Indiana's State Flag

One of the things that I love when it comes to postcards is state flags.  I absolutely love anything that has to do with the 50 United States, but I love flags especially.  I think it's because I love how much history and thought is put into flags(or not, depending on the state. ;) LOL) and how much you can learn about the state.  Today's postcard is of the Indiana State flag, one I have had the pleasure of seeing in Indianapolis, IN.

Now, if you're slightly blind, like I am any time I forget to put my contacts on, you might have an issue with reading the font at the bottom of the postcard.  Never fear, I have it right here for your convenience!

"The state flag (formerly called banner) was adopted by the General Assembly in 1917 as part of the commemoration of the state's Centennial, after a competition sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  The prize-winning design was submitted by Paul Hadley of Mooresville, Indiana.  The torch in the center stands for liberty and enlightenment;  the rays represent their far-reaching influence. The outer circle of stars stands for the original thirteen states, and the inner circle of stars for the five states next admitted to the Union.  The larger star stands for Indiana, the nineteenth state.  The name was changed from banner to flag by act of 1955 General Assembly.  The state flag is "regulation in addition to the American flag, with all of the military forces in the State of Indiana, and in all public functions in which the state may or shall officially appear."  The state colors are always carried or displayed on the observer's right of the Stars and Stripes."

There was a $100 prize for the winning design and for Paul Hadley, the General Assembly only had to change one thing!  They added "Indiana" in a crescent shape above the torch.  There were over 200 original submissions and this was the winner.  There was a survey that was completed in 2001 and NAVA placed Indiana's flag at #32 out of 72 Canadian, US States, and US Territories in design quality.

HEY!  This is the hummingbird stamp I was talking about!  Though, whoever sent this postcard put the stamp on upside down. *angry face*  I get so weird about stamps. LOL!  I love it when they are straight and even with the sides of the postcard and facing the right way!  It irks me when someone overlaps the stamps or flips one on it's side or upside down. It's never been such a big deal when I have penpal letters, because I just cut the stamp out for my album, but on postcards, it drives me BATTY!  Am I the only one?    We've had the Tiffany Lamp stamp for quite a long time.  That's never been one I have been particularly impressed by.  I always put it in the same category as the Chippendale chair.  Boringggggg. *yawn*  But it does help break up the monotony of the hummingbird stamps once there's a postal rate change!

Well, I enjoyed learning about the Indiana State flag!!  I hope you guys learned something new as well! Tune in next time!

Happy Mailings!
-Jessa


Postal Soundtrack

• Hard To Love- Lee Brice
• My Town- Montgomery Gentry
• Don't You Forget About Me- Simple Mind

Happiness is...Mondays #3

It's MONDAYYYY, oh happy MONDAYYYYY!  Are you guys singing with me?  It's a glorious day.  Just a few days before we stuff ourselves with delicious food, watch football, and SLEEP! Some of you may be going out and braving the crowds for shopping (I will NOT be doing that, too crazy!) and others may be forced to work.  Lame-o!  But until then, we have this little Happiness is...Mondays #3!  I am so excited! Occasionally, when I don't think I'll have enough postcards requested for, I'll ask badger some of my closest friends to take a small stack of postcards and randomly send them back to me so I have postcards I can use when I'm going through a postcard drought.  After all, I just got all you guys to start reading this!  I wouldn't want you to disappear so quickly!  Thankfully, I have some pretty radtastic friends that are always there for any assistance I might need.   Today's postcard comes from one of my closest friends and to her dismay, I even call her my best friend.  :)

I think my ultimate favorite type of postcards to receive ever are the "Greetings From..." vintage style, large letter postcards that became so famous in the early 20th century United States.  I love how the idea was to show something of the state or city you were in to send greetings to someone else.  It almost has that "Americana" sense to it, you know? I love the vintage cards and the cards that really show some history.  Because of that (yes, I just started a sentence with because. :O ) I am always on the lookout for "Greetings from..." cards whenever I go somewhere that might have postcards.  I found a pretty fabulous antique store that had DROVES and DROVES of vintage GF Postcards!  But because they were vintage, they were $4-8.00 a piece!  Which is completely worth it, but I'm a poor college student. LOL  So they'll have to wait.  I was able to snag this one for $1.00 and I'm so happy I did.  I sent it to my best friend, and this is what she sent back.

"Happiness is...wide open spaces with a wonderful companion.'

How true and on point is this one??  At least for me, it's absolutely true.  I'm almost never as happy as I am when I'm riding my horse on a trail or with a friend.  Granted, it's a pretty small group of friends that I can be in wide open spaces with and just be quiet, but those that I can be with are worth their weight in gold.  I've never been much for city living.  I'd much rather have acres upon acres to ride and roam and just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.  I don't ever have to deal with my anxiety as much in wide open spaces, I don't have to worry about talking to people I don't want to, I don't have to worry about idiots driving crazily, and I know that while I'm not the only person out there, it feels like it and that is just so wonderful. I've always thought I'd love to live in Wyoming or Montana, or Northern Nebraska because there is so much wide open space.  It's just waiting for me.

