christmas shopping

 

CATURDAY

puppet show

 

a bit of fun entertainment on this blustery Friday

received from Germany

day 28 of NaBloPoMo 

phq

squirrel stamps on PHQ cards

These are great ways to collect stamps, for their large format.

PHQ stands for Postal Headquarters and have been around since 1973. 

The above red squirrel is from 1977, designed by Patrick Oxenham

below, from 2016, the Beatrix Potter charming squirrel nutkin

day 23 of NaBloPoMo

comfort

 

CATURDAY

from japan

 

WATERLILIES AND PERSIMMONS

in the wild

 I have never seen a hedgehog in the wild, but I think they are adorable creatures

I have, however, seen countless raccoons in the wild.  I'm not sure I would consider them 'adorable'

some illustrated animals for Thursday Postcard Hunt

shape of the land

these animals fit nicely into the compact island of Taiwan,  

but, it is a special joy to receive a shaped map card

although, Bulgaria has many sticky out bits, but this card arrived in fine form

faces

 A Taoist man with his face painted for a temple parade in Taiwan

I can't quite tell what is behind this look...

truly the oddest Easter card I've received.  but just look at those cheeks!

and, these adorable wee ducklings

seats

Mr Woodhouse sinks into an floral patterned chair

Inside the Hermitage though, admittedly, the furniture is shown on the souvenir sheet rather than the stamp itself.

whimsical birds

robin with a crown of flowers

a charley harper oriole

a singing male cardinal

some songbirds for Thursday Postcard Hunt

pretty in pink

 

green

 lady mouse in a mobcap

a hungry, hungry caterpillar

Pettson and Findus in their green kitchen

a green snake

keeping warm

 after a long night...

a stylish squirrel having a break

even the deer are drawn to the flames on the candle

 

 

 

ski wear was certainly different in 1939

calligraphy

 

the comic font of NIPPON suits the comic design of this stamp

I'm not sure about this attempt to join the letters of GRENADA

and my favourite country for calligraphy on stamps CZECHOSLOVAKIA
 

 

some fancy writing for Sunday Stamps

decorated trees

It's always more fun to have help with trimming the tree

and waking up to presents under the tree is so exciting. that grinning nutcracker, not so much

trees and ornaments for Thursday Postcard Hunt on this second week of December

cartoon animals

I had never heard of Moomins until I joined Postcrossing. One day I'll get around to reading a book (if I can find one)

another new one for me was this mole, Krtek. I have found a few episodes on youtube and was pleased to discover that it is all speechless (except for a few exclamation noises) making it even easier to follow.

 

sometimes, animals can even embarrass their mates

 

I haven't read this book, but I LOVE the film version

on the farm

New Zealand is well known for its sheep population, but that is slowly shrinking, and as of 2022, the population is 25.3 million which puts it at the lowest sheep to people ratio (5:1) since 1850 when they began keeping records

There are nine chickens that Findus is friends with on the farm. Their names are Prillan, Mathilda, Fia, Doris, Majros, Soffi-Moffi, Henrietta, Stina-Fina and Henni

movember

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Asterix, with a more substantial moustache

 

 

 and a whisper of a 'stache on Bob Marley

Movember started in Australia in 2003. In 2007, Canada, the UK, and Spain joined the fun charity. There are now 22 countries participating, with over 1250 men's health projects funded.