Ribbons and Daffodils

I love daffodils and Spring.  This postcard is a delight to my eyes.  What a creative idea to string ribbons and daffodils across the card.  There's something so rumpled, yet so graceful about this artist's work.

Have a lovely week everyone!

A Royal New Year -Postcard Friendship Friday #148

I love the rich colors and ornate gold embossing on this wonderful old postcard.  They just don't make 'em like they used to!  Such a lovely little princess, and that fellow with a horn must have deafened both Royalty and admirer.  Perhaps the charming boy with his offering of roses, will get the chance to kiss the lady beneath the mistletoe on New Years Eve!

Interestingly, kissing under the mistletoe is a New Year's custom in France, rather than a Christmas custom as in other countries. New Year's Eve is called le Re'veillon de Saint-Sylvestre.  Champagne and foie gras are usually included.  This can be an intimate dinner with friends, or a grand ball.  At midnight, everyone kisses under the mistletoe and offers their best wishes for the new year.

Just one question--I seem to see wings on both boy and horn blower--is this my imagination?  What do you think? 

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

New Year's Dawning -Guest Heart Thursday

 

I have a lovely little pin from when I was younger, there's a tiny babe cradled in the folds of a leaf.  I have always loved it--This lovely postcard reminds me of that sweet little pin.

I pray you new year will be blessed with  grace, strength, joy and peace.

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

A Happy New Year!

 

I just love this unusual old postcard--I have never come across any pictures of Father Time as balding before this.  He usually has a long flowing white beard.  Having a follicaly-challenged Father, gave me a love for men with, er, sparse hair.  Take Jean-Luke Picard, of the television series Star Trek, Next Generation, for example.  What a good looking fellow!

I love the way the angel is sneaking up behind poor Father Time.  I think that angel scared the poor fellow, don't you?  He seems surprised enough to have dropped the hour glass he was holding.  Perhaps for a moment, time stopped? 

Happy New Year, sweet Friends.  There is joy to be found in every little thing.

Lighting the Christmas Tree

I have always adored Christmas trees and wondered how the tradition was started.  My research reveals the fir tree first appeared on Christmas, in the French city of Strasbourg in 1605.  It was decorated with artificial colored roses, apples, sugar and painted hosts and was said to symbolize the tree of good and evil mentioned in the book of Genesis.

For years our family decorated the house and Christmas tree just after Halloween.  In France, just a few days before Christmas, family celebrations begin with the decoration of the Christmas tree.   Candles and lights, tinsel and many colored stars decorate its branches.  I am not really sure about candles lit as they sit on the branches of the tree--that's a bit scary.  But many of the sites I visited seem to imply some folks actually still use candles on the Christmas tree.  Seems like it would be a fire hazard, but I can't help imagining how beautiful it would be.

Then, on Christmas Eve, when the children are fast asleep, little toys, candies and fruits are hung on the branches of the Christmas tree. What a beautiful tradition!

Merry Christmas and have a lovely weekend, everyone!

Angelic Visitors -Postcard Friendship Friday #147

I love the soft amber tones of this beautiful vintage postcard.  I especially like the little angel holding the tree, and the tiny face of a child peeking from the upper window of the house.  There's a darling little birdie perched up there, too.  I also noted foot prints in the now--I wonder what, or who made them? 

Merry Christmas and many prayers for a blessed new year to all of you dear Friends.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

Christmas Guardian -Guest heart Thursday

 

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."  Isaiah 40:11

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."  Psalm 91:11

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of my Father Who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

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

Angelic Helper -Postcard Friendship Friday #146

I adore this postcard--what a whimsical idea!  The angel is handing the little girl a handful of ornaments--will she lift the child up to place them upon the tree?  Her brother certainly wants to help--so cute with his arms held up--I wonder, though, if that angel isn't teasing him a bit?  Looking closer it may be she has a piece of chocolate candy in her hand?  What do you think?

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, and Merry Christmas!

