Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Today's Forecast: Crazy Busy

We're getting close to the big day now and you know if you've been out there at the mall or just the mall parking lot - it is crazy busy. Which often means people are sharing anger, frustration, and impatience instead of love, joy and peace. It's easy to get caught up in the negativity of the season. Sooo...next time you get a grumpy sales clerk (who spends all day at the mall for very little pay) or get stuck behind those slow mall walkers (meanderers, wanderers...you know the ones) or someone takes "your" spot - try to let it go and remember what this hustle and bustle is all about.

And when you do encounter someone who absolutely made your day or went out of their way to give you a hand - say thanks, Merry Christmas, buy them a coffee, or if it is a clerk (maybe write up a compliment card). I noticed a couple of weeks ago that my local grocery store has them right at the front and even a desk to fill them out at with drop slot included. I filled one out for a lovely cashier but waited till I got home and had a moment to think(then dropped it in the mail - surprise, surprise right?) Also, my mail carrier received a card with a coffee on me - he does work hard and it's a simple thing. What I love is that he wouldn't have been expecting it.

Thanks to all of you for the mail that make my trip to the mailbox a happy journey.


Adding three to the mix: Surrey x 2, Norway x1

236/1000

Monday, December 6, 2010

And They're Off!

Today...I sent out the Christmas cards! What a great feeling that my little creation (in more ways than one -you'll see) will be making its way near and far to loved ones, friends, and family. A little sweetness in their mailboxes to remind them of times spent with us, whether it was yesterday or years ago, mail is a lovely reminder of so many things. It was a busy day at my local post office and in various comings and goings I saw someone sending a special little girl boots and another sending out a stack of Christmas cards and still another ready with a brown paper wrapped package ready to go (I can only wonder at the goodies inside).

The last time I was in, I overheard a customer say to one of my mail ladies that it was so busy and she replied, "I love this time of year." Perfect!

Adding an amazing number to my count - here are the stats! 69 new pieces of mail - in one day!

Delta: 18, Surrey: 19, White Rock: 1, Langley: 4, Richmond: 3, Burnaby: 1, Vancouver: 4, Chilliwack: 1, Kelowna: 1, Osoyoos: 1

Northwest Territories: 1, Alberta: 1, Manitoba: 1, Ontario: 4, PEI: 1

New York: 1, Michigan: 1, Washington: 1, Iowa: 1

Germany: 1, Norway: 1, South Korea: 1, U.K.: 1

233/1000 oh yea!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Pay It Forward, Pass It On, Make It Matter...

Adding 23 glorious pieces of mail to the total today! Actually, I visited my ladies at the post office yesterday (Natasha and Wendy). It's been busy lately as the flurry of holiday mail builds (love it) but they always have time to say hi and chat with my daughter too. Apparently yesterday was National Pay it Forward Day so a perfect day to get some heartfelt envelopes into the mailstream (photos, thank yous, long overdue letters). It would be great if we all paid it forward every single day but sometimes we get lost in our own little worlds and having a National Day for Kindness (so to speak) is a good kick in the pants (too violent when speaking of kindness?) to get out there and appreciate, encourage, and dare I say, love our neighbours in a free hugs, non-judgmental, pay for your coffee, let me hold that door for you, add these cans to your food bank box kind of way. We can all do something, everyday to make someone's life a little better. What's on your agenda for the day?

Lookout Delta (7), Surrey (3), Richmond (1), Osoyoos (1), Kelowna (1), Manitoba (1), Ontario (3), Yellowknife (1), Iowa (1), Norway (1), & Korea (3).

It's the little things - like running your hand along a chain link fence just 'cause.

164/1000 and almost time for Christmas cards (okay, it's time, I know because I have received one already and I'm normally ahead of the game but...time to get to it). My first Christmas card is one I am going to hand deliver to a neighbour that always decorates her house in the most beautiful, creative ways for holidays (her recent Halloween and now Christmas decor is so lovely). I don't know her but plan to drop her a little greeting (it's nice to know someone notices your hard work right - who could you recognize today?)

Happy writing, giving, and paying-it-forward fans and followers and public in general.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

53 days...

