Monet and Me

are admiring the Happy Mail we received from Finnbadger at Envelope 100

He sent a First Day of Issue of the Year of the Horse Stamp. As you can see this gorgeous stamp from the Chinese Zodiac series was issued February 3, 2026 in Houston, Texas

Finnbadger also included a stunning postcard with wishes for the year of the Fire Horse. He noted the attributes of the Horse include strength, energy, motion, passion, and creativity.

Finn, you spoil me. The envelope arrived in the clear envelope in pristine condition. Thank you so much for thinking of me.

Monet and Me

 

are admiring the Easter card sent by Nan. Monet is excited because all the colors of the envelope and card match him. Even the little green stamped bunny on the front of the envelope.

Thank you, Nan. I hope we'll be able to get together soon.

Monet and Me

took some time to admire the thoughtful card sent by Finnbadger from Envelope 100. He sent the card because it reminded him of me, Ink, Calli, and Quill. Embiggen the card and you can see all three cats.

I also joined Lindsay Ostrom's Facebook group working on a January junk journal. I've really been enjoying the group even though I've gone my own way. My journal with a Winter theme is more scrapbooky, scrapbookish...more like a scrapbook than a collaged and painted art journal.

I like the idea that under flaps, you can have room for some personal journaling

While at the annual, family gathering, gifts for the grand-nieces were wrapped in snowman paper. Before the paper was tossed out, I asked if I could have some. At the time, I wasn't sure what I would use it for. As I began working in the journal, it occurred to me that I could punch the snowmen out and use them as page numbers or dates in the journal.

On January 2nd, Lindsay demonstrated how to make paper beads from strips of paper. I stuck a couple of strips of paper as borders on this page and rolled the ends to make the beads.

January 3rd was the Full Wolf Moon. I like the background for the page and the silhouette of the wolf against a full moon. I like the moon dangling from a string. I'm not sure I'm that crazy about the yellow banner.

The cool thing about the junk journal is the pages don't have to be complete. You can always go back and add more or take something out. This idea needs to percolate more

Having worked in a hospital laboratory for 6 years, I'm a firm believer in the full moon. The crazies come out of the woodwork. It's like a virus. Three days coming, three days with you, and three days leaving. It happens at the New Moon, too, which is a full moon we can't see. So the back of the wolf tag the wolf is howling: The crazies are OUUUT

While gathering ephemera for the journal, I went through some school papers the girlies created.  I photocopied this  poem the Young One wrote when she was 6 years old. 

Finnbadger has a beautiful, circle, return address stamp with a cardinal in the center. I fussy cut the cardinal and colored it in. I also colored in the snowman's carrot to make it stand out more. The cardinal poised on the tip of the snowman's nose is asking: Is it July, yet?

The journal prompt for January 5 was Tuck Spot. Lindsay demonstrated making pockets by folding pages in triangles or rectangles. The tag was a gift card to me from The Young One. The snowflake on the front fit the theme and with a little bit of a trim, it fit into the pocket. 

Since I'm not a fan of Winter and tend to hibernate, I saw a craft about making a polar bear bookmark. He fit into the second pocket. On his back, I wrote the instructions for folding pockets. With the white dots, he looks like he's peeking out from his cave. Wake me when Winter is over seemed to be a fitting sentiment for the page.

Monet and Me

are admiring more happy mail that arrived.

From blog buddy, Deb at Learning to Just Breathe  used her beautiful amaryllis plants to create her card. Click on the link and see how she did it. I also love the cute gnome sticker on the back of the envelope.

From fellow Masscribes guild, the Postman sent a beautiful card with Celtic knotwork. I also love the green, white, red coloring in the Lombardic K of my last name. Yeah, I know they are Christmas colors, but they are also the colors of the Italian flag.

inside the card

Nan sent a very cute card. I'll have to remember the snowman head as an "O"

Another cute sticker on the back

From my calligraphy teacher, mentor, and friend, Gerry sent another spectacular card. I think the cardinal is a nod to her dad. Cardinals always make me think of my folks. 

Thank you all for brightening my mailbox.

Monet and Me

are admiring some of the happy mail that has arrived.

All the way from Scotland, Tiggy sent a beautiful card she printed on her Letterpress printer. It makes me want to go to her Wee Hoosie to learn how to use the printing press.

For those interested in stamps, Royal Mail issued a stamp with the Three Wisemen. Tiggy also added some fun stamps on the front: a Christmas tree with red mittens and a Gothic letter C, her first initial and mine

on the back, a cheery reindeer

Cardinals on the return address stamp was a dead giveaway to the card from blog buddy, Finnbadger from Envelope 100. 

Finnbadger used the Winter Landscapes stamps. Kudos to the post office where you mailed your cards, Finn. A very nice and clear Christmas tree postmark.

I just loved the postcard you sent me of the Nativity scene.

My Christmas pageant is more crowded and I don't have any alligators. To those wondering, Godzilla isn't immolating the scene. He's using his atomic ray to warm the stable.

