Lemon Zest

Postcards: Delaware, Philadelphia, Washington, & Hello Kitty

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:30:30 +0000

Eleven more cards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: delware, florida, hello kitty, mail, postcard, postcrossing, stamp, Travel

Postcards: The Netherlands

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Three more postcards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: mail, netherlands, post, postcard, postcrossing, Travel

Postcards: Finland, Poland, Croatia & Germany

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:43:43 +0000

Six more cards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: croatia, finland, germany, mail, poland, post, postcard, postcrossing, stamp, Travel

Postcards: Hungary & Spain

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:20:36 +0000

Five more postcards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: anne geddes, hungary, mail, post, postcard, postcrossing, spain, stamp, Travel

South Florida Shell Show

TheBlueMorpho — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:35:29 +0000

This weekend was the South Florida Shell Show were many people were selling so many unusual shells by the thousands. And, speaking of thousands, that’s what some of the shells cost. Too much for me! But I did buy one shell for $7 that was pretty and unusual to keep as a display in my room. Some shells are just out of this world. It’s amazing to think that all of these beautiful things are in the ocean right now, and you have no idea!

So hard to pick just one shell to take home! But, in case you were wondering which one I did buy, I bought one these beautiful shells:

Have you ever seen shells like the ones in this post? Did you even know such shells exsisted? What’s the oddest shell you’ve ever found?

Filed under: Photos Tagged: florida, life, Nature, ocean, sea, shell, shell show, Travel

Postcards: Taiwan, Netherlands, New Mexico & West Virginia

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:32:47 +0000

Four more postcards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: mail, netherlands, new mexico, postcard, postcrossing, stamp, taiwan, Travel, west virginia

Postcards: Netherlands, Ukraine, Hawaii, & New York

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:28:44 +0000

Four more postcards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: anne geddes, hawaii, mail, netherlands, new york, postcard, postcrossing, stamp, Travel, ukraine

Postcards: Netherlands, Taiwan, Ukraine, Thailand & Russia

TheBlueMorpho — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Five more postcards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: mail, netherlands, post, postcards, postcrossing, russia, stamp, taiwan, thailand, Travel, ukraine

Wreck This Journal: Office Supplies

TheBlueMorpho — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:13:02 +0000

Day 4 of WTJ and I did the “Cover This Page in Office Supplies” page. I used some paper clips, arrow sticky notes, a “While You Were Gone” memo page and a Rubberband. The rubberband was the hardest to glue on, so I only used one. I wanted to add some staples, but probably wont. I think I’ll leave it the way it is.

Filed under: Wreck This Journal Tagged: art, memo, office supplies, paperclips, rubberband, wreck this journal, wtj

Wreck This Journal: Circles, Words, and Comic Strips

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:44:10 +0000

Day 3 of WTJ and I cut out peices of newspaper, drew circles, and cut out words from magazines. The newspaper page wanted me to place a random page from the newspaper in the book, but I decided to cover it with comic strips. And the magazine page wanted me to put in a page from a magazine and circle my favorite words, but I decided to just cut out words instead.

Filed under: Wreck This Journal Tagged: art, circles, comic strip, magazine, newspaper, words, wreck this journal, wtj

Postcards: Ireland, Kentucky, China, France & Netherlands

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:27:10 +0000

Six more postcards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: china, france, Ireland, kentucky, mail, postcrossing, stamps, Travel

Postcards: Norway, Germany, Malaysia, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico & New York

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:16:52 +0000

Six more postcards arrived today!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: germany, mail, malaysia, new york, norway, post, postcard, postcrossing, puerto rico, stamp, Travel, wisconsin

Wreck This Journal: Crayon Rubbings

TheBlueMorpho — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:19:01 +0000

Day 2 of WTJ and I chose the pencil rubbings page. But instead of a plain old pencil, I chose colorful crayons! Several years ago I had gotten a little packet of rubbing sheets, you know, with the little raised designs on them? I thought it was finally a good time to use them. So, here are my colorful crayon rubbings!

Did you do your rubbings with a pencil in your WTJ? Or did you use crayons, markers, or something else? What did you use for your rubbings? Leaves? Rubbing sheets?

Filed under: Wreck This Journal Tagged: art, colorful, crayon, photo, rubbings, wreck this journal, wtj

Wreck This Journal: Handprints and Scribbles

TheBlueMorpho — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:21:02 +0000

Day 2 of WTJ and I decided to do the handprint & fingerprint page, along with the page where you’re supposed to scribble with reckless abandon. How awful it was for me to make horrible scribbles all over my book! I’m the kind of person that likes to stay within the lines and color perfectly, and now I’m making doodles and watcha-ma-call-its all over the place! The painting page was actually pretty fun, and that didnt bother me too much because it has a more artsy look to it. But the scribble page just looks terrible. I’ve seen better work in a Kindergarten class.

