Postcrossing - Travel the world from home

Postcrossing was something I stumbled upon in the Summer whilst looking for penpals.  It really is a great idea and you can learn more by checking out www.postcrossing.com.  I can remember finding the site, registering my details and then I couldn't wait to tell 'A' all about it as I knew she'd love it too.

Postcrossing.com is a postcard exchange site and is very addictive!  You register your name and address and then click on 'Send Postcard'.  You are then given a random name and address from somewhere in the world.  Your postcard can contain as much or as little information as you wish to write and must also contain the special ID code given to you by Postcrossing.  This enables the receiver to register the card their end when it arrives.  There is an option to operate 'Direct Swaps' where people may read your profile and personally request your address.  Other than participating in this option you never know where your next postcard will arrive from as the system is all done at random.



This is something that 'A' has loved taking part in and it's a great tool for teaching kids about world geography.  We've also received postcards with little snippets written in the language of that country which she has been able to punch into google translate.  She's also translated her own little snippets to write in the language of the person she's sending the card to.  Postcrossing has also been an invaluable tool for helping with her handwriting as she knows that if her writing is unclear the receiver will be unable to read it!  Obviously, as with all internet use I carefully observe all her participation in the site.

[caption id="attachment_373" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="A favourite of mine from Sonia in Germany"][/caption]

Within your Postcrossing profile it's possible to say the kind of postcards you'd like to receive but I for one love seeing pictures of where people live.  Unfortunately, living in a small urban town I've personally found it very difficult to find suitable postcards to send out to other people.  I've had to visit local historic sites and near-by villages to acquire any resemblance of a postcard!

The Postcrossing site also has a great forum which covers topics like penpals, 'random acts of smileyness', education and meet-ups.  There is also a great blog at www.postcrossing.com/blog which gives an insight into postcrossing around the world.

[caption id="attachment_374" align="aligncenter" width="1024" caption="Another favourite from Japan"][/caption]

I think the idea of postcard exchange is a wonderful idea especially in today's 'electronic' world.  I think that the importance of the hand written word is being lost and this is perhaps just a small way to keep it alive!

Harry Potter - A Family United

The count down is on, it's now officially 8 days till Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 is released in the UK.  I for one can't wait!

There is something about the Harry Potter series that is just so enchanting.  I love the fact that when I get immersed in the story I feel like I'm a child again where anything seems possible.  I'm transported to a fantasy world away from the humdrum of everyday life/chores/work etc where magic is commonplace and good must conquer evil.  I still marvel at J K Rowlings imagination in creating such a complex world of magic and characters with names such a Peter Pettigrew, Bellatrix Lestrange and Albus Dumbledore.  The woman is a genius!

The other thing I love about Harry Potter is that (cheesy as it is) it unites us as a family.  We've all read the books, watched the films, discussed the actors/actresses and even played the game.  Believe me, with a 10 and 13 year old it's often difficult to find things we can share as a family.  Harry Potter is that thing!

Of course I have certain favourites from the films and the books and I believe some Directors have done the series justice and others just weren't to my taste.  I am still a huge fan of Chris Columbus' direction of The Philosophers Stone.  Something just felt comfortable and homely about this version whereas my least favourite film would be Alfonso Cuaron's 'Prisoner of Azkaban'. Hogwarts was portrayed in a different light as were the characters - something just didn't feel right!

My favourite character has to be Bellatrix Lestrange and had I actually made it to Drama School when I was 18, this is a part I would have loved to play!  Helena Bonham Carter is amazing as Bellatrix and has just the right amount of sinister and insanity about her.  I also adore Alan Rickman's portrayal of Severus Snape and I can't wait to see how he plays his part in the last two films.

I loved the Delores Umbridge character in 'The Order of the Phoenix and Imelda Staunton played this fantastically with just the right amount of pink mumsiness with an edge of venom.  In 'Half Blood Prince' I felt there should have been more about the 'Young' Tom Riddle as this part of the story gives us a such a massive insight into the beginnings of Voldemorts malevolent nature.  I know I'm asking for a lot though as a 4 hour film just wouldn't practical!

One things for sure, family TFAMMM is truly looking forward to Part 7 of Harry Potter and the 19th November can't arrive soon enough!

 

 

The Gallery - Arnold's Autumn Adventure

Well this is Week 34's entry for 'The Gallery' and the topic is 'Seasons'.

