Today There Are Many Possibilities

We really enjoyed Christmas with lots of visits and time with family and friends. There was even some snow in December (and that doesn't always happen here on the west coast).

Snow Angel!

Out with the old...that is what we have been up to at our house - purging, cleaning, organizing and then doing it again. Still a few areas I'd like to tackle but pretty happy with how we did. The clutter tends to weigh on me and I don't always notice or realize it for a while and then suddenly creativity stifled, inspiration impossible...only stuff in the way. So feeling good about a clean desk again (and closet!). It's funny how turning a piece of furniture a different way gives one a whole new perspective on a room. I know I wasn't the only one doing this...good for you (if you did it too).

It's a brand new year - fresh and full of possibilities! Is this the year I finish my thousand paper letter challenge? I certainly feel close. Is this the year I write a book and get it published? Maybe. Is this the year I open my own stationery store? Oh that would be a dream. So full of potential...I love a new year and 2014 certainly has a nice ring to it.

I've been writing and sending since my last post (December 16) so I have some good numbers to add to my count - cards, postcards, photos, and gifts have gone and are going out in the mail! I love looking through a pile of cards/letters/postcards ready to go - makes me feel happy.

657/1000 with 19 glorious pieces of mail.

I've finally had the wherewithal to notice the name tag on a really nice fellow that works at my local grocery store, so it is on my list to send his manager a letter to compliment his great and consistent customer service (does this make you think of anyone you could do the same for - so easy! I'm challenging you all to write a note/thank you/letter about someone who is really good at their job - tell the boss!). I'd love to know if you do it.

Tea Time

My December calendar always starts out slow and then BAM...it is packed. I love this time of year for all the time I get to spend with others. I know it can get crazy trying to get it all in, see the people you want to see, and host the get togethers you want to host. We seem to get a lot of dinner invites this month that vie for precious spots on the calendar and we like to have people over too (just feels like Christmas). 

But I'd like to offer up an alternate idea or two...have some people over for breakfast/brunch/lunch instead of dinner. Or have people over for dessert (and maybe add in some board games or a Christmas movie). Or maybe just appetizers (everyone brings their favourite one - they are all my favourite, I could eat only appetizers for meals and I'd be happy).  Or have a gift wrapping party, go bowling, see a movie...start some new traditions (that will energize you, instead of make you feel rushed/stressed/ busy).

I recently hosted a tea party for a great group of girls/writers (we've done dinners and brunches in the past) and it was really quite lovely.  We had just as much fun as always and it was something different. Actually, it may have been our best get together yet . We did a gift exchange for the first time. It had to be under $5. and it had to Inspire Creativity - it turned out quite well. New traditions...

Oh the fun you can have beyond dinner parties. Perhaps a Christmas card or letter writing night would tickle your fancy...I'm always down for a little mail time. And if Christmas cards aren't in your immediate future...there are always New Year's Cards!


638/1000 - Eighteen added to the tally.

Mailbox Monday

A Santa Mailbox!

I found this gem in my Christmas tree decorations. The end comes off and you put your letter to Santa inside - I haven't used it yet but this year might be the year! A very festive Mailbox Monday for you.  I keep surprising myself with all of these mail related objects that I didn't realize I had - each discovery is like...well...Christmas!

Happy Monday! It's snowing here - Winter Wonderland!

Mailbox Monday

Christmas Mailbox!

Someone special and thoughtful picked this up for me - a Christmas mailbox! How cute! Perfect for wrapping up a sweet little gift. My daughter has been delivering me all kinds of mail in this little tin wonder (princesses, stickers, and puffs - see below). My kids have both been loading it up with puffs and emptying it out, and loading it up and...

Puffs, puffs and more puffs!

Have a wonderful week everyone! 

Snow Mail!

December is almost here...so I'm sure you all have your advent calendars ready to go (tee hee). Hopefully, my Advent Calendar Mondays got you a little excited or inspired to get in a festive mood. I know December can be a stressful month so do your best to stop and appreciate the little things. I know the joy the advent calendar brings in my house (so much excitement in the morning!) what will it be for you? I know we will also make jam from summer apricots, make birdseed ornaments for the tree in our yard, drive around and look at all the houses with lights (and yell, "Christmas House" every time we see one - under direct orders from my daughter), and decorate a gingerbread house (actually, a carousel...new in stores this year I think - Piper's pick).

Family Gingerbread Party 2012

Actually today we made snow! It's been a beautiful sunny, but cold, day here in the Pacific Northwest. We don't get a lot of snow but we got something very cool in the mail last week.

Thank you Auntie Jenna!