Chances are you know what I am counting down to...which means a flood of mail is going to hit the post office in the next little while - gifts, care packages, cards - it is a lovely mail season. What I wouldn't do to see the inner workings of the central post office in Vancouver alive and whirring with all the carefully wrapped goodies heading overseas (the deadline for surface is almost past us). And I love that trains, planes, automobiles, and people are carrying these things near and far to express love and kindness, thankfulness and friendship! There was already a bit of a buzz at my local post office today - busy, busy, busy and the new Christmas (there I said it) stamps are out (I held back from buying any just yet but it wasn't easy).

Today, two little red envelopes went out to two sweet people in my life: Vancouver & Delta.

141/1000

P.S. to all my patient relatives who are wondering what my daughter looks like these days - photos are coming...soon.

Thanks all.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Winged Gratitude

6 little cards left my hands and flew out the window - hope they all land safely in the laps of their recipients sharing thanks and kindness.

Headed your way world: Delta (4), Surrey (1), Richmond (1)

139/1000

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Beautiful Fall Day

I always thought that being a letter carrier would be a great job - good exercise, sense of accomplishment and being out and about on a day like today. It is a beautiful, crisp, sunny autumn day out there. The leaves are swirling and crunching under foot but I can still hear the odd lawn mower making the rounds. For me, fall is all about anticipation, things happen slowly and time stands still some days but big things are coming. We are on the cusp.

I've sent a few things over the past few months but not quite as much as I would have liked (thanks loyal fans for tuning in, even when updates looked like they may never come). Adding to the count: South Korea (6), Ontario (2), and the rest was either business or it has slipped my mind at this very moment. So that brings the count to:  125/1000

And what exactly was keeping me so busy you might ask? Well, this monkey to the right, among other things.

But wait there's more...I've been packing up a a rather large box, a Christmas package in fact, that I am sending to...South Korea (1) (note: I am sending the package by surface so it should come in 8 to 10 weeks) and since I am going to the post-office I may as well send a couple more little things to South Korea (2), and a thing or two or five to the rest of  my "little" world: Surrey (2); Yellowknife, NT (1); York, Ontario (1); and Hegra, Norway (1).

Some things are even being sent in my recycled magazine page envelopes (for something a little different).

Newest, most recentist, up-to-date-ist total: 132/1000

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Hot Summer Day...finally

South Korea you are the star of the show today...a little mail last week that didn't get counted and another piece via a third party coming soon (7 to 21 days...). I love surprising people with cool mail.

Adding two to the count!

119/1000

Friday, June 25, 2010

It's All Fun and Games...

until you receive a 928 number connect the dots puzzle in your mailbox -just one of the fun things that I am dropping into the mail today. You might be lucky to get one or lucky if you don't? Not sure on that :) - your call.

I've had one UPS delivery and two fedex deliveries today so far...should still be one more from each for a total of five fab deliveries. What a day! Snail mail is awesome but couriers are RAD too. It's like Christmas over here! I'd insert an appropriately festive picture but it's so beautifuly sunny outside I don't want to give Mother Nature an excuse to change her mind. (Although it is exactly 6 months from today - Christmas that is). I have this great UPS guy named Bruce - always a laugh when I answer the door. My own personal Santa.

Lots of dots heading out today to: Delta x 6, Surrey x 2, and South Korea x 1.

117/1000

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Ahhhh Mail How I've Missed You :)


I wish I could say that all the nice weather outside has been keeping me from sending mail - you know of course, because I've been off on amazing seasidey and sunshiney adventures but...nope it's pretty dreary out there. More likely it's been because I've been chasing this sweet thing, who knows no speed limit.



She also enjoys zipping around in the car (not her car mind you but don't tell her that).




So you might have guessed that my most recent mail includes photos that I am finally getting out to people near and far that are long overdue. Feels good. A few other items on the wind as well (*cough..archie...cough...comic...ahem).

Oh the places you'll go: Surrey (6); Osoyoos (1); Kelowna (1); Manitoba (1); Ontario (2); Iowa (1); New York (1); England (1); Norway (1), South Korea (1) = 16! Woohoo!

