Swap-bot Time: September 27, 2023 8:32 pm
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manders2280

manders2280
Date Joined: April 22, 2011
Last Online: September 27, 2023

Country: United States
Postcrossing Profile

2023: A Year of Deserts

Updated 26 September 2023

To open my washi-covered envelopes, tamp the contents to one end of the envelope and, at the other end, snip off a bit of a corner, a little triangle. Insert a letter opener or scissors into the gap; and pull across the edge of the envelope, in the same direction as the washi tape. Here's an album of my washi-covered envelopes and some I received. Scroll slowly so your computer has time to resolve the details in the photos.

In June I went to Israel for ten days, for a friend's wedding, sightseeing, and a side trip to Petra. I recommend Yad Vashem, the Holocaust center in Jerusalem, and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. I stayed at a friend's apartment in Caesarea that's a nice walk to Roman ruins and the beach.

In April I visited a friend in Las Vegas. The weather was perfect, in the 80s. We went to Joshua Tree National Park (a UNESCO biosphere reserve) and saw the desert in bloom. Many flowers were quite tiny, from long-dormant seeds waiting for the wet winter, and there were desert dandelions, as prolific there as in our lawn.
desert dandelion

In February I went to Southern Africa and took a lot of photos — how could I not? You're welcome to view my album with more than 600 photos. There are many rear ends of animals walking away from us or ignoring us.

My kitchen is my craft room because I love cooking and baking. We are vegetarians, doing our bit for climate change. In Italy I tasted several kinds of savory flan, what I call crustless quiche. Now I have lots of new recipes to try. When I find a recipe in Italian, I open the page in Chrome for a pretty good translation. I make challah every Friday for Shabbat.

Postcards

I'm swapping naked postcards on Postcrossing and blank postcards on Swap-bot. It makes it easy to organize my incoming mail. A couple of exceptions: I'll continue to participate in the series Sender's Choice -----> with a twist! hosted by @susieq11 and World Postcard Day.

I send the blank postcards I receive to family and friends and people on Postcrossing. Please send colorful and cheerful postcards that you'd happily send your family and friends. I appreciate quality over quantity.

No, thank you. Sorry, no hearts. Postcards to color, postcards for Christian holidays and legends. Print on demand postcards like Zazzle postcards. Those cheap sepia 32-pcs Vintage Travel Sights Landscape Retro Postcards. Not childish like Distributed by Michael's Inc. designs. Please, no junk.

manders loves kawaii

Omurice is a wonderful quick dinner. I make it with Trader Joe's Japanese Fried Rice and extra frozen vegetables, thin omelettes we lay over the fried rice, and ketchup. And now it's turning up in kawaii like Ojipan and I love them all.

My favorite kawaii has a face. I love food with faces and anchovies with legs and animals in an unlikely milieu like cat servers at faux Starbucks. I enjoy most characters, especially San-X.

About Japanese kawaii brands: See Pattie's exhaustive list on the KSU group page. Counterfeit sticker flakes are turning up everywhere, from Ali Express and some sellers on Etsy. If it's a Sanrio character and doesn't have a copyright date, it's fake. If it's San-X and largish with thick lines, it's not the real thing. If the price is great, it's probably counterfeit.

No, thanks. Poo and bottoms aren't kawaii to me. 3D stickers from sheets and sticker flakes, especially PVC and puffy. Real photos made cute aren't so cute to me. Unicorns are too sweet for me.

Books Read and Recommended

  • Jane Austin. Emma is my favorite.
  • Gunnie Rose series by Charlaine Harris
  • Anne Hillerman's mysteries
  • Demon Copperhead and many more by Barbara Kingsolver
  • Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey
  • Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
  • Susan Orlean, especially The Library Book
  • Murder on the Red River by Marcie Rendon
  • The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner
  • The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

And many classics: Anna Karenina, The Call of the Wild, The Grapes of Wrath, Great Expectations, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lord of the Rings, Middlemarch, Villette, Wide Sargasso Sea

No, thank you

  • Christian holidays, etc. I'm Jewish.
  • Ephemera, scrapbook paper, die cuts, and the like. I won't use them.
  • Extras. I have plenty of kawaii, stickers and washi tape. The extras I send are more of what the swap is for, e.g., an extra postcard or kawaii sticker flakes. Sometimes I write long chatty notes.
  • Food. We keep kosher and we are vegetarians. Most flavored teas aren't kosher.
  • Glitter, sequins and other tiny metallic or plastic bits
  • Pigs.
  • Planner items. My iPhone is my calendar, a holdover from my career as a software engineer.
  • Plastic, if possible. Reuse those bubble mailers!
  • Tobacco smoke residue aka thirdhand smoke. See also thirdhandsmoke.org.
  • Unicorns, except the Unicorn Tapestries dating from the late Middle Ages.

Ratings

jeka396 rated for Note on a Postalette 11 on Sep 26, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thanks so much for the lovely note on a Peanuts postalette with a Peanuts stamp! So well coordinated!
Response: You're welcome. Coordination by USPS. Their stationery always comes with coordinated postage stamps.
5
rating
Comment: I really liked this pc! It is a fun one! Thanks for sending it! Have a great Fall!
Response: You're welcome. Fall always comes too early here in Minnesota. Lots of leaves ready to rake now.
sebastian122 rated for KSU: Meet me... at the Zoo on Sep 20, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Matching the washi to the theme is just such a nice touch. Thanks for all the goodies. XOXO
Response: I rise to the challenge!
susieq11 rated for Three Postcards in an Envelope #10H on Sep 18, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for ALL the profile related postcards and another beautiful washi covered envelope! I love Meredith mail - thanks so much for joining my swap! xoxo
Response: I always enjoy sending to you. Thanks for all the swaps you host.
Christine6035 rated for Non-Touristy Postcards #52 on Sep 17, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the awesome cards!!! I love the presentation and washi envelope 😍 I hope you have a safe trip and fun visit next month!
Response: You're welcome. I love using my washi tape to share it.
simcoe54 rated for Places I Haven't Been #9 on Sep 17, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Great pcs. Thanks
Response: Places I wish I'd been! You're welcome.
ccmmsu rated for KSU: Pick your poison: 25 Flakes on Sep 15, 2023
5
rating
Comment: I know you said you prepacked these, but it's like they were picked for me. Especially the large hedgehog flake. I love them! Thank you, Meredith!
Response: It's on of those supernatural things - I somehow knew you'd be my partner and I knew exactly what you like.
Bavarija rated for 5 Postcards to 2 Partners #252 on Sep 15, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Hello, Thank you for great selection of cards. Have a nice day. Evelina
Response: You're welcome! I'm glad they arrived safely!
5
rating
Comment: This WHOLE swap is just proof that you love me best! XOXOXOXOXO
Response: I do!
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the neatly packaged and pretty washi samples. Love the purples and blues! I appreciate the nice note as well.
Response: You're welcome. I enjoy putting together swaps.
5
rating
Comment: Nice PC's, thank you!
Response: You're welcome!
kydestar rated for Three Postcards in an Envelope #10G on Sep 10, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Hi Meredith, Excellent selection of postcards & happy to read you enjoyed your travels through SA, Botswana & Vic Falls.
Response: You're welcome. That trip was the best I've taken in quite a while.
TeaNi rated for CPG Just a Note + Tuck In #33 - US on Sep 5, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Hi, again! You wrote #32 on this swap, so I was confused for a minute, because I already rated you for that, so figured it must be this one, haha! :) Anyway, thank you again for a lovely note