A Happy New Year! - Postcard Friendship Friday #96

In the United States, the Times Square Ball in New York City is lowered, starting at 11:59 p.m., with a countdown from :10 seconds until :01, when the huge sparkling ball reaches the bottom of its tower. The arrival of the new year is announced at the stroke of midnight with fireworks, music and a live celebration which is broadcast worldwide.  In our family celebrations with friends in our home, we often light small fireworks.  There is usually a crowd of young people playing games and cracking jokes.  You can imagine the noise a group of teenagers and college kids might make--at the stroke of midnight--all armed with my cooking pans and spoons!

In Greece and Cyprus, families and relatives switch the lights off at midnight, then celebrate by cutting the "vassilopita" (Basil's pie) which usually contains one coin or equivalent. Whoever finds the coin is said to have good luck for the entire year.

In the Philippines, along with spectacular fireworks, tables are laden with food for a  midnight meal.  There is a basket of 12 different round fruits to symbolize prosperity in each of the coming year's 12 months.  In Russia and the former republics of the Soviet Union, the celebration of Old New Year is greeted with fireworks and drinking champagne. Families enjoy a lavish dinner tables and an exchange of gifts.  In Davos, Switzerland, the final match of the Spengler Cup Ice Hockey Tournament is usually held on this day by tradition.

In France, people pay a lot of attention to the weather that day. This charming tradition regards the weather as the prediction of the coming year: wind blowing east, fruit will yield; wind blowing west, fish and livestock will be bumper; wind blowing south, there will be good weather all year round and wind blowing north, there will be crop failure.  
 Whatever way you celebrate the new year--it is my prayer 2012 will bring each of you unexpected joy and wonderful prosperity.

Happy New Year!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

                                                       

A Happy New Year! - Guest heart Thursday

Here is a postcard from my Gramma Gladys.  This has a paper disc on the inside, which could be moved to show the date.  Very cunning.  And, of course, with the little heart, it is perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Merry Christmas Everyone! - Postcard Friendship Friday #95

I apologize for getting PFF up so late.  I have been ill since Friday afternoon and haven't gotten any better until this morning.   Went out to do some errands early--and got caught in a Christmas traffic jam!  Reminded me of that old James Taylor song, "Traffic Jam."  Ah, I'm dating myself, aren't I?

Have a perfectly blessed Christmas everyone!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Under the Mistletoe - Postcard Friendship Friday #94

I love mistletoe.  When I was a youngster, my sister and I cut down a bit of mistletoe from an oak tree.  It was two feet across!  That ball of mistletoe hung from the back porch ceiling for years.  I always put up a bit of mistletoe somewhere in the house at Christmas time.  I like to surprise my darling with a kiss!

There are many ancient folk tales revolving around mistletoe.  The one I like best is about the Norse goddess Frigga and her son Balder--god of the summer sun.
 
One night, Balder had a dream which greatly alarmed his mother.  He dreamed of his own death.  It was said if Balder died, all life on earth would end. To keep this from happening, Frigga went at once to air, fire, water, earth, and every animal and plant seeking a promise that no harm would come to her beloved son.  Balder could not be hurt by anything on earth, or under the earth.
 
But Balder had one enemy, Loki, god of mischief and evil.  He knew of one plant Frigga had overlooked. It grew neither on the earth, nor under the earth, but on apple and oak trees. You guessed it--the plant was the lowly mistletoe. Loki made an arrow tip of the mistletoe, gave it to the blind god of winter, Hoder, daring him to shoot Balder.  Hoder, believing nothing could hurt Balder shot the arrow, striking Balder dead.
 
The sky went black and all things in earth and heaven wept over Balder. For three days each element tried to bring Balder back to life.  Alas, they were all unsuccessful.
 
As his mother wept over him, her tears were turned into the pearly white berries on the mistletoe plant.  Then to her great joy she realized her tears of sorrow had restored Balder to life.  Frigga kissed everyone who passed beneath the tree on which the plant grew.
 
The story ends with the promise that whoever stands beneath the mistletoe, no harm should befall them, only a kiss, a token of love.

Merry Christmas!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

An Evergreen Christmas - Postcard Friendship Friday #93

Here again is this delightful little girl from the early 1900's.  One can find her photographs everywhere.  Someday I will discover who she was.  There is something so endearing about her piquant little face.

As you see, she is holding evergreen boughs.  In early History, plants and trees which remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, holly, spruce and fir trees, in olden times, peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows.

Germany is credited with starting the tradition of the Christmas tree.  It is said that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, was the first to add lighted candles to a tree.
 
Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he put an evergreen tree in the living room and wired its branches with lighted candles.  From that time on, Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.

Merry Christmas!
 

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Angel and the Birdie - Guest Heart Thursday

Grammie recycled things before it was popular to do so.  She would save old Christmas cards to make into tags for Christmas presents.  She always used those scissors with the rick rack edge pattern.  This is one she gave to me on a gift long ago.  I still love it.

And yes, there is a heart in this beautiful Christmas picture.  You can find it in the top of one of the pink roses!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Adoring Angels - Sunday Scans

This wonderful unusual card came from a box of old cards given to me by my darling Gramma Gladys.  She has the most fabulous collection of Vintage cards and postcards.  When she moved from Oregon to Washington, she left several boxes of her collection with me.

I had the blessing of seeing her on my recent trip--she is tinier than ever, a winsome little Grannie elf with her beautiful wrinkled face filled with mischief--and that wonderful shock of pure white hair.  She says she can't do a thing with it.  She is an adorable little Grandmother.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!  

A Joyous Trumpeting - Postcard Friendship Friday #92

I am away from my desk this morning -- I have been in Tacoma for three days and will be back late this evening.  I love this time of year.  All the beautiful decorations and lighting, plays, family times and good cheer.