And not only was it so fun to receive, it was sent in a paper-lunch-bag-made-envelope with washi tape to pretty it up and seal it up (I wish I'd taken a picture of it before we opened it but I let Piper have it as soon as I checked the mail). Add "snow" to your list of cool things to send in the mail (with just a regular stamp too).

It's always an exciting month at the mailbox for cards and notes and packages. I need to get going on my own stack so I can send them out next week. I love picking out gifts for my friends and family,  and making them too. In fact, my nieces' gifts this Christmas are all handmade (I may post about this later...but top secret stuff right now).  I also love to wrap (crazy right). Seriously I should hire out my services (but I do make a big mess).  

In the quiet moments (usually after children have gone to bed) I love curling up on my couch, with a steaming cup of tea, taking in the beauty of the Christmas tree & the Nativity, the sense of calm and if there were gentle snowflakes falling from the sky it might just be perfect.

Find your perfect moment and make it happen - it is a season of joy, let yourself be joyful.

564/1000 one penpal letter going out but look out for Christmas cards adding to the count next week!

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!

Advent Calendar Monday

     I know Chocolate Advent Calendars are very popular and maybe why a lot of people love the coming of December but that's not my story. Chocolate calendars didn't make their debut in my house until I was almost in my teens. And they were really just an excuse to eat chocolate in the morning/everyday (not the best chocolate either). Having said that there are a number of gourmet chocolatiers that are putting out Advent calendars these days that would make any chocolate aficionado drool and I could definitely get on board with these (Rogers, Purdy's, Lindt...). Mmmm...I do love good chocolate!

My memories are of Christmas story/Nativity Advent calendars - beautiful colours and sweet tiny pictures behind each door. It became about conversation every morning - "What do you think it will be today?" Followed by "Oh tell me about that one?" What a great way to start the day and slow down for conversation during a very busy month. Children grow up so fast, so any opportunity to create moments, memories and traditions is important and meaningful (I remember those moments).

Vintage!

This is the kind I grew up with - German most likely. It actually has a fold out and a slide on the right side to make the animals move. My Mom found this one in her Christmas decorations a few years ago. I've kept it in the package until now.

A collection!

These are some I've used over the years and a couple still in the package - one tells jokes, another is the Nativity story, another is the Christmas Carol story and a few others. This is just a small number out of what I've found in my Christmas decorations (Advent Calendars are rather flat, take up little room so... perhaps having lots doesn't make me a hoarder...I hope). 

Maybe, I'm tuned in but I've been noticing a lot of Advent Calendars out there as I've been shopping around. A resurgence perhaps? Or maybe they've never taken a dip in popularity (I hope not). The problem is remembering to get them before December 1st so now is the time - a little joy each day!

Adding two to the count (my blog post didn't make it up last week...I had the chance for a few days away with my husband and it was lovely).

563/1000 (going to add big to the count soon...Christmas cards and such!).

A little post script: My Mom just reminded me that my Grandma used to give me Advent calendars too.  I don't remember that but it warms my heart

Advent Calendar Monday

This is the advent calendar I'll be filling this year - I'm absolutely in love with it! My husband bought it for me about six years ago. I just pulled it out and both my kids were super excited to check it out.

Christmas 2012

Here are some ideas for filling advent calendars if you are doing something other than good deeds or activities (of course, you could always do a combo of things too):

Kids:

candy bracelet/necklace - Hershey's kisses/Werthers - bite size chocolate bars - hot chocolate envelope - lollipop - Kinder Egg (not in the US) - whistle - harmonica - stickers - fun socks - fun shoelaces - Yo-Yo - Slinky - crayons - spinning top - earrings - fake tattoos - flexible headbands - mittens/gloves - erasers -  bouncy balls - little notebooks - lip balm - hair clips - knock, knock jokes - a candy cane - bubbles - cars - toothbrush (my daughter loves getting a new one) - a coin each day - stickers - lego pieces or mini-figs - puzzle pieces (we do this too with a magnetic Nativity puzzle - one piece a day & it goes on the fridge or inside of front door) - Tic Tacs - dot to dot page or colouring page - single serve Nutella package - a craft to make - a handmade coupon (movie of your choice tonight or choose a game to play) - ornament for the tree - scripture - treasure map - a coupon for a "coffee" date  (okay, maybe a hot chocolate date)

Look at these sweet,

Adults:

single serve coffee, tea, hot chocolate or cool drink - fun socks - Starbucks gift card (or other coffee/tea cafe of choice) - scratch and win or lottery ticket - bath salts - bubble bath - perfume/cologne samples - ice creamery gift card -  lip balm - earrings (jewellery) - sticky notes - tree ornament - chocolate - candy - Tic Tacs - nail polish - candle - car air freshener - travel size lotion - gum - mints - diamonds (lol, just checking to see if you are reading them all) - postage stamps (or is that just me?) - cool fridge magnet - a note that says something you love about them (actually that would be lovely everyday - forget all the other stuff just fill with love notes!).

sweet details!