How do you feel about scribbling on things? Do you like things neat and perfect? What page have you done so far in your own WTJ?

Filed under: Wreck This Journal Tagged: art, book, colored pencils, handprints, paint, scribbles, wreck this journal, wtj

Book Review #9 – 100 Cupboards

TheBlueMorpho — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:19:38 +0000

One year for Christmas I was given a book I already had, and decided to return it for something else. So I bought 100 Cupboards. For a year it sat on my bookshelf unread, until this past month. I decided that I was going to read it because I needed to read some of the books on my shelf first before reading new books I was planning on getting. So glad I finally read this! Really a great story!! As soon as I was finished I checked out the second book from the library. Now I’m reading the third book. The first book is my favorite so far. Book 2 was a bit confusing, and Book 3 seems to be following in its footsteps. However, the story is really good and unusual. If you want to read a series, you should definitely pick this one up.
Henry York discovers a wall of cupboards in his bedroom in the attic of his Aunt and Uncles home. Of course, the curiosity of Henry and his cousin Henrietta, lead to a world of trouble when they unleash the queen of Endor who wishes to take over everything inside the cupboards, along with killing Henry. Soon, Henry discovers the truth about his past, questions about his future, and embarks on a journey so crazy, you might start looking for magic cupboards behind your own walls.

Visit the 100 Cupboards website.
Buy 100 Cupboards at Barnes and Noble.
Read about N.D. Wilson.

Filed under: Books & Reviews Tagged: 100 cupboards, book, book review, chestnut king, dandelion fire, nd wilson, read, reading

Wreck This Journal: The Beginning

TheBlueMorpho — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:34:24 +0000

A surprise was left in my mailbox yesterday. It was a package with a “Wreck this Journal” book in it, sent from a fellow postcrosser! I was very thankful for the lady that sent it to me, especially since I had no idea it was coming my way. What a surprise! I had been interested in this book for a while, but had forgotten all about it, and didnt get the chance to purchase it. I thought it was a neat and creative way to pass time. And of course, a good opportunity for me to be “unperfect” for once, and not freak out over something for not being perfect, which, when it comes to books, I definitely do freak out over. So, I decided to get started right away on the book and make it my own. I decorated the cover, did the first couple of pages in the book, plus one page somewhere in the middle of the book.

I also read through some of the pages, and sort of cringed. Certain things the author wants me to do to the book, is almost heartbreaking. Compost it? Shower with it? Scribble all over the cover? Lick it? Ummm, no. But the book does say that instructions are open for interpretation, so of course I will find another creative way to destroy this book without being completely ridiculous.

Here are the results of the first few pages, and the beginning of my journey with “Wreck This Journal.”

Do you have a “Wreck This Journal” book? What have you done with it? Have you followed all of the directions exactly?

Filed under: Wreck This Journal Tagged: art, book, coffee, creative, keri smith, pencil, photo, poke holes, scratch, surprise, wreck this journal

Book #1 (January): Eat, Pray, Love

TheBlueMorpho — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:33:31 +0000

Welcome to my first Book Club for Post Crossers Post!
This book club is exclusively for Postcrossing members only.

Let’s get started by explaining the rules:

Each month a book will be assigned for reading. You are NOT required to read the book, especially if you dont like it, but it would make participating in discussions easier. If you absolutely dont like the book chosen or have already read it, let me know and we can find another book instead. You can find the books assigned in a store, local library, via e-reader, or online.

During the time you are reading the book, come back to the post for discussions. You may write comments about the book or characters, suggestions, ideas, questions, etc. You may also talk about craft projects or recipes you made or did in relation to the book, or attach a link to photos that relate to the book as well. You can also comment on someone else’s comments if you’d like to add something. I will also prompt new questions and discussions with my own comments as I read along with you.

Please be kind: no harsh words about the book or others who are commenting. We are all here because we enjoy reading, so let’s be nice.

Every month a new book will be assigned and all Postcrossing members who have joined will be contacted with the link for the new post. Also, all members will be contacted for any reason regarding the book club via the Forum or Postcrossing website.

After each month, I will post a question relating to the book we read. Whoever answers the question correctly will win a postcard from me. If several people answer correctly a winner will be chosen via random.org. The same person cannot win twice in a row. Members who did not participate in the club at all during the month, will not be counted in the lottery.