Well I thought what better picture to use for this weeks entry than of our lovely puppy enjoying the Autumn leaves.  This was taken on our recent afternoon out at Bidford-On-Avon.  It was a beautiful November afternoon, the sun was shining and there was a lovely nip in the air.  Arnold had his first experience rustling the leaves and was completely shattered by the end of the afternoon.

Tuesday's Treasures - Gilbert 1,2 & 3

Well here's my post for Week 1 of 'Tuesday's Treasures'.

Gilbert 1, 2 & 3

[caption id="attachment_355" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Gilbert 2 & 3"][/caption]

I absolutely adore these cute ceramic cats by 'Quail' and bought these two from a lovely little shop called 'The Cats Whiskers' in Tintagel, Cornwall.  Their actual name written on the base is 'Basil' but they're called Gilbert after our lovely chubby moggie who we had to have put to sleep a few months ago.  They look just like him!  They were affectionately named Gilbert 2 & 3 by 'A' as obviously, our own super puss was Gilbert 1!

They do lots of other different coloured cats in the range and Mom has 'Simon' and 'Dusty'? to match her two lovely cats.  They also do salt and pepper pots, egg cups etc as well as other animals and birds.

Gilbert 2 & 3 have pride of place on my hearth and mantel and are a super reminder of our dearly missed Gilbert 1.

[caption id="attachment_356" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Gilbert '1'"][/caption]

The Gallery - Braving the Elements

This is my first post for Tara Cain's weekly post 'The Gallery'.  It's a little late but due to the fact that I love this pic so much I thought I'd post it on here anyway!


This photo was taken back in 2008 on our girls weekend to Tenby.  The weather was ...........in a word...........AWFUL!  Due to the fact that we 'always' walk South Beach we were determined to go ahead as usual.

Oh my God.......the picture says it all!  We could hardly stand up let alone pose for the photo. Our clothes were soaked, I had to hold onto my hat for fear it would blow away and Steph (on the left) didn't realise that her hat was perched on top of her head like an elf and none of us bothered to tell her! :)




I have to say we had to give in half way across and the journey in the other direction was much quicker as the wind was blowing from behind us!

I can't help but laugh every time I look at this photo and I've just had a little giggle to myself whilst typing this and reminiscing about how funny the whole thing was at the time.

Tuesday's Treasures

I'll be posting a picture of some of my favourite and most treasured trinkets and trappings and a little bit of blurb to tell you about them.  I would love you to join in by posting a similar item on your own blog or facebook page.  I will not be posting every week, but as and when I have something to share :).

Your photo can be of absolutely anything from your husband to your newest handbag, a favourite photo to your latest flower arrangement!

Hoping you will join in the fun and can't wait to see your weekly offerings!

Afternoon by the River

[caption id="attachment_320" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bidford-On-Avon"][/caption]

Well I was determined that this weekend wouldn't come and go again like every other day.......housework, washing, kids bickering etc etc so we watched the weather forecast and today seeming to be the better day of the two we decided to have an afternoon at Bidford-On-Avon.  Mom, Dad and bro came too to make the most of the lovely weather.  This was Arnold's first big afternoon out and with the amount of clobber we had to take it felt like having a toddler all over again!



The weather was beautiful and the sunshine certainly enhanced the lovely colours in the trees.  'A' (and Mom!) had a great time on the park especially seeing as there were some new gadgets to play with!  Not quite so busy today as it normally is but I guess that's only to be expected in November.



Arnold met loads of new doggy buddies today and we were even brave enough to let him off the lead for 10 minutes.  He was brilliant!  P, S, A and myself split up and each had a handful of treats and then took it in turns to call him.  He then shot towards us like a rocket! :)  We really want to try letting him off the lead a bit more now but we're just so worried that the second he sees another pooch he'll be off!  The swans didn't like the look of him much but he didn't let the fact that they were spitting put him off!  He had a great time in the leaves and especially when we kicked them up in the air for him to dive into.



Comical moment came late this afternoon when Mom offered to make 'P' and I a hot drink.  I got a lovely cup of tea and 'P' almost ended up with a nice steaming cup of gravy seeing as Mom had took the wrong jar from the caravan :)

[caption id="attachment_321" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lovely Autumn colours"][/caption]

All in all a super afternoon out topped off by fish and chips on the way home.  Although, Arnold's contribution to the trip back was somewhat less pleasant as there were some rather strange odours eminating from the back of the car.  We seriously have to change his food!