Yay! American Flag stamps!  I love those.  I really do love our flag.  The USPS did a series of forever stamps and there were four designs, each one with a different word. This one is obviously "Justice" and I'm not sure if it was intentional, but I like how the word is above "Forever" implying that we'll have Justice Forever.  Each stamp design is like that and I really like them!

What are your thoughts on the postcard or the stamp?  What about the "Happiness is..." response?  Let us know in the comments!

Happy Mailings!

-Jessa

Postal Soundtrack

• Where the Stars and the Stripes and the Eagle Flies- Aaron Tippin
• I Still Miss You- Keith Anderson
• Do You Believe Me Now- Jimmy Wayne

The Pinto

Today's postcard comes to us from FL and while it doesn't have a quote, list, or a piece of advice, I still love it. Not all of the postcards I post will be in response to the postcard writing prompts I have.  When postcards like that come in, I'll just be posting the front of the postcard, the stamps, and info about the postcard.  Sometimes it's fun to see what other postcards others have felt like sending me!  These are surprises that someone felt like sending and I absolutely love them. Sometimes I get doubles, or even triples, of a postcard I already have.  But each and everyone has something different written on it!

This little gem is absolutely fabulous.  As you've probably figured out from my other posts, I'm a big horse person.  No, let's rephrase that.  HUGE horse person.  I absolutely love this art postcard from the talented Amy Jean Porter.  Head on over to her website and see just how talented she is!  I'm loving the rest of the horse series and there are so many ADORABLE hedgiehog pieces that I feel like I just have to have!  Her style of drawing is just so great to me.  It's distinct and very easy to like. This postcard is definitely going to be one of my favorites!

The USPS has always had a history of having some pretty great Olympic stamps over the years, but I think this is one of my least favorites. HAH!  I like the 'smudgy' art look for certain things, but I'm not so sure that javelin throw is one of them!  The green color is pretty fabulous though.  Gives it a little bit of a different look from the rest of the stamps that usually have a white or blue or red background!  That 3 cent stamp has been around for what seems like forever.  For some weird reason, it always makes me think of Jesus Christ Superstar.  LOL.  I'm not even sure what it is about it.  Maybe because it kind of looks like someone standing like Jesus with multicolored light shadows behind it?  I have no clue.  The end of the school semester is getting to my brain!!!

Well, that's it for this post.  Tune in next time for the Indiana State Flag!

Happy Mailings!
-Jessa

Post Soundtrack

• Beer on the Table- Josh Thompson
• Just Got Started Loving You- James Otto
• Red Dirt Road- Brooks & Dunn

Farm Fridays #2

Farm Fridays are upon us again!! I know this is only the second Farm Friday we've had since I started it last week, but I have to say that I've really begun to get excited for the farming and agriculture postcards that have really come pouring in!  It's so neat to receive postcards from other farming families and hear what these strong women have to say!

This postcard was a cute donation I received to add to my blank postcard collection.  The cute little pinto miniature horse is just adorable, is it not?  I just kind of want to go "Awwww! How cute!" to it even though I know it's not real and it definitely can't hear me.  Though, I do already talk to myself, so there's that.

Mamie, from MN, writes

 "One of the main things I learned growing up on a farm is that of responsibility. My dad taught me that the animals eat before we eat.  They're counting on us.  I have passed that value on to my daughters as well."  

I was happy to see this postcard come in with this piece of advice on it.  I know when I was younger, and even now, I had problems with friends that were having a party or wanted to get together, and I couldn't go because I had animals to take care of.  Now, I wasn't blaming the animals.  After all, we had them because I wanted them and I understood that I was the one that was mostly responsible for the care. But my friends didn't understand so well.  They'd always ask why I wasn't able to go, or why I couldn't stay out late.  I always tried to patiently explain to them that the animals got up early and I needed to be able to get up just as early for them, having a regular feeding schedule was healthier for the animals, and that the animals were their responsibility.

"Well, can't you just get your parents to feed them or something?" they'd ask.  Well, yeah, I could ask my parents to do that for me and they'd be happy to.  Once or twice.  Or for a special event/circumstance.  Not every Friday or Wednesday when you guys got together.  These animals were there in my backyard because I wanted them there.  If my father had a choice, they wouldn't have even been there.  He wasn't, and still isn't, much for the livestock. :) I knew that going in to the agriculture industry and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Granted, I was born into agriculture and livestock, but if I hadn't been interested in it, we wouldn't have spent time and money finding me chickens to raise and show, a market lamb for my FFA Project, or investing money in breeding and training horses.  My grandfather was raised on a farm and he instilled quite a few of his teachings and beliefs in my mother, who in turn, instilled them in me.  Whether it's a dog, a fish, or a horse, they're at our house because of us and it's our responsibility to care for them in the best ability we can achieve.  Caring for my animals and livestock have taught me so much in just being a better human being and a productive member of society.  I know how important it is to keep those teachings and traditions going in the younger youth.

The USPS has had quite an adventure this past year with all the different stamps they've released and these new postcard rate stamps have been interesting.  Previous to this set, the postcard stamps were of a single image of a turquoise and teal hummingbird that was geometric in shape.  I wasn't sure I was really that big of a fan and I really have to say that I like these quite a bit better.  The bird on this particular stamp is the Red Knot is a medium sized shorebird that calls the tundra home.  It's found in the Arctic Cordillera and is a member of the sandpiper family. Which makes sense.  I would say it kind of looks similar to a sandpiper.  What do you think? We'll have to see which other birds we get on the stamps!