Total: 108/1000
That's over 10% (hopefully, I've made the world 10% brighter - that's how math works right?).

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Just Checking In!

Sorry I've been so long between posts lately - I am still sending out mail, so I am here to do a little update.  I started a home business in March (other than my beloved Etsy) and it has kept me busy: www.pamperedchef.biz/erinevans

As for postal news: some more handmade postcards went out, at least one thank you for a super duper book, and a comic book made its way into giggling, girlie hands :)

Grand totals: Delta - 1, Surrey - 3, South Korea - 1, Norway - 1 = 5 (I think Surrey is winning).

92/1000

Oh getting close to 10%...more fun exciting stuff coming to a mailbox near you :)

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Rainy Day Update

On a rainy day walk to the post office: Delta, Ontario, & South Korea :)

86/1000

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Make Your Own Postcards!

Are you forever flattening cereal and cracker boxes for your recycling? Or boxes from other food and non-food delights? Two of my nieces and I made postcards the other night from cereal boxes and they are on their way to South Korea! Yes, finally South Korea - mail is coming your way :)



1. Find a box
2. Take an old postcard and trace it and cut it out
3. Write your message on the left and the address on the right
4. Make sure to leave room for the stamp :)
5. We rounded our edges with a rounded edge punch for a retro effect

Super fun! Give it a try!

Marvelous Mail near and far you go: Local x 2 (Surrey x 1, Vancouver x 1), Just yonder x 1 (Osoyoos), Very worldly x 3 (South Korea x 2, Norway x 1)

83/1000

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Baby Girl Turns One!

And so the mail flies out the door! Thank you cards, photos, and might I add a few Easter notes. It is almost April! Wow, time has flown by but my mail has been a bit relaxed lately - time to get back on track. This little cupcake eater to my right has been keeping me busy. This birthday photo was taken by Stephanie Young of http://www.moonlightmedia.ca/ fame - check her out. Love the cupcake mustache :)

In other mail news...I lent out a cookbook to a dear friend who lives down the lane (or a couple blocks over) and upon its return, it sat quietly on my shelf giving nothing away. About a week later I thought I'd flip through and came across a little treasure tucked inside. A lovely little mouse-doodled pink envelope was awaiting my return, with an even lovelier thank you note inside. Wow. Thanks Colleen - it made my day!

I also have to mention a very cool handmade pop-up card that my little Piper received in the mail for her birthday. She may not appreciate it yet but I'll be singing its praises in her journal for now. Thanks Katie - I did a little skipping on the way back from the mailbox.

Today's tally: local x 7 (Delta x 1, Surrey x 6), not so local x 2 (Osoyoos, Kelowna), out of province (Ontario), stateside x 1(Iowa), world stage x 1 (Norway).

77/1000

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Have you made anyone's day lately?

What I love about this project/blog/mail is that it is all about making someone's day! I just found out that I sent about three pieces of mail to my beautiful cousin Steph's new place (yay) only to find that I'd sent them to the wrong address (off by one digit in the street address and one in the postal code). Now the odd thing is that none of the envelopes have made their way back to me (re: return to sender) so I'm hoping that perhaps they have touched and brightened the day of a complete stranger :) - now if I remember correctly, at least one is a recipe (so that's cool, anyone can appreciate that) and the other, an invitation to a family gathering - my daughter, Piper's first birthday (hmmmm...I guess we'll see who shows up...but so far no odd RSVPs).

So speaking of brightening the day of a stranger, I did something today that I haven't done since I moved to my new house and it was totally overdue to happen. If mail isn't your thing but you really want to make someone's day here's an idea. On my way out today I zoomed through my local Starbucks' drive-thru (through - typing 'thru' hurts every time), okay, I didn't actually zoom, it was a little slow. As I was sitting there I thought, "I just need a tall chai, nothing fancy, just something warm and tasty to get me on my way." So I ordered my chai and got to thinking about the people behind me and what they might be ordering and that's when I decided I would pay for their order as well. Total strangers. I had no idea what they were going to order but it didn't matter because I'd made my decision (in for a penny, in for a pound - is that how it goes?). Turns out two drinks, two breakfast sandwiches. I paid and then zoomed away before I could get "caught." It made for a fun morning. The cool thing is that you can do this at any drive-through and you don't even need to pay for the whole order - just $5. toward the next order or what have you. Try it, you might like it.

