Do you like s'mores and s'mores-flavored things?

I like s'mores, as long as they involve a campfire. Or at least a real fire, preferably outdoors. So probably "no" to s'more-flavored things.

 

Would you enjoy receiving cute but useful items like colorful kitchen utensils/gadgets, or bento supplies? (boxes, chopsticks, accessories, etc?) What about things like spice mixes (homemade, or Penzey's for example)?

Any of those would be welcome, even though I probably don't need any! Kitchen supply stores are always fun, and my Witch will find that Penzey's is listed under "favorite stores" on my questionnaire.

 

What's the neatest freebie you've gotten? It can be cool or thoughtful or just totally unexpected, and not limited to BPALdom.

One time I received an order of hand-dyed silk scarves and bellydance veils from a vendor, and there was an extra pair of of half-circle veils in the package. I e-mailed her about the veils that had managed to sneak into my order, and was told that they were a freebie. A very generous freebie, I might add.

Do you like cute, seasonal or fluffy PJ bottoms? Like they sell at Target, Old Navy (they have had cute Halloween ones!) If so, what size do you wear?

No. Part of the reason is generational, and part of it is that I'm plus-size so the vast majority of those wouldn't fit me, anyway.

What kind of chocolate do you like? Nuts, no nuts, white, dark, etc?

Dark chocolate! I will also consume milk chocolate and white chocolate (as long as said white chocolate is the real thing & high quality). I generally don't like nuts in chocolates, except peanuts or macadamia nuts. Almonds are OK, but I don't care for walnuts, except in See's Mincemeat Creams.

What kind of cuisines do you like? (I mentioned this in my ?aire but curious what my witch may like)

My favorite cuisines are Thai, Chinese, French, Mexican, and barbeque.

And, what are your favorite restaurants?

La Coupole in Paris; Wild Ginger in Seattle; Jaleo in Washington, DC (or pretty much any restaurant by Jose Andres); Tomasita's in Santa Fe; The Fort in Morrison, CO; Hitching Post II in Buellton, CA; Slow-n-Low Barbeque in Cocoa Beach, FL; Vita's in Lopez, WA. For chain restaurants: California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle, Qdoba.

 

I'm from Canada - is there anything specifically a witchee might like that is only available here?

Perhaps a bar of Mackintosh's Creamy Toffee, but I'm sort of afraid of what it might do to my teeth!

 

What are your "fandoms" and would you like a t-shirt from TeeFury if an appropriate one came up?

None, so no, thank you.

 

Do you have an eReader and if so which one?

I have the Kindle app on my iPad, but I save it for things that are only available in e-book form, or very much cheaper in e-book than printed form. I generally don't like trying to read things on a screen.

 

Do you like candles, or tart burners, or something? If so, what's your favorite scent to burn?

I like them, but already have a large stash of candles and tarts that I'm not using up. I usually like fruity scents the best, if I have to generalize (but that doesn't mean that floral or foody are out of the question).

 

If you get me (or a fellow Aussie, if there are any playing this round) as a witch or witch's minion, would you like to try some Australian specialties, such as TimTams (delicious chocolately cookies), Caramello Koalas (koala shaped chocolates filled with gloopy caramel), Australian native spices or anything like that?

The Caramello Koalas sound interesting, and I might be interested in the Australian native spices (based on Arlith's recommendation) if they came with directions for how they're used. I've had the Pepperidge Farm TimTams and didn't like them. The original Aussie version would have to be a significant improvement to make the shipping worthwhile.

 

If your witch is a knitter, crocheter or sewer, is there a particular type of garment you would love to receive (hat, scarf, wrap, cowl, socks, fingerless gloves, arm warmers etc)?

Above all, not scratchy! I would prefer not to receive socks (a little bit choosy about them, and my large calves usually rule out knee-hi socks), or hats (I hate getting hat hair). However, a knitted headband to keep my ears warm would be nice (not all my hair ends up flattened!). A scarf, wrap, arm warmers, or fingerless gloves would also be nice.

 

Is there anyone else in your house (kids, pets, partner) that would really appreciate a small gift being included for them in the switchwitchy haul so they don't feel left out?

No kids, pets, partner, or roommates, and the resident geckos and anoles in the garage are quite happy with what they already have. So no, thank you.

Marzipan?

Yes, in moderate amounts. I do like the See's marzipan; after all, it is covered in dark chocolate!

 

Would you be interested in washable/reusable muslin "paper" towels (basically muslin squares hemmed around the edge)? Maybe in some sort of box to put on your kitchen or bathroom counter?

Probably not.

 

Do you drink alcohol and if so, would you be OK with your witch sending you homemade infused vodka? Also, does your state allow alcohol to be shipped through the mail (for example, PA doesn't).

I doubt I'd drink the infused vodka, and I think it's illegal to get it shipped to me here, anyway.

 

Since it's been mentioned several times, and I've also offered to nacho witch some, would you you like to receive wild rice and or maple syrup? I promise to include recipe ideas with the wild rice.