I really liked this Farm Friday and I hope you guys did too!  Is this a teaching you've had in your family?  Yes or no, let us know!  Until next Friday!

Happy Mailings!

-Jessa

Post Soundtrack

• I Can Love You Like That- John Michael Montgomery
• Summer of '69- Bryan Adams
• Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue- Toby Keith

Bloglovin'

We're joining Bloglovin'  and we are super excited by it!!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14560141/?claim=zpfm2s5xqwq">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Love Rule #1

Looks like we've found our #1 Love Rule already!  It came quite a bit faster than I thought it would have! :D When I first read this particular rule, I couldn't help but to agree wholeheartedly to it!  Not only did I feel that this rule fit with pairs of significant others, it also fits within friendly relationships!

The postcard is an illustration of the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. "The lofty peaks of the Grand Teton's blue-gray of 2 billion year old rock , were carved by glaciers over millenia."  I've never been to the Grand Tetons, but guess whattttt?  It's on my bucket list!  I'd love to go someday and I have heard wonderful, wonderful things about it.  We are lucky being in the United States and having so many wonderful National and State Parks.  Theodore Roosevelt certainly did us a service!  What's your favorite National/State Park?

I also love the set of postcards this particular one came in.  They're all hand drawn/illustrated and depict the various parks around the United States. They kind of have a vintage look to them that I absolutely love. I bought an entire postcard book of these over sized postcards and I can't wait to receive them all back with things written on them!

" Love Rule #1

A relationship/marriage is a two-way street.  Be considerate of your significant other."

Brianna continued to write " My hubby and I ALWAYS work together.  There is NO job either can't do.  We are a team.  And with that, we are unstoppable! <3"  I agree with this, as I said above, wholeheartedly.  One of the other words that comes to mind when I think of being considerate, is being respectful.  These two go hand in hand with each other when it comes to relationships, both romantically and platonic-ally.  Sometimes, when emotions are running high, it's hard to remember that you're not the only one who may be feeling hurt or misunderstood.  There always needs to be compromise, respect, and working together.


How cute is the stamp that matches the love rule completely?  Red heart with the scrolley letters of 'Forever' inscribed in the middle.  I know there's a matching white and red stamp that is cuter than this one.  The stamps the USPS puts out are kind of hit or miss, but they've been coming up with some pretty neat ones lately!

This was a great Love Rule and I am so excited to see what the next one is!  Let me know your thoughts are in the comments!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Surprise!!

Sometimes, I think one of my favorite parts about this postcard project is when a surprise postcard finds it's way into my mailbox!  I love the ones that people request and then send back to me, but the ones that I'm not expecting just end up making my day that much better! Especially when they are so perfect for my collection!  This postcard is so great.

The postcard is a vintage card from an older postcard book of "La Cote d'Azur- Monte Carlo"  The entire back typography is in French and I absolutely love the scalloped edge.  I've never been to the French Riviera, I've never even been out of the country, but I've always thought it looked so beautiful.  I feel like this postcard makes it look so peaceful!  What do you guys think?

The quote on the back was a pretty great one

"If you want to change the world, you have to change your self."

-Monte Carlo

I think this quote kind of speaks for it self, so I'll leave it as it is!  Let us know what you think. 

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Farm Fridays #1

Today, we're starting a new themed day for postcard submissions!   Whoohoo! The new themed day is Farm Fridays and all the posts on these days will be farm and agriculture related!  Now, that may seem like a strange thing to have a themed day for, but my mother's side of the family comes from a long line of farmers, ranchers, and ag educators. I have to say that that same blood is running through my veins.  I'm going to school for Animal Science with a  in equine science.  I'm passionate about agriculture and I love the people that come from it, so I figured that a great place to get quotes, advice, and favorite parts about living would be from the people who come from Agriculture.

Today's postcard is centered around "Agriculture Rules" and let me tell you, it's similar to the "Love Rules" we have here and I absolutely love them.  I'll be gathering them all together as well on their own page if you'd ever like to have a reference point!

Our sender, Peggy, resides in South Dakota and sends us "Ag Rule #1" and I have to say, it's a keeper.

"Be the best cook and baker in the area! Word spreads and the best way to get men to beg to come helps is by FOOD!"

She adds "During silage chopping season  we have 6-8 guys helping.  I feed the morning, coffee, dinner, afternoon coffee, and supper for 5-8 days.  We have guys begging to help just for the food.  and I LOVE IT!"

I love reading what she wrote.  Something I will always remember about my Grandmother in the future, and always think about now when I talk about her or see her, is her cooking.  She grew up in Western Nebraska and she has some of the GREATEST "recipes". Now, I put that into quotations because half the time, it's only an outline, but the one thing that is constant is how delicious and amazing the food is.  I'm addicted to cooking  and baking and I can only hope that I'll be able to cook like her one day!

This postcard was a bonnie surprise in my postbox.  I'll definitely have to show it to my grandmother and see what kind of stories she'll be reminded of and feeding the campers at the Farlin Family Farm.  What do you guys think of this rule?  I definitely think it's a good one!