With gratitude:  local x 2 (Delta, Surrey), Out of Province x 2 (Ontario) = 4!
More to come soon :)

66/1000

Monday, February 22, 2010

Go for the Gold!

I've been soaking up the excitement of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games! What an experience to be living so close and actually experiencing the games. The energy around town is palpable (had to throw that in there Colleen). My letter count has taken a bit of dive but I'm back at it today! I'm sending out some Curious George mail to celebrate my daughter's upcoming First Birthday! I can hardly believe she is almost one already - time flies when you are having fun (or totally exhausted from lack of sleep - in those first few months anyway).

Curious George mail: Locally x 8 (Surrey x 6, Delta x 2), beyond x 3 (Osoyoos, Kelowna), out of province x 1 (Ontario), down below x 1 (New York) = 13

62/1000

Monday, February 8, 2010

Valentine's Day...a few words.

On Friday, February 12th (the last school day before Feb.14th), in elementary schools across North America, students will be exchanging Valentine’s Day cards. The teacher usually sets up a system of envelopes hanging over the side of each desk or in arts and crafts they have actually created a mailbox or container for just this occasion. Some students will probably even be sent to school with pink cupcakes or heart cookies (lucky!).


Do you remember those days? When I was younger the Valentine’s Day cards came in thin paper envelopes and sometimes they were homemade and everyone got one. That was kind of the cool part-no one was left out on Valentine’s Day and we were too young for “real” boyfriends/girlfriends, so we celebrated with the people we spent the most time with (classmates) and our families. That shared celebration of Valentine’s Day kind of gets lost along the way as we get older (but it doesn’t have to).

Don’t get me wrong. Love letters and romance are great, and since the Middle Ages, sweethearts have exchanged valentines on February 14—a date commemorating the death of a Roman priest named Valentine who performed forbidden marriages. But I think I like the idea of Valentine’s Day so much because it combines caring/loving and my personal affection for mail. I recently read that only 54 percent of Valentine's Day cards are delivered through the mail—the rest are hand-delivered. There is something very special about hand delivered mail too.

I think all of you have a lot to offer the world and am confident you will do great things in your lives. I hope above all things you will let those people who are so important in your life know how much they matter to you (single, married, in a relationship, old, young – whoever). This year just might just be a great time for that! So whether you handmake or buy or relay in person say “Happy Valentine’s Day” to someone who maybe isn’t expecting it and perhaps, enjoy a little journey down memory lane. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!



This year I handmade some of my Valentine's Day cards (I usually give them out to my Writing 12 students and give them an extra to pass on to someone else) and I bought some Cool Robot ones! from Kathryn Wright (local Etsy seller).  Check out her shop! Her Robot cards are good for Valentine's Day or any day to profess your robot love :) I also bought some of her You Rock cards.


On the way: local (Surrey x 5, Delta x 8), out of the Lower Mainland (1), out of province (Alberta x 1, Ontario x 2), USA (Iowa x 1), and International (Norway x 1) = 19
49/1000

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Have you ever read Flat Stanley?

Flat Stanley is an adorable book about a little boy named (you guessed it), Stanley, who has a bulletin board fall on him (it's above his bed) and he wakes up flat. The cool thing about being flat is that he gets to visit a friend far away by being sent in the mail. Actually, many editions of Flat Stanley come with a rip out postcard of Stanley so you can send him in the mail too.

Why do I bring up Stanley? First, because it is an awesome book! Second, because there are a lot of cool flat things that you can send in the mail that will make someone's day! Just a little added something to an already great gesture (handwritten letter) - doesn't need to cost a lot or anything at all. Here are some cool ideas and some of my faves.

