Goodbye to 2021

 I love a good decorated paper bag as much as anyone, however I am more than happy to say goodbye to 2021 - it was definitely not as much fun as I wanted it to be after 2020!

Have a great day, everyone, and stay safe - see you in the new year.

Sunday Stamps - Christmas

Today's Sunday stamps topic is Christmas, so here are some Christmas stamps I received in 2021.

Eva sent this year's Spanish Christmas stamp, accompanied by an older one from 2011.

Last year's religious stamp from USPS - Our Lady of Guápulo.

I have been lucky enough to receive three of this year's Christmas stamps issued by Royal Mail. My favorite of the group is the £1.70 featuring camels.

A couple of Sparkling Santas issued by USPS in 2018 came in.

Two of the stamps in this year's 'A visit from St Nick' set of four and the accompanying postage label.

This one from Canada is my favorite of the season.

And this meme based on a Royal Mail 2015 stamp has been doing the rounds, and made me smile.

For links to more Christmas stamps head over to See it on a postcard.

Day of the Dead

 Thanks to Hester for her Halloween postcard.

Something in the mail to you this week in response.

Happy Halloween!

 A fun pair of ghosts for Halloween!

Thanks, Eva.

Escape artists

All the fun Lunispark creatures and scenes escaped the postmark, and the dreaded biro/sharpie! I'm impressed, as usually Correos machines go the extra mile in postmarking.

In the end only the selvage (or maybe it's a booklet cover) was canceled.

Thanks for sending the set, Eva, I love these muppet-like characters.

Candlemas

 Today is Candlemas, the 40th day of the Christmas & Epiphany season, and one of the days some choose to take Christmas decorations down.

If you follow this blog, you'll know that religion (other than on stamps) is not a big thing here. however I love the name Candlemas.

And an unexpected and lovely hand-made card arrived a while ago that made me smile, and looks nice in the tree - thanks, CJ.

(And yes, the tree is still up! Probably coming down this weekend)

Violeta

 Today's Sunday Stamps theme is women on stamps.

One from Eva, featuring Violeta, the pseudonym of Pool Consuelo Álvarez (1867-1059). 

She was an author, journalist, suffragist, and one of the first female telegraph operators in Spain. Her English wikipedia page gives more information, but is a bit confusing as the pronouns used in the article switch between she and he! (on reflection, this is because google translated her page, written in Spanish, into English).

This stamp issued in 2016 by Canada Post celebrates all the women who fought for the right to vote, which was granted in 1916.

To see more women on stamps, visit the links at Sunday Stamps.

PS It is actress, entertainer, icon and national treasure Betty White's 99th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Betty! Perhaps one day she will be honored with a stamp.

Catmail

 Christmas mail continues to arrive, this time from Heleen. 

Look at these fantastic December stamps!

And the card which, I think, gave Heleen inspiration for her fun envelope.

Thanks, Heleen, I'm really enjoying an extended Christmas card season.

Is it still Christmas at your house?

 Christmas mail continues to arrive. 

This card from Eva describes me perfectly. I don't mind carols, but I don't need to hear them everywhere I go 24/7 starting from October.

Yes, the tree is still up. Not sure when it's coming down.

Dolly Parton leaves hers up until the 19th (her birthday).

Is your tree still up?