Friday, May 29, 2009

Minori, Italia - Amalfi Coast

What I really love about the postcards, it is how much new information you can learn! I guess, I am always on the look for new places to visit and things to see. I am sure you all can relate to this. :) But it is quite wonderful to be able to "visit" so many places you have never hear about otherwise.

This is a beautiful little place in Italy. I would love to go there one of these days... I don't know if it is possible to visit every place on a postcard, but one can dream, right?

Minori is a town on the Amalfi Coast in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. It was founded in the 7th century B.C. by the Etruscans and was later occupied by the Roman Patricians. In the days of the Repubblica di Amalfi it was a place where many trade ships docked and sold their good off to intermediate sellers. In the year 987 it became a diocesan town. The river Reghinna Minor flows through the center of this town. Many paper makers and millers settled along the banks of this river. It was here that the first prototypes of a dish were developed that we can’t even dream of living without these days – pasta. Back then the fresh pasta was dried in the sun in the town squares and along the “Lungomare” promenade.



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Thank you, Enzo, for a beautiful and dreamy card! My second official postcard from postcrossing.com.

Hurray! Hurray!

I received not one, not two, but FOUR! official postcards in the last week! I was surprised how fast they got here and they all are wonderful. For the proper labeling, I will go one at a time.

This one is from Detter of Bitterfeld, Germany. He writes, "It is a smaller city and well known for chemical industry. " From Wikipedia: Bitterfeld-Wolfen is a town in the district Anhalt-Bitterfeld, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated in south-eastern Saxony-Anhalt, west of the river Mulde, in an area that is dominated by heavy industry and lignite mining.Bitterfeld has approximately 15,000 inhabitants (2006). It was first mentioned in 1224. Part of the Electorate of Saxony, it came to the Prussian Province of Saxony in 1815.


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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Національна опера України імені Тараса Шевченка

The Shevchenko National Opera of Ukraine in Kyiv


Thanks to the same Round Robin, I received this beautiful card from Helen O. It shows the amazing old building of the Opera House in Kiev. Helen also wrote that there is a twin-brother of this Opera House in another Ukrainian City of Odessa. I have been to Kiev once a long time ago, but I do remember the beauty of this city!
"Our theatre is one of the most beautiful Neo-Renaissance constructions in Kiev. It belongs to the architectural styles of many epochs and centuries - from the golden-domed temples of Kiev Rus' up to the refined rhythm of modern buildings of the beginning of the 20th century." From their web page, I learned that this building was built on the verge of the 20th century in place of the old one which caught on fire. They opened it up in ~1898 as the national largest stage. Even though during the Soviet times, the plans were made to simplify it to fit the Soviet style, thankfully it was never done. What a beautiful place to listen to classical music!!



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Another card from Germany




A very nice multiview card from Berlin, Germany, from Julia via a Round Robin. She says that Berliner Dom, the beautiful church in the middle, is her favorite.
"Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. With a population of 3.4 million within its city limits, Berlin is the country's largest city. It is the second most populous city and the eighth most populous urban area in the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan area, comprising 5 million people from over 190 nations."

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

a new card from Germany

And here is a card from Germany. I decided to put it separately, so I could label my post. :) It came from a small town of Bad Gandersheim in the North of Germany from Isabel.



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2 new cards from the US

Last couple of days brought me three new cards. I just love the Round Robins!!! They all came through the "US and Around the World" robin. My first 4 out of 5 official cards have arrived to Finland, so I am anxiously waiting for my firlst official cards. Should I mail more right away or wait for the first ones to arrive?? Big question to pound, LOL...
This one is from the state of Washing-ton. I visited Seattle, WA last fall and saw Mount Reinier from a distance. It would be fun to go look at it closer! "At 14,411 MOUNT RAINIER is the highest volcano in the 48 contiguous states and is the tallest mountain in Wasginton State. Some os the most spectacular meadows of alpine flowers and towering forests are here and are found in few other places. On a clear day Rainier dominates the horizon for hundreds of miles."


Next is the card from New Orleans, Louisiana. Very pretty, back says "Rain on Royal Street". New Orleans is on my list of cities to visit in the future. I hope it gets rebuilt all the way after Katrina.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Postcard Scavenger Hunt #3 – Fish

I love scavenger hunts! So I rejoiced when I saw the POSTCARD
Scavenger Hunt!!! This month's theme is fish. Unfortunately, I have just a couple that I can find right away. :)

First is from our trip to the Bahamas. I just love the note on it: "The Bahamas, with its miles of clear ocean is one of the best diving destinations in the world, try it!"
Another card is from our trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It is a part of very pretty artistic cut-out card set with Mexican animal designs. I think this one would work for a fish! Like a rather large game fish, maybe?



Saturday, May 16, 2009

2 NEW postcards

Hurray! Hurray!

I received 2 new postcards today through the "Us and Around the World" Round Robin. They are my first cards and I am SO excited!!! Also, I am happy to receive these post-cards, because they are from the area where we used to live and where I met my husband!
I lived in Oklahoma for over 7 years and my husband's family is still there. So, we visit often and love the state. Thank you, Shelby!
Another card is from Texas! It is a Southern neighbor to Oklahoma. I have been to Dallas many a times, especially while travelling abroad. This is a nice map card from Deana, thank you!!!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Minnesota map postcards



To start, I would like to share some cards from my current home state of Minnesota. I know lots of people like and collect the map cards. Here are some examples of the map cards that I found.

Minnesota is one of the Great Plains states, which is located in the very north of the United States, on the border with Canada.

The origin of the name Minne-
sota is based on a Dakota Indian word meaning "sky-tinted water."

Hence, the nickname of the state - "Land of 10,000 Lakes". Not only Minnesota is located on the Great Lakes, there are SO MANY little lakes, ponds, marshes and rivers here!

Sometimes, it is also called, '' The North Star state". The State Motto is "L'Etoile du Nord" (The Star of the North)

Capital of Minnesota is Saint Paul. Together with Minneapolis, two cities are often called "The Twin Cities".

Flower is Pink and White Showy Lady's Slipper,

insect is Monarch Butterfly,
state fish is Walleye (Stizostedion v. vitreum),
and bird is Common Loon (they are everywhere! We have a couple coming to our pond every year!)

Amazingly enough, the state animal is not listed! However, there is a gopher on one of my cards :)


Sunday, May 10, 2009

JibJab on Moms

Click here for a very CUTE Mother's Day little video-joke!!!

JibJab on Moms

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My blog is created

Very excited about organizing my cards and creating this blog. I am hoping to keep track of my newest cards and collections as well as getting to learn about new people and places. I also hope to help my daughters learn about geography and card collecting. If you are looking for cards from the United States and Russia, please, let me know!