Flat stuff
  • photos, postcards, hand-drawn pictures/doodles/cartoons.
  • cartoons (from the newspaper or Internet) I like Savage Chickens: cartoons on sticky notes by Dan Savage.
  • an article that is interesting or funny or totally relevant to someone's life (a great way to get more use out of that magazine you bought too - recycle/reuse).
  • a favourite recipe - you can even get special notecards for this but just the thought of sending off a tried and true fave recipe is so great!
  • stickers, temporary tattoos, rub-on transfers.
  • coupons you can't use but know someone else who can (or just leave them on the shelf, in the store, by the product - how nice is that!).
  • iron ons.
  • a perfume sample (from a magazine) of someone's favourite scent.
Bumpier but still relatively flat (warning some of these may cost extra for postage)
  • a favourite tea bag (love Good Earth for its spiciness and no caffeine, Lady Grey and Earl Grey - such a lovely couple).
  • zines (available in cool bookstores like Powell's and on the 'net) I like Stolen Sharpie Revolution 2 and The Super Cat Crazy Dance.
  • a few fun shaped sticky notes from your pad (hearts, stars, apples, whatever).
  • a single serving drink mix - hot or cold depending on the season.
  • origami or how-to instructions with a couple pieces of cool paper.
  • soap leaves.
  • facial masks or bubble bath in those little squishy envelopes at the drugstore.
Go stuff some envelopes :) and if you have additional ideas throw them in the comments attached to this post.

Mail alert:  3 x local (Surrey), 1 x out of province (Ontario), 1 x USA (Iowa), and 1 x international (Norway).
30/1000

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

To comment or not to comment or...I just can't get it to work...

Just a quick note to say I changed my comment settings and those who have been having problems commenting may find it easier now :)

Currently working on my Valentine's Day cards and other such gems.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

My Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law are leaving town and I'm so excited!

Okay...and by that I mean...

My brother-in-law, Tanner, and his wife, Anjuli (what a beautiful name), are leaving town (yes, I've said this already and I am clearly excited), to teach English in South Korea, for a year, or maybe two (aaaahhh) . Am I excited about the idea of them not being around to play board games with (stock ticker excluded), watch hockey games, celebrate birthdays, share meals, and hang out - NO! But I am excited that they are off on a super cool adventure of a lifetime and of course, that now I get to send them mail :) So be watching my letter count for International mail to South Korea starting late February!

Definitely going to miss you both!  Aren't they the cutest couple!

. This photo was snapped at our recent family ski weekend together at an outdoor skating rink.

Look out world mail is heading your way: provincial (Osoyoos), International (Norway).
24/1000

P.S. A big thank you to M.Y. for sending me the coolest Olympic stamps to get some mail out there!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Artists on the loose!

This past weekend I went away with my husband's family for a little ski
getaway and in between skiing and skating and tubing I commissioned three artists (my nieces - 5, 7, and 8) to work on some envelopes for me. This is a great way to make your envelopes stand out and if you have your own children give them licence to colour the mail. Or let your own creative juices spill out onto the page and doodle away - how fun for the postal workers! You could even give them a little shout out, "Hello, mailperson - you are doing an awesome job! Thank you for helping this letter get from A to B." A great way to make someone's day :) 

Just a short one to say - get the crayons out!



I think my sister-in-law, Jenna (a.k.a. Mom of above artists), did this one. Love it!







On a side note: Every Christmas I put a Christmas card in my mailbox, addressed "mailcarrier" that thanks them for delivering all of my mail and I slip in a $5. Starbucks card :) It's the little things.

Two local thank you notes (Delta, Surrey)
22/1000

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Envelopes are exciting too!

I don't think envelopes get the credit they deserve. And quite frankly, letters without envelopes are just words in the wind or maybe, notes passed in class. Do kids still do this? Pass notes in class? I remember this fondly. But now it happens very rarely since the introduction of texting - notes are so passe and slow. Funny though I met with some friends from high school last month and one of the girls mentioned she has all of her notes from back then. The excitement it created was great - the other girls wanted to see them - nostalgia is such a temptress.

But really, think about all those old movies, or movies set in old times, (specifically war movies) - there is always someone who has a stack of tattered and worn envelopes wrapped in twine or occasionally ribbon that they have saved. The letters were simply too meaningful to part with.