Hubby Update:  My darling is free of cancer.  The surgeon got it all.  We are rejoicing because we have a lot left of life to live together.  Thank you for your loving thoughts and powerful prayers.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

Picking on Little Brother

I adore this postcard.  They're likely playing Ring Around the Rosy.  But it seems to me, perhaps those little girls just let go of his hand on purpose--just to see him fly!  Hahaa...I remember how my sister and I would pick on our little brother.  But let anyone else pick on baby Bro--well, that was unacceptable.  WE were the only ones allowed to pick on our siblings--if anyone else did it was war.

These days my baby brother is all grown up.  He grew much taller than I, and is a Daddy, himself.  Ah, those were the days.  We all still laugh together over the stuff we did as kids. Tch tch tch

Merry Christmas!  Have a lovely day.

Hubby Update:  Thank you for your good thoughts and powerful prayers.  Looks like the surgeon was able to get all the cancer.  My darling came home Friday and as of this morning, took a turn for the good.  He's feeling MUCH better today.

Christmas Magic -Postcard Friendship Friday #145

When I was a little girl, Dad and all of us kids would go out into the woods to find a tree.  I have such wonderful memories of tromping through the woods, looking for the perfect Christmas tree.  Invariably it would be too tall and there would be a hollow spot on one side.

We would decorate the tree with strings of multi-colored Indian corn and wonderful homemade decorations.  Traditionally, Dad would hang some toys he saved from when he was a boy.  There were also colorful old fashioned ornaments and great ropes of ruby red glass beads.  But my favorite part was the tinsel.  We would carefully lay individual strands of the shiny silver stuff over every branch.  It was beautiful.  When the door would open the entire tree would shiver with long silver sparkles.  

I remember the excitement of waiting for darkness to fall so we could turn on the Christmas tree lights.  I would lie on my back underneath the tree, looking upward through the branches.  Suddenly I was as small as a faery, tiny enough to sit on the branches just like the children are doing in this postcard.  Ah, nostalgia.  A child's imagination is a wonderful thing.  I can, to this day, remember the vivid imaginings of the adventures I had as a faery in the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas everyone.  May God bless you with great joy.

Hubby Update:  I am scheduling PFF early, as I will be hopefully be bringing my darling husband back home from the hospital this morning.  He will have had cancer surgery on Wednesday morning.  I surely would appreciate your prayers.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

Christmas Wishes

I love this postcard. It reminds me of our mountain lioness, Toez the Polydactyl Cat.  She is so cute.  I remember last year, Toez loved hiding beneath the Christmas tree.  We had a train around the tree for years.  But last year, dear Toez kept knocking it off the tracks.  So until she is old and sedate, the train will remain in the attic.  She has already been skittering around on the decorative cloth beneath the tree.  Knowing Toez--she'll be tempted to climb to the top.  Ha!  I can hardly wait.

Merry Christmas all you wonderful people! 

Happy Christmas Time -Postcard Friendship Friday #144

It is hard to believe Christmas is nearly here.  I have always loved Christmas.  I adore this little girl with her white muff, coat and shoes.  Her Mother must have been a brave soul.  If I had ever sent out my little ones in white--even in the snow they would have returned decorated with all sorts of dirt and mud.

Have you ever gone mud puddle stomping?!  It is a joyful thing to do.  Everyone dresses in their worst clothes, then it's off to stomp in every single puddle one can find.  Once everyone is good and wet, frozen to the bone, it's off to hot showers, dry clothes and a very LARGE cup of steaming hot cocoa with marshmallows on top.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sincere Thanksgiving Greeting -Postcard Friendship Friday #143

 

I have always enjoyed vintage Thanksgiving postcards featuring beautiful Indian maidens--usually there's a turkey, corn, pumpkins and such included.  Since I have a few drops of Native American blood in my veins, I think these postcards are especially charming.  When the settlers arrived in the New World, the Indians helped them make it through the harsh winter.  I often wonder what it would have been like to see the land as the settlers saw it upon landing.  What a wild and beautiful place it must have been.

There are so many things for which to be thankful.  This was our first Thanksgiving without Daddy.  Though we all missed him, we had a beautiful time together as a family.  I thank you for your prayers for us--you have all been so kind and dear. Daddy flew away to heaven last Saturday evening.  He is with his beloved Savior now--safe, without struggle and out of pain.