I also loved the stamp. This series was one of my favorites from earlier this year.  There were 10 different designs of the Vintage Flower Seed Packets and I loved them!  So cute!

Happy Mailing!
-Jessa

Guess What??

AHHH!! So I've kind of decided to take the leap and start up a Facebook page!  WHEEEE!  It's so exciting.  I'm not really sure how it's going to go.  This is one of those things I will probably need help with! HAH!  So if anyone is interested in helping me keep a Facebook page updated and understands how to match blogs with Facebook pages, I would be eternally grateful!

Here is the page!  I really hope it's fabulous!  I know you can't see me right now, but I'm crossing my fingers and hoping.  If you guys feel like keeping up with me and the postcards that find their way to me, please give the page a like!  Here we go! :)

Happy Mailing!
-Jessa

Love Rule #11

     Today's postcard comes to us from the Phoenix area and it's here to start us on the Love Rules!  I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to get our Love Rules started!  I'm going to state now that the probability of these Love Rules coming in in order is grossly overrated.  Believe me.  I've had to talk myself over it several times.  I was thinking about waiting until I had ones that were in order, but with how the post works and having volunteers write on the postcards, it could take weeks, or even months, before I would be able to post the first Love Rule.  Ya feel?   I've also realized that I'll probably have some postcards coming in that will overlap in numbers.  Haven't quite decided how I'm going to address that, and honestly, I probably won't until that problem arises!  I'm pretty good at procrastination.

     I've actually been to Bedrock City up at the Grand Canyon, AZ.  It was on my Bucket List, so this postcard was in my collection of self bought postcards from my travels.  The theme park was pretty stinkin' awesome if I do say so myself.  It was totally kitschy and cheesy, but I loved it!  The theme shop was full of the traditional touristy schtuff, Flintstones were everywhere, and there was so much to do once you went through the tourist shop.  I couldn't get enough. 

Love Rule # 11-  Love is a risk.  Do it anyway.

     I love this rule.  It really resonates with me with my anxiety and my fear of rejection, especially when I take into consideration my inability to talk to almost anyone of the male persuasion!  I don't even know what it is about them, but it's so, so difficult. What am I losing out on by not taking any risks?  Love is always a risk and you'll never know how it will pay out until you've jumped in and grabbed the bull by the horns.  Sometimes it's more than worth it and everything works out the way you think it should.  Yet sometimes, it just crashes and burns and you wonder how and why everything went wrong.  If you're anything like me, the crashing and the burning seem to be the area that likes to buddy up with me and I absolutely hate it! But because the tries I've had haven't ended up the way I wanted, I tell myself that I'm less likely to want to risk it all and try again.  That fear stops me from putting myself out there.  Who wants to live life always on the sidelines?  I know I don't and I have to do something about it! 

     How many of you guys have taken risks with love?  Did it pay or was it a crash and burner?  Let us know in the comments!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Happiness Is...#2 Jam!

     A beautiful postcard from Indonesia found it's way to my mailbox  recently and I have to say, I love it! It looks like it came from national museum of some sort. One that I believe I would really enjoy visiting! I greatly enjoy the postcards that send me on a little trip somewhere other than where I am stuck.  My mother loves to watch House Hunters International because the different places people move to give her a chance to see places she would otherwise not be able to see.  It's the same idea for me.  Having the chance to see postcards from around the world give me a glimpse of what is outside of here.  Who knows if I'll ever have a chance to visit? I sure hope so!

     When I read the quote written on the back, I couldn't help but smile.  It was so, *so* true.

"Happiness is like jam.  You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself."

     Happiness is one of those things that is so very, very contagious for people.  I know for me, it's so very difficult to refrain from smiling when witnessing happiness, whether it's with people or even animals!  Miriam-Webster states that Happiness is " a state of well-being and contentment; joy; and  a pleasurable or satisfying experience."  Though I have to battle daily with anxiety, I've never had an issue with finding happiness in things.  Whether it's scrolling through Ag pages on Facebook, playing with my puppy, or riding my horses, I can find happiness in my life.  Can you?  

     I believe that happiness is an integral ingredient in the recipe we call life.  <---  That was dorky, right?  But seriously.  Do you think you can have a successful, healthy life without happiness? I  don't believe so.  Especially with something as easy as a small piece happiness here and there.  I know better than most that happiness isn't always abundant in life, particularly when things seem to be headed towards a depressive state. But happiness is free for the taking and always available.  Sometimes it's right there in front of you, your family or your animals, but sometimes you do actually have to get out there and find it.   I promise it will be worth it.      

     Been having a rough go of things lately?  Has this Monday got you down?  I challenge you to go find happiness in your life today and let us know what that was for you! It doesn't have to be big, small happiness is still happiness!  If you have it within your means to provide someone else with happiness, let  us know about that too!

I loved this quote and I hope you guys enjoy it as well!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

I have a favor to ask! :D

Hey guys!

I hope your week is going fabulously well!  Or maybe it's not and that's why you are perusing our blog. :)  If that's the case, then thank you!  I appreciate having you here. I have some exciting new things in the works for the blog and I hope you might find one or two that you would love to participate in!