Absolutely, positively, YES!!! (to either or both)

I have 5 bushels of tomatoes sitting in the kitchen right now that are supposed to turn into red sauce tomorrow, so would anyone like a basic red sauce (spaghetti sauce) to make its way to them?

Yes.

 

How would you feel about a taste of (insert witch location here) box?

Intrigued (that's a "yes, please").

 

Last year, my wonderful witch Alethia adopted a bat for me from batworld.org, a bat rescue and sanctuary. Bat's World. Would you be interested in having a bat adopted in your name?

Yes, of course!

 

Some of your favorite artists? Classic and modern?

I usually like Impressionists, especially Monet and Renior from the "founding fathers". I have a couple of paintings by Deborah Gold, a contemporary painter who does a lot of Impressionist paintings (my two are both Impressionist landscapes). I like Mark Rothko's "color field" paintings. I have to admit a weakness for Lawrence Alma-Tadema's paintings. Plus I am fascinated by Salvador Dali's painting of The Last Supper that is in the National Gallery in Washington, DC, although I don't necessarily like all of his work. I like early Renaissance paintings (think Giotto & similar) plus a fair number of Pre-Raphaelite works.

 

If you could have an image or certain subject painted for you on any type of "canvas" (on a box, on paper, on a canvas, and so on) - could you point your witch to some of these images?

There are applicable links and information in some of the other questions about art & paintings. I also like "mythic" landscapes, seascapes, castles, and so on. Also some space pictures - some of the ones from the Hubble space telescope are really cool. And I almost forgot the aurora borealis (northern lights)! Aurora australis is also good, there just aren't nearly as many pictures out there of the southern lights. I also forgot Celtic knots and the Newgrange triple spiral!

 

Is there a GC scent that's been on your list for ages but keeps falling off the bottom of your order because of the LEs?

I can't think of any offhand. Which is not to say that there aren't any, I just don't remember which ones they are.

 

I've been getting into indie nail polish brands recently. What's your favorite indie brand of nail polish? Or what's your favorite mainstream brand of nail polish? Or are you not big on polish?

I like nail polish colors, but I never get around to wearing it because I'm such a klutz at applying it and tend to chip it right away. That said, Zoya has some intriguing colors and I always check out the OPI rack when I go to Sephora.

 

Stuffed things: yea or nay?

Probably nay. I've reached the point where I mostly consider them clutter.

 

mix-in-a-jar? How to you feel about cookie or cake or soup mixes that come in jars and you just add, like, an egg or water or what have you?

This is a "maybe yes", but I almost never cook, so the chances are good that they wouldn't get used in a timely manner.

 

I live near this very cool Retro store (you can order online too) - are there things from it that would make you squee if your witch sent them?

I haven't had a chance to look at the website yet, but the answer for now is "probably not" since Retro generally doesn't appeal to me.

 

Would you be interested in beer, wine, or other specialty beverages from your Witch's area?

Beer, no (unless I were to use it in cooking, which would be a waste). I don't like to drink beer. Wine probably. Other specialty beverages, perhaps. I like the idea of mead, but I don't seem to like it when I actually meet some. And then there's the problems with trying to ship alcoholic beverages, which I wouldn't want to wish upon my Witch.

 

Are there any crafts/skills you've wanted to learn but haven't gotten around to? And if so, would you be interested in supplies and tutorials?

Yes, there are some, but I usually prefer to take classes rather than go it alone.

 

Who here would be happy to get a lil' sumthin sumthin from Adagio Teas? --> http://www.adagio.com I've been meaning to place an order with Adagio. The ones that have caught my eye are primarily the fruit-flavored ones such as mango, guanabana, passionfruit, currant, etc. White teas would also be interesting; black and green teas are fine, too.

 

Do you Ravelry? And if so, what's your handle over there? Would you be interested in gift patterns from your queue?

I don't Ravel, since I don't knit or crochet.

 

Who likes Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses?

I think I do, but I'd have to locate some and doublecheck!

 

What does your kitchen look like? Colors/style?

Looks like a disaster zone. Colors: forest green with some sunflower yellow and true red. I've allowed a few decorative French-country-style roosters to take up residence.

 

Witchee, what are your favorite quotes?

Be carefule what you ask for, you might get it.

 

All shall be well, and

All manner of thing shall be well.

(Dame Julian of Norwich, but also used by T. S. Eliot in The Four Quartets)

 

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

(T. S. Eliot, The Four Quartets)

 

Put your iPod/MP3 player/what-have-you on random and list the first 10 songs it plays!

1) Montsegur: La Tragedie Cathare; Lonc Tems Ai – Lo Ferm Vole, (La Nef)

2) Carmen, Act 1; Mon Officiere , C'etait Une Querelle (Bizet, Maria Callas)

3) La Gloire de Byzance, Trois Sticheresdes Grandes Vepres de l'Annonciation de la Mere de Dieu (Choeur Byzantin de Grece)

4) The Album I;, Choukrane (Alabina)

5) The Album II, Baile Maria (Alabina)

6) Xou Da Xusa 3, Bombom (Xuxa)

7) Musique de la Grece Antique, Anonymi Bellermann (Atrium Musica de Madrid)

8) Cantus Buranus: Das Orgelwerk; Fuga Super: "Ingordin et Ingordan" (Corvus Corax)

9) Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K.467: III Allegro Vivace (Mozart)

10) Wagner: An introduction to Der Ring des Nibelungen by Deryck Cooke (with musical examples), 30. One last central symbol (Ex. 150-7)

[this last one was immediately followed by a track from Act II of the Solti/Vienna Philharmonic version of Gotterdammerung, but we'll quit here]

What's one random thing you really like and one random thing you really dislike?

