Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Halloween: Pug's Harry Potter Reading Challenge '12


THIS THIS SET OF QUESTIONS CLOSED 12/3/12 AT 9:30PM. PLEASE VISIT THE INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT OPEN QUESTIONS. 

Trivia 5 Points
What kind of animal numbers in the thousands at the Halloween feast?
                                                  -Oreo

Pottermore 10 Points
What rises up out of the sink? 
                                                    -Willo

Opinion/Discussion 15 Points
If you were in Ron and Harry's shoes, how would you have handled Hermione not knowing about the troll? 
                                                  -Tyra
Freebie! 
Last year we included pug pictures with every set of questions and we're bringin' 'em back! 
                                                -Leo

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Midnight Duel: Pug's Harry Potter Reading Challenge '12


THIS THIS SET OF QUESTIONS CLOSED 11/28/12 AT 10PM. PLEASE VISIT THE INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT OPEN QUESTIONS. 

Sorry, we've been so behind! It's been a bit crazy around here! 
                                                                                        -Leo, Oreo, Willo, Tyra 


Trivia 5 Points 
Who says there are "Students out of bed down the Charms Corridor!"? 
                                                                              -Tyra
Pottermore 10 Points 
What letters do you need to cast Alohomora? 
                                                                             -Willo

Opinion/Discussion 15 Points 
Other than a forbidden corridor, where do you keep a (vicious) 3 headed dog? 
                                                                         -Leo
Freebie! 
Since no one won the freebie's last week we are going to give away the cups and bookmarks to whomever earns full points this week. That's a full 30 points! 
                                                                        -Oreo 

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Potions Master: Pug's Harry Potter Reading Challenge '12

THIS THIS SET OF QUESTIONS CLOSED 11/26/12 AT 8PM. PLEASE VISIT THE INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT OPEN QUESTIONS. 


Results
Trivia
A bezoar can be found in the stomach of a goat. You better get one too, it will come in handy later.        -Willo 

Pottermore
A broken heart, in this case Minerva's over her first true love.     -Oreo 

Opinion/Discussion
1. You need your cauldron. 
2. You need your shoes. 
3. Those boils sound painful! 

Ingrid - Round: 0 Total: 165
Trivia
Pottermore
Opinion/Discussion

Mark - Round: 0 Total: 65
Trivia
Pottermore
Opinion/Discussion


Ashley - Round: 0 Total: 85
Trivia
Pottermore
Opinion/Discussion


StarWormwood12755 aka Kim - Round: 0 Total: 60
Trivia
Pottermore
Opinion/Discussion 


We have a new guest host! We're proud to introduce Tyra! 

Tyra, like Tatum before her, is an APARN foster pug. The Scribe will get her a wand and get her sorted in just a few days. What do you think the chances are she will end up in Hufflepuff? If so we really are renaming the house Hufflepugg. 


                                          Trivia 5 Points 
                        "Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" 
                                                                                                      -Willo 

                                    Pottermore 10 Points
What incident brought Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall together?
                                               -Oreo

                             Opinion/Discussion 15 Points
Explain 3 good reasons why you should remove your cauldron before adding                    porcupine quills?
                                                                                                   -Leo

                                                Freebie! 
I am giving you a bookmark of your choice (see first chapter questions) and a Harry Potter cup (see fourth chapter questions)! 
                                                                                                 -Tyra
                                                                                              

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Sorting Hat: Pug's Harry Potter Reading Challenge '12

THIS SET OF QUESTIONS CLOSED 11/19/12 AT 11PM. PLEASE VISIT THE INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT OPEN QUESTIONS. 

This week is all about being sorted. Here is the big moment! What house will you be in? 