One more Advent Calendar Monday to follow this one and then back to Mailbox Monday once December starts (and one by one those little doors open!).

Paper and Crayons

     Drawings and pictures and journals and books and treasure maps...I have a drawing maniac over here right now! It's really neat to watch how excited my daughter is about creating because she always used to say, "You draw it," if we suggested drawing anything. And suddenly a switch has been flipped because she is constantly asking for paper (which I am happy to give but seriously need to up my supply). She started out with monsters but now she is working on hearts (and doing a pretty darn good job of them I have to say - may need to hire her as a freelancer for my Valentine's cards), houses, trains, castles, crowns, whatever strikes her fancy. She likes to make books of her drawings and stories as well (which she used to do with stickers but now does all her own illustrations - lol).

A small collection.

Speaking of amazing handmade drawings. My daughter received a hand delivered piece of mail from her friend Andy. So sweet - he knocked on our door (sadly Piper was not home) and dropped it off with my hubby. Piper was pretty excited to open it when she got home. It contained a very cool drawing on a piece of cloth!

Here is a little mail she's made in return - love it! It will be on its way shortly!

Christmas is getting close (at least it suddenly feels that way!). If you have any children on your list think about crayons and paper (simple but wow, the things they can do with them...endless and dare I say, priceless!). In fact, crayons and paper for everyone on your list - there is something incredibly relaxing about picking up a crayon and doing a little doodling. People with kids have an excuse and opportunity to do this all the time so if you don't have kids or your kids aren't 'crayon colouring age' anymore go buy yourself a new pack (fresh tips, untouched, brand new colours to do with what you will). Not embarrassed to say I even have my own colouring book (hands off kids!) because it gives me an excuse to sit still every so often. I quite enjoy a new pack of pencil crayons as well.

Of course, stationery, pens and postage are always great gifts too. What kind of mail blog would this be if I didn't mention that!

561/1000 - 4 important pieces - some may include crayon drawings...

Advent Calendar Monday

Advent Calendar of Goodness: A Flurry of Ideas

     When I was teaching Writing 12 one of the assignments we worked on as we got close to December was an Advent Calendar of Goodness/Kindness. They had to craft their own calendar and write a good deed they could do for someone else behind each door. I encouraged them to be creative and go beyond the typical. They came up with some great ideas and their calendars all looked so different from each other.

     I thought I'd better make one myself if I expected them to do it (that's mine above - cardboard box, stickers, buttons, green paper and glue).  Mine is actually called 'Advent Calendar of Goodness: a Flurry of Ideas" with the buttons representing snowflakes. It was a lot of fun to make.

     There are a lot of DIY advent calendar ideas out there! Good deeds are a great thing to put behind each door (bake cookies for the firehall, help a neighbour put up their Christmas lights, drop off canned food to the Food Bank). Another option is to put Winter/Christmas activities to do together as a family/couple (decorate the Christmas tree, go ice skating, make bird seed ornaments).

     And you don't need kids to have an advent calendar my husband and I would alternate days and fill them for the other person long before any kids came along. What a fun challenge to see what we could fit behind each door. More to come about this next Advent Calendar Monday.

Here is a cool DIY Advent Calendar
from Erlend at Creative Morning -
a cool DIY craft blog from Norway.

     If you click on the photo it will take you to the Advent Calendar tutorial but check out the rest of his blog too - lots of neat ideas! Some cool crafts with buttons up right now. For other great collections of DIY Advent Calendars check out Tip Junkie or Pinterest (of course). There are lots of ideas floating around out there. Or you could just look around your house and see what you have and put something together like I did. You could even make it a competition (we do a gingerbread party with my family every year - we kind of make it a contest - it's a lot of fun but this could be fun too). Make one for your kids, for a friend, for you. Get your craft on! You could even send it in the mail! Oh yes, now it's all coming together.

Advent Calendar Monday

Advent Calendar Monday is here!

I thought I'd start out with a cool collection from Etsy (it also gives people enough time to do a little searching themselves and order in time for December 1st).

Thank you to Karen at ArtfulTea for letting me post
 this unique advent calendar for the tea lover in your life.
 Seriously two of my favourite things - tea and advent calendars!
In love!

