Hello!

 

If you have drawn me in the switch-witch fun, then I guess you either live outside North America or you said you were happy to deal with Internationals. Thank you very, very much for your generosity and open-mindedness in volunteering : I'm really grateful. The fun of swapping is one of my favourite things about BPAL and it's a pain that shipping makes it a bit harder to join in from here.

 

Since I am saying a big fat NO THANK YOU to so many of the suggestions in the questions, I'm going to post another blog after this with oodles of ideas of things I do like. Many are just symbols or ideas, others are more tangible and practical, but I hope they'll be useful and maybe a bit more fun to read than just me saying no the whole time!

 

I tried to put suggestions in my questionnaire about how it could be easier to post things, but maybe you have loads of ideas anyway - or you live near me (but postage is still a lot actually).

 

I have set up an Amazon wish-list for this, in case it helps. It does feel a bit blatant to "ask" like this - and maybe you won't really feel drawn to anything on it. But in case it helps:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/wishlist/RV3Q9VX26IOC/

 

If you can get your hands on even a drop of any of these, I would love to try them:

 

The Most Magnificent Christmas Tree, Now Winter Nights Enlarge, Mother Ginger, A Dreary Night of November.

 

One idea that has just come to me: I enjoy doodling. Nice paper for it would be great (I have coloured pens already). Ikea do a range of paper products now - notecards and books and so on - which I love. Good writing paper is also a passion of mine.

 

Just in case someone would find my answers to these questions useful, here they are:

 

Are you interested in Dr Who?

No. I watch it but I really can't say I'm a great fan in any way - it's just something that my husband and I like to watch together. We watch very little tv at all in fact - about a couple of hours a month.

Do you wear lip balm?

No.

Do you wear lip gloss?

No.

Do you like tea, or coffee?

I do like tea but not usually "flavoured" ones, I prefer particular teas such as Darjeeling, Lapsang Souchong and so on. One exception is vanilla scented black tea which I have loved in the past. Coffee - I do enjoy it (we use ground, in a cafetierre) but I'm no connoisseur.

Who is your favourite female of all time?

Oooh, lovely juicy question! Tempting to say my mother, who is a retired surgeon, and very loving, and cunningly wily. But today I'll pick Catherine Destivelle, who is a French climber. A leading woman in her sport, and someone who moved from roped climbing to soloing in search of fresh adventure in middle-age. A true heroine to me.

If you were a Disney princess, who would you be?

I've seen almost no Disney films, sorry! I tend to prefer wild outdoors and high culture - but I have been to Disneyland and I totally adored it.

Would you like a seashell from Florida?

Yes, I'd love one Or a small pebble from somewhere, or anything similar. Or a pressed flower.

 

What craft project do you currently have on your docket or that you want to start? And that craft goodies would be welcome?

I don't pursue crafts unless you count gardening and cooking, for which I think I have all I need. But if you're seriously into either and have a favourite tool or - thingy - that you reckon I won't have and is really useful, then I'd love that, if it could be posted or arranged to be sent within the UK.

 

If you could have one rare bpal which one would you choose?

For ages I've wanted to try Arrival at the Sabbath, but just now I also spotted The Most Magnificent Christmas Tree and I fancy that a lot too - but I guess I'm unlikely to try either. There are some others too - I've put a note in bold at the top.

 

Are you kinky?

Oh yes Although not really as much into it as I used to be. I don't think there's any kinky thing I'm missing just now but I'm very unlikely to be offended by things.

 

Do you enjoy scented candles?

Not really no. I used to but since I got into BPAL I prefer to keep my scent just to oils that I wear.

 

Thoughts about South Africa? Have you been here, would you like to go? Would you like to receive anything South African?

Another great question - haven't been there, very interested, and I'd love to go I'm particularly keen on different flora around the world - and birds and animals too - and walking/climbing in new places. I'd be interested in pictures or a booklet about that. Not so interested in South African food.

Do you like Sockdreams? If so, what styles would you prefer? (You can also link your wishlist.)

Goodness! I'd never heard of them before. They do look kind of fun but I'm really not that fussed about socks - they're just a necessary thing to me, so no thank you.

Do you need hair accessories? If so, what kind or color?