The postcard here, especially that little angel blowing his trumpet, seems to echo the joy of the season.  I love that sweet fellow!

Merry Christmas!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

All Creatures Big and Small - Guest Heart Thursday

I received this card sometime in the 1970's.  I loved it so much I saved it.  I really like the way this artist portrayed the animals and that darling little Baby.  Yes, if you look there are at least four hearts in this picture.  How many hearts can YOU find?  Have a lovely week!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Angel in the Snow - Postcard Friendship Friday #91

Thanksgiving is past and the Christmas Season is upon us!  The older I become, the more quickly time passes.  Every moment becomes that more precious.  Let us all embrace goodness, kindness and one another this holiday season.

Merry Christmas everyone!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Holly Hobby Thanksgiving - Guest Heart Thursday

Yes, there is a heart there--the kitten hiding behind miss Holly Hobby's skirt has heart-shaped paws!

Have a wonderful Guest Heart Thursday and if you are here in the United States--have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!


For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Catch the Bird! - Sunday Scans

I know people used to raise their own turkeys for Thanksgiving eating.  It's interesting to see this vintage depiction of a young boy trying to catch the bird.  One can't blame that turkey for trying to fly away!

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!  

A Hearty Thanksgiving - Postcard Friendship Friday #90

When we traveled the East Coast years ago, we had the opportunity to see Plymouth Rock (much smaller than I’d visualized) and go through the museum in the town of Plymouth.  It was fascinating.  I learned many things I did not know about the Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims set ground at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Their first winter was devastating. I was shocked to discover that by Fall only 56 of the 102 settlers survived.  What a lonesome feeling that must have been.  So far from home--with no other resources other than what they brought with them. 

Thankfully, the harvest of 1621 was a bountiful one.  The remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast - including the Native Americans who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. Happily for all, their feast of thanksgiving lasted three days.

Governor William Bradford sent "four men fowling" after wild ducks and geese. History doesn’t say they actually ate turkey, though.  I didn't realize it, but the term "turkey" was used by the Pilgrims to mean any sort of wild bird.  They also ate venison along with boiled pumpkin and a type of fried bread made from the corn they’d planted.  Included in their feast were berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, venison, and plums.  Sounds pretty good to me!  Looking back on this past year--there are so many things for which to be thankful.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

All Thanksgiving Bounty be Thine

I love these old postcards portraying Native Americans in such a positive light.  Such a lovely Indian maiden--indeed those early visitors to America would never have made it without the help of Native Americans.

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!  

Veterans Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #89

I love this postcard.  It reminds me of how much our boys must miss home and family as they serve overseas.   Dad often spoke of how much he missed his family and country the years he fought in World War Two.
 
The history of Veteran's Day in America is an interesting one.  After World War One, on November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first Commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

This holiday was celebrated with a day off with parades and honoring our war-torn warriors.

In 1968, a law was signed in order to insure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.

The first official Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a law returning the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.

On this day in America, we honor our veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.  So many of my family have served in the military--some continue to this day.  I thank each of them for their service and sacrifice.  I am grateful to every man and woman who have stood--and continue to stand--in the gap for freedom, country, family and home.

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Get the Point? - Guest Heart Thursday

This one is for Sissy--and also for all you wonderful heart lovers out there!  Isn't this just the sweetest Valentine?  Get the point?!  I thought this perfect for today's Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

King Tut Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #88

Today is King Tut Day!  The holiday always falls on November 4^th and celebrates the day King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered by Howard Carter and his team. 

I have a special place in my heart for King Tut.  I was only ten when I presented a paper about this amazing child king to my fifth grade teacher.  He was only nine when he took the throne of Egypt and only lived until he was 19.  Some researchers believe he died from an accident, others think he might have been murdered.

On this day in 1922, King Tutankhamen's tomb was discovered in Egypt's Valley of Kings.  When Carter held the candle to the opening of the tomb, the golden furniture gleamed back at him.  His partner, Lord Carnarvon who asked, “Can you see anything?” Carter replied with, “Yes, wonderful things.”

It is said when they first entered the tomb, the air was warm and a faint smell of perfume and oil filled the air. To them, the tomb looked as if it had remained intact as the day it had been sealed. 

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

May Love Serve - Guest Heart Thursday

I laughed when I found this postcard--notice the turkey?  It is shaped like a heart!  Just perfect for Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Happy Crack-Nut Night!

As you walk in the crisp fall air this evening--I bid you all a Happy Crack-Nut Night!

Pumpkin Power - Postcard Friendship Friday #87

Traditionally glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, are set on porches and in windows, to welcome Trick or Treaters as they canvas neighborhoods for goodies.

In ancient times, it was thought the lighted pumpkin faces acted as protection against evil spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.  

Pumpkins are only found in the western hemisphere so they were completely unknown in Europe before the time of Columbus!  Just think, no one had ever tasted Pumpkin Pie back then!  In 1584, the French explorer Jacques Cartier reported from the St. Lawrence region that he had found "gros melons", which was translated into English as "ponpions," or pumpkins.  In fact, pumpkins have been grown in America for over 5,000 years. Native Americans called pumpkins "isquotersquash."

Did you know pumpkins are not a vegetable - they are a fruit! Pumpkins, like gourds and other varieties of squash are all members of the Cucurbitacae family (just try to pronounce that), which also includes cucumbers, gherkins, and melons.

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Carving Hearts - Guest Heart Thursday

I was delighted to find this cute vintage postcard of a small boy carving a heart into a rather green looking pumpkin.  The look of anticipation on the little girl's face is priceless!  

Happy Guest Heart Thursday!   

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!