Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Finland. Show all posts

Olavinlinna Castle in Finland & More

Let mail fly!
Everyone can use a hello, hug or words of kindness...they are always in style!

I'm in love with all my incoming mail!  No pictures of outgoing mail, no decent light lately.

Olavinlinna Castle Finland
Olavinlinna Castle in Finland-
The building of Olavinlinna, castle of St. Olaf, began in 1475. The Danish-born founder of the castle, knight Erik Axelsson Tott, decided that a powerful fortification should be build to protect the strategically important Savo region. The castle was supposed to repel Russian attacks from the east and to guarantee the control of the Savo region for the Swedish Crown. The history of Olavinlinna is a mixture of medieval arms clashing, cannons roaring and every-day chores inside the security of the castle's thick walls.

The changes in the ownership of the castle left their mark on Olavinlinna: this can be seen in the varied architecture of the castle. These days the castle's halls and rooms can be rented and used for all kinds of events.

There are two small exhibitions in the castle: the Castle Museum displays artifacts found in the castle or related to it, and the Orthodox Museum displays icons and other religious artifacts both from Finland and Russia. 

More Information can be found here.

Finland Postage Stamp
Finland Round Postage Stamp

Long Eared Hedgehog
Long Eared Hedgehog-
The long-eared hedgehog is a small and rather pale hedgehog, with short spines covering the upper parts of the body. Like other hedgehogs, these stiff spines, which are brown at the base and white at the tips, act as effective armour when the hedgehog rolls into a protective ball. The legs, feet and underparts are also whitish, the latter of which may be tinged with yellow. The long-eared hedgehog has a pale brown face, with a long, pointed snout and large, rounded ears, which appear somewhat whitish and translucent. The tail is short, but the legs are relatively long, which is particularly apparent when the hedgehog is trotting. The long-eared hedgehog produces a variety of vocalizations  including a snuffle, a cat-like hiss, and a growl when threatened.

Belarus Postage Stamp
Belarus Postage Stamp

Happy 2013 Calendar
Happy 2013 Birdhouse Calendar.
Arrived from France

France Postage Stamp
France Postage Stamp

Leo Tolstoy Street Moscow-Cat in the Window
Cat in the window on Leo Tolstoy Street in Moscow, Russia.


Greetings from Heidi-Switzerland
Greetings from Heidi-Switzerland

Switzerland Postage Stamp
Switzerland Postage Stamps

Postcards are Mailbox Happiness!

Waving Hello & Hugs to You!

We just returned from a fantastic trip to Disney World!  Weather was perfect, parks weren't crowded and we had the best time!

I came home to a lot of mail...Yay!  I have a lot of mail yet to answer...Yay!  If you are waiting on a letter or postcard from me, I hope you'll understand my delay in replying.

Easter Egg Hunt
Let's go on an Easter egg hunt!  Made by a wonderful postcrossing member and sent to Meredith.
Arrived from USA

Moomin
Moomin cards are adorable, always make me smile!
Arrived from Finland

Finland Postage Stamp
Finland Postage Stamp

Mountain Goat
Whoop!  A Mountain Goat card!  Mountain goats are seldom seen since they prefer rugged rocky terrain above 2,000 metres (6,500 ft.).  Ideally suited for this harsh and unforgiving environment, these animals have a thick shaggy coat which has 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) long guard hairs with a 10 cm (4 in) inner layer of wool to keep them warm.  Their hooves, split, sharp-edged, flexible and rubbery, enable them to climb effortlessly along sheer rock faces even when covered with snow or ice.

Malaysia Postage Stamp
Malaysia Mount Everest Postage Stamp

White Cat by Loes Botman
A very beautiful cat by the artist Loes Botman who specializes in pastels.  Another reason I love postcards, the exposure to many different artists and styles of art.
Arrived from Belgium

Belgium Postage Stamp
Belgium Postage Stamp

With Love at Valentine's Day
With Love!
Arrived from Russia

Russia Postage Stamp
Russia Postage Stamps

Postcards Brighten My Day!

Every card I share today
is special in it's own way.
Pretty sheep, lot's of cream
a Lali Riddle and of course
Kirdy's a dream!


Sweet and lovely sheep all the way from Slovenia.  I think I have 11 sheep postcards now in my collection, it's growing slowly but surely. ;)


Beautiful Slovenia Postage Stamps


Nouvelle Image La Petite Cremerie-everything to do with cream, love this card!
Arrived from Finland


Finland Rabbit Postage Stamp


Very cute Lali Riddle postcard from France


France Postage Stamps


Victoria Kirdy-Mice Drying Mushrooms

Russia Postage Stamps


Victoria Kirdy-See My Eggs


Russia Postage Stamp

Finnish Merry Christmas & Happy New Year


Finnish Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.  Santa, Reindeer, Birds and a wonderful finnish Christmas Greeting all make this a great Christmas Postcard!
Arrived from Finland.