Oooh, lovely question! Yes I'd love some. We have a friend who puts all sorts of mad things in her hair and it looks great - she had some birds for a photo a while ago. But also brightly coloured fluff, or - any light-hearted or clearly eccentric stuff. Not just he usual plain brown plastic because I have those. (I have longish hair, about half way between my shoulders and elbows.)

What is your favorite shade of blue?

Erm, I'm not really wild on blue, tbh. One that looks close to green?

 

Do you have any kitchen gadgets (a SodaStream, a Kuerig/Tassimo) that you want mix things for?

No, we try to keep kitchen gardetry down because we have a smallish kitchen.

 

If you were to start learning something new (intellectual or craft or hobby), what would it be?

I'm attracted to aerial silks, but I haven't really got time for it. Also I fancy going (horse)riding again, but ditto.

What about candy? Do you have a sweet tooth?

I do but I'm trying hard to educate myself out of it for several reasons, so I'd rather not be sent any.

 

Do you have an e-reader? What kind? Would you like to get ebooks?

No, I don't, I'm not keen on them really. (I seem to be saying No to a lot! Sorry)

 

If your witch is an extremely crafty sort, and she were to send all kinds of homemade foody goodies and handmade crafty stuff - what are items you would NOT LOVE to receive. Please dont hedge on this one...some of us are serious crafters and will be making most of what we send!

Gosh that's a very wide question. I prefer not to receive very sweet things. I have a feeling that edible stuff wouldn't post across the Atlantic anyway. Otherwise I tend to like most handmade things Something either very sweet (ie adorable) or very useful would be good. A notebook, decorated maybe - or a little toy mouse, even the size that goes in a match-box. (would be nice I mean, not that I would NOT want). I find it hard to say no to things I can't imagine, if you see what I mean.

 

Witchee dear, do you like video games? Are there any you want to play? Do you have a large library?

I don't play any kind of computer or video game, no. I get hooked on things far too easily.

 

Do you have something you do, without fail, as a personal daily habit/ritual?

Interesting question. My day at home invariably begins with making tea, but although I do love it, it's more because my husband loves it even more and it's just an "us" thing, that I do it for us if you see what I mean. One of our rituals. I very often write in a journal - not a dated book, just a nice hardback notebook with lined paper. I prefer them to be A4 size or a little smaller (I think that may be called foolscap in the US) - smaller is ok though. I invariably take a book to bed too - well unless I'm with a visiting lover or away seeing one. And not when I'm camping since I don't take a book to read then (which is a shock to the system but it's a weight issue, and good therapy to go without).

 

Do you wear nailpolish?

No.

 

Name three BPAL scents you have tried, but are dying to get more of.

My Mommy in a Boat; Pumpkin II 2012; Self-portrait with puffy stickers.

 

Do you still write real letters on nice stationary to people you like/love?

Yes! Not often but I do. I prefer really nice quality but fairly simple paper, although I did love using some florentine style decorated stuff I had a few years ago.

 

Have you ever tried anything from Paintbox Soapworks? Which products or scents would you prefer?

I have and they were nice in themselves, but I prefer to use fairly plain soap and have scent as BPAL perfumes to wear.

Do you like/have space to garden? If so, what do you grow?

We have, by urban English standards, a big garden, and I'm pretty keen on it, although I find it hard to keep concentrated on it. I dream of one day opening it to the public, even if only in a really small way to a gardening group of friends say - or of maybe moving to a bigger property where we could do this. We grow flowers, veg, fruit, and we have several bits of lawn, and a pond. More details very happily provided if you like! We also have a big conservatory and a very tatty old greenhouse. The conservatory stays above about 5degrees; outdoors we need things to be hardy down to about -5 if they're sheltered, or -10 if not. We get wet cold, so not good for desert plants. We're on clay. I'm organic and I prefer plants that are good-doers but with the emphasis on form over flowering mass.

 

Do you like sample sized things? Think lipgloss, mascara, bodylotion, scrubs, mini candles, and so forth.