Results
Trivia
I'd bet my white stripe that Dumbledore wrote the school song: 
                                                         "Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
                                                           Teach us something please, 
                                                           Whether we be old and bald
                                                           Or young with scabby knees, 
                                                           Our heads could do with filling
                                                           With some interesting stuff, 
                                                           For now they're bare and full of air, 
                                                           Dead flies and bits of fluff, 
                                                           So teach us things worth knowing, 
                                                           Bring back what we've forgot, 
                                                           Just do your best, we'll do the rest, 
                                                           And learn until our brains all rot."                 

Pottermore 
Hufflepugg - it's the only house there is. 

Opinion/Discussion
Did you know that the scribe has The Sorting Hat tattooed on her arm? 
   

Ingrid - Round: 30 Total: 165
Trivia
My head could do with some rubs. - Oreo 
Pottermore 
Yea! As one of the bravest people I know, this fits you. - Willo 
Opinion/Discussion
Hehe! Washing. Lucky hat. I wonder how I can convince the Scribe that I don't need to be washed.... -Leo 


Mark - Round: 0 Total: 65
Trivia
Pottermore 
I know for a fact Mark is a Slytherin... 
Opinion/Discussion


Ashley - Round: 30 Total: 85
Trivia
What's worth knowing... All dogs go to heaven and all pugs go to Hogwarts. -Oreo
Pottermore 
Another Slytherin. - Willo 
Opinion/Discussion
Creepy! We're insulted! 


StarWormwood12755 aka Kim - Round: 0 Total: 60 
Trivia
Pottermore 
We really wish we knew what house StarWormwood12755 will end up in! 
Opinion/Discussion


Trivia 5 Points
What is a single line of the school song? 
                                                                                - Oreo

Pottermore 10 Points 
What is your house? 
                                                                             - Willo

Opinion/Discussion 15 Points 
Discuss your thoughts on the Sorting Hat's Song....
                                                                           - Leo

Freebie 
An iron crest/patch of your house. We have these on our costumes! 
(Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw)

Friday, November 9, 2012

The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-quarters: Pug's Harry Potter Reading Challenge '12

THIS SET OF QUESTIONS CLOSED 11/12/12 AT 8PM. PLEASE VISIT THE INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT OPEN QUESTIONS. 


Results
Trivia
Dry corned beef. - I'm positive Tatum would've happily eaten them for Ron. 

Pottermore 
Quoted from Pottermore: 
   "Where exactly the Hogwarts Express came from has never been conclusively proven, although it is a fact that there are secret records at the Ministry of Magic detailing a mass operation involving one hundred and sixty-seven Memory Charms and the largest ever mass Concealment Charm performed in Britain. The morning after these alleged crimes, a gleaming scarlet steam engine and carriages astounded the villagers of Hogsmeade (who had also not realised they had a railway station), while several bemused Muggle railway workers down in Crewe spent the rest of the year grappling with the uncomfortable feeling that they had mislaid something important."

Opinion/Discussion
Some friends are friends from the beginning.... and never forgotten. 

Ingrid - Round: 25 Total: 135
Trivia - 5
Our scribe says no to dry sandwiches but a pug will never turn down a sandwich. 
Pottermore - 5
I want a go at this Platform - Willo
Opinion/Discussion - 15
What a horrible thought! And perfect analysis! 

Mark - Round: 0 Total: 65
Trivia - 0
Pottermore - 0
Opinion/Discussion - 0

Ashley - Round: 0 Total: 55 
Trivia - 0
Pottermore - 0
Opinion/Discussion - 0

StarWormwood12755 aka Kim - Round: 0 Total: 60  
Trivia - 0
Pottermore - 0
Opinion/Discussion - 0


Hello! 
This is Tatum and for my very last post as guest host I get to ask all the questions! 


Trivia 5 Points 
What type of sandwiches does Ron have? 

Pottermore 10 Points
Detail the magic performed in obtaining the Hogwart's Express. 

