OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Julie is a student in Taiwan and sent this card showing one of her favourite Japanese cartoons. No idea what it is called as there is no info on the back. I had asked her, however did not get a reply. Anyone know?

Direct Swap - Macedonia from Anita

I have an on going forum post looking to swap some Canadian UNESCO cards for cards from countries I do not yet have in my collection. Anita from Macedonia saw the post, liked my cards and had almost too many for me to choose from. If I am only going to get one card from a country this type of card is my favourite to receive - the hodge podge map/flag/multi view! And as an added plus it even has sheep grazing in one of the views! Anita received my card and was equally as happy with out swap.

Lottery Win - Sabina from France

Sabina was travelling to Lille, France to see her family and was offering a lottery to one lucky winner. Guess who that was? Right - me!!! This great view card came showing the City Hall in Lille. Extra bonus for me that she sent me a wish list card. Thank you Sabina!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

I can't believe it has been a week since I have posted! Being able to schedule posts is both a good and bad thing at times. Did anyone miss me????

J.J. was travelling in July to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This area is known as "Amish Country". The card depicts a poster from the 1940's era promoting the state, I love the colours! She wrote that she was touring pretzel factories and breweries - a winning combination!

May - Ayn from United Arab Emirates

As mentioned in my previous post these two cards arrived as part of my monthly swap with Ayn at the same time. It was a staggering 38C when she sent me this ethereal view card of Maqta or Sheikh Zayed Bridge. Such a beautiful picture.

July - Ayn from United Arab Emirates

Funny how the mail works. I do a monthly swap with Ayn and received her June card in mid-July. Normal enough. The next day I received the card she sent me for May and July at the same time. April is still taking an extended adventure on it's way to me. This month Ayn chose for me a beautiful night view of the Maqta or Sheikh Zayed Bridge. The text on the back says prior to the bridge being constructed residents would cross the waters on camel during low tides. Ayn wrote telling me about the holy celebration of Ramadan which was occurring during this time.

Lottery Win - Pavla from Czech Republic

One thing I discovered over the summer was the "Lotteries" section of the Postcrossing forum. I must say I do believe in entering every contest that crosses my path. My thoughts are simple - someone has to win so why not me! Over the years I must say I have won LOTS of things - all-inclusive trip to Mexico for two, movie and concert tickets, hair products, even the chance to carry the Olympic Flame!

One of the lotteries I entered was to win a signed card from the Chrudim Postcrossing meet-up held, where else but Chrudim, at the end of June. I love everything about the card - the shape, the coat of arms, all the signatures, the stamps and the decorative stamp they used on the back! Even without a message this card says so much to me!

OFFICIAL Card - Luxembourg

With only 150 Postcrossers who have even signed up, Luxembourg is not a common country to receive a card from. Score. When the card is a perfect match for a collection, double score! Sirianne lives in the eastern part of the country near the border with Germany on a dairy farm. I can't completely make out the stamp but it looks to me like it is a photo of a snowman sticking out his tongue taken at night. Tried to Google some info and coming up empty. Totally put a smile on my face!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

This card arrived way back when.....who knows!?! It made it in the house but then kind of got lost in the end of school/summertime shuffle that occurs here every year. I try to get so many things done before the kids are out of school that I take on too much and regret it. You would think I would learn by now!

J.J. had asked if there were any stamps I was interested in and my husband being a huge, make that HUGE, Shelby Cobra fan I just had to ask. Lucky for me there is a fabulous and funky bird on the other side. Don't worry, we can share. Thank you J.J. for making us both smile!

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

This card showing Belgorod State University came to me from Olesya, Max and Dasha a young family from St Petersburg. They were visiting family in Belgorod and wrote that this was the first card they have sent to Canada. Kind of exciting! Do find cards to or from Canadian addresses to be common?

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

The Penghu Inter-Island Bridge in Taiwan is the longest of its kind in the Far East at 5,541 meters. Lin writes that Taiwan is famous for delicious food and human touch and is a great place to visit. One more country to add to my list!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

I am sure I have mentioned this before but there sure do seem to be a lot of Postcrossers in Texas! I have so many great cards in my collection from this state. Dee-Dee lives outside of Dallas and sent this fun multi-view. "Big-letter" cards are one of the many different styles of cards people collect. While this is from a different company than the one in the article it is very nice.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

How fun is this card! I love it!!! It reminds me of this famous artwork by Andy Warhol. Once again those Dutch Royals seem so vibrant!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Wine is my preferred drink but I usually gravitate to what I know and like. For some reason German wine has never been on my short list. I have no idea why. Silke from Dresden sent me this fun map card from the Saxon Wine Route. This has inspired me to check out the German selection next time I'm at the liquor store.

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Sari from Deventer sent me my first Scorpio/Zodiac card for my collection! I do find astrology fascinating and awhile back updated my wish list as I thought it would be neat to see my sign depicted in post cards. At the same time I updated to include sheep my Chinese Lunar animal. Seeing as I have received several sheep I am guessing they must be easier to find.  The card and text are actually Finnish and to be honest I haven't had the chance to translate them. I am sure it says some of the facts you can learn about here. Might sound cheesy but what sign are you?

OFFICIAL Card - Belarus

So this card has been a bit of a puzzle for me. I have tried to Google translate the text on both the front and back (there are two sentences on the back) and for the life of me I cannot get it to translate. Maybe it is me but I am not seeing some of the symbols on my virtual keyboard. As best as I can tell the view is of a hospital in Smolevichi, a city within the region of Minsk. Maria wrote that it is a "clynic" so I am guessing that is what she means. Do you have any different ideas?  I love that she included what would be the tear away of the stamp. She also drew me a fun picture of a hedgehog!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Georgina lives in Seattle, Washington. She wrote to me saying she was listening to Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy trying to drown out her husbands snoring. Sometimes easier said than done as I well know! The card shows the McConnell Auditorium at Central Washington University.

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

I just love when little birdies find their way onto my mailbox. I have no idea why birds bring such a smile to my face! Fred from Berlin sent this little European Robin to me and wrote about his hobbies. It is a bit different than the ones I see out my window but totally cute.

Direct Swap - Sri Lanka from Du

Du lives in Singapore and was going to Sri Lanka for vacation. They offered to swap cards or stamps via the forum. I didn't have a card that matched their wish list but did have a Year of the Snake stamp that fit the bill. This card is great and shows tea pluckers in Nuwara Eliya. The message made me giggle as Du describes the tea as being different from China as they add milk and sugar and comments that it tastes great. That is the way I have started almost everyday of my adult life with a big cup of tea. I don't know if it was planned or a wonderful coincidence but I just love the zodiac stamps too!