One of the things I've come across as a postcard lover, is accumulating 100's and 100's of blank postcards I've picked up in my travels, from swaps with other people, as gifts. You name it, I've probably received them in that way!  I have so many blank postcards I want to add to my collection, but they're NAKED!    Right?  Oh, the horror.  Blank postcards that have never made a journey through mailboxes or had a stamp adhered to their surface.  Sure, some people prefer to collect blank postcards and that's great! Makes it easier to send them their way! :D But I love them travel weary, with miles under their stamps, excited to show up in my mailbox.

So thinking of that, I have found that I arm in quite a conundrum. Boxes full of postcards, as blank as blank can be?  How ever would I change that? And then it hit me. I should ask our friends and followers! So here I am, guys, I'm here to plead my case and talk some more about my dealio.  If you saw it on Facebook already, no worries, you can skip this post.  I won’t feel bad. :3  Or! Maybe you have a friend who might be interested in participating? Just send this post their way!

Ever thought about sending me a postcard or participating in my project, but didn't know how?  No worries!  Just fill out my Postcard Request Form and I'll send them on their way! How does it work?  You fill out our form and let me know how many cards you'd like, whether you'd like them stamped or not(US only, unfortunately. International has to stamp their own postcards), and then you just wait for them to arrive!  Once the addressed postcards arrive, all you have to do is write on them and drop them in a mailbox to come my way!   I do blog every postcard that comes my way and I love to blog in-depth about the postcards that follow my requests!  With that being said, here are the things I would really love to see written on my postcards!  Here are a few ideas: 

Write a piece of advice (and who it was from/relation to you) you have received, a favorite quote of yours, a favorite book and/or movie, or anything that is important to you. Mini music playlists, authors, places you've visited, parts of your bucket list. Here are some more ideas. 

•Famous Last Words
•80's Song Lyrics
•Favorite Line From A Book
•Who's Your Hero
•Bucket List
•Favorite Vacation Spot
•Most Inspiring Quote/song/book 

I will also be thinking about hosting a small tri-monthly giveaway as a thank you for anyone who has sent us our postcards back!  So be sure to check that little box if you'd like that as an incentive for participating!

If you have any questions, please let me know! I am so excited to send postcards and blog about what I receive back!  

Happy Mailings!

-Jessa

Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and The Fox

One of the best things about postcards, in my honest opinion, is the ability that little piece of paper has to brighten up your day!  Sure, most of the postcards you receive will be something you're looking for or swapped for, but every once in a while, the postcard you see in your mailbox just makes your day!  That's the case for the subject of this fabulous post!  I slid my key into the lock and opened up the little door, and this beauty was sitting on top!

Look at this cute little fox and his adorable chickies!  There are the two that are sleeping, oblivious to the world, the one sitting on top of his furry little orange head like a hat, and the fourth just standing there.  I love them all!  The fox has adorable little feet.  It almost looks like he stepped into sticky mud and it never came off!  Though, I have to say that this little illustration reminds me of a children's story!  Do you see his little teeth?  So cute!

This is such a great quote! I remember reading Alice in Wonderland as a child and it was such a trip, heading down the rabbit hole into the strange new land.  There are quite a few quotes from those writings that we could take note in, but we would agree in saying this is probably one of the most important. "I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then." How true is that?  Things happen in our life that aren't always what we want to happen, and we feel, sometimes, that we are in the wrong place at the wrong time and we'd do anything we could to change that.  But the fact of the matter is, we can't.  It's as simple as that.  Not only that, but even if we could, we would change the entire course of the rest of our lives!  Maybe that was meant to happen.  After all, don't they say everything happens for a reason?  I believe that.  Certainly, that doesn't always mean that the things that happened were happy or joyful, but it definitely helped shape us to be the people we are today.  We can't change the past but we can go forward and try to have a happier future!

Have any of you read "Alice in Wonderland"?  Let me know in the comments about your favorite part!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Paris

I just love it when a beautiful postcard shows up in my box!  I've never been to Paris, let alone France, but after this postcard, I  know I'd love to go one day! The Postcard is so beautiful.  The Eiffel Tower lit up, with the dark clouds looking purple behind it.  The bright bridge reflected on the water's surface.  I mean c'mon!  How could that not be beautiful!   I want to go there right now! Has anyone reading this post ever been to Paris?  Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

It's just so pretty.  This is the kind of postcard I could see on a wall, as a piece of art.  But it will definitely look amazing in my Postcard Album.  I also found I loved the stamp when I flipped the postcard over to read what was on the back.

This fabulous stamp is a part of the second series of stamps issued by the Singapore Post.  The definitive stamps exhibit the Republic's past quite succinctly.  It's been aptly named "Vanishing Trades" and is a beautiful depiction of Singapore's trades.  Among the rest of the series are cage makers, kite makers, Chinese calligraphers, and the garland maker, like we have here.  The first series, released in  2013, featured several different designs, in which dairy man, kachang puteh seller, and beaded slippers maker were included.   These stamp series are a part of the nation's rich cultural heritage and bear homage to the building and growing of Singapore's past.  I greatly enjoyed this beautiful stamp and learning more about it's origin.   Have you seen any of the others in the series?

Last, but certainly not least, we come to the quote that was inscribed on the back.  