I would find sample sizes useful for traveling, of things that I choose to take: deodorant in summer time, tooth-paste, imps of course!, lens solution, sun-block - and that's about it. I virtually never wear make-up and I seem to be just about the only woman in the western world who just doesn't "do" skincare - I rinse my face with water and that's it. I'm about as low-maintenance as you can get. I do own products like this but they just never get used.

 

Have you tried Fortune Cookie Soap? What products or scents would you like?

Never heard of it.

 

Do you use solid soaps at all? If so, what kind do or don't you like?

I use solid soap in a dish beside the wash-basin and beside the sink. Upstairs I keep it on a curved giant flint I found when I was out on a walk. I think I usually buy Imperial Leather - something from the supermarket anyway. I'm not bothered by what it is, so long as it's not one of the glycerine types that seem to melt away in very little time. In the bath I use shower-gel made by Original Source - but really it's just stuff to wash with, I'm not bothered what it is! I actually find it hard to use really special presents of soap and so on because it seems a shame to make them not-exist, I don't think I get enough pleasure out of using them compared to just having them. Not ideal really. But with perfume I do

 

Have you ever tried Cocoa Pink? If you are curious about it, what looks interesting to you?

Erm, more toiletries/cosmetics - no, still not interested. Just not my kind of thing. I only like BPAL, and only really their perfumes

 

Do you like Lush? If so, what is your favorite product that is currently available, also, what is a product that you love but has been discontinued?

As above really. I'm fine with just plain supermarket stuff. I do see the appeal of Lush in a way - I love the smell of their shops - but I'm rather a one-man-dog in terms of what I want to spend my money on, get attached to, and focus on. I just don't find bath products terribly exciting, compared to say books or climbing or gardening or cooking or mooching around the back-streets of an old city. Some post-cards of where you live, maybe?

 

Anyone a fan of Shiro Cosmetics?

No thank you.

 

Are there any companies, products, or items you boycott?

Yes, Microsoft.

 

As I am in Japan, what sort of things would you like from there?

I would love some traditional paper.

 

Since FB and the FB Gusp group (and the BPAL Sorority which is quiet) have become gathering places...what are some of your favorite Facebook pages you like? I'll share some of mine:

I don't use FB at all.

 

Do you read literature/culture blogs or websites of any kind? I'm thinking about anything that would help a putative witch to get a sense of what your current tastes in books, movies, games, genres, approaches to culture and literature and so forth are.

 

OK, I think I will edit my other blog entry into genres so that it's a bit more reader-friendly.

 

How do you feel about traditional picnics (namely the intimate table for two variety)? Old-fashioned basket or something more utilitarian (cooler/insulated bag)?

I love them! We have a huge basket, and several pic-nic rugs. Quite often ours are for more than 2 though, since we like them with visitors.

 

Haus of Gloi did a Reverie update! Do any of them interest you? (Or anything else up currently?)

Hmmm - I strongly suspect I would like things from there, but I'd rather not be given them because I don't want to find more stuff beyond BPAL to want to spend money on - it would go less far for goodies here

Witchee, do you cook? Do you do all the cooking? Is it a chore or a pleasure?

Oooh, close to my heart - and good question! I love to cook... in theory. But it is mainly done by me in our house, and I find the daily obligation a bit pressing sometimes. However being financially supported is wonderful and I know my husband both enjoys cooking when he can, and invariably appreciates my efforts with it. Most often I cook things that are served in a bowl, because I find it comforting. We both enjoy fairly healthy food and find it's pretty much essential to help manage our moods, so I try to include a good balance of things - we get a mixed veg and fruit box delivered weekly which helps a lot there. I adore to pick something from a cookery book and shop that day for it though, when I have time, which rather conflicts with using up the contents of the box! Most often I cook things I make up myself. Pasta dishes, scromlet (cross between scrambled egg and ommelette) potatoe bake things, big salads. I enjoy making scones (called biscuits in the US I think) but try to keep all sweet cooking down because otherwise I gorge on it and get in a ratty mood later and too full for better food! I enjoy cooking bigger or more elaborate meals too, and planning a succession of small courses for special guests. I might enjoy receiving special ingredients if you know of any, and if they were easy to post to me. Good food is rarely cheap though, I know.

If you were put in a room with 100 random other people the same age and sex as you, from your country, in what way do you think you would be different from the average?