Finland Europa 2012 Postage Stamp

Bethlehem by Minna Immonen


Wow!  I received another card by Minna Immonen, be still my heart!  This one is titled Bethlehem, so beautiful!  I would love to trade for more of her cards if anyone has any extra's?  Pretty Please?
Arrived from Finland

Minna Immonen Amazing Artist

Postcards are truly small pieces of artwork.  You can place them almost anywhere to add touches of color, inspiration, happiness or remind you of the beauty our world holds in it's natural state.  I have mine tucked here, there and everywhere all over the house, you?



Wheeeee...Minna Kortii is a new artist to me and I love her work!    If you are able to get her cards and would like to arrange a direct trade, please email me at  mailboxhappiness @ gmail .com (take out the spaces). 



The cutest puppy postage stamp from Finland.



It's a Snowman Day!


What's not to love about this sweet Snowman Christmas postcard.  Snow covered bridge, children building a snowman, puppy with a box, steam coming out of the chapel chimney, great attention to detail.
Arrived from Poland.


Love the little red birdies on this Snowman postcard, love the snowman too!
Arrived from Finland.


Little girl feeding horse carrots postage stamp from Finland.



Cute snowman would like some tea too!
Arrived from Lithuania


Lithuania Postage Stamps

Happy Christmas Cat Waiting at Door

Happy Christmas Cat at Door
Happy Christmas!  This has to be one of my favorite Christmas postcards so far this year.  I love the door scene and the adorable cat just waiting to be let in, maybe for a special warm Christmas meal.
Arrived from Finland.

Finland Postage Stamp
Finland Postage Stamp

Postcards and Stamps

Today is going to be another hot one in Dallas but we are expecting to have a cold front by Friday! 

I can't tell you happy that makes me.  Just the thought of wearing a sweatshirt, a big cup of hot chocolate warming my hands, feeling the crisp air on my face, I'm so ready!

Are you one of the lucky ones who's already experiencing wonderful fall/crisp weather?  Lucky You...I can't wait to be lucky too!

 I'm expanding my link list, let me know if you have a blog. 

Onto today's cards...

It's easy to see
how postcards and stamps
can be so lovely.
Art, humor, whatever you like
there's always a postcard that's just right.

Girl & Dog Reading Albert Edelfalt
I have a small collection of cards that show anything to do with reading, isn't this little girl lovely reading under the window with her pup. Albert Gustaf Aristides Edelfelt (21 July 1854 – 18 August 1905).
Postcrossing Favorites
Arrived from Finland

Finland Dog Stamp
Finland Dog/Puppy Stamp

Kissing Illustrated Fish
There is series of illustrated cards by Natasha Chetkova (Thank you, dear Ira) and I love all of them.  Such bright, happy colors!
Postcrossing Favorites
Arrived from Belarus

Belarus Stamp
Belarus Stamp

Grandma DJ
I love this card and got a good chuckle out of it when it appeared in my mail stack!  Go DJ Grandma!
Arrived from Germany

Germany Stamp
Germany Stamp

A Lot of Mailbox Happiness in My Life!

Thank You Dear for stopping by,
you really know how to make my spirits fly.
Receiving mail from you is a wonderful thing,
the words you write make my heart sing.

Floral Card from Wells
Much to my surprise, this lovely card appeared in my mailbox from a new reader.  Thank you dear, you certainly know how to make this girls day!

I started this blog to have a nicer visual way to organize my cards (flickr is a bit boring) and the idea that anyone else likes/looks at/reads what I put out here tickles me pink!

Happy Penquins in the Snow
Aren't the penquins the cutest!  It's actually a glittery Christmas card.
Arrived from Canada

Merry Christmas from Russia
Merry Christmas, bright and happy!
Arrived from Ukraine.

Merry Christmas or New Year's from Russia
Happy New Year. 
Arrived from Ukraine.

Inge Look Happy Easter-Cat at Door
Here is an Inge Look card minus the cute Grannies but with their lovely white kitten.  From my Postcrossing Favorites.
Arrived from Finland

Finland Easter Stamp
Findland Stamp


Hearts in your Coffee
Love Hearts, Yes I do!  What a scrumptious card to find in the mailbox here at the 2809!  From my Postcrossing Favorites too!
Arrived from Denmark

Danmark/Denmark Stamps
Denmark Stamps

2012 London Olympic Rings
2012 London Olympic Rings.
Arrived from-I don't know where, it's a Samsung Touchnote Card.  No indication of where they mail from.