light up the sky

A last view of the Christmas season. I love all the lights at this time of year and wish they stayed glowing to cheer us up during the dark of January and February.

and this is the last lights of 2023 for Sunday Stamps

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE

adoration

 

By the time these Magi arrived, the Baby Jesus could hold up his head! As well as the expensive gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, a onesie might have been useful.

 back to Finland for some snow, or lumi

santas on a train

 

snowy scenes

 

It is perhaps a little ironic that these snow laden landscapes are this year's Christmas stamps. All week, the news has been about how most of us are going to have a green Christmas.

 a nostalgic Christmas

Merry Christmas to one and all

sitting cosy

 

CATURDAY

snowing

painting by A J Casson, 1921

Not much chance of any falling snow for Christmas in most of the country this year.

Merry Christmas from Finland

hanukkah

 

I know this one is a little late, since Hanukkah ended on Dec 15th. This is the 2023 edition, designed by Hélène L’Heureux and illustrated by Stephanie Carter. What I learned from the website is that this menorah is actually called a hanukkiah

presents

 

CATURDAY

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

blue

I love the way the light filters through coloured glass and this is a particularly lovely shade of blue

lynx

 

CATURDAY

father christmas

before Coca Cola decided to transform Santa into a portly, jolly old soul wearing a red suit that matched its branding, Father Christmas used to look like these cards

great pebble

 

Formerly known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is a sacred site for the Anangu people. It is seen as a resting place for ancient spirits. Finally, since 2019, climbing the rock is now forbidden.

lonely street

Elblag was established in 1237, and the Market Gate tower shown here is the only part of the original city wall (from 1315) left standing. Much of the city was destroyed in WWII and is still being rebuilt.
 

single span

The Humber Bridge in Yorkshire is the longest single span suspension bridge in the world that can be travelled by walking, or cycling. It is 1.4 miles long.

tb

Helping to eradicate TB.  Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, the vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization to be given to all children in countries endemic for tuberculosis. It is named after the inventors Albert Calmette and Camille Guerin. Engraver Rene Quillivic.
 

greek cats

 

CATURDAY

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

denmark

 

diwali

 

Diwali (Nov 12/23) This year's stamps were designed by Kristine Do and illustrated by Rena Chen. It features clay pots of oil (diyas) in the corners and marigolds and mango leaves

odd cat

 

I have no information on this ... odd cat

CATURDAY

yellowstone

 

pets

As many of you will have suspected, I am a cat person. This hand painted postcard from a Postcrosser in the US is a lovely tribute to her kitty.

 

 

A good friend of mine has a rabbit for a pet.  And there are far too many pet dogs in my building for my comfort.

some pets for Thursday Postcard Hunt

ladybird

issued 2017

landmark

a ghostly Mona Lisa hovers over the I.M. Pei designed pyramid at the Louvre in Paris

planes, trains, automobiles

 

I have shown this one before, but I like it so you're getting to see it again. It's a jet flying out of Ottawa airport in 1964.

France's high speed train, which is now 42 years whisking you through the countryside. 

 

 

and, finally, a Ferrari with Gilles Villeneuve (1950-1982)

 and, tangentially related...

A very funny man, who died far too young in 1994. Starred in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (with another great, funny man, Steve Martin) in 1987. In much less speedy circumstances, the two were trying to get home in time for Thanksgiving (happy turkey day to viridian. and Marina? not sure where you are)

triple threat

 

CATURDAY

gemsbok

 

working dogs

 sled dogs help humans travel faster through snow

detection dogs helped eradicate rabbits and rodents from Macquarie Island

upside down

 

At a little under 5" in length, this green parrot with a red throat is endemic to Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Burma. They mimic leaves by hanging upside down when sleeping.