1. A Meeting at Mugglefest
Friday night, while Abigail snoozes for a bit at Grandma's, we pay a visit to Mugglefest, Portland's extremely impressive re-creation of Diagon Alley. Various Hogwarts figures are wandering about signing autographs. To my great surprise, Professor Dumbledore addresses Susan and Phil by name and the three pose for a portrait. As we leave, Dumbledore shouts, "See you soon!"
What?
2. Bath Time
On the morning of the big day, Mom and Dad give Abigail a good dunk in the tub.
3. A Contemplative Moment
As she waits to be dressed, Abigail asks herself, will that bald paparazzo never leave me in peace?
4. We Meet Again, Professor
We arrive at the garden where the Big Event is taking place. I whisper to Susan that at least I don't have to worry about a church roof falling in on me, to which she replies that I could still be struck by lightning. The service begins. Do you recognize the minister, this time with his own facial hair?
How many kids can tell their friends they were christened by Albus Dumbledore?*
*I am still reading Deathly Hallows, so DO NOT REVEAL PLOT DETAILS IN THE COMMENTS or I'll hurl an Avada Kedavra at your stash. I mean it.
I bet Sirius would have made a shawl like that for Harry, if he could have. Be grateful you weren't knitting with Fred & George's spell-check wands!
ReplyDeleteBlessings from godparents last forever. You've given Abigail a marvellous start.
Ann-Marie
Wow. Abigail sure is one blessed baby. The chrÃstening shawl with all that knitted love as a protective charm and then to top it off with Dumbeldore.
ReplyDeleteMagic, pure magic.
anna from finland
I just discovered your blog and I love your writings, pictures and thoughtfulness. Thank you for sharing the shawl it is incredible!
ReplyDeleteI think the stash threat is one we will all take very seriously. What a lovely setting for a chritening.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the perfect day for a christening. Abigail is truly blessed.
ReplyDeleteMy stash is safe as we have one copy of the book in our house and I'm third in line to get to read it (at the library I was number 787). Enjoy the book, my 17 year old is reading it now and enjoying it very much.
Sounds like a fantastic weekend. Abigail has grown so much already, and she is still absolutely beautiful. And man, Susan looks great! Not a bit of baby fat left! (I'm still working on it 6 years after the baby was born!). Hot mama, beautiful little girl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely occassion and the shawl is amazing! Thanks for sharing all this with us.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are just charming! What a hoot about the minister.
ReplyDeleteEmail me because I've got something Stephen Fry related for you that I brought back from the UK.
Thank you for sharing Abigail with us.
ReplyDeleteDumbledore couldn't have conjured up a more protective spell then the one you shawl is giving Abigail...
ReplyDeletei don't think that look says "when is he going to leave me in peace"....looks more to me like "this is a face i need to remember because he is important to me"
:-)
enjoy the book...i am and done...it was fun...enough said.
How lucky Abigail is to have you as her Uncle.....
ReplyDeleteAwww, what a lovely christening picture! Now I understand what the whole christening shawl fuss is about. That's just awesome! I still think you should frame the shawl afterwords and have those words in her room all the time.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Franklin -- spoiler alert!! Harry chucks the whole thing and heads off to Tahiti, where he and Voldemort open a Butterbeer bar for the tourists. *SORRY!*
ReplyDeleteHow great is that?
ReplyDeleteOh, and I can't believe that Harry Potter finally wacked Tony Soprano!
Oops...
Abigail is beautiful!! The Shawl is just beautiful!! You are such a sweet uncle!! (Don't worry, I don't do Harry Potter. :-) )
ReplyDeleteThe shawl is magnificant, the baby divine. The picture of Abigail looking up at the photographer leaves one speechless............She recognizes the love of her uncle.
ReplyDeleteSue
She is such a beautiful baby. And to think she owns such proud handsome parents and an devoted uncle to wrap around her finger(s) ... Yes, life is good!
ReplyDeleteNo! Not the stash! Anything but the stash! *cringes on the floor in abject terror while clutching skeins of merino laceweight and Cascade 220*
ReplyDeleteI was wondering when Dumbledore would show up here.
ReplyDeleteWell, if I could have my child dedicated (what we non-christian UU's do) by Albus Dumbledore I would have one. Abigail has an Uncle Franklin though, so even without the real Dumbledore she'll be pretty well cared for.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as how Dumbledore is a fan of knitting magazines, I'm sure he fully appreciated the shawl!
ReplyDeleteOh, and you do have the cutest niece ever. Just thought I'd let you know.