Random really like: cool, crisp fall mornings. Random really dislike: Having my motives misconstrued. Doing something intended to be kind, helpful, considerate, etc., and then getting reamed by someone for my supposed bad motive, disregard for others, lack of caring, or generally hatefulness for doing or saying whatever it was.

 

Are there any herbs that you haven't been able to lay hands on that I could send you? There's an herbal shop I really like here in NYC called Flower Power that has quite a wide selection.

Can't think of any off-hand..

 

If there are no "witchy" shops near you, is there anything I can pick up for you from Enchantments?

Again, can't think of anything off-hand.

 

Hey Witchee! I want to send you a delivery. It could be cupcakes from a local bakery, it could be a singing hugging bear-a-gram, it could be a bouquet of flowers. But it will be something that you need to be there to receive.

a) Are you OK with "special deliveries"? *waggles eyebrows* No, absolutely not. I'm not home much, and when I am I don't appreciate having my privacy invaded. Sometimes it would be an outright imposition, say if I was trying to get to sleep at noon because I have to go in to work at 8:00 pm to work a rocket launch scheduled for 3:00 am.

 

What are some things you are OK with receiving gently used or homemade, and some things you absolutely do not want if they are gently used or homemade?

That depends very much on the item. Homemade art or craft items are fine. See my answers to some of the other questions for more cases.

 

I live near a Mast General Store. It has lots of vintage-y toys, southern foods (jams, jellies, spices) and vintage candy. Is there anything I can get for you?

Not familiar with it, so I can't really say.

 

Do you have any Fall or Halloween traditions?

No, not really.

 

Ninjas or Pirates?

Either, neither, no preference.

 

I have an extra room spray and 2 extra bath oils (one Cephalopod, one Exhibit Hall Fatigue) from Dragon*Con - would anybody like a decant?

That might be interesting.

 

Witchee, would you like it if I made you a "mix tape" of songs that I think you might like? And if so, would you prefer mp3 or CD format?

Probably not.

 

I know it is totally the wrong season (for most of us), but do you like/have space to garden? If so, what do you like to grow?

I haven't been gardening. Fortunately,.the rosemary bushes and birds of paradise in my yard seem to thrive on neglect.

 

Tell me of your taste preferences. Dry/sweet? Red/white? Lager/ale/porter/stout? Fruit? Spice? Hops? Sour (brettanomyces, etc)?

Not mouth-puckeringly dry, but not too sweet, either (unless it's flat-out intended to be a dessert wine), although I do like vintage port. I usually choose red wine, although I also drink white wine occasionally. I had an excellent glass of Chateau St Michelle's Eroica recently. I don't like beer.

 

are there any if MeiLin's books (e-book or print) you'd be interested in?

Between past swaps and her Kickstarter, I think I already have most of them.

 

I'm about to be near a Lush store next week, is there anything you might like from there?

None of the Lush products has ever grabbed my interest.

 

Songs that you keep meaning to buy but never get round to it?

I have some CDs on my amazon.com wishlist - may list some of those here later. Individual songs, no.

 

Movies that you love but forgot to put in your questionaire?

None.

 

Name one movie you keep meaning to buy, but just never get around to getting?

2001: A Space Odyssey. Queen Kelly. Duck Soup. Rocky Horror Picture Show. OK, so that's more than one.

 

Any favorite Bath & Body Works scents/products?

No, not really..

 

Haus of Gloi is offering custom perfumes - would you like one? What would your ideal blend be?

Not really, I haven't had a hankering for a particular type of custom perfume, and I have enough perfume on hand to last me several lifetimes.

 

Any Bath, Body or nutritional type items you would love to try from a Natural and Organic food store (similar to Whole Foods) that you don't buy because they are a bit too pricey?

I'm usually not afraid to treat myself if I really want it, so no, thank you.

 

Witchee, will you be gone from your normal mailing address at any point during the round?

Yes, October 8-12. But packages are held at my post office box if they're coming USPS.

 

Are you a Disney fan or does even thinking about Disney make your head hurt? If you're into Disney, would you like something from the Happiest Place on Earth ?

I live an hour and a half from Disneyworld and still have one day left on a pass from earlier this year. Plus I'm not that big a fan of Disney stuff.

 

dear witchee, would you, could you use an electric candle warmer? i'm talking something like this.

I already have one, thank you.

 

Do you lust after some new socks/tights?

No, not really. I have the same issue that some others have mentioned - I'm plus-size, so most knee socks don't fit me and plus-size tights aren't all that common. I tend to be rather picky about my socks and tights.