New Hobbit Video

Peter Jackson has released a new production video that highlights the locations where the second part of The Hobbit was shot.  The video contains really stunning terrain from New Zealand not unlike Lord of the Rings.  There are very different locations for The Hobbit, however.  I really enjoyed watching this new video.  The scenery is just exquisite and some of the characters are funny as well.    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey comes to theaters  December 14,  2012.  The second part will be released in 2013.  Check the video out here:

The Hobbit Crossword Ch. 1-3

I decided to create a  free crossword for Chapters 1-3  after having so much success with my other Hobbit crossword.  This crossword has three pages; a full color page, a plain page without a picture, and an answer sheet.  It was created at puzzle-maker.com for use commercially.  Enjoy!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Hobbit-Crossword-Chapters-1-3

Lego to Build LotR and Hobbit Construction Sets

Lego has officially released that it will create construction sets for The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.  Lego had great success with the Harry Potter and Batman sets, and I personally can't wait to see what they dream up for Tolkien's tales!  These Lego sets are due out in the summer of 2012.  Read more here.

The Hobbit Trailer

Well here it is, the official trailer from The Hobbit which comes to theaters December, 2012.  I hope you like it.

Arwen and Pippin

Okay, Arwen and Pippin aren't in The Hobbit. You probably didn't know that Pippin has a thing for Arwen either.  No, we aren't talking about the real characters!  We are talking yet again about my cats for (I promise) the last time.  As you may remember, Pippin was a stray that I adopted, or abducted depending on if you take mine or Pippin's point of view.  In any case, Pippin was very lonely and needed a lot of attention.  He literally used me as a tree when he was bored. I was beginning to reconsider his name.  Maybe shrapnel would have been better. *snort*

Arwen was specifically  adopted for Pippin.  We had to find a zippy kitty and so we spent most of an afternoon at the Humane Society looking for just that.  Arwen is a little skinny black and white kitten who met the criteria very well.  After a little hissing and growling they were fast friends.  Just look at them! I like to call this pic (above)  the yin yang of cats.

licky, licky, bitey, bitey

The Cast So Far

•  Here is the list of the cast so far for The Hobbit:
  Azog - Conan Stevens
  Alfrid - Ryan Gage
  Bard - Luke Evans
  Balin - Ken Stott
  Beorn - Mikael Persbrandt
  Bifur - William Kircher
  Bilbo Baggins - Martin Freeman
  Bofur - James Nesbitt
  Bombur - Steven Hunter
  Dori - Mark Hadlow
  Drogo Baggins - Ryan Cage
  Dwalin - Graham McTavish
  Elrond - Hugo Weaving
  Fili - Dean O’Gorman
  Frodo Baggins - Elijah Wood
  Galadriel - Cate Blanchett
  Gandalf - Sir Ian McKellen
  Gloin - Peter Hambleton
  Goblin King - Barry Humphries
  Gollum - Andy Serkis
  Kili - Aidan Turner
  Legolas - Orlando Bloom
  Lindir - Bret McKenzie
  Lord Balin - Ken Stott
  Master of Laketown - Stephen Fry
  Necromancer - Benedict Cumberbatch
  Nori - Jed Brophy
  Oin - John Callen
  Ori - Adam Brown
  Radagast -Sylvester McCoy
  Saruman - Sir Cristopher Lee
  Smaug - Benedict Cumberbatch
  Tauriel - Evangeline Lilly
  Thorin - Richard Armitage
  Thrain - Mike Mizrahi (TBC)
  Thranduil - Lee Pace
  Thror - Jeffrey Thomas (TBC)

Pippin, the Purrrfect Name

Peregrine Took, more commonly known as Pippin, is J.R.R. Tolkien's fictional character from Lord of the Rings.  Pippin is a very mischievous hobbit and is prone to making trouble and being a tad on the naughty side!  He had some trouble with Gandalf's fireworks, and some more problems in the mines of Moria.  He got captured by orcs, and had to go to Minas Tirith due to looking into the palantir of Orthanc.  This brings me to my new kitten, Pippin.

Pippin was found at one of the schools in my district as a stray with its litter mate.  One of my teacher friends brought him to a meeting and my son happened to be there.  My son was quite taken with him and we adopted him the next day.

Pip is only seven weeks old so he is definitely a little wild.  He launches himself at your toes and fingers and routinely bites them.  He was doing very well with the litter box until I changed his litter to one that tracks less.  He was very put out with me and decided to use my formal living room couch and my bed as his new litter box!  Good thing I figured out what was wrong.  Last night we lost him for awhile and found him in my son's toy box.  We have no idea how he got in there.  As you can see Pippin is the purrfect name for our newest family member.

Adorable Pippin

"I'm  thinking of doing something naughty!"