God bless you all--and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

Angels All Around -Postcard Friendship Friday #142

I believe there are angels all around us, ministering to those of us in need.

I posted this beautiful postcard today to thank God for those heavenly beings He is sending to comfort Dad and Mom and our family, as Daddy slips away from us.

Dad is a true hero--though he would say he isn't.  He fought in WW2, miraculously dodging bullets and bombs.  He was eventually captured by the Nazis in the Battle of the Bulge.  Dad marched across France in the dead of winter--he was one of those soldiers who survived that infamous death march. He watched his friends die one by one.  Eventually he was imprisoned at Stalag B in Nazi Germany.  Dad was a prisoner of war.  For nine months, he was tortured, interrogated and lived under appalling conditions before he and his fellow prisoners were rescued.  Of his unit, only three other men survived.

God brought Dad home to America, where he found Mom, fell in love, married and raised a big family. How grateful we are for our precious Daddy.

I loved his mischievous heart, how he enjoyed people.  He could always make them smile.  His family was everything to Dad.  He adored his children and grandchildren.  Mumsie is a writer, author and speaker--He was SO proud of her.  Mom always said Dad was the wind beneath her wings.  We will miss him so much. 

Daddy is headed for heaven any time now.  I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for my precious family at this time. If you would like to see some amazing pictures, click here: Daddy.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

Plucking Feathers -Postcard Friendship Friday #141

 

I love this postcard--This beautiful woman is plucking feathers from the turkey in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner.  This is a picture of how it was in days gone by, when most people either raised their own turkeys, or shot them in the wild, for Thanksgiving.

This postcard brought back memories of an incident in my early 20's.  I was sitting at a picnic table near the edge of the Willamette River.  I'd visited that park to do some artwork in a quiet setting.  Suddenly I heard some whining, pinging sounds in the leaves just overhead.  Ripped leaves drifted down onto my drawings.

I'd never heard anything like it before, so I left my artwork to run to the bank of the river.  There was a boat load of men with guns floating offshore.  In the water floated the large goose they'd shot.  As soon as they saw me they gunned the engine and roared off in a huge toss of water.  The wake of the wave floated that bird to me.

I pulled the freshly shot goose out of the water, wrapped it in a plastic bag and took it home to Grammie.  With a little grin, Grammie told me if I wanted to eat this bird--she would show me how to prepare it.  Grammie taught me how to pluck the bird--you immerse the entire bird in boiling hot water.  This loosens the feathers.  And BOY do feathers smell bad.  Plucking a bird takes a certain technique and HOURS of time.  Then she taught me how to remove feet and head, then gut the innards.  Sorry if that's gross--but that is what had to be done.

As I recall, though it was a bit stringy, that goose was quite tasty. 

There is so much for which to be thankful this Thanksgiving. 

Daddy will be leaving us soon, but he will be joining so many people he loves in heaven.  We will grieve--but he will be in a better place.  My husband's cancer surgery is set for December 5th, I am praying for his complete recovery.  How thankful I am for our family and the love we share. How grateful I am for each of you.

Happy Thanksgiving dear ones!

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

A Little Child's Prayer

I found this postcard  on CardCow today.  It seemed so appropriate--I know Dad would laugh if he heard it:  This poem is one he would giggle over.  I'm sure it would remind him of himself as a boy.

Dear Lord, As Dad

Ain't Home To-night

I guess you'll have to keep

Awake and see that

Things are right

While I am fast asleep.

But if you're away

And forget

To tend to what I've said

And burglars come

You needn't fret,

I'll shoot 'em full of lead,

Amen

Dad is at the VA.  He is on full comfort care now.  I don't see him recovering any time soon.  Mumsie says when it's time for Dad to go, an angel will arrive in a long gold-plated muscle car with big fins and the rag top down.  Bro Dow, Dad's sweet Mom, his brother and sister will be riding shotgun--there'll be hugs and greetings, then the angel will open the door of that car.  I can see Dad grinning as he hops into the driver's seat, to drive through the gates of heaven, golden winds cooling his brow, the love and laughter of His Savior and family in his ears.

