Dare to display?

Interested in filling the walls of her relatively new house, Lynn used this card as practice for a piece she wanted to hang up. Inspired by a picture she saw in a store, she tried "copying... errrr.... was inspired by a version of this card." She then asked, would I dare to hang up my own framed artwork on my walls? Or would it be too easy to see the flaws?  It is a good question. I kind of like using my walls for inspiration and for displaying my family and I must admit that I would be likely to rip down pictures to fix something that irked me with time. Perhaps, it is safer to mail away my creations!

Lynn also noted that she had learned her mother was following our blog routinely. Being that we blog mostly for ourselves, this always surprises us (I remember thinking, we have a follower! And then, realizing that is sort of our mom's jobs to follow us). Lynn pointed out that mostly she was glad we were still mailing after 3 (now nearly 4) and blogging after 2 (now nearly three) years. I must agree this really is the very best part.

Dads on Safari

Here is one of Jessica's favorite places to stay.  She wrote about how you can see elephants bathing and hear lion's roaring when you stay in these rooms. This is very fitting because last year around this time we both had taken safari trips.  Jessica took a trip here for her dad's birthday, and spent cool mornings searching out game and evenings watching girafes. One of the places I stayed with my dad on safari was a permanent tented camp.  A favorite photo from our trip is my dad sitting on the porch of his tent looking very happy and very much like some sort of Victorian explorer.  Its funny to me that both Jessica's dad and mine both turn into big kids when it comes to wildlife!  Maybe I will try to do a sketch of that photo as my next card.

Tanzania

After starting her summer with daily running, lounging and movies, my pal joined me in Africa last July. Being in Tanzania, however, she was on the continent's back rather than in its armpit. So close, yet so far away. While usually I am the one whipping off African themed cards, this time Lynn tried to lure me to join her on an East African safari. Oh, how I would have loved to meet her.

Not as good, but fun nevertheless, I got to hear her reflect on her first trip to my most beloved continent. Next time Lynn, we need to coordinate better!

Three-oh!

Last year, I turned the big 3-0! Wow! Jessica drew this card, one of many handmade birthday cards I have gotten from her over the years.  On the back, she writes about how milestone birthdays drive people to ask you philosophical questions.  For me 30 was a much easier birthday than 25.  What about you, what age was your trickiest birthday??

p.s. my pal also added the sentiment that she hoped we could chat our way through the next 30, 60, or even 90 years.  Me too pal, me too!

Wanderlust

Being that this is a card, rather than a postcard, it is technically too 'big' for this blog. Lynn asked jokingly if this meant I would kick her out of our project. Think again, friend. More likely, you should kick me out - based off of my recent lapse in timely blogging and mailing. A transatlantic move has me off kilter. Thankfully, things are starting to settle down, I am settling in and we will be able to catch up in person soon. 


This card - inspired by the cover for The Beekeeper's Bible by Richard A. Jones and Sharon Sweeney-Lynch - celebrates wanderlust.  A term, Lynn tells me, that the dictionary defines as to get out the 'wild oats'. Although fitting at the time, this theme is a bit ironic now since Lynn and I are both nesting (well relatively) rather than setting off an a spectacular journey. Nonetheless, let's be honest, my itch for discovering new places is never far (as is Lynn's usually) and this book inspired card makes me dream of travel-inspired stories to come.