Oh, she's a bright one, Abigail is! Look at the intelligence shining from those eyes! You'll all have your hands full.
ReplyDeleteAnd you'll all enjoy every minute of it.
I wish my child was christened by Dumbledore!
ReplyDeleteSo much love shows through these pictures.
Oh man, I wish Dumbledore had christened my kid!
ReplyDeleteI won't spoil - I just finished it! Now to properly display all 7 books.
People tend to give me wide berth when I enter churches or similar-type rites. Most are afraid of lightning rebound...
No plot details, just nostalgia for the days when I was taught Ancient History by a professor with more than a passing resemblance to Albus Dumbledore. The funny thing is, 15 years earlier a certain J. K. Rowling was studying French and Classics at the same institution. I've often wondered if she was taught by Professor X too.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the corridors that move round every Wednesday? I know them very well, my tutor's office was on one of them. After three years I still couldn't reliably find my way to and from it, and I normally have quite a good sense of direction. The architect of the building the Arts departments were housed in was definitely on something.
Someone as blessed as you are should not be concerned about the roof falling in or lightning or any other catastrophe. Gorgeous niece, gorgeous shawl.
ReplyDeleteJaye
The shawl and the niece are both beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel about Harry Potter spoilers. I procrastinated in making my Sockapalooza socks and I can't read the book until I finish the socks. The book is still in its Amazon packaging; I am afraid to open it. The agony!!
Gah! I've read it twice already and I still don't have anyone to discuss it with! Hurry up, hurry up!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful, as is your subject. I don't think she was wondering when she'd get rid of you--that was a "baby love look" if I ever saw one. What does she need Dumbledore for? She has you!
Abigail is beautiful and the shawl is beautiful. I love the intimacy of your portraits of Abigail. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSalena
Delightful!
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
What a beautiful shawl for an amazingly beautiful baby!! Congrats to all, and good job , Uncle Franklin!
ReplyDeleteLindaD
I'm afraid to look through the comments for fear someone will reveal something - anything - about the book, which I am rationing to make it last longer.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the christening pictures. It's amazing how much Abigail has changed in just a few short weeks. She looks like such a happy, healthy girl. (And your sister looks fabulous!)
I was so hoping you were a Harry Potter fan. Me too! Me too! I am still reading Deathly Hallows also. So far so good!
ReplyDeleteThe christening shawl is GORGEOUS. Your niece is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. What a beautiful ceremony outside. Sigh.
Thanks for sharing!
Dear Franklin - Love the shawl. It is fantastic. Love the photos of Abigail and agree, the look isn't to say "buzz off" but "Wow! It's my Beloved Uncle!!" Loved Harry Potter, too. (I hope you don't marathon read it until 3:30 AM like I did.) Take care. Namaste - Joe, in Wyoming
ReplyDelete"I Shall Never Grow Tired of This"
ReplyDeleteI loved the title of this previous post because I (and seems like many others) will never grow tired of reading about and seeing the transcendental beauty of both your niece and her christening shawl. There is visible magic in the two of them.
On a personal level, I was greatly relieved to see the finished shawl in which the baby was lovely cocooned. I was concerned that there might be another awful mishap with the shawl and there would not be a happy ending.
I love happy endings and especially enjoyed the Abigail one.
Oh so very lovely. Outside looking in, it appears to be worth every bit of the sweat and tears that went into the shawl. And, it almost rivals Abigail's beauty. Sorry, babies are always more beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeing christened by Dumbledore, how cool is that?! She will never truly understand all that went on around the releases of the books, as they will always be available to her. Just as I will never fully appreciate the hype about Elvis or the Beatles (enjoy their music, yes, understand the hysteria, no.)
Oh, and in the book, people live, people die and it is a great read. I laughed, gasped and cried. What more can be said?
Looks like Reverend Dumbledore could also pass as Santa, so Abigail should be all set. You, on the other hand, are dead meat when she turns 15 and realizes you posted naked pictures of her on the internet. : )
ReplyDeleteI love the way you delivered the day in four pictures. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThat shawl is simply awe-inspiring and the beautiful Abigail makes me long for a grand-child.
ReplyDeleteI've already read DH twice and tonight I'm taking Stephen Fry home with me ... alas only in CD form - my UK audio version of the book arrived today!
I think it is all your creation, they are after that gorgeous lace!
ReplyDeleteAbigail is so lovely in your lace and out of it and I read her look as: oh when will this adorable uncle of mine put away this weird machinery and take me in his arms instead!