 

I'm glad this question was popular and I loved reading all the answers! I also found it very encouraging to learn what type of people are on the forum. My answer: I'm unusual in being at home (a housewife), having a slightly unusual hobby (climbing), having open relationships, and owning a stupid number of books. Other things that are not normal but hardly that rare include having no children, being pretty keen on spirituality, hardly ever wearing make-up, and being keen on very long walks. And having a pretty severe problem with procrastination. Edit: vanillabean's post below reminds me - I also don't drink alcohol, which is pretty rare in the UK; other details I didn't fancy putting on the main page: I'm very flat-chested, which used to bother me a lot but does less so now. I enjoy frugality. I associate true generosity with thoughtfulness, which may involve high expenditure, if possible and appropriate, or it may well not.

 

Which reading level do you prefer to read in YA or Adult? Or even both?

Ooh, another interesting one. Nearly always I prefer adult. My first degree was in English lit and I tend to enjoy fairly heavy-duty stuff. I find a lot of YA stuff forumlaic and crap. But I do enjoy it sometimes (and I know that some things I enjoy are also slightly forumlaic, eg Mary Wesley - funny how I forgive my favourite formulae!) I've enjoyed Philip Pullman and to a lesser extent Laini Taylor; I also treasure memories of childhood writers like Leon Garfield, KM Peyton and Margaret Mahy. Alan Garner, Eileen Dunlop - oh so many. I think I used to find I utterly loved a book more frequently as a child than I do now.

What colors/style is your kitchen decor? And do you entertain in your home?

Our kitchen has pale wood surfaces, a pale floor, and mauve walls which I'm not keen on. It's also rather full! It isn't an "eat-in" kichen - too small - so we eat either in the sitting room (like a pair of slobs on the sofa) or the conservatory (more civilized, at a big pine table). Yes I love to entertain

Are your ears pierced?

Yes and I love ear-rings

Do you like stuffies/stuffed animals/art doll type thingies? If so, any particular type you'd love to get?

I adore stuffed animals I also love little toys or models of animals. I have a collection of toy mice (have been called Mouse by my parents since I was about 7). Less keen on dolls but possibly that's because I think of nasty ones, not special ones as I know some people do make and enjoy. I like dressed up mice - mice of any kind really - but for most stuffed animals I prefer them to look at least a little like a real animal - no strange colour or hugely distorted features. I used to like only Steiff animals but now many companies - and individuals - make a similar style, much more affordably (I only have one Steiff, a seal).

Do you like bags?

Not especially.

 

What's your favourite comfort food(snack or candy etc) and/or drink?

I try not to go to food for comfort - I'd rather just detach from what's bothering me by just letting go. Sometimes I talk to the dog about it! I do get through a lot of tea.

 

What fandoms do you belong to?

Well nothing in any kind of major way. I love watching Sherlock, but I'm not sure I'd want to own stuff associated with it, other than future episodes!

 

Question: What cheers you up?

Ah, nice one. Music - I like to put it on to dance about to while washing-up. I just use the radio, whatever's in the Top 10 (I must be just about the oldest listener out there to this!) - well not whatever, I like about 1 in 5 tunes a lot, but I can put up with the others. I'm married to a keen musician so this is a cause of embarrassment! Ha. However when things go horribly wrong I listen to Mozart. I cuddle the dog. I phone my mother. I start reading a new book - a really engrossing novel, and on that's not too high-brow - the Night Circus for example - well written, beautiful, but also with a strong plot. I go for a walk. I'd go and sit in the garden. Put the kettle on [for tea]. It also cheers me up with the sun comes out and when I go climbing.

Who or where would you most want to haunt? Who would you least want to be haunted by?

Oh, a corker! Hm. My favourite walks. A place where I've camped wild, up by a mountain lake. Victoria Station, which I associate with the start of lovely days out in London or trips away - so that I could watch all the people coming and going, make catty remarks to my fellow ghosts, and speculate about what they were all up to.

What question do you hate to answer?