So envelopes - they hold dearly our important words. They are also the first sign that something special has arrived! I went to the mailbox yesterday and found the most glorious green envelope. There were three other envelopes in there (two white, one brown) and it shined in stark contrast to their drabness. I bought a Valentine's Day card for my husband from a great little shop on Etsy called Lavish from Seattle, Washington. The seller sent it in the lovliest green envelope -what a treat! The card I bought is super cool too (Ryan don't look). She has some other really cool Valentine's Day cards in her shop (check it out). I have to compliment her on her writing on the envelope as well - so beautiful.

Of course I am already thinking about Valentine's Day (the holiday of love and cards, or is it love of cards?). The Lavish one is probably one of a couple cards I will give my husband - I can never quite pick out just one. There is a robot one coming soon :) But back to envelopes - they can say a lot. I love sending coloured ones - you can pick up bundles at your local chain card stores for a few dollars. I think after season they clear out what they have - I've picked up some great yellow, orange, pink, and red ones in the last year (usually bundles of 25). They really do make your mail POP!

A few other ideas to try: rubber stamps or even potato stamps, doodling, old school airmail envelopes (love these), fun postage stamps, custom address labels, and stickers.

If you have checked out my Etsy store, Paper Route, you know that I make envelopes too. I love to work with maps, sheet music, and used children's books. But anything that is bound for the recycling bin - magazine pages, dictionary pages, old posters, wrapping paper, and so on. It's easy to make a template - I'll write about this soon.

Mail is enroute to Kelowna (1), Ontario (1) and Norway (1).
20/1000

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Change of plans

I was going to write about envelopes today but instead I am going to write about...oh whoa, wait...did you think that I was giving up on my one thousand letters.  That change of plans meant giving up my challenge? Nope, definitely not.

As I was saying, I was going to write about the joy of the envelope today but that will have to wait until next time because today I HAVE to write about being thankful. For the last ten years I have been a high school English teacher and in the last four I have also taught Creative Writing (my favourite). During that time in the classroom I talked a lot about writing and encouraged the writing of many a thank you note. In my Creative Writing class I aimed for at least one a month (count 30 kids - that is a lot of great mail going out to the world). 


But before I was a teacher I worked in customer service (a hotel, retail store, major U.S. mouse-eared theme park, insurance call centre) and I really enjoyed it (helping people). I was lucky to have worked for companies that had great training and I prided myself on good service.  Which is why I think I totally appreciate it when I have great service from someone. I know we have all experienced bad service and we've probably even complained about it too. But how often have we complimented good service? Or gone a step further and written a letter to the company to celebrate an employee - a letter that will no doubt go into their file and be passed on to them by a manager or whomever they answer to (not just the comment card tucked in with the restaurant receipt or in the spa change room). A thank you letter for great service is a beautiful thing.

I live in a townhouse and just had my one year evaluation/walk through for areas that needed repair. I was lucky enough to have Rick come in and help me out - what a lovely gentleman. He remembered my name and used it in conversation, he gave me tips on things in my house that I didn't ask about, he did an excellent job on every repair, and even had time to chat up my 9 1/2 month old daughter. He was very personable and had a very kind nature. He had to come back a second day (today actually) and he called before he came, remembered my daughter's name and was just an all round great guy. I HAD to write about being thankful today because I will be sending a letter to his boss to express my thanks.

I realize that I haven't done this in awhile and this has reminded me to pay attention to the good service (it's far too easy to miss it and focus on our bad experiences). I'm challenging the rest of you to be on the look out and then get that pen out (or keyboard) and celebrate good service.

One thank you letter going local (Richmond).
17/1000

Sunday, January 10, 2010

A pleasantly precise pile of lovingly labeled letters.



There is something very satisfying about the stackability of a pile of handwritten letters/envelopes. The weight of them in your hands and how they line up on two edges and feel so orderly. This particular group of letters will have to wait to go out till Monday because I made it to the post office at 5:03pm and they closed at 5:00pm (Boo - for me not getting my act together).