Opinion/Discussion 15 Points 
Discuss Ron and Harry's bonding/ new found friendship

Freebie! 
And what am I leaving you with? Everyone who earns 20 points this round will get a pack of "Drooble's Best Blowing Gum"! Yes, the real stuff that you can actually chew. Wish me the best! - Tatum, no longer an APARN foster pug

Monday, November 5, 2012

Diagon Alley: Pug's Harry Potter Reading Challenge '12

THIS SET OF QUESTIONS CLOSED 11/9/12 AT 9PM. PLEASE VISIT THE INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT OPEN QUESTIONS. 


Results
Trivia
In the words of Hagrid, "Stalagmite's got an 'm' in it." Stalactites are pointed rock formations that hang from the ceiling (that's why there's a 'c' in it) and stalagmites mound up from the ground (that's why there's a 'm' in it.)
                                                                   - Leo 

Pottermore - Opinion/Discussion
Check out the comments for each of our wands and animals!  
                                                                   - Oreo & Willo 

Players this Round

Ingrid - Round: 30 Total: 110
Trivia - 5
Lazy, uh-huh. Whatever Ms. Right. ;) - Leo 
Pottermore - 10
Very interesting wand you have there, my dear. - Oreo 
Opinion/Discussion - 15
I agree wholeheartedly that every witch needs a cat and I like your logic. - Willo 

Mark - Round: 15 Total: 65
Trivia - 5
Ha! Very inventive, I love it! - Leo 
Pottermore - 5
Just ash huh? You do know I am investigating everyone's wands right? - Houdini
Opinion/Discussion - 5
Oh, I want a hug! I give great hugs! - Willo 

Ashley - Round: 25 Total: 55 
Trivia - 5
Roger! Conical is my new word of the day - Leo 
Pottermore - 10
Do you know what Mr. Ollivander said about especially short wands? - Oreo 
Opinion/Discussion - 10
Professor McGonagall is the best! - Willo 

StarWormwood12755 aka Kim - Round: 0 Total: 60  
Trivia - 0
Pottermore - 0
Opinion/Discussion - 0


This is a very, very big chapter! And we have some really big news! Tatum, our special guest host on loan from APARN has found her furever home! 




Cheers! 
To toast and celebrate this joyous occasion we are giving away a Butterbeer recipe each day this week. We told you those cups would come in handy! 
And to kick it off our very own recipe - what else would it be? But 

PUG's Butterbeer 

Dash of cinnamon sugar
1 tsp imitation butter flavoring
1 ½ cups of cream soda
1/3 cup root beer
1 tbsp Butterscotch syrup/topping

1.      Pour dash of cinnamon sugar in a glass (at least 16 ounces)
2.      Add imitation butter flavoring
3.      Pour cream soda and then root beer into glass
4.      Put entire scoop of butterscotch into cup and stir gently until well mixed

Best served very chilled. Do not store, serve immediately. 

2nd Day of Butterbeer (from Yahoo) 

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup half and half cream
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Butterscotch
Ginger Ale

DIRECTIONS:
·         Prepare Sauce

Combine butter, brown sugar, half and half cream and salt in a small saucepan and simmer gently for five minutes. Stir in vanilla and let cool.
      Place a tablespoon of butterscotch in a glass, top off with ginger ale to fill. Add 1/4 cup sauce and serve! 
   
     

      Day 3's Butterbeer

    Recipe #13  (From an article on MSN)
    Ingredients:
      4 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 cup warm milk
1 x scant tablespoon vanilla
Pinch salt

    Directions:
      1. Heat butter in saucepan and melt, stirring until butter bubbles
      2. Add sugar and stir slowly over medium heat until medium brown in color
      3. Heat milk in microwave and pour into blender
      4. Blend on low and slowly add sugar mixture
      5. Add vanilla and salt



   Day 4 Recipe   (Also from the MSN article)
   Ingredients:
1   1/2 cups milk
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons hot chocolate powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ounce butterscotch schnapps

    Directions:
     1. Melt butter and honey together
     2. Add milk, sugar, vanilla, and butterscotch schnapps
     3. Microwave or heat on stovetop until warm
     4. Mix in hot chocolate powder and cinnamon