Aww, Abigail is adorable! And the christening shawl is as pretty as she is.
ReplyDeleteAbigail is such a beautiful baby! She's so blessed to have such a wonderful family.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're enjoying Harry Potter; I really liked it.
Abigail is a beautiful child. She is so fortunate to have a thoughtful and talented uncle like you! The christening shawl is unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteLisa in SC
Gorgeous. Beautiful. Blessed.
ReplyDeleteAbigail, her parents, the shawl, the garden. And you.
Whoa, I wish I had someone of your talent taking pictures of MY baby. (Wait. Do you do that? Email me.)
ReplyDeleteIf my baby could be christened by Albus Dumbledore, I might even consider entering a church! Otherwise probably not. Abigail looks so precious, and the shawl is beautiful enough to do her proud. Congratulations to you, to her, and all your family.
(You will like HP 7, I think. Can't wait to hear a review.)
What a cool minister! And an outdoor christening--how lovely.
ReplyDeleteF., your Abigail is beautiful, her mother is BEAUTIFUL as is her father.
ReplyDeleteShe's adorable, and she looks lovely all wrapped up in the Shawl.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful christening blanket for a beautiful baby. Congratulations on creating something so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just me, but the shawl was the first thing I looked for in the photo...and the baby is adorable too! LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying Harry.
It looks like exactly the sort of afternoon I am sorry I missed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightfully present and aware child.
Those are GREAT pictures! She is really beautiful. We competed around here to read the book (the three of us had post-its marking our places), but of course 11 year old son finished first (by 5 pm on Sunday, he got it 9 am Saturday and was gone Sat pm w/out book!). I finished yesterday...LOVED it, the last bit was very hard to put down! I'm sure it'll all get re-read soon. ENJOY!
ReplyDeleteSo what's your next project?????
ReplyDeletesounds like a beautiful setting for a christening. i've never heard of an outdoor one before!
ReplyDeleteand all i'm saying is you better get the kleenex ready!
That (Dumbledore as officiant at christening) is the coolest thing ever. Lucky Abigail. Oh and they all get hit by a truck.
ReplyDeleteJust think she's going to have the best day to day baby book pictures a kid could have. Go HP7, woot.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful event - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour niece is beautiful. Makes me want to knit baby things.
ReplyDeleteMy 13 year old has read the book twice. We leave on vacation on Saturday and I am saving it for then. Makes her crazed! What makes her even more crazier is the fact the my darlin' husband has finally decided to start reading the series. He is taking books 1 and 2 on vacation. She is appalled that he is not bringing the entire collection as she would be able to read the entire set on vacation. HAH!
That last photo is just... what it's all about. Abigail looks beautiful in her shawl, and the rest of you all look so proud and happy! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteAnd Dumbledore just takes the cake. [vbg] Thanks for sharing!
Albus Dumbledore! Ha! That's BRILLIANT! Your life is somewhat charmed, you know.
ReplyDeleteOoohhh, she was smiling in her bath; she likes water…y'all gonna teach her to swim, right?
ReplyDeleteYou know Franklin, once I saw the shawl––I know Abigail is going to have the knitted wardrobe to stop your heart. Tell me the knitted silk booties aren't next. LOL
Did you like Portland? I am moving there in a year and I have never been!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant all the way round: Mug, muggles, christening shawl, latin spelling of the wishes. You are very loving -- but I won't tell anybody if you don't want me to.
ReplyDeleteYour niece is beautiful! She is blessed to have such a loving uncle who knows what wonderful gifts to bestow upon her. May life always gives her what she needs.
ReplyDeleteSplendid! She's sure to have a magical life now, what with your wishes and Dumbledore's blessing. What a beautiful, beautiful girl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice shawl, you did a lovely job !! I found you blog posted over at Delphi's Knit & Chat.
ReplyDeleteToo funny, I was at that Muggle Fest as well. Boy , was it hot and packed. Great time though.
I was surprised that no one was selling scarfs. Maybe for next year's movie.
Happy Knitting !!
Cheryl
very possibly THE cutest baby in the world right now...with the most gorgeous shawl!
ReplyDeleteOff topic.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog from the bottom up, as it were, and I am loving every minute. I think I've got less than a year to go. Thanks, Franklin, for the many hours of entertainment, information and through enjoyment!
Charli
Charlizeen on YA hoooooo
Abigail is absolutely gorgeous!!!! :) Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteFor my part everyone ought to glance at it.
ReplyDelete