Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Little Things



There's a Pineapple Express howling out there this morning. It's a warm wind from the tropics blowing rain in from the Pacific - temps of 12 degrees Celsius (gets up to look at the thermometer for the Fahrenheit reading - 63). Those snowmen would soon be puddles if they lived around here.

Each year we receive fewer and fewer Christmas cards. Some newsletters arrive although email is more common. I've taken to displaying cards from years past here and there. I do have a stack of cards to prepare and a few to mail (most will be hand delivered).
 

This postcard is from France, purchased in Paris by our youngest. The date is indecipherable, and in beautiful script the writer acknowledges receipt of a letter from a friend and begs pardon for not sending one earlier. 

Although it's early to wish you Bonne Année (Happy New Year), I will leave with Bonne Journée - have a great day. I'm off to teach French again. 

26 comments:

  1. Lorrie, I also save the prettiest cards from year to year. Some I just cut the front side to save. :) I sent about a dozen cards this year, that's all. From 50 to a dozen. I also use some for gift tags. They're just too pretty to toss away!

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  2. Oh, how lovely, one my favourite things!
    The Christmas cards shown are really beautiful.
    The traditional cards are bought and sent less and less. I do hope sending them will not become a completely outmoded tradition... Who knows, perhaps they will be valued more in the future, because they are something rare and special!

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  3. I've been one to not send many cards anymore. We have a lot, and the postage here is expensive! We've gone digital, I'm afraid.

    I feel badly about this because I dearly love to receive cards and letters. I'll have to ponder this a bit.

    Have a great day! Joyeux Noel!
    Deanna

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  4. Love to send cards, but the cost is prohibitive some years. I was considering displaying cards from former years, too. =D That first one reminds me of the little brunette who visits your house...adorable.

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  5. It's the same here Lori. There are only few people that still send cards. Such a shame. Your French card looks beautiful.

    Have a lovely day!

    Madelief

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  6. What charming postcards! Thank you for brightening my day. While I sent out close to 100 cards this year I have received only 2. We are all busy. It's truly just taking the time to say that you care.

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  7. I still send cards, and letters. No matter the cost, I save on something else. I don't buy something for me, or save on those things we all know are unnecessary- but I want to keep letter writing alive! Having a pen pal (or sending and receiving cards) is priceless! I have two boxes full of cards and letters, and those are straight from the heart, with the person's handwriting, sometimes some photos, or a pressed flower, bookmark, or a little something tucked inside... I have those from my Grandmothers, found them the other day, and I was thinking how precious they are to me now...

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  8. I save my prettiest cards and make mini gift boxes for ornaments for a tree or for little gifts. Yours is wonderful.

    Do you teach French?

    Madonna

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  9. Anonymous1:15 PM

    We were really getting slammed today with the wind and rain. Yikes! Love antique Christmas or vintage Christmas cards and things. I'm still sending Christmas cards along with a family photo. We'll see how long I will keep it up...

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  10. The French neighbours were always amazed at the amount of Christmas cards that we received, as they don't really send them. But New year is marked with some cards. Food always seemed to be the most important!

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  11. Love your vintage Christmas cards, they were so lovely 'back in the day'. The tradition of sending Christmas cards does indeed seem to be waning, fewer and fewer arrive in the mail each year it seems. Hope you aren't having to build an ark down there, it has been rather rainy to say the least! Blowing and warm here today too but all it has managed to do is melt all our snow into one big block of ice, yikes!

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  12. Anonymous1:44 PM

    Lorrie, Christmas cards do seem to be few and far between nowadays. I don't know if it is the price of the postage or people just don't care to send them any longer. For the past few years, I've made my Christmas cards and I treasure each one that I receive.

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  13. Oh I do love vintage postcards, very nice. We are getting a warm rain here also.

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  14. I do the same...save some of my favorites from by-gone years and display them! I'm still sending cards most years...some come off the list and others get added. Love the vintage postcards!

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  15. Isn't this warm weather amazing - but the rain - oh the rain - we've had over 4 inches so far this week. But it is nice to be indoors and cozy and decorating for the holidays. Love how you have displayed the cards.

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  16. We used to send about 200 cards and now we send about 50...I love reading those newsy Xmas letters from friends afar...and when I get the mails I put the kettle on and brew a pot of tea so I can sit and enjoy the news.
    I would love to have some of those sweet French cards.

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  17. I agree that we will be seeing less and less cards in the mail...makes me sad :( I will be sending a few in the mail and by looking at the date on the calendar, I better get to it!! Lovely cards for you to enjoy in your displays. Have a wonderful week.

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  18. Lorrie, I hope all is well in your area. We have lots of family on the island and the mainland, watching anxiously. Take care!

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  19. I love to send and receive cards, especially those from friends we've not seen for many long years but who still remember us and the good times spent together.

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  20. Hello pen-pal Lorrie!
    Take good care in the (pineapple scented?!) winds, I hope all will be well.
    My card is on its way to you ~ a rather limited version of a letter this time, but 'will try harder' next.
    A bientot!

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  21. I must admit that I haven't mailed out Christmas cards in a long time. I do however save those I receive and have been known to hang them up in our home as I love them.
    Advent Blessings,
    Aimee

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  22. Lovely cards! I've noticed too that there are getting to be fewer and fewer arriving each year. That's okay, as long as we connect somehow over the season then that's okay with me. Passez une bonne journée!

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  23. Your vintage cards are lovely. I joined a FB tea group that has card exchanges and I sent out well over 30 hand made Christmas ones. My own list is smaller but I continue to mail them every year. Email cards or greetings for the season don't have the same impact, I like to have a card in my hand with glitter and handwritten wishes. Guess I'm old fashioned when it comes to cards. :-)

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  24. It is a shame to throw way such pretty cards. As a result, I have a box full. But they are so pretty, as you say. I did not send cards last year, nor will I this year. I made my own cards for several years and this year I do not seem to be in the mood. Your are right, email and now Facebook seem to serve that purpose. Have a good day.

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  25. French is one language I really did not do well in. I may have gotten a good mark, but that does not tell the whole story.
    Your old cards are beautiful keepsakes to display. I should go through the ones I've save over the years.

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  26. You are right. So few cards. I always enjoy that tradition at Christmas, hearing from old friends, seeing family photos, and email or a FB greeting isn't quite the same. I too have saved some favorites, maybe some day they will be worth money!

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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