DONT FORGET: You can easily access the posts by going to the sidebar and finding “BOOK CLUB” in the category section.

Ready to get started??

This month’s book is: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I chose this book because it tells about a woman’s journey to finding a new beginning, and since January is the first month of a New Year, perhaps we too can find our new beginnings.

Summary (provided by WikiSummaries):

AHow liberating it would be to just cast off the reins of your current life and go on a year-long trip to three far flung countries of the world? Elizabeth Gilbert does that in Eat Pray Love, by embarking on her journey with specific purposes – one country for pleasure of the senses, another for spiritual enlightenment and the third to restore balance in her life. The resultant travelogue is a warm and lively read.

For the discussion, simply write a response below to any question. You may reply to another person’s comment at any time.

Join the Discussion:

1. What is your first impression of the book? What is your first impression of the main character?

2. What do you expect to learn or gain from this novel?

Discussion Project #1 - What 3 places would you like to run off to like the main character? Tell me why and dont forget to add links to pictures of your chosen places!

3. Watch the movie trailer. In a comment below, tell whether Julia Roberts represents or portrays the author in the same way the author represents herself in the novel. Does Julia emit the same amount of emotion and despair as the author does in the first few pages? What differences, if any, do you notice between the novel and the movie trailer, or even the movie itself?

4. Liz explains that she went to Italy seeking pleasure, but pleasure comes to her in many ways, including talking in Italian and eating. What gives you pleasure? Which country or place would you go to seeking pleasure? (Please keep this G rated.)

Book Club Dare #1- I dare you (optional) to do one of the following in relation to the first section of the book: Speak Italian with someone, eat at an Italian Restaurant, cook an Italian Meal, listen to an Italian song, or eat Gelato (especially if you’ve never had it before!). Leave a comment detailing your experience with something Italian and show how it made you feel. How does your experience compare to Liz’s experience in Italy?

5. Liz travels to India to pray and meditate in her Guru’s Ashram. Do you pray or meditate? Do you practice a religion that is different than the one you were raised in? Which God, if any, do you believe in? Do you think a person can know God?

Discussion Project #2 - Find a quote in the book so far, in either the Italy section or the India section. Write the quote in your comment, and tell why you like that quote the best. Does it inspire you? Does it resonate with you? Is it a good lesson, or peice of advice for someone else?

Book Club Dare #2 - Now that you’ve had a little slice if Italy, its time for a little slice of India! I dare you (optional) to listen to an Indian song (I recommend “Leja Leja”), eat Indian food, learn a few words in Indian or sing along to an Indian song. Describe your experience here in a comment below. And, if you find a great Indian song, please share it!

6. Liz returns to Bali after her initial visit with Ketut. Since some of the other things Ketut said would happen after reading her palm, did in fact happen, do you believe Liz went back to Bali because she was destined to, like her “palm” said? Or do you believe she went for another reason? Do you believe in destiny or fate?

7. Liz found love again in Bali. But Liz’s past, when it came to love, was also tumultuous. Where did you find love? Can you relate to Liz’s past love life?

Discussion Project #3 - Since it’s the end of the book, simply tell in a comment below what your favorite part of the story was, and why.

Book Club Dare #3 – For this dare, I dare you (optional) to listen to an Indonesian song, eat something Indonesian, watch the “Eat, Pray, Love” movie, or have your palm read. Write about your experiences here, or tell whether you liked or didnt like the movie.

One more thing before you go: Vote in the poll below and tell me how you would rate the book “Eat, Pray, Love.”

Take Our Poll

And that’s it! Thanks for participating this month, and I hope you enjoyed the book! Can’t wait to see you next month!

Filed under: Book Club Tagged: bali, book club, books, eat pray love, elizabeth gilbert, india, italy, january, post, postcrossing, read, reading, Travel

Postcards: Russia

TheBlueMorpho — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:33:58 +0000

Five more postcards arrived today from Russia!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: mail, post, postcards, postcrossing, russia, stamp, Travel

Postcards: The Netherlands, Iowa, Washington, & Alaska

TheBlueMorpho — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:30:36 +0000

Five more cards arrived today! The first card is a 3D card, and I also got my 5th (?) Postcrossing Stamp.

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: alaska, iowa, mail, netherlands, postcard, postcrossing, stamp, Travel, washington

Postcards: China

TheBlueMorpho — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:25:21 +0000

Four more postcards arrived today from China!

Filed under: Postcrossing Tagged: china, mail, postcards, postcrossing, stamp, Travel