Thank You Card - Dulcey from USA

Sometimes you just want to help people out and send them a card, spread the love and make them smile. I had sent such a card I had to Dulcey in the beginning of the year. She in return wanted to send a card back to me to say thank you. I know that feeling too. As you may have heard me mention, perhaps more than once, it has been a really nasty winter here. Her card gave me a chuckle when it arrived - I could only wish we had such little snow! I don't even think a cat would want to hang out outside any longer than it had to the winds are that brutal. Thanks Dulcey for the card, the smile and the wishful thoughts that I might see a fencepost again!

Direct Swap - Guadeloupe from Gosia

Gosia lives in Italy and was travelling to Guadeloupe for vacation. She kindly offered to swap with a few people and I was in the right place at the right time with the right card. As I sit and write this post it is high noon, sunny and -27C with the wind chill. When will winter end. It is beautiful palm trees and a beach like this that remind me that warmth and summer still exist. Only 20 days until Spring, on paper at least!

OFFICIAL Card - China

The Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium is located where else but Jinan, China. I love the stamps that Hu chose for me - so eclectic!

OFFICIAL Card - China

I love the looks on these children's faces, so confident and happy. The card is from Sammi in Shenzhen, China. It shows members of the Shooting Team of the Luwan Juvenile Sports School.

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Only 303 days until Christmas! Julia lives in Northern Russia where she tells me 6 months of the year it ranges from -25C to -45C - ouch!

OFFICIAL Card - Japan

Junko from Japan sent this card. Such a simple graphic and message and such a great looking card. When I Google the phrase there are so many different things that come up from song lyrics to marital arts school. Who knows, but I like it either way!

Random Act of Smiliness - Sita from India

On December, 11, 2013 (11/12/13) a group of Postcrossers took part in a meet-up in Mumbai, India. Sita was offering to send signed cards from the group. Try as I might to send something in return she graciously declined. I will have to connect with her in 2014 to help add to her collection. This cards highlights the many "Wonders of India"

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan. The description alone sounds stunning - the east side resembles the sun while the west the moon. This night view and all other images I've seen help to confirm this. Shawmay also used a great assortment of stamps.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Nancy lives in Florida and the card she chose for me has the state bird, the Northern Mockingbird. She writes that years ago they had one living in their yard that could imitate a telephone ringing. That would be interesting to hear!

OFFICIAL Card - Australia

Ian and Bernadette live in Melbourne, Australia. They chose to send me this wonderful maxi-card showing the Waratah flower, the floral emblem for New South Wales. I think this flower is so unique and beautiful! They write that as a cut flower it can last weeks.

Direct Swap - Walter from Germany

Walter had some rather unique Olympic themed cards he was offering via the forums for swap. This one caught my eye. It is a reprint from 1983 that the IOC did of a poster to celebrate the 10th Olympiad the 1932 Los Angeles Games. I had my last London 2012 card available so we were both happy with the swap. Thanks Walter!

OFFICIAL Card - Indonesia

Juned lives in Bogor, Indonesia and is the #1 Postcrosser for that country. His friend designed and made this map/fun fact card. love the stamps he chose. Neat parallel with all of the marine facts.

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

This was one of my first cards that I received for 2014. Artmeis from Taiwan sent a view card showing Anping Fort. It is the first castle built in Taiwan, by the Dutch in 1624. Artmeis has never been but writes that she hopes to soon.

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

I must admit I really wasn't in to kids at all before I became a mother. Had never held a baby (since I was a baby/child) until my daughter was born. So it does come as a bit of a surprise to me how much I enjoy getting cards with pictures of children. And this card from Hilkka in northern Finland showing a little Sami girl in her national costume is no exception. I just want to pinch those cheeks!

Random Act of Smiliness - Lithuania from Eileen

Eileen travelled to Latvia back in November for fun and a mini meet-up. She sent me this card showing Trakai Island Castle. It looks so pretty, even in the snow! Love how she was able to use a Postcrossing stamp issued in Lithuania. Thanks Eileen!