"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it." - Richard Bach

This quote is so true.  It makes me think of when someone close to you plans a special outing or makes you something special.  They shouldn't require the same action in return.  The best way to think them is to appreciate the moment and everything they did for you to get to that point.   It feels like no one really appreciates the time and effort it takes to do some these favors these days.   We need to remember to be more appreciative of the moments around us and the time others might put in.  We know that sometimes we take things for granted, even when we try not to.

Just some things to keep in mind!  Let me know what you thought of the postcard!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Happiness is...Mondays! #1

Hello Hello!!

 For most people, students and workers alike, Monday isn't the best day of the week. You're coming off of a weekend that was hopefully full of fun times and good friends, but more often than not, it was a little break from the ho-hum doldrums of the rest of the week. So why not try to cheer ourselves up? That's my plan with the new Monday themed posts! 

 "Wait, jump back. What's a themed post?" You're asking, right? No worries, I was about to get to that. At Through The Letterbox, I want to have a way to get people to interact with the blog and to have a chance to relate to the postcards I am posting! Quite a few of you guys are on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and most of these have themed hashtags for the week! Yeah, I decided to join in on the fun. ;) Today was the perfect day to start! So, every Monday(we'll, hopefully every Monday :3), I'll have a blog post that revolves around the theme of "Happiness is..." and things that make us happy! I picked Monday because someone, somewhere, might need a pick me up! I hope you'll be able to participate or at least have a desire to participate with us! Keep on reading to see our first #HappinessisMondaysTTLB postcard!

Seriously,  How cute is this little guy?  I had a Shetland pony growing up and man, was he a little stinker!  But when they were good, they were soooo good. I absolutely love this postcard!  Let's see what the back says!

Happiness is...

• A Mailbox full with happy mail.
• My daughter (2.5 years) sing today that she loves me.
• Feeling kicks from the baby. I'm 26 weeks pregnant.
• Make people smile.
• Writing postcards with a cup of tea.

How fun is this postcard! These are such great things that make this sender happy. I know I can definitely agree with a few of them!  Having a mailbox full of happy mail is definitely a given for a happy maker!  I always get sad when there's nothing more than bills or the free inserts they include in the newspaper!  Like, seriously.  Who wants bills and free inserts?!  Not me! That's for sure. I'd much rather have cute decorated postcards that scream " Read me! Read me!" or penpal letters with the fun writing and the washi tape.  This kind of leads to another of the listed happy makers.  "Making people smile."  I know I've been getting the mail out of my box and the smile on my face has caught the attention of the clerks behind the counter.  They always want to see the mail that happened to make me so happy.  I love having the chance to share the postcards with other people!  

One of the other things listed on here was "writing postcards with a cup of tea."  I've never really done that at home, but I have stopped at my local coffee shops with blank postcards in hand, sipping a large glass of iced tea as I write to my friends.  But I've never drank hot tea or drank tea at my house while writing.  Have any of you?  I can definitely imagine how that would bring happiness to our lives!

What in particular makes you happy?  Can you relate to any of the listed from this postcard?  Let me know in the comments!   Follow if you haven't already to keep up with my posts and postcards or sign up for email in the sidebar!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Indonesia on A Map

The postcard that comes to me today hails from the beautiful lands of Indonesia.  Though I've never been, I have seen photos that are absolutely beautiful and begging me to come visit.  Not so strangely enough, I can't afford a trip to Indonesia anytime soon but I can receive postcards from wonderful people from Indonesia, as well as all over the world.

This postcard is one of my favorite maps that I've received of yet.  It's so colorful and pretty and fun!  All of the different islands and information on the postcard was super informative!  One of my favorite things about receiving all these different postcards is all the learning I accomplish.  I never knew that there are 17, 508 islands that encompass the Republic of Indonesia, or that only 6,000 of which are inhabited.  Who knew?  They have 150 active volcanoes and 328,000 species of plants and animals.  They also have 300 distinct ethnic groups and 742 different languages and dialects!  How amazing! Just take a look at the postcard and see for myself how beautiful it is!

The quote on the back of the postcard was a perfect choice!  The sender even suggested coming to visit, so the whole thing was travel related! Plus, her handwriting was fabulous.  There wasn't one thing I didn't like about this postcard.

"The world is a book & those who do not travel read only one page."

This quote is so true and really resonates with me, being an avid book reader.   There is just something about getting out there and experiencing everything around you!  Whether it's only a few miles from your home or a thousand miles, getting out there and seeing what the world has to offer is important and so much fun.  So take a step outside and experience something new, Traveled somewhere new recently?  I would love to hear about it!  Let me know in the comments!

Happy mailings!

-Jessa

Lookie! A Surprise! #1

I got a surprise postcard in the mail the other day.  I was definitely not expecting it!  I am not sure where it came from, or even who, but I am loving it!  I love postcards that I am not expecting!  They are just so much fun.  Surprise mail in the box?  Yes please. :)

I'm not usually one for art, sometimes the pieces get too complicated, you know?  But this postcard is absolutely beautiful.  It's a watercolor painting of Little Harbor Dock, by Leilani Havens, of Muscongus Island, Maine.  The postcard is so pretty and just serene.  I've always loved watercolors and this is a prime example.  Doesn't it just look like a place you just want to take a step into and walk down the dock to the waterfront?  I know I do!  So peaceful and quiet. 