  

Thank you to Shawna at Tricyclecrafts for letting me post
her cool Magnetic Advent Calendar! Love it when you can
reuse year to year - and doesn't it look cute!

Thank you to Gregory at SlippinSouthern for letting me post this
fantastic advent tree! You can choose what you add to this
advent calendar base - photos, treats, ornaments.
Your options are endless!

Thank you to Liz from Dandeave for letting me post her
printable advent calendar boxes - they are beautiful! 

Thank you to Anissa from thymbldesigns for letting me post her beautiful
Matryoshka Advent Calendar! She ships from Europe
(so time is a bit tighter on these). Precious!

Just sharing a little handmade/homemade love this fine Advent Calendar Monday! 

And again, if you have never purchased anything from Etsy before -

 you can use this link to get $5.00 off by using this link.

It's a gorgeous day here in the Pacific Northwest!

Enjoy your Monday wherever you are!

Crunching Leaves and Change

     We've been out crunching leaves on our walks this week - a clear sign of change (and an incredibly satisfying sound). When we aren't walking we are driving around and looking at all the decorated houses - my daughter is loving this! She says, "Mom when you see a decorated house yell out 'Haunted House!'' So she is definitely in the spirit of things! And it may just be a pumpkin patch kind of day today and then a date day with her Daddy to the movies. They've both grown to really love this tradition (Cloudy with a chance...)

     Halloween may be next week but the deadline for European surface delivery is now. So we've been wrapping presents even though it is not even November yet. So excited about getting to the post office today to send my packages on their way (feeling a little bit festive). Speaking of cool packages...we received a really cool box of goodies the other day and they included this really awesome Cozyband for Piper (and one for me too!) from my friend Kristy. Kristy has decided to give it a go at selling them too - check out her Etsy page! She can do different sizes and colours too. Lots of fun.

Staying Warm!

     And speaking of Etsy...if you have never purchased anything from there before you can use this link to get $5.00 off your first purchase - which is very cool! My Christmas shopping (for others and myself) wouldn't be complete without shopping there and I've picked up some great stationery and stickers throughout the years as well. I also have a shop on Etsy -  Paperroute - up and running since 2008.  I'm just updating my photos and adding some new things too. It's been awhile since I've shared my store info and thought it was time for a little self promo.

Cool things to send in the mail (in case you need some new ideas)...

I just picked up a variety pack of hot chocolate with Coffee Crisp, After Eight and Rolo flavours - not sure if Coffee Crisp will make it out the door - but what cool hot chocolate flavours to send out to friends!

Recent family, pet, baby, trip photos to friends and family!

A great article you just read - funny, inspirational or educational! Hand picked by you for someone - how thoughtful!

Puzzle pieces - a few at a time!

Jokes, riddles, comics (from the newspaper, Internet, hand drawn - lol)!

Monster drawings (we've been getting a lot of these lately and they are pretty cool so we might be sending some out soon)!

Have a great Halloween this coming week everyone! We will be escorting a robot and FBI agent around (and then likely eating most of their candy - this parent thing is working out nicely).

553/1000 Packages and more! And just like that I'm over the halfway mark to my goal. It's been fun so far - thanks for all your encouragement, feedback and love.

Mailbox Monday

Loving this copper beauty!

Thank you to CopperDesign for letting me post this lovely mailbox. I love the copper patina look and how special is that little mailbox key! Since I don't need an actual mailbox maybe I'll just start putting them up on one of my walls as art (seriously) or as organizational tools (hmmm...might be on to something here)! 

In other news...have you started Christmas shopping yet? Have you thought about buying local and/or handmade? Think about it! Not only will you give unique gifts that people will love - you will also be supporting people who are doing what they love to support themselves and their families. Etsy is a great place to start but crafts fairs, local businesses, home parties...are places to consider too. I've already started at all of the above - yay!


Post Script (Wednesday): If you have never bought anything from Etsy before
 you can use this link and get $5.00 off

How to Get Some Super Cool Mail

Did you know that your kids (or you) can send your favourite Disney character a letter and they will send back an autographed postcard...

Picking a favourite might be the hardest part!

Name of Character

Walt Disney World Communications

PO Box 10040

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

32830 - 0040

Try sending wedding invitations here:

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

The Walt Disney Company

500 South Buena Vista Street

Burbank, California

91521

Cinderella and Prince Charming

PO Box 1000

Lake Buena Vista, Florida

32830

The Honorable Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama

The White House Greetings Office Rm. 39

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington, DC 20500

Letters to Santa in Canada:

Santa Claus

North Pole

H0H 0H0

Canada

There is also an email form here. 

In the US:

Here is the Santa page for the United States Postal Service.