I find it difficult when people ask what I do. Far less so than I used to, though. I feel guilty to some extent for not making a financial contribution at home and for perhaps in some ways wasting my education and abilities, and for not also putting up with the hassle that a job entails which my husband has to. Also I dislike the image that some people have of a housewife. And I don't like being asked whether I have children. This is a less frequent question though and most people are aware it might be a sensitive subject, so that it is a little for me is less problematic, because there's usually a delicacy there.

 

What is the best compliment you have/could receive?

"You're great at seeing the best in people." or "You have great determination" - or best of all, and a long way off, "I love your footwork!" (re climbing). "you're great fun to climb with" was also gorgeous though. I hate compliments on my appearance.

 

Do you like tarot cards, pendulums and rune stones etc? If so, what type?

I LOVE tarot! Have several books on it too (well I have books on how to breathe and how to make a cup of tea so that's not surprising). My favourite deck is Maggie Kneen's Old English Tarot. I also have one called the Cosmic Tarot which I quite like but it was bought by mistake. I love the Shadowscapes one, and also the Druid animal oracle. I've never used a pendulum; crystals do appeal to me though. Rune stone - no idea about them. I prefer to find special stones myself.

 

Witchee, I know that SW isn't about what you get... but could you name one thing you would be heartbroken not to get and one thing you would be a-ok if it didn't make it in your box? (i.e. do you REALLY want perfume oil of some sort, or would you be totally heartbroken if there was no Lush in your box, etc)

No, there isn't anything in particular, specifically. I think I'd be disappointed - though not heartbroken - if I didn't get even a tiny thing direct from my witch, say a post-card. I know it's going to be way easier to have stuff sent direct to me from a company here but some contact from themselves would be lovely.

 

Although it seems really ungrateful to say so, I think ideally I'd like a hint of their personality, rather than just something picked by me. An imp of *their* favourite GC scent, say, or a 2nd hand copy of a book they love, or a picture of their dog in an email or something (I'm a bit vague about how contact works) - that kind of thing. I feel a bit wary of posting my Amazon list for that reason, but I did it because someone might otherwise feel they were being asked to magic up some Thing, when they might be stressed or short of time.

 

Would you like something from Empire Edibles?

I bet it's lovely stuff, and I'd gobble it up very happily if it was sent to me, but ideally I'd prefer to avoid sweet stuff. I put huge efforts into losing weight. (note - heavier again this morning. please please no sweet or fatty food)

 

Is there a literary character you identify with? Even if it's not spot-on, just someone you found yourself having that "I identify with this" feeling?

Oooh, interesting. Nobody that I can remember feeling really strongly about, but when I read Jane Eyre, the way she grew in depth and understanding and character made me feel that she was trying to do the same thing that I do. I get little hints of things from lots of characters but not enough to remember them specifically now.

 

 

What are the three books you most want to read right now, and which you don't already have?

Ah, now this is right up my ally I'd like: The Rough Guide to Mindfulness; Days of Blood and Starlight; and a book called Women Climbing.

What would you like from the most recent BPAL update? What are you planning on buying for yourself and what would you like to try?

I'm afraid I caved and ordered already, sorry!

 

Opinions on table top games, from cards and board games, to dice and rpgs. What do you like? What don't you like? Favorites? Any classics you like? Do you collect any?

I love Articulate but it needs a lot of people and I'm very competitive in it! I also love Carcassonne, for quieter times, and Dominion. We have Settlers of Catane but we've not got really into it yet. We enjoy games - particularly in the winter. I think that since they are fairly expensive, there are probably other things I would like more, unless you particularly want to share a favourite (which would be great).

What style is your sense of humour?

I enjoy Black Books, Monty Python, character-based humour, and slightly Zen-type surrealism - a detached, laid-back, gently smiling attitude to life. I'm not keen on slapstick, humour that just depends on saying rude words (though the rudeness won't offend me), and long series of puns. I don't know if you have Mitchell and Webb in the US - or where you are, if you're not here. I also like Blackadder. I like shared jokes and silly words.

 

Is there anything from Australia you would like? eg: snacks (yes, you can ask for Tim Tams!), books, magazines, memorabilia?

Somebody mentioned native spices - I'd love those. Pictures or sustainable souvenirs of the local plants. Music, maybe? I like world music, classical, rock, prog, some dance and rap if it's intelligent - not country or garage. I also enjoy broad, un PC Aussie humour

What is your favourite object, that you own, ignoring sentimental reasons for attachment? So I guess something you find beautiful, or fun, or incredibly useful.