This time my letters are heading local (Surrey x 2 and Delta), out of the Lower Mainland (Osoyoos and Kelowna), out of province (Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario x 2), and down below (Iowa). That's 10 letters out into the world. If you are counting that is 16 so far, only 984 left to go!

Fly my beauties, fly!
(well, when the post office opens tomorrow).

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Oh Happy Day!


I hear footsteps on my stairs, the doorbell rings and then, I think, someone running down the stairs or jumping? Nicky, Nicky Nine Doors? (or is it Knicky, Knicky Nine doors?) Either way, I peer through my peephole and no one is around, not even a single niece hiding in the very corners of my front porch with a shoe or scooter giving her up...hmmmm.



Ever so cautiously I crack the door to solve this mystery and lo and behold I see something tucked under the corner of my snowflake welcome mat (note to self - time to put away Christmas welcome mat). I swing the door back and scoop it up in delight - a package! a package! a package! Now, had I been a little bit more together, I would have taken a photo of said package under door mat for this post but alas, I was caught up in the glory of a brown paper wrapped parcel that was hand addressed to me, that had traveled all the way from the breathtakingly amazing Norway ~ and I knew this even before I saw the stamps or the return address because I recognized the handwriting (so cool). I ripped it open :)


Nothing cooler than crazy awesome chocolate bars from other countries.


In fact, these ones taste like those bugle snacks - does anyone remember those savoury delights? Maybe they are still around but they remind me of parties from my youth and by that I mean, house parties my parents had when I was little. Yummy! So while there were other equally amazing gifts wrapped up in that box I thought I would share these sweet joys with you.  And hey, if you are thinking of sending a package to someone across the world, consider sending candy/chocolate that is only made in your country and not available anywhere else - it is such a wonderful but simple gift to share.

Thanks Bente - you are a rockstar!

Monday, January 4, 2010

The Post Office

I love the post office! This is where the magic happens - there is something amazing about writing a letter, adding a stamp, putting it in the slot and letting it go out into the world, knowing that shortly someone will have a little piece of me, of conversation, of love. But it's not just the service but all of those beautiful stamps and the stories they tell. What character they add to a postcard or an envelope! They are one of my favourite things about getting mail from other countries too.


So you have may have guessed that I have been a fairly regular customer of the post office my whole life but since I gave birth to my sweet little girl, Piper, 9 months and 10 days ago (hmmm...who's a new mom?) I've been  to the post office so much - getting out for a walk, sending birth announcements, photos, Christmas cards & packages - that I am, actually, on a first name basis with the post office lady. She's lovely and sweet and she always talks to Piper. It really makes it even more of a joy to go.

(My Aunt took this awesome photo of Piper)


So today I'm starting off with a bang - 6 pieces of mail (4 postcards, 2 letters with some pre-Christmas photos),  heading local (Delta, Surrey), out of province (Edmonton, Calgary), stateside (Iowa), and international (Norway). Thought I'd get a range out there.



Letters mingle souls - John Donne


Saturday, January 2, 2010

I love mail!

There is nothing quite like opening the mailbox and finding, amidst the flyers and bills, an envelope that stands apart from everything else - a handwritten address, a lopsided stamp, and the sense that this is something personal, something special, and something that will make my day.

Do you know this feeling?

I love this feeling and I want to spread this feeling...My husband told me that 80% of post office mail is business-related and that made me a little sad. Email has definitely become a powerful force in the correspondence world. Don't get me wrong - email is awesome and I use it all the time but there is something quite lovely about sitting down, taking some time and writing a letter/a note/an invitation/a thank you/a compliment. (I'm quite happy if this involves tea drinking as well.)

So I've decided that I'm going to send out one thousand paper letters. The kind of mail that makes you do a double-take at the mailbox as you sort through the flyers and bills. The kind of mail that makes you realize that email is great but letters are amazing. The kind of mail that makes you smile. Heartfelt, thoughtful, day brightening mail to mailboxes near and far. I'm not sure how long it will take but I'm excited to see where this journey will take me and maybe where it will take you, as you follow along for the ride.



Let the journey begin...