Day 5 - Frozen Butterbeer by Jessica at Bake Me Away 
1 liter cream soda
1 cup heavy cream
butterscotch sauce to taste (I’m guessing I used ~1/3 cup)
Pour the soda into a large shallow dish (I used a 9×13 plastic container).  Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.  Remove from freezer and if the soda has started to freeze around the edges, break up and rake the frozen bits to the center with a fork.  Put the container back in the freezer for another 30 minutes.  Keep repeating this process (it’s just like making a granita!) until the soda is very slushy.  You’ll want to be able to drink it through a straw.  This took about 3 hours starting with room temperature soda, but could take less if your soda is chilled and if you have a colder freezer.
When the soda is almost ready, make the topping.  Beat the heavy cream until it is lightened, but still loose.  (Think beer foam instead of whipped cream.)  Whisk in enough butterscotch to give the cream a definite butterscotch flavor.  I’m staying at a dorm right now and didn’t bring measuring spoons with me, but am going to guess that I used about 1/3 cup.  You can see here how much is missing from the 12.25 oz jar!  But really, go by your own personal taste.
To serve, spoon or pour the slushy soda into clear cups or glasses.  Spoon the foamy topping on top.  You can drink it with or without a straw!  (the latter will give you a nice ‘stache)
Another way to make this could be to freeze the cream soda in ice cube trays, then toss the cubes in a blender.  (If you try this, let me know.)  Of course, an even easier alternative would be to make the non-frozen version by (do I need to say this?) not freezing the soda.


Trivia 5 Points 
What is the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite? (Scientific and book answers are both acceptable.) 
                                               -Leo

Pottermore 10 Points 
What is your wand? 
                                               -Oreo

Opinion/Discussion 15 Points 
What pet did you choose and why? 
                                              -Willo

If you have not joined Pottermore yet, now is the time! 
                                               -Tatum 

Friday, November 2, 2012

The Keeper of the Keys: Pug's Harry Potter Reading Challenge '12


THIS SET OF QUESTIONS CLOSED 11/6/12 AT 12am. PLEASE VISIT THE INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT OPEN QUESTIONS.


Results
Trivia

This, is a dormouse. -Leo


Pottermore
There are 6 tasty little sausages on the stick - that is until it moves away from the fire just a little. - Oreo

Opinion/Discussion
A Keeper of the Keys is someone that is really good at the game keep away. So that will be me. - Willo 


Players this Round
Ingrid - Round: 0 Total: 80
Trivia - 0
Pottermore - 0
Opinion/Discussion - 0

Mark - Round: 10 Total: 50

Trivia - 5
A mouse! and a rat! I would've rather liked Sessalee. Oh, please can we get a cute little dormouse? - Leo
Pottermore - 0
43?! Jackpot! Now I may have one to share with the other pugs. 
Opinion/Discussion - 5
Hand them over! - Willo 

Ashley - Round: 0 Total: 30 

Trivia - 0
Pottermore - 0
Opinion/Discussion - 0

StarWormwood12755 aka Kim - Round: 30 Total: 60  

Trivia - 0
Oh, I don't know. They look awfully tiny and cute to me. Especially tiny. - Leo 
Pottermore - 0
32, that's a lot of sausage. Can I share them with you? - Oreo 
Opinion/Discussion - 10
That should certainly make it easier to keep the keys away, being taller and all. But you know, the bigger they are the harder they fall. 





Trivia 5 Points
What will make Hagrid's jacket wriggle?
                                                                             - Leo 

Pottermore 10 Points 
How many sausages are on the stick? 
                                                                           - Oreo

Opinion/Discussion 15 Points 
What in your opinion is the role of a "Keeper of the Keys?" 
                                                                         - Willo

Freebie 
Because you need something special to put your pumpkin juice in from last chapter, everyone who plays this week will get a Harry Potter cup! 
                                                                        - Tatum