For me it's a huge wrought-iron candelabra, made in the shape of a tree, which I confess I actually gave to my husband. Ahem! Tough call between that and a book of photographs by Edwin Smith.

 

Gift cards/vouchers - yay or nay? If you like them - which stores would you like one for?

Yes, if you like - http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Gift-Vouchers

How big is too big...for something to hang on your walls? If I'm painting you a pretty picture, are there maximum dimensions that you have/prefer?

I have a feeling a painting would be horrendously expensive to post. And yes we would find anything bigger than about 2 feet by 1 and a half hard to hang.

Put your mp3 player/online music/itunes/etc on random and list the next 10 songs here:

I haven't so far got into music in forms other than CD (and tapes, gigs, etc!). My favourite band is Deep Purple (we have all their albums including the newest one); I also love Mozart, Elgar, Marillion, Byrd, Beethoven, Brand X, Genesis (mainly early stuff), the Kinks, and Billy Joel (that list came from picking 10 who first came to mind, but it gives you an idea).

I have a feeling I will struggle with keeping my identity secret from my witchee. If you happen to find out who yours is, how much would it bother you?

If you say a lot, I will try really, really hard! But for example, it wouldn't bother me at all. (I think I'd find it really hard if my witch wanted to be secret for ever though! - less so with the witchee)

Do you use waxmelts or tarts? If so, which ones do you prefer?

I've never tried them.

 

Do you enjoy drinking hot chocolate, and would you like stuff to make it with, or to add to it?

I love real cocoa, in the winter, unsweetened. But I like it so much just as it is (I like Green & Blacks') that I'm not sure about adding anything - certainly not anything sweet. If you know of another hot drink that's cocoay but not sugary, I might well be interested (I mean not sweetened - it's the rich pure flavour I like, rather than a calorie issue.)

Have you ever tried Spoonfudge? Would you enjoy it if your Witch would send you some?

No thank you. I am compulsively addicted to sugar and I over-eat it so badly I get ill .

 

What's your opinion on Moonalisa? Any favorites or products you'd like to try?

What an absolutely gorgeous website! But I think I like the graphics and the feeling more than I would the products.

Are there any BPALs that you loved the idea of, the imagery - whether artwork or description - but which didn't work out for you? (I'm asking because if they did, you might mention them elsewhere, but if not, the imagery might be helpful)

 

For me, it would be Crossroads, since I'm quite pagan-minded and the crossings of paths on walks often feel highly-charged to me. Also London - I love rose, and old metal, and the idea of a time-warp back to a London I'm quite glad I don't really live in. Also The Witch's Garden, since I adore gardens and as well as paganism.

 

Do you want to receive one big package or a bunch of small ones? Digital stuff all at the end when the box should arrive or as we go?

I'd be happy with whichever works best for my witch. Given that they might be abroad, some thought about postage costs could be wise. Oddly enough small packets can sometimes be cheaper - I think there's a limit over which they charge a shocking amount. PLEASE look into this - or I will maybe and post it here - because I'd hate you to be a nasty shock. Please also feel free to get stuff sent within the UK, or to send very small light things. Or simply very little that you've dreamt up - v much a thought that counts thing

Important: re digital stuff, this might be tricky. I run an old computer, and on Linux. If you send something in a proprietary formula it's quite likely I won't be able to open or use it. I can open emails, and links to things that don't run video will be fine - ecards and so on. I'm probably better off with CDs than emusic, and I don't use an e-reader for books. I can't run video on my computer, and currently I have no speakers connected to it. This is all an area I should maybe address, but I have limited income and my priority is things for climbing, travel to get to it - and BPAL

 

Is there someone on the forums (within SW or not) who knows you really well and might be able to help with stalking?

Yes, ReallyZeb.

 

Also, STARBUCKS, Yay or Nay? Anything you particularly like?

Not really. I don't get on terribly well with coffee and I'd rather avoid sugar/excessive fat.

 

Is there a Quote that resonates with you, or that you particularly like a lot. Would this be something you would like artwork made of for your walls or a shirt/bag/scarf?

