted with the movie that brought the first story to life. Whenever I watch the movie, I feel like good storytelling always seems present no matter how it was adapted from the book. Of course there were a few changes from the book but the film did such a good job of capturing so much of story, themes and characters that are beloved by fans. When I look back at the movie, I can't help being drawn into the story all over again seeing how terrible Harry's aunt, uncle and cousin are to him but getting to celebrate Harry getting to know a magical side of himself that his horrible magic loathing family tried to pretend didn't exist.

I love that as with the book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone perfectly captured the wide-eyed wonder as Harry fully immersed himself in the magical community. As the viewer, you could feel his excitement and wonder when he saw Diagon Alley and finally making his way to Hogwarts where even more wonder awaited him. He never felt more at home than when he was at Hogwarts and meeting new soon to be lifelong friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

To this day, I'm still surprised by the impact the Harry Potter books and movies have made in pop culture and it doesn't look like they're going anywhere. As a fan, I still love both media but it's something about the first story. It's the beginning of a saga which gives you the first glimpse into the magical world and of Harry Potter and his family and friends and the constant and growing threat of Voldemort. The Harry Potter book and movie series may have ended but the story and characters will live on. Happy 20th Anniversary Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!

Nesting: Harry Potter Hogwarts Mug

I know I don't need another mug, especially since I'm still thinking about whether or not I should get the Station 19 mug I posted a few days ago. But I really like this Hogwarts mug and all the colorful objects and symbols associated with the magical school. Looking at this mug, makes me want to rewatch the movies. Since I don't have time for that today, I can at least watch the first movie.

What do you think of this mug?

Harry Potter Hogwarts Icon Mug                          $10.32 (sale, regular price $12.90)                 Hot Topic (hottopic.com)

- Ceramic
- 13 oz.
- Microwave and dishwasher safe

Fandom Friday: My Thoughts on a Few Fictional Journalists

Happy Friday, here are some of my fandom thoughts on a few fictional journalists:

- On Superman & Lois, why isn't Clark Kent working at the local newspaper, the Smallville Gazette with Lois Lane and Chrissy Beppo? Just because the Lane-Kent family moved from Metropolis to Smallville doesn't mean Clark had to give up being a journalist. Aside from being Superman, Clark's a stay at home dad. There's nothing wrong with that but his twin sons are in high school which gives him plenty of time he could use being an investigative reporter.

Book of Interest: The Official Harry Potter Baking Book

I've said it before but I love geeky cookbooks because I love trying different fandom inspired recipes. Over the years, I've tried a few unofficial Harry Potter recipes I've found online and fans are really creative by either recreating something they've seen or read in the movies and books or creating something fandom inspired.

As creative as the fan recipes are, I do wonder what recipes are in this official cookbook? I may have to add this to my geeky cookbook collection.

Book: The Official Harry Potter Baking Book: 40+ Recipes Inspired by the Films by Joanna Farrow

Description:

Bake your way through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Inspired by the films, this is the ONE and ONLY official Harry Potter cookbook! Packed with over 40 recipes and gorgeous, eye-catching photography, this baking cookbook is a must-have for every Harry Potter fan.

Delight in 43 tasty recipes inspired by the Harry Potter films! From Pumpkin Patch Pies to Owl Muffins, Luna's Spectrespecs Cookies to Hogwarts Gingerbread, The Official Harry Potter Baking Cookbook is packed with mouthwatering recipes that will, dare we say, ... ensnare the senses.

Host a Great Hall-inspired feast for your friends or delight in a portion for one. Includes recipes for all kinds of delicious baked goods, as well as nutritional and dietary information. This baking cookbook is great for everyone and includes gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan recipes as well!

Art of the Day: Hermione Granger

Artwork: Bookworm by Kayla Woodside