Robin, another blogger bud, usually makes her own Christmas cards. She said when she showed her designs to her family, they told her the designs were "wildly un-PC or downright offensive". I would have liked to have judged for myself. I do love the card you chose. Just wait until you see what I wrote inside your card! 😹

Thank you all for brightening my mailbox.

Happy Mail

 

Another surprise from Nan. This tiny, 3 in x 5 in. envelope with the cute cat alphabet letters in my name, and a cat behind a pumpkin. 

She used the new Baby Animal stamps with the fox. Fox babies are called kits.

Inside, a tiny note with a purple Ink and a personal affirmation on the back.

Thanks, Nan, this was such a fun surprise.

Monet and Me

 

are admiring a Halloween card sent by blogger buddy, Anne from Anne's Creative Cornucopia

Here's a better image of the card front. I love the Ghost font. Also, it looks like Anne's assistant, Teddy hijacked addressing the envelope and signing the card. He's styling himself as Theodore, The One and Only. He signed the card from Team T (HT and Minnie T) and Anne. As an after thought, he added "the cat". Teddy, you gave me a good laugh.

Anne, your card was a delightful surprise. Thanks for thinking of me.

Monet and Me

are admiring some happy mail. I didn't even have to look at the return address to know it was from friend and guild member, The Postman (he worked for the US Postal Service).

He mixed fun styles for the lettering and placed the stamp in the lower, righthand corner! A no-no! It doesn't look like there were any problems with the placement of the stamp. The stamp is one of the new Baby Wild Animal stamps that was issued in May. Very cute.

The card had a calligraphy cartoon on it.

Thanks, D, for brightening up my mailbox.

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Last month, I applied for the  old people's parking pass to Massachusetts state parks. The pass is for people 60 and over, costs a one time fee of $10, and is good for life! I think they figure us Weebles aren't going to last long.

2. I made giambotta, an Italian vegetable stew, with veggies from the garden.

3. We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with Chinese food take-out and hanging out in the sunroom.

4. I Skyped  Microsoft Teamed with the Young One

5.  I received some Happy Mail 

How was your week?

Monet and Me

Monet and I are admiring the Easter centerpiece from the Eldest

and happy mail from Nan. I love how she matched the gnome on the card with a gnome on the envelope. Deliver to the Egg-selent. I love puns and that one cracks me up. Did you see what I did there? Thank you, Nan.

Happy Bill Paying!

 

How an artistic accounting clerk brightens patients' day

Happy Mail

 

A bright spot in the mailbox to start the weekend. A First Day of Issue stamp for the Year of the Snake along with a matching note card from Finnbadger at Envelope 100. The stamp was issued from Boston, Massachusetts. Right in my front yard. How cool is that?

But here's a mystery. Finn sent the note with good wishes for the Year of the Snake. The notecard is dated 21. February 2025! So did this envelope take over a month and a half for USPS to deliver it? Finn, did you write the notecard and it got buried under a pile (I do that) so you just mailed it last week?

Either way, mailed early, late, or last week, I thank you for thinking of me. I really like this year's design.

Happy Mail

Sandwiched between a snowstorm and the car excise tax bill some Happy Mail from Finnbadger at Envelope 100 A Star Wars wanted poster for Princess Leia. After all these years, I never knew she had a last name. Finn added fun Star Wars stamps of two droids, BB 8 and IG. I love when there's a coordinating theme with the stamps.

In 2021 the USPS issued Star Wars stamps that featured droids from the movies. The stamps were to celebrate the 50th anniversary the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm, the studio that created the franchise.

Finnbadger likes cardinals. He got a new address stamp which featured his address in a circle with the cardinal in the center. Perfectly pressed, too.

Thanks, Finn, you made a bright spot in my week.

Happy Mail

 

From my tablemate, L, when we took Reggie Ezell's year long class in 2017, a Valentine. L's art always includes sheep. I'm pleasantly surprised after all this time she still remembers me.

T Stands for The Old Post Office Tea Room

 

In the package of goodies Tiggy sent me a couple of months ago, was a postcard of the Old Post Office Tea Room, Chapel of Garioch, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. 

The cute, blue Brown Betty style teapot and the table set for tea is my ticket to T Day. Tiggy explained the postcard shows a local tea shop. "Are you coming?" I'll be there in a heartbeat, Tiggy!

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

A Wee Collection of Bits and Pieces

My dear friend, Tiggy from Scotland, had told me to watch the mail a few weeks ago, but nothing from Scotland. Not until I returned home from Ogunquit.

In a note Tiggy wrote, " This is a wee collection of bits and pieces I thought you might have fun using in a journal or collaging with. I do love doing that as a guilt free pastime."

So many wonderful things. The black envelope (upper right with the pink floral sticker) has an elephant on it), a postcard of a Scottish kuh (cow), a coloring page, stickers, some words and phrases that can are peel and stick.