Yes, two: "Here, now, this" and "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass: it's about learning to dance in the rain." That 2nd one might be so naff to you that you can't bear to work with it though! I love both of these, they mean a huge amount to me, and I'd particularly like to be able to wear either of them.

 

When you are having a really rough day, what do you like to do/have to make it a little brighter?

Hmm. I get a lot of really low moods. Just lately I've been reading about the ego and detachment and I think I'd try that; to help, maybe a walk, some yoga - definitely climbing if possible. I might try losing myself in a book with a strong plot. Putting music on always helps but if I'm really low it doesn't occur to me. Same with gardening - helps but needs a bit of oomph to get me out there. I also bleat at anyone who will listen about it (my husband mainly!). The low moods are less frequent if I eat carefully and take exercise. Sometimes I find careful thought helps - I imagine advising a friend with the same problem and that can bring some useful insight.

Would you like if your witch sent a regional pop/soda? If so, what type (Root beer, creme soda, cola, citrus-flavored, chocolate-flavored, etc...)?

Hm. I think these days, no, because of the sugar (and I'd rather avoid artificial sweeteners). Also it would be massively expensive to post from abroad.

 

About Etsy - until about a week ago I'd only ever looked very briefly at it, and loved what I'd seen. But since then I've spent quite a long time trying to put together a wish-list, and failed. There are some things I like there but none enough to say, "yes get me one of those please". It feels like lots of pretty shop windows, full of things I can point to and ooh over, but don't really want to buy. You might well find something there that I'd love, but there's just so much stuff, and I try to keep my time on the net down because I prefer other activities.

Werewolves or Vampires?

No thank you. I like natural things more - dogs and cats, deer, trees - all that.

Contact and e-cards

An email would be lovely; e-cards are also very sweet but if they're animated, they probably won't even open for me Anything in the post would be wonderful. If you like I will promise not to scrutinise the outside for clues to your location! Or you might prefer to send one thing at the end. But I do love things by post.

T-shirts, crystals, magnets

I love T-shirts and virtually live in them. I much prefer the girly-shaped ones; size small or maybe even xs, depends on the company. If they have a tight band around the arm then probably only small since my arms are fairly toned and will get more so. I have a lot of really plain t-shirts so something fun, pretty, funny - anything like that - would be nice. Crystals - beautiful things. I don't own any but would like them. Magnets - we haven't got anywhere to put them as magnets (our fridge is very small and has a wooden front) but if it's funny or sweet it might still be nice; I might prefer say a drinks coaster though since to be able to use something is nice.

 

f you knit/crochet, what sizes of needles do you need?

I don't. (used to love knitting - very badly - when a little kid and maybe one day I'll get into it again, but just now I prefer to concentrate on my existing interests)

 

What styles of artwork do you like?

I love fairly naturalistic pictures of dogs, horses, gardens and plants, mountains, rivers (not sugary though). I adore wood-cuts and engravings. I like black and white photographs - modern and old - and also strongly-composed colour photograaphs. Photographs of water - streams, waterfalls, rivers, stormy seas. And pictures to do with climbing!

If you cook, would you be interested in-hand made spice mixes/rubs?

Maybe? If it's something special to you, certainly yes. Otherwise I tend to season things pretty carefully myself, I don't use ready-made mixes.

Would you like mexican vanilla or silver rings/necklaces?

Is this vanilla from mexico, or a special term I don't know, or aimed at someone in particular (well I know it's the latter but - ). I like good real vanilla I like silver too. A necklace would be better for me than a ring.

What are the three BPALs you would most like to receive - one GC, one not-hard to find LE, and one HTF LE from your dreams?

GC - Knave of Hearts. LE - not sure what is hard to find. I'd love Arrival at the Sabbath; a bottle of Boo or Sugar Skull would be lovely, and since they come out often maybe not that hard? But they're popular so maybe people hang onto them. I love Nadie Se Conoce which had very mixed reviews, so maybe that would be easier - but maybe people just got decants, I don't know.

What is your favorite color?

Green.

What is your favorite season?

