OFFICIAL Card - Lithuania

Rasa lives in Vilnius, Lithuania and sent me this card which I received on Wednesday. It took 42 days to get to me - wowza! The cards shows views of the small city of Trakai, which is about 30 km from her home. She wrote telling me it is famous for not only being the old capital of Lithuania, and having the island castle as pictured in the top left but also because it is the home of the Karaites one of the smallest ethnicity's in Lithuania and all Baltic countries. I love learning new things - thanks for the great card and lesson! And to top it all off a fantastic bird stamp. I really love when the sender uses the extra part around the stamp, sometimes that tells a bigger story.

OFFICIAL Card - USA

Molly lives in Keene, New Hampshire and saw that I liked birds. I really appreciate it when someone take the time to match the card they are sending me to my wishlist - so thoughtful! She, I must say, has beautiful handwriting - and she wrote telling me they often see loons at their cottage. Loons are the provincial bird of Ontario and really have such a beautiful call.

Direct Swap - Sandy from USA

I contacted Sandy about swapping for a map card of her home state. At the time she said she didn't have my first choice and said she would let me know. A week later I had two great maps from her showing me Indiana. Lucky me! We drove through the very sliver of the state that borders Lake Michigan on our way to Chicago last summer.

Direct Swap - Maura from USA

Maura responded to a forum post I made looking for US State maps. She was kind and offered me a card of her home state of New York. She tells me she grew up in one part and now lives in another. Americans do seem to move around so much more than Canadians do. I absolutely love the stamps she used - these Hawaiian shirts always put a smile on my face! Thanks for a great swap Maura!

Random Act of Smiliness - Alida From Canada

My mailbox this past week has seen many great cards from some of the ladies I met at the Postcrossing  meet-up in July. So nice to know someone is thinking of me! This card comes to me from Alida who lives in Delhi. The views shows the Bell Homestead in Brantford, Ontario. This is where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Alida wrote telling me Brantford was a place she visited often growing up. I've been to visit this place too! Sweetheart that she is she also remembered that it was my birthday - thank you!

I just love the new Christmas issue of stamps! Now that Hallowe'en is over I can start to use them - yummy!

Random Act of Smiliness - Claire from USA

Clare is an amateur artist and had a post in the forum offering a card she designed and made herself. She was willing to send one to whomever wanted one - no strings attached. I loved the design and signed up for one which I received this week. I did send her a fun map of Canada with lots of stamps for her collection which I hope she receives soon. Thanks Clare!

OFFICIAL Card - Germany

Jens from Munster, Germany sent me this card last week. It shows a poster of Charlie Chaplin done by French artist Roger Cartier. The colours are great so autumn/Hallowe'en like. Jens wrote me such a sweet message. On Postcrossing my "name" is "SuSu29". He saw that is my birthday was coming up, saw the number 29 and thought I was soon to be turning 30 - I wish!!! He gave me some advice and also shared about his life in Germany. This card really put a smile on my face - thank you Jens!