OFFICIAL Card - Finland

Heidi lives in Finland and picked this card up when traveling to Cologne, Germany for a meet-up in 2011. The view shows Marksburg Castle. She wrote that the group took a boat ride along the Rhein and visited the castle. Sounds wonderful! This area is also listed as a UNESCO site.

OFFICIAL Card - China

Gin sent this card showing the most famous view of her state - Fenghuang Ancient City or The Phoenix as she writes in English. It is a tentative UNESCO site.

Australia from Michael

There are very few people I know who get as much vacation as my friend Michael. Lucky for both of us, he travels! This time he was off to Australia. And of course no trip would be complete without a stop at a winery, this time is was Turkey Flat. This ad-card he sent me is great as it has a "Wine for Dummies" bit on the back. Thank you as always Michael for thinking of me.

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Another day, another bird! Melanie sent this card and wrote telling me she had seen a Grey Heron the day before she sent the card. What neat timing!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

This illustrated Song Thrush came to me from Bernhard in The Netherlands. I love the blue of the eggs, reminds me of a robin.

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Roman from Moscow sent me this card. I must say it is one of the largest cards I have received measuring in at 8.5" x 6"! I don't know if it was due to the size but this is probably one of the most chewed up cards I have received as well. For me it does not diminish the beauty of the views of the National Palace of Congress in St Petersburg.The stamps Roman used are great - such a nice variety!

Random Act of Smiliness - Eileen from England

Only 8 months until Christmas! OK, I admit I postdated this entry so I could use a round number like that! This lovely folded card and gifts were sent to me and the kids last Christmas from our dear friend Eileen. She is so wonderfully thoughtful and is really good at putting a smile on our faces!

OFFICIAL Card - Hong Kong

Alexias sent this card to me in February. The text on the back says it all "Rickshaws (from the Japanese "Jinrikisha") are disappearring from Hong Kong's streets as the government issues no new license. They were however a vital and sometimes only means of transportation in the Chinese Sea ports."

Lottery Win - Ana from Macedonia

Ana held a lottery when she celebrated her 1500th official sent card and I was one of the lucky winners.She sent this card showing a sheep pasture in the Bistra Mountains.  I like how the sheep in the front has my birth date - 31! Great card and thank you again Ana!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Two cards from the Netherlands from people named Jacqueline, two days in a row - what are the odds! This card is a sweet illustration of the letter "W", my son's initial. I couldn't quite make out the signature and did a "Google Image" search. Coolest thing ever! Look what I found!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

Once again a great card showing the Dutch Royals arrived in my mail box. This is one of the first photos I've seen where the Princesses are not dressed alike. Jacqueline writes that she really likes this family - I would agree they are such a nice looking bunch!

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Today's postcard was sent to me from Tom. He is a professor at Lincoln University in Missouri. This card shows a statue honouring the soldiers who founded the school.

OFFICIAL Card - Norway

Hanna and Tomek are originally from Poland and are now living in Oslo, Norway. They sent this card to me during the Sochi Olympics. The action shot is from the Men's Gold Medal Game at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. They wrote this was the most exciting final games in hockey history. I'll be 100% honest, I could have watched the game but unless it was last week I wouldn't remember! Great card and honestly great condition given the game was 20 years ago.

Random Act of Smiliness - Eileen from England

Eileen sent me the most wonderful package of cards one day out of the blue. She was sorting through her cards, had a few extras and knew they were a theme - alphabets/typography - that interested me. It is a wonderful assortment and most are new for me. Thank you again Eileen, you are too good to me!

Random Act of Smiliness - J.J. from USA

Another example of better late than never.....

This package of goodies came to me this past Christmas from J.J. She included several postal goodies and stickers. Love it!!! Thank you again J.J.!

OFFICIAL Card - Finland

A nice snowy map from Outi in Finland. Love the stamp too!

OFFICIAL Card - Netherlands

This fantastic multi view came to me in a fun tarted up envelope. Why? Because as Veronique the sender wrote "...while writing I love to drink a cup of tea. Please enjoy a cup with me :)" and includes a package of Dutch Grey tea. I have seen requests in the past for teabags, what do you think people do with them? Drink it? Collect it? Other ideas? What would you do if someone sent you a sealed tea bag?

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Teresa sent this card of her hometown, Osnabruck, Germany. The views include the old town hall in the lower left and St. Peter's Cathedral in the upper right.

Direct Swap - Samuel & ViVi from Mauritius

Sometimes you cross paths with people online and you can honestly feel their energy. Sometimes it is better than others and this "crossing" ranks high on my list. I don't know how to pinpoint it but some people are just so positive and fun, even though you may only be exchanging a few sentences here and there and bits of information it is just all good. Samuel from Mauritius is certainly one of these people who sticks out in your mind as he is just that friendly! In January we agreed to swap and this is the card he and his wife sent me. That water is so clear and inviting, I love it! Love all of the doodles and drawings on the card too!

OFFICIAL Card - Hong Kong

This card shows a very typical traditional dress for a Chinese woman. I had to chuckle when Alvina wrote that she thinks it is old-fashioned and nowadays no one dresses like this.True perhaps, but she does look beautiful and somewhat classic to me. What do you think?

Thank You Card - Nalini from Trinidad & Tobago

Everyone collects cards differently, some like written and stamped, others the exact opposite, blank and in an envelope. As you can imagine there is also everything in between. Nalini isn't picky and as such I sent her a few cards from her wish list in an envelope. In return, she sent me these beautiful views of Chaguaramas,
Trinidad and Speyside, Tobago. A complete and welcome surprise to see a little slice of her paradise.

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

I have had so many owls flying into my mailbox lately. My daughter is so envious as she just {loves} owls! This one came from Sofia, an owl lover from St Petersburg. What a great picture!

OFFICIAL Card - Russia

Svetlana lives in Yelabuga, Russia, a city I personally had not heard of before. She wrote that she hasmany cards from China and chose this one for me. It shows a view from the Huangshan Mountain region. This card travelled just over 8,000km to get to me. I had to smile when Svetlana wrote "for me, Canada incredibly far, however, probably as Russia for you". Funny how that works!

OFFICIAL Card - Taiwan

Lenticular cards are so much fun! Too bad they scan so horribly. This card from Lucy shows the Taiwanese flag. She wrote me about her upcoming plans to celebrate the Lunar New Year, hope she had fun!