In the UK:

Santa/Father Christmas

Santa's Grotto

Reindeerland

XM4 5HQ

and the webpage is here.

Birthday or Anniversary Message from the Queen 

(if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand):

Birthdays - 100, 105 and/or each birthday following your 105th

Anniversaries - 60th, 65th, 70th and/or each year following your 70th

You can find information here.

Birthday or Anniversary Message from the Prime Minister 

(must be citizen/resident):

25th Wedding Anniversaries and up at 5 year intervals

65th birthdays and up

You can find information here.

Birthday or Anniversary or other greetings from the President of the United States 

(must be a citizen):

There seem to be various greetings The White House will send out and you can find the details here.

447/1000 Sending out a completed scavenger hunt and 5 other pieces on this foggy Friday.

Summer Makes a Cameo

   If you are looking to send out some personal and fun mail try this...I just had one of my favourite summer pictures printed onto postcards (via vistaprint) and added a great little quotation. Going to send some out this week and save some for gifts too (I love homemade gifts). This is the second time I've done this - through vp you have to order 100 at a time but it's a pretty cool thing to do (you just have to narrow it down and I like to wait for a sale). So if you have a favourite photo - give it a go (via your local print company or wherever works for you) and send something unique and personal out into the world.

A mug of tea on a beautiful morning in Garden Bay.

     Speaking of sending things out into the world, I was at my local Michaels Craft store and they had a flyer by the exit "Michaels Operation Christmas Card." You can bring handmade and filled out cards to Michaels locations and they will send them to American and Canadian soldiers. What a great thing to do with your own children or a classroom of students (teachable moment). Here are the deets, "Cards must be handmade and include a heart-felt handwritten message. Glitter of any kind should not be used. Include envelopes which should remain unsealed. Please do not include photos or phone numbers." You can find more info here. Mail for good - love it!

      I also have to send a little thankfulness out to my Post Office ladies - one of whom saved me over $10 on a package this week by making a suggestion and helping me re-pack and re-tape it. They are both the best!

442/1000 Sending out some of my fav photo postcards, a special package for a very special mama-to-be, and a couple of other things - count is up by 10!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends and family this weekend. Hope you have time to spend with your loved ones.

Mailbox Monday

Yep, this is my mailbox!

I thought I should share my actual mailbox today because, while it isn't a show stopper, I do appreciate the care and love that goes into the mail I receive in there. And for those visual people who need to know where I go each day - this is it.

And on a somewhat related topic - I LOVE advent calendars! 24/25 little doors with surprises behind each one...gee, what a shock they are on my LOVE list (a guarantee of good "mail" everyday)! I have been in love with them for years and finally have my very own beautiful wooden one but I love the paper ones too. And it turns out I'm not the only one - I just read about some cool ones that different businesses are offering up for this coming December (hello David's Tea, Starbucks & Benefit....not to mention that Lego puts one out each year). Okay, all to say that I think that, come November, Mailbox Monday might become Advent Calendar Monday - not as catchy as Mailbox Monday but all those in favour say "Ay" (want to see cool Advent calendars). It shall be done.

Thankful

     It's been a really eclectic mail week - stickers, thank you notes, quarters (for a young collector), post cards! It kind of fits the mood around here - little bit of this, little bit of that. We seem to be experiencing some summer days and some fall days - never know what to expect so trying to enjoy it all by getting out but also doing some crafty things too. I've even given good ol' Christmas a few moments of my time lately, although perhaps I should be focusing on Halloween (my daughter would like to be a robot - time to start building). Scattered I guess but in a good way.

     Thanksgiving (for us Canadians) is just around the corner. I've seen the usual Thanksgiving cards in the store which kind of makes me laugh - is it really a card sending holiday (I know, from me right?). But when you think about it perhaps Thanksgiving is the perfect card sending holiday. Maybe, more so than a lot of others. A good time to stop and think and perhaps count your blessings. And send off some thank you notes, some encouragement, some words of wisdom/advice and love to the people who make a difference in your life. Or those who need someone to make a difference in their lives. I'm sending out a few this year but I've also taken the change in seasons as a time to be more thankful and to let people know how important they are to me, to not keep compliments to myself (I'm always telling my husband "Oh, so and so looked so good today" and he inevitably says, "Did you tell them?" Okay, I'm sure I'm not the only person who does this), and to be a helper (a role I find myself filling a lot lately that seems to make sense to me).

Go out there and do good and be thankful!

Oh and I picked up the new Superman stamps! Yes, Canada Post has Superman stamps!

432/1000  as I add 8 to the rising count!

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!

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