The quote I received on the back of the postcard was pretty great.  It's definitely one of those quotes that has the potential to reach deep down inside of you and start something great.  Sometimes I think too many people are superficial and they don't care about what actually matters outside of themselves.  That sounds harsh, I  know, but just taking a walk outside or reading some tweets on Twitter, and I sometimes feel that there isn’t a big awareness of the bigger picture, you know?  

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."

-Wordsworth

I know this quote touched me, does it touch you?  How does this quote make you feel?  Let us know in a comment! Or even tell us a quote that has touched you in some way and why.  I love to hear from my readers!

Happy Mailings!

-Jessa

New Jersey's Here: James Dean & Liebe Besiegt Alles

Today's blog post inspiration comes to us from New Jersey!   I was blessed with two postcards coming in from the East Coast, a place I've never been but would like to go.  Especially after seeing what these two postcards had to offer!  The postcards were great, the stamps were fun, and the quotes were even better!  New Jersey is known for it’s coastal waters, enthusiastic people, and being the "Diner Capital of the World".  Also, for all you soup lovers out there, New Jersey is the fabulous place where Campbell's Soup was created!  Heck yeah! How are you not wanting to jump on a plane and head out there right now?  I know I am! Ok, instead of coming up with more and more reasons to visit New Jersey, let's get along with these postcards. :D

The lovely quote on the back of this postcard is one I've heard often but have always loved.

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."

-James Dean

 How many of our readers have heard this quote before?  It's pretty famous, the words from a well known celebrity who lived out his own words.  I actually think about this quote often and I can't tell you how happy I am that it came in on a postcard. There are so many people in this world who live life safely.  They don't take risks when it could be beneficial to them.  I used to be one of those people.  I would dream like there was no tomorrow, quite like I was going to live forever.  But I lived very carefully. I wasn't happy because I wasn't doing anything I dreamed about.  All I did were things that I knew I had to do and I knew were completely safe.  As popular as this quote is, I found it be inspirational and kind of a kick in the seat of my pants.  I needed to stop doing things so carefully and living vicariously through other people! What a change it has been to my life!  I can't say everything has been perfect, because, let's face it, I make mistakes.  But I've been happier and I'd like to challenge my readers to take a step in that same direction if they haven't already.  Is there something you've wanted to do but haven't yet?  Because you might be scared or unsure?  Pick something small, it doesn't have to be big, and do it!  Try that bold lipstick or loudly printed dress.  Ask that girl out at the coffee shop you've seen a couple of times or change that hairstyle.  Just take a step of something you might have wanted to do but haven't because of a fear.  Try it out and see how it feels.  Let me know if you have previously or are going to! I'd love to hear what you guys have to say!

This lovely little postcard came with a quote I have heard in English, but I haven't ever heard it in German as I did this time.

"Liebe Besiegt Alles"

Love conquers all.

I love this quote.  It's the perfect tie in for our "Love Rules" segment I am getting ready to launch on the blog.  Our lovely postcard sender loved the quote too, she has it tattooed!  It's such a romantic quote for those of us who love love. :3 I think I kind of want to collect postcards with "Love conquers all." translated into as many different languages as possible.  Think you can help me with that?  Head on over to our Postcard Submission page and let me know where you're from and how you'd like to help!

These two postcards were a fun and welcome addition to my mailbox and I can't thank the sender enough!  Hope you enjoyed them!  Let us know what you think or share!  

Happy Mailings!

-Jessa

Pumpkin Time!

Super cute postcard arrived in my box!  Talk about completely adorable! These types of postcards are really my favorite. I had no clue it was coming my way and I was fabulously surprised.  I love when people decide they want to send me a little something, surprising me and assisting my project.  This particular postcard was a cute, little hand drawn number of a little girl and someone else carrying a large, orange pumpkin down the path.  It was complete with a little bird, mushrooms growing on the wood, and a huge pumpkin tree, ripe for harvest.   I loved the artistic aspect of it!

See how cute it is! I also loved the incredibly beautiful stamps that were pasted to the back of the postcard.  The flower was especially beautiful!  I'm not exactly sure what the top stamp is referring to, but I enjoy it immensely.  

I was lucky in the aspect of the surprise postcard gracing my presence.  I became even luckier when I found out the written words on the back pertained to my blog!  I love the quote that was sent to me.  

"Reputation is what men and women think of us.  Character is what God and angels know of us."

- Lana Del Rey

This quote is pretty powerful on both a personal and a spiritual level.  Though a belief in God is not necessary to garner the seriousness of the quote. :) Reputations are usually what precede a person, but they can sometimes come from rumors of other people.  Though they can be carved by how a person acts, they are also a result of how others talk of them.  Character is on a completely different level.  This quote makes me think of the one "Character is who you are when no one is looking." and it's so true.  Character is who you are within, more than skin deep.  It's what forms you as a person and gives you almost a 'code' by which you live and interact with others.  It's true to you and it's important to humanity.  

I also loved the handwriting! How beautiful is that?  It is so neat and precise and perfect for a postcard. Neat handwriting always makes me happy when I find it on the back of postcards.  The last happy note from this postcard was the greeting in the sender's native language! So I'll send you on your way with the same greeting! :)  Thanks for stopping by!

