Mail overload!

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^My eight year old nephew, Colin, is an art genius. Actually, the kid is a genius all around and has been reading since he was a toddler - seriously. I'm so excited he sent me "Wolf"; it immediately went from envelope to refrigerator, thus the magnets around it.

^ Postcard from Micaela and note from Claire.

The lovely Micaela was so thoughtful to think of me while visiting Baltimore. She loves local artists (me too!) and shared delight in some of our coincidental similarities!

The fabulous Claire sent along this sweet note. It is wonderful to hear how well her life is after facing some stressful months of uncertainty! Claire, my darling, I am so happy for you!

Not only did her note include so many sweet little tidbits, but the envelope also arrived with a baby bump. That's right, my envelope was pregnant with this adorable pin bird! I LOVE IT. So cute.

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My love for writing convinced me to sign up for the Dear Darling Penpals hosted by the lovely Melissa at Oh, My Darling. And I am so glad I did. Look at the bountiful results thus far:

^ Letters from My Dear Darlings Alex, Jill, and Chantele

I'll have a special post this week for you to "meet" my My Dear Darlings.

My Dear Darling Alex's note had a sweetie pie on the back of the envelope. I love details like this!

If you too would like to correspond with such creative and fabulous bloggers please go visit Melissa and sign up. It is still open and the sooner you sign up the sooner your penpals will be assigned! What fun!

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I delight in making new friends and connecting with old friends. But I sure do love getting love from my family too!

^This little piggie is from my Mommy. She is a huge supporter of my life and my academic pursuits, it was nice to have a little card to welcome me home from my trip to take care of my grandparents and to wish my luck on the semester.

^ My aunt sent my hubby and I a shared package filled with books and a cute little glittery purse. She knows I like the extra excitement caused by opening each thing separately.

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Remember my post about the photo hunt for a swap. The images I received came from Tish and Kathleen.

Tish took photos in Florida which included Charles Ringling's grave from the Circus Ringling.

And some folks who appear to have been tight rope walkers at the circus. Tish says, "I just love that great quote! Life IS a circus :)."

The last one shows a decapitated Mary. eep!

Kathleen stated that she visited several cemeteries but that all her photos came from one in St. Louis, Missouri. She included a note which described the history of the cemetery. It was established in 1853; new laws made after the cholera outbreak in 1849 stated that all cemeteries, including this one, had to be made outside of the city. The photos she included:

"slightly creepy" monuments of the Sarpy/Morrison baby cribs.

The General Sherman, famous for setting fire to cities during the American Civil War.

And a headstone that has been used in numerous artworks and re-stylings. I too am intrigued and touched by the heartbroken angel.

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My mailbox is just as happy sending things on as it is consuming letters from others. The comings and goings of mail makes me sigh with happiness.

My mom in Virginia and my nieces and nephews in Texas are each getting this fabulous little postcard from the Buffalo Bill Museum. I liked this postcard and the interesting day associated it with. So I have several more copies for various penpals.

Little notes to my three nephews in Pennsylvania.

A birthday card for sweet Claire. With a mini magnet that reminded me of her and her shoe obsession.

Some silly little notes to introduce myself to My Dear Darling Alex, My Dear Darling Jill, and My Dear Darling Chantele.

^A note to Micaela, and then because sometimes I just can't stop writing, I sent along a postcard too (inspired by our favorite Pride and Prejudice of course)!

Some ATCs for the Art Therapy Alliance, who hosted an exchange based on "Collage Unleashed." You'll see these in a post soon.

And two more ATCs for Lee who organized an exchange based on the prompts "Summer" and "Fashion." I'll post pictures of these in a different post also.

And of course there were photos from the haunting hunt and Buffalo Bill's grave mailed off to my swap-bot partners, Bonnie and Dee.

There were a few cards here and there that I forgot to get a picture of, but by now you are probably praying for this post to be over! ha.