Oh, I couldn't say. I love snow and Christmas in winter; I love the excitement and hard work in the garden in spring; the colour and warmth in summer, and my birthday and fireworks and halloween in Autumn

If you could live anywhere in the world and money was no object, where would it be?

I have a lot of ties and things I love where I am. But other places that appeal would be somewhere more rural in Sussex; the Lakes for the prettiness and to climb; Italy for the style. London in the centre for a few months, to enjoy the buzz. Corsica, for the people and the new climbing! - fresh new routes, in the middle of nowhere, eating Corsican food.

 

Do you have any long trips coming up? If so, could you use things to occupy yourself?

No, only short trips.

 

I'm going to Jungle Jim's next week (it's basically a massive international food gasm in Ohio, look it up); would anything interest you?

Hm. No I don't think so.

 

Name three things that you could use, but might not necessarily think to get for yourself?

I'd like some interesting T-shirts. I tend to were plain ones and I'd rather they were more fun. I'd like some warm socks with slight soles on - or plastic little round bits - that I can wear to curl up in in winter. And a mug with something fun on it?

 

Does anything from the TP Etsy update interest you?

No thank you - and it tends to cost a fortune to ship TP stuff to the UK.

I just found out Oreo is launching ones with watermelon flavor in the USA only. Is it something you would enjoy?

It would, - maybe one or two in a parcel? Not sure if they can be sent that way though. So maybe not.

What do you love about summer (even if it’s your least-favorite season)?

Ooh, good question. I love warm air on my skin. Being able to wear far fewer clothes - less hassle, less to think about, quite a liberating feeling. I love the long daylight. I think people tend to be happier in the summer. The feeling of buzz about the time from about Wimbledon to the Proms - it seems to be one thing after another in England. I love strawberries and cream, cucumbers, big straw hats, floaty skirts, a hammock in the garden, swallows overhead in the evening. Pippa (our dog) lying dozing on the grass. P being happy to stay out in the garden with me - and able to leave the door open so she can come and go. Barbecues in the evening. Glorious green leaves on the trees, and firm dry ground under foot, so P doesn't get filthy on walks. Walking in sandals. Being able to climb on warm rock.

 

For those of you who are big readers: Are there any books that just came out (like within the last two months) or are about to come out during this round that you're really looking forward to?

I fancy Kate Atkinson's new one. Also the 2nd installment of Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Tattoos

I have none. I sometimes (often) like them on others, but I'm not currently drawn to getting any myself.

TAL update on etsy. Is there anything you want/need?

I find that the magical power of scents tends to come for me from association generated in my own life and mind rather than in their formulation, so no thank you.

Brown and Haley

Hadn't heard of them - ah, sweets. No thank you.

Oberto Jerky

Much more interesting - so yes, if this happens to be convenient for you, dear witch, and you fancy sending some, I'd like that. But not if you prefer other ideas.

How do you feel about home-canned goods?

Oh wow, colour me impressed! They'd cost a fortune to post - from anywhere, I suspect, never mind abroad - but at the least I'd love to talk to you about how you do it! Lovely idea.

 

Do you like BPTP clothing?

I fancy their T-shirts - a lot. Never owned any so far. The yoga pants - well they look nice, and I bet I'd wear them, but I know that wide-legged stuff doesn't actually work for me for yoga - they fall down your legs during inversions and flap about during sun salutations - right pain. Nice for general wear though. Please avoid imagery with skulls - I'm squeamish about them.

 

What size do you wear of:

T-shirts - probably xs

Baby-doll - XS or S? Not sure. I'm an old-fahioned 10 in the UK, which given that sizes are all getting bigger nowadays makes me about an 8.

Yoga-pants - say s.

 

What else do you love from the Trading Post site, and need to have?

There are many things I'd be happy to have but I doubt I'd really use much.

 

Is there a particular movie genre that you like (Fantasy? Drama? Romantic Comedy? Musicals? TV-Series, etc), and what format would you prefer: DVD, Blu-Ray, or something in the cloud (like Amazon, iTunes, Flixster, etc)?

I tend to like films about the past, with a rather literary bent - Orlando, The Village, Howards End. I have also enjoyed Inception and V for Vendetta. DVD please, and which will play here - ie Europe.