A notecard with Aberdeenshire's Historic Kirkyards. That would be a fun bimble (outing) to stop and visit the graves.

More goodies included a drawing by Tiggy with a note saying it's waiting for colored pencils, a sweet, tiny envelope (template), stamps, and a card Tiggy printed on her Letterpress:

GOOD FRIENDS

are like stars

you don't always

see them

but you know they are

ALWAYS THERE

Dearest Tiggy, our friendship is going on close to 30 years. Even though we have never met in person, I know you are always there. A trip to visit you and The Lad and to play in the wee hoosie is on my bucket list. 

T Stands for A Mug, Postcards, and Teas

 Back in June on our first trip to Ogunquit this year, Teague and I ate breakfast at The Egg and I, and I was quite taken with the mugs. At the time, it was too busy in the restaurant to ask if the mugs were for sale.

Last week, back in Ogunquit and since our motel was across the street from The Egg and I, we walked over for breakfast. While waiting to be seated, I asked if the mugs were for sale. They were! So after breakfast, I bought two, one for each of us to have as a souvenir.

When I got home from my trip

Lisca's second postcard for the 11th T Day Anniversary had arrived. Lisca wrote the picture is from Gaudix, a town near where she lives and where she frequently shops. She had recently been there with her son and his family. She said, "It was so hot that I enjoy looking at the snow in this card. (it was 40 oC or 104 oF.)

While it's been very hot and humid where I live, it hasn't been that hot. Though to some it might feel like it was that hot. I don't really complain about the heat and humidity. Winter lasts so long. Summer is flying by and Winter is coming.

For those who enjoy the stamps, this travel stamp with the little people with their luggage and backpacks must be the postcard rate. The Correos, the postal service of Spain, did a nice job with the postmark. The card was postmarked in Granada on the July 23. It took about a week to get here.  Impressive.

If arriving home to happy mail wasn't enough, in Monday's mail this envelope and notecard from Lisca. The notecard has a picture of a market and a vendor selling garlic bulbs. It reminds me of when I was little and we would go into Boston to visit my maternal grandmother. Sometimes, Ma would have Dad stop at Haymarket Square where there would be vendors selling fruits and vegetables.

Inside the notecard were 3 teabags. In her note Lisca explains, Pukka is an English brand that has many different herbal teas. The Lord Nelson is from the European supermarket Lidl and it is a sleepy-time tea of chamomile, fennel, and valerian.

The third teabag is called Sex on the Beach and is a cold-brew tea. It immediately got dunked in cold water so I can try it after dinner while relaxing in the sunroom. 

Then because the first postcard I received had a slight mishap in Lisca's bag when her water bottle leaked (though it wasn't damaged), she sent this magnificent postcard of a toreador. Just look at those roses! 

Thank you, Lisca, for being my T Day Anniversary partner.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week

1. Friday is usually the day I change the sheets on the bed and do laundry. It seemed silly to fold my clothes and put them in the drawer when I would need them on my trip. So, I packed my suitcase for the Ogunquit trip

2. The Young One sent me a UPS tracking number. The package is schedule to arrive on Tuesday. I will have already left for Ogunquit so it will be a nice surprise when I get home.

3. Happy Birthday to me! Birthday muffins, Birthday pastrami on bulkie rolls, watching old movies in the sunroom, takeout from the Outback, ice cream cake. Godiva chocolates from the Eldest, something from Himself that requires assembly which he will do while I'm away, and lots of birthday greetings from family and friends. The Young One sent me the Pusheen image in this post.

4. Monday was a red letter day for Happy Mail

5. Tuesday was Ogunquit or Bust!

How was your week?

T Day Anniversary Postcard from Lisca

Lisca from Spain and I were swap partners to celebrate the 11th anniversary of T Day. Lisca's delightful postcard arrived on July 29.  Her postcard is dated July 20, 2024 and only took 9 days to arrive.

The note on her postcard reads: So this is the unfortunate card that got wet when my water bottle leaked in my bad. It's the coastline not far from here. (I live 1 1/2 hr. drive inland) It's a natural park so no development allowed. Great for walking (there are two car parks.) I used to go there often with my late husband. Happy T Day anniversary

I tried to find out a little bit about the stamp, but didn't have much luck. Correos is the Postal Service of Spain. The stamps shows some travelers. Perhaps, Lisca can tell us a little more about the stamp.

I haven't heard from Lisca so I don't know if the postcard and items I sent to her arrived, yet. Joe at the Bellingham post office where I mailed the package said it would take about 3 weeks to get to Spain. It's probably been about 3 weeks. 

If Lisca hasn't received the items I sent, I don't want to spoil her surprise.

Happy Mail

The minute I saw the first day cover, I knew it was blogger bud, Finnbadger from Envelope 100. I didn't even need to turn it over to see the cardinal on the return address label to know who it was from. 

It arrived in pristine condition on a day when I needed a pick-me-up. Thank you so much for thinking of me, Finnbadger.