Monday's Postcard 2014: from Dad in London

From the late 1980's through the early 90's, my Dad worked a lot of trips to London, so I have a bunch of cards from him from those years.

The airport is Gatwick, on the back Dad writes that it is a rare picture because the sun is shining!!

Monday's Postcard 2014: Happy St. Patricks Day from Ireland!!

Folks know how much I love Ireland, so when friends and family visit, I always get a postcard!

Monday's Postcard 2014: From my Grandmother Arkebauer

Last week, I posted 2 postcards from my Granny. My Grandmother Arkebauer might not have traveled as much, but she also sent me many many postcards!

These are from the Museum of Natural History in Fort Wayne, IN where she lived, and The Griswold Inn in Essex, CT, from a trip she made to visit one of my cousins in Mystic, CT

Monday's Postcard 2014: From my Granny

My Granny took tons of trips throughout her lifetime and I got many, many postcards from her

There are from Holland, Michigan and the Nacoochee Indian Mound in Georgia

February Reading

It started a couple of years ago as a New Year's Resolution to keep track of the books I read each month. So here I am again in 2014 with a list of the books I read each month. If you subscribe to my posts, they will come directly to your email inbox --just enter your email address into the box on the right hand side of the screen. And now for the books:

Reading aboard boat, we spent a lot of time in the summer on board boats and I spent most of that time reading.


Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (library) Love love loved it! Recommended!!
Tomato Red by Daniel Woodrell  the hero reminded me of a Holden Caulfield type.  Modernized and set in the Ozarks, so-so
The All Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg (library) Enjoyed this one --I am not always a huge fan of the Fannie Flagg books. But loved Fried Green Tomatoes and Loved this one too
One Summer by Bill Bryson (library) love Bryson's books, enjoyed this one alot!!
Blue Plate Special by Kate Christensen (library) loved this memoir related to the food in her life
The Affair by Lee Child only one more Jack Reacher book to go!! (and this one was so-so, not my favorite)
American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser --This is my Flashback book this month, I must have read this a dozen times. Loved it and loved the movie A Place in the Sun with Elizabeth Taylor, based on the book.
A Wanted Man by Lee Child Hurrah, my last Jack Reacher, and I really liked this one....now just waiting for Lee Child to write some more ;-)
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson I had not read this one in years
The Railway Man by Eric Lomax (library)  WWII POW story and they have made this into a movie with Colin Firth
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (library) witches and vampires and demons...recommended to me, but it was just okay, some might like it more than I did
The House Girl by Tara Conklin a slavery story, I liked the old stuff better than the modern stuff, I wanted more Josephine and less Lina
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus (library) highly recommend. Fictional with a great historical premise. I really enjoyed it
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black (library) YA Vampire thing, it was okay
Making Habits, Breaking Habits by Jeremy Dean (library) I definitely have a reading habit :-)
Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller (library) a memoir by the daughter of hoarders, I'm cleaning the kitchen now....
Road Fever by Tim Cahill I kept recommending this one to folks, so I thought it was time to revisit it. I stick by my recommendation. Love it
The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres fun, I would read more by her
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan memoir by the daughter of a famous father and their battles with cancer

19 books read this month

Monday's Postcard 2014: Quirky Art

Some postcards are just interesting artwork!!

A Steampunk Owl and Brushwork Cat

Monday's Postcard 2014: History Lesson

Teach me about something. Show me something I have never seen before...theses postcards do that, and I love it!!

Monday's Postcard 2014: Don't be homesick!!

When I was a kid, I went to summer camp a couple of times and when I did, I would get postcards from home to keep me from being homesick. Just a note from the folks back at home to let me know that they were thinking of me. It was wonderful!

Monday's Postcards 2014: Flight Attendants

Everybody knows I love airplanes, airline memorabilia and flight attendant memorabilia, so I love to get these kinds of postcards! Thanks so much for thinking of me!!

January Reading

It started a couple of years ago as a New Year's Resolution to keep track of the books I read each month. Last year, I read 256 books, so here I am again in 2014 with a list of the books I read each month and hopefully I can do better. And as a twist, I am going to revisit an old favorite each month. Those books that I read over and over again as a teen. My paperback copies are dog-earred and falling apart, but I have not read them in years. I wonder if they are as wonderful as I remember....So each month, I will have a "classic" book that I read as a teen. My "Flashback" books.  The list includes:  The Thorn Birds, An American Tragedy, Scruples, Where the Red Fern Grows, Lace,  East of Eden, The Stand, Howard's End, Mutiny on the Bounty,Valley of the Dolls,  Cheaper by the Dozen and the Autobiography of Agatha Christie.  If you subscribe to my posts, they will come directly to your email inbox --just enter your email address into the box on the right hand side of the screen. And now for the books:

Here I am on a sailboat during college, (notice the UNC gym shorts, I wonder what ever happened to those) Of course, I would sit and read while everyone else worked. Got my "material girl" vibe going too, sunglasses and scarf tying back my hair


Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon (library) very interesting about parents who have children who are different from them....deaf, gay, etc
Writing Life: L. M. Montgomery by Mary Rubio and Elizabeth Waterston  A biography of the author of Anne of Green Gables
American Eve by Paula Uruburu (library) The story of Evelyn Nesbit and the Murder of Stanford White. Nesbit was basically the first supermodel, the "It Girl" of 1902/1903. Her husband was convicted of murdering famous architect Stanford White. Very interesting story.
Schroder by Amity Gaige (library) about a father who abducts his daughter
Winkie by Clifford Chase (library) this has to be one of the craziest books I have read in a while. It is about a teddy bear who is arrested for terrorist activities. Seriously! That synopsis is why Ryan and I even checked it out from the library, we just had to see what the heck was going on. It's okay. Was expecting it to be funnier....
Among the Shadows by L. M. Montgomery creepy stories from the Anne of Green Gables author and you thought she was all sweetness and light
Tripwire by Lee Child another Jack Reacher novel
When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney (library)  a boy deals with the death of his mother
Sex and Violence by Carrie Mesrobian (library) quite enjoyed it, much better than When You Were Here and some of the same issues addressed...
The Dinner by Herman Koch (library) weird, but if you like weird, you'll like it. I did
This month's Flashback book is The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough Yeah, it holds up. My name and the date 1985 are inside the front cover. I just love a big sprawling saga
Never Go Back by Lee Child (library) the most recent....not the best, just okay
Poplorica by Martin J. Smith (library) Fun pop culture trivia
Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman reading it before seeing the tv show...enjoyed the book, I recommend it
Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George (library via Nook) first really big book I have read all the way through on the Nook. I think it took me longer to read via Nook than it would have if I had the real book, but I was number 100+ in line to get the real book and the e-version came up within days
Wahoo Rhapsody by Shaun Morey (library) read on vacation in Los Cabos and it is set in Los Cabos...fun very much like Carl Hiassen's Florida books
Dark Light by Randy Wayne White,  Florida mystery
Oops: 20 Life Lessons from the Fiascoes That Shaped America by Martin  J. Smith (library) like Poplorica fun trivia
The Enemy by Lee Child, yet another Jack Reacher, I think I only have two more to read...
The Good Nurse by Charles Graeber (library) true story of a nurse who was a serial killer
El Dorado Blues by Shaun Morey (library) another Los Cabos comic thriller I enjoyed these


21 books read

Monday's Postcard 2014: I'm on vacation and you're not!

Yes, I want to hear about your glamorous life!! Let me live vicariously through you....I get lots of postcards from places that I have never been to...YET Buenos Aires and Greece are still two of the many places on my "to do" list.

Monday's Postcard 2014: Wish You Were Here!

Postcards are an easy way to tell folks that you are thinking of them. Great for folks who usually only send out a card at Christmas or a  Birthday. The postcard can be a great surprise to get on an otherwise dreary day. I wish I was in The Bahamas or Orange County, CA on a wintery January day!!

Monday's Postcard 2014: You've got mail!!

It is so much fun to get mail, real mail!! Not junk mail :-) And a postcard is so easy to just pop into the mail, you barely have to write anything on the back. Just a wish you were here :-) From Up all Night in Las Vegas or Relaxing in Nantucket!!

Monday's Postcard 2014 Thank You!!

I don't just collect old postcards from antique malls, I buy them to send and I receive them too. This year I am going to post a bunch of postcards that I have received from my friends and family from all over the world. Thanks to all of you, I have a very extensive postcard collection. I love getting mail. These cards are from letterboxing friends, one is from a gathering in Grass Valley, CA that I had to miss and another is from a friend who planted a box in Moosejaw, Canada!! How cool is that??!!