"Semoga harimu menyenangkan." -> Have a nice day!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Albert Einstein's The Man!

Drumroll pleaaaaasseeeee! I have my first postcard for the Postcard Project!  So fantastic.  I can hardly contain myself! Hang on a second, Ima go dance for a bit. :3  "Happy Happy Postcards...La La La."

Ok, back!  Phew.  I got a little excited, if you couldn't tell. :) Granted, this postcard was received a little bit ago, but I have to catch up with the blogging world. I'm a bit behind.  But still!  A postcard for the blog! I loved the entire thing.  The postcard, the stamp, what was written on it; everything.  I can't wait to tell you guys all about it   Let's start with the postcard and see where this adventure takes us!

How cool is that postcard?  It was handmade/printed by the Sendsomething user "Fast Eyes". I think my favorite part of the whole postcard was the coffee ring in the upper left corner. Weird thing to like, I know, but I love it.   Sometimes I'm a bit wary of handmade cards , for several reasons.  Mostly because I don't always know what kind of medium they're going to use, but this postcard completely surprised me.  It was very professional and looked just like a postcard one could buy in a store.  Color me impressed! :)

Oh my goodness! Their handwriting!  I LOVE.  I am such a weirdo when it comes to handwriting.  When I find one I like, I go crazy.  And believe me, I went crazy.  Wondering why?  Well, let me show you!

Yeah, what did I tell you?  That handwriting is fabulous, just fabulous. It is so much easier to enjoy a postcard when the handwriting is readable and pretty or enjoyable to look at.  This particular postcard passed with flying colors!  I also particularly loved the quote from Albert Enstein. 

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.". Einstein.

This quote resonates with me so well.  One of the things I tell myself quite often is that I am ridiculously curious and am always trying to figure out the things around me.  Am I great at everything I try? Oh heck no! Haha.  But I am always wanting to try something new!  Curiosity is something that is missing in quite a few people nowadays, it seems like.  Why are people so afraid to be curious?  How is that a crime?  Curiosity is the food that keeps things progressing and it's something I'll never be ashamed of.  Sure, maybe curiosity killed the cat, but he had a heck of a time before he died! :3  Nah, just kidding.  I am not goin’ to die.  

They were so fabulously thoughtful in the stamp they chose for my postcard!  It's an Arizona stamp that fits perfectly in my collection!  Take a look for yourself and let us know what you think!

I've always enjoyed the 'Greetings From..." postcards, so you can probably imagine my surprise when I found out they had related stamps!  It was insane.  I still haven't been able to find them, used or otherwise. Which is completely and utterly devastating!   But I haven't given up hope.  I'm going to keep on looking and maybe one day it will pay off!

As you've probably realized, I'm a blabber.  I can go on and on and on and then on some more when I'm not reined in, but hopefully, if you've made it this far down the blog post, you'll stay for the last few sentences.  I am so grateful to Sendsomething's Fast Eyes.  I've enjoyed writing about the first blog related postcard I’ve received, and I can promise there will be many, many more.  Hopefully this post was entertaining, but if not, let me know and I'll do what I can to make the next one better!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

And We're Live!

BLOG POST IS UPPPPPPP!  Everyone, get ready to paaarrrtayyyyyy! One of my dreams is actually coming true.  I am so excited to share this journey with everyone and hope the blog and the project help other people the way it helps me! 

Life can sometimes have the tendency to get people down and I don't always know how to make it better. But wait!  I know what helps me!  Postcards and SNAILMAIL!  There's just something about finding a piece of cardstock in the mailbox decorated and written just for you.  It may have traveled 2 miles, or it may have traveled over 6,000 miles, but either way, it found it's way to you.  Now just take a moment to revel in that fact.  Something happy just for you.  Maybe your day was kind of yucky? Ran into someone you didn't want too, had a horrid day at work, the traffic was wretched, that sort of thing.  I get it.  The day sucks. That's ok.  That fabulous little piece of battered and written on paper will brighten your day, if even by just a little bit.  That's the feeling I want to spread and share with the rest of the world. Albeit, i can't do it physically, bu I hope posts on here can assist.

I have had so many ideas and visions of how this would come to flourition and how it would work out , the postcards I would receive for the blog.  Now, this is where I need your help!  I have always been enthralled by quotes, pieces of advice, books people are reading, and the like.  What makes me even happier is having those snippets coming in from friends and family and people from around the world.  One way to get some perspective on your life is to get some from someone else's life.  I'd love to swap postcards or send my blank, addressed postcards for you guys to send back with your tidbits of what makes you happy.  

I am  so excited for this project to get up and running.  There are so many great things happening and in the works that I can barely keep my mouth shut!  I hope this will take off running, but it might be a little sluggish for the first few steps. I have been busy getting some postcards coming this way so I would be able to get some posts up, but after that, it's up to those who have something to share!

I am so excited to run down the gangplank and jump onto the ship of postcards and blogging, and I hope you guys will be here to join me. The trip is going to be one of misadventures, surprises, and happy words, but I can't wait.  Sit down, buckle up, and enjoy the ride. :)