More than just about anything else, Daddy loved to drive his car everywhere on all kinds of adventures.  It seems only right he'd drive into heaven for the greatest adventure of all.

We will miss our precious Daddy--but He goes to a better place very soon.

We appreciate your prayers for our family.

Mayflower Romance -Postcard Friendship Friday #140

John and Priscilla were among the original settlers of the Plymouth Colony.  John was not one of the pilgrims, he was actually a handyman who'd been hired to repair the Mayflower.  He decided to join the pilgrims to make his fortune.  But there is a delightful rumor that the real reason he traveled to the New World was because of a young woman named Priscilla.

He had to work hard to win her, too.  John was not the only man who would fall for Priscilla. His friend, military Captain Miles Standish also fell in love with the maiden over the long voyage.  Both men vied for her affections, with John ultimately winning Priscilla's hand in marriage.  They were married on May 12, 1622.

I love that story--I am in good company.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote about their romance in his poem The Courtship of Miles Standish.

Daddy Update:  Thank you for your warm thoughts and prayers.  Dad is such a fighter.  He can now lift his bad arm up over his head and squeezed my hand with his fingers.  Sissy says the Doctor was shocked!  lol  More good news--Dad was having such a hard time swallowing and breathing--turns out there was some kind of obstruction in the back of his throat.  Yesterday afternoon the head nurse removed it, and now he can breathe SO much better.  He also got down a few ice chips.  We are so encouraged.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

Best Wishes for Halloween -Postcard Friendship Friday #139

I love this sweet little card.  That little fellow sitting on the pumpkin takes me back to my own childhood.  His hat and coat are so cute--as is his smile.

Along with some bad news concerning my husband having cancer, yesterday I was visiting my parents and was present when our sweet Dad had a stroke.  He was taken by ambulance to the best stroke hospital in Oregon. I was at the hospital with Mom until late last night.  Mom is with the doctors this morning, and I haven't heard back from her yet.

Please pray for our dear Dad.  His name is Bud.  Thank you for all your prayers and warm thoughts.  This means more than you know to me and to my family. 

Best Wishes for Halloween, sweet Friends.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads. 

I apologize--I was so rattled that day I forgot to put up Linkytools. I am doing so now--and would love to drop by to see your postcards! Have a lovely day!

Spilled Roses -Guest Heart Thursday

Today I am getting used to the news we received Tuesday.  My husband has cancer.  How amazing those words are as I type them.   One never thinks it will happen so close--to someone so dear.  Monday we go together to the doctor to discover what options we have.  Cancer doesn't just happen to the one who has it, but it affects everyone else around that person. 

I would appreciate your prayers, especially for my darling husband Alan.  He has been my light and inspiration throughout the years.  We have laughed, wept, fought, made up, dreamed and inspired one another for almost 30 years.  I am hoping and praying for the best.  How grateful I am for our God who Loves and strengthens us.

There is a heart in that basket of roses.  It's just a bit lop sided.  Have a blessed week, dear Friends.

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

Of Mice and Cats on Halloween -Postcard Friendship Friday #138

I love the whimsical nature of this wonderful Halloween Postcard.  The poem is interesting, as are the activities of the mice.  Anyone have any idea what is going on there?  I'm not sure what the deal is with the mouse in a blanket and the police mouse chasing him with a baton?!  The cat seems to be incidental to the storyline, except he looks rather intrigued and a bit hungry...

I wonder if this postcard could have been the inspiration for the children's book Halloween Mice by Bethany Roberts.  This delightfully illustrated book is the story of mice attending a party on Halloween night.  Of course, they are threatened by a hungry cat and must come up with an ingenious trick to scare him off.

I wanted to thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers concerning my husband.  His biopsy was Monday, tomorrow afternoon we hear back on the results of that test.  Would appreciate your continued prayer for my Beloved.

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  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.  Lately, I've had to delete quite a few comments which are just ads.