December Reading

  It started a couple of years ago as a New Year's Resolution to keep track of the books I read each month. So here I am again in 2013 with a list of the books I read each month. If you subscribe to my posts, they will come directly to your email inbox --just enter your email address into the box on the right hand side of the screen. And now for the books:


Books I read in December

Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery Now, I have read Anne of Green Gables probably 20 times or more and the first 3 books in the series a dozen times at least, but Rainbow Valley is number 7 and concerns Anne and Gilbert's children, so I have only read it once before. But the stories are cute and sweet, it is an extremely enjoyable escape
Nothing to Lose by Lee Child Jack Reacher in the middle of nowwhere, kicking butt
61 Hours by Lee Child I quite enjoyed this one
Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery Now I don't remember reading this one as a kid. It concerns WWI and the Canadian involvement in that war. Downton Abbey fans might enjoy this one. The Canadian point of view of WWI had me riveted.
A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay (library) great thriller
W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton (library) homeless folks feature in this one
The Wild Duck Chase by Martin J. Smith (library) enjoyed this very much
The Custom of the Army by Diana Gabaldon (library ebook) this is a novella, and the first "book" that I have read all the way thru on an ebook, it's a Lord John Story. Liked the story, hated the ebook experience, but several authors now have books and such that are ONLY available in the ebook format. I almost want to just download them and print them out!! LOL
The Bookman's Tale by Charles Lovett (library) fun read, it has romance and mystery and Shakespeare
Die Trying by Lee Child finally gave up waiting for a library copy when I found this at a thrift store!!
Storm Front by John Sanford (library) fun and fast read, Virgil Flowers story
The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld great coming of age story
Being Henry David by Cal Armistead (library) a kid wakes up and the only clue to his identity is a copy of Walden.
How to Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller (library) Another YA story, this one was a fun, fast read
Looking for Anne of Green Gables by Irene Gammel (library) another ebook and I got frustrated because there were sections that I would like to photocopy...how do you do that with an ebook? This was about the writing of Anne of Green Gables. Where Ms. Montgomery got her ideas and what was going on in her life while she was writing the book. very very interesting

Only 15 books read this month (should give you an idea of how busy I was this month!!) 

Monday's Postcard: Happy New Year

I will end this year the way I began it with some Happy New Year's Greetings cards from the early 1900's. I hope you all have enjoyed viewing my postcard collection this past year!

Monday's Postcard: Christmas

One of my most prized postcards, this is an image of Cranmere Pool in Dartmoor National Park in England. It shows the very first letterbox and a lovely Holiday Greeting as well. Also as a side note, I am already thinking about the postcards I will be posting next year, for 2014. I want to post cards that I have received from friends and family over the years. If you would like to see a postcard that you have sent me, all it takes is a stamp!! My address is Amanda Arkebauer PO BOX 16131, Seattle, WA 98116

Monday's Postcard: Happy Christmas

More of the landscape peek cards, these cards are from around 1910 according to their postmarks.

Also as a side note, I am already thinking about the postcards I will be posting next year, for 2014. I want to post cards that I have received from friends and family over the years. If you would like to see a postcard that you have sent me, all it takes is a stamp!! My address is Amanda Arkebauer PO BOX 16131, Seattle, WA 98116

Christmas Ornaments: Handmade is Best!

Wreaths

Last year I blogged about my Christmas ornaments and it was so popular, that I am going to do it again this year.

White Wreath shows up better on Green Tree

Crocheted wreaths with shells

I have so many ornaments, there are too many for one tree. And I only have one small tree! So each year, I rotate my ornaments and put up different ones. So this year, I picked some ornaments that were not on the tree last year.

Wooden Mice

My Mom took a class in smocking and made this ornament

My Granny made these little baby Jesus ornaments in Ceramics

This Angel is made from an Antique Handkerchief

Stained Glass

These colors show up really nicely on a Green Tree

This Crawfish and Iguana are made from straw and come from Central America

Gourd Santa

Wooden Leaf from Vermont

As I was going through my ornaments, I realized that the majority are handmade. They are either made by myself and my family and friends or I tend to purchase handmade ornaments. I guess I like them better than the mass-produced ones. I love the originality and the diversity that the hand crafted ornaments represent.

Monday's Postcard: Season's Greetings

I love these holiday cards with a little peek of a landscape. They were used wonderfully in the opening credits of the movie, The Family Stone, with the landscapes coming to life to the tune of "Let it Snow"...these are dated 1914 and 1917 according to their postmarks.
 Also as a side note, I am already thinking about the postcards I will be posting next year, for 2014. I want to post cards that I have received from friends and family over the years. If you would like to see a postcard that you have sent me, all it takes is a stamp!! My address is Amanda Arkebauer PO BOX 16131, Seattle, WA 98116

Monday's Postcard: Boston 1920's

This Trio of Postcards are all of Boston, MA and they range in age (according to their postmarks) from 1919 to 1922. You can see the 1920's era cars on the cards. I have visited Faneuil Hall in Boston many times, from childhood vacations to layovers this year for work.
Also as a side note, I am already thinking about the postcards I will be posting next year, for 2014. I want to post cards that I have received from friends and family over the years. If you would like to see a postcard that you have sent me, all it takes is a stamp!! My address is Amanda Arkebauer PO BOX 16131, Seattle, WA 98116