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

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

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

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