Germany from JJ

Neuschwanstein Castle has been one of those famous landmarks I have been hoping to receive ever since I joined Postcrossing. I think it is just so beautiful and stunning!!! Well my wish came true, my brother in law was working in Germany in December and sent this to me. He wrote me one morning sitting in the sun having a coffee  - doesn't sound any better than that! As always appreciate you finding the time in your busy days JJ xo!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Another great stadium card, this one showing Penn State University. Tom wrote that when he went there it was about a quarter of the size, now it seats well over 100,000! Amazing how much Americans love college ball!

Direct Swap - Slovakia from Ondrej

Ondrej, or Andrew in English, lives in Prague and offered to swap cards on his upcoming trip to Bratislava. I jumped at the chance. My grandparents were both born in and emigrated from Czechoslovakia in the late 1920's. While I realize it is now two separate countries in my mind it is one. What can I say I am slow to change! In fact, it is "the old country", embarrassing to admit but I honestly thought that was another name for Czechoslovakia until I was probably in my teens. Yes, I am honest even when I should be embarrassed!

So, Andrew collects UNESCO and I had a few cards to offer and the swap was on. I was thrilled when this arrived, and a multi-view at that! It brought back some really neat memories of my Bubby telling me the story of her journey to the US and then Canada. Somehow I couldn't help but wonder if she stood in front of these buildings, admired these statues and so on. Thank you Ondrej, "ja vas lubim"!

Lottery Win - Hilarie from USA

Hilarie was hosting a lottery to guess the country her 1000th official card was sent to. I got it right with Australia. Just don't ask me to pick a number, guess an age, etc - those I am sure to lose! This card is one she picked up on a visit to the Postal Museum in Copenhagen. A shaped card is always a nice break from the expected rectangle. Also, never received the sewing machine stamp before - sewing for 40+ years so that was a nice surprise. Thank you Hilarie for making this lottery win extra special!

 

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

In November J.J. treated herself to a day in New York. Must be nice to live that close! She even found time to send me this great card of Grand Central Terminal (or Station as I know it). Thanks!

Meet-Up Card - Dublin, Ireland

Kodzos was offering cards from a meet-up in Dublin, Ireland he was attending in November. Never one to turn down a swap for a meet up card I responded to him. Funny thing, he never got back to me with his address or read the acknowledgement I sent him. Hope he is OK.

OFFICIAL Card - France

This card from Lille, France arrived in December and was sent from a family of 5. They used super fun Christmas stickers and washi tape and wished me a Merry Christmas. I must admit the view on the card has me a bit stumped. When I translate it the words in English say "Lille, the Island Countess". I cannot find anything when I google and the text on the back if I am translating correctly talk about a hospital?!? I think I have a bit more researching to do with this one.

Direct Swap - Jason from Canada

It is not everyday that you hear from a fellow Canadian. Shortly after one of my sent cards was registered I received a message from Jason wondering if I was interested in a swap. He collected UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. That was a new idea to me and unfortunately this card was one I traded and was no longer able to get more of. Jason understood and was happy to swap with another card I had of the Niagara Escarpment, literally 5 minutes south of me.  In return, Jason sent this card of a Black-capped Chickadee. It is one that we see a lot of here in Ontario and one of our favourites made more so by the fact they will eat out of your hand!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

This card arrived from Yvonne in Amsterdam and she includes her favourite quote - "Save this planet! It's our only source of chocolate" So very, very true!

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

This has got to be one of the quirkiest cards I have received. It is is toss up with this card as to which one I think is wackier. And I mean that in a nice way. Honestly.

Larissa lives in St Petersburg, Russia and sent this card which she designed and printed and that she is also featured in. Fun and quirky at the same time! She pre-printed her message on a sticker which to be honest the type was so tiny I don't think she could have written that much to me easily, used some fun Christmas stickers and a great Olympic stamp. The combination certainly put a smile on my face.

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

I really like night views and this one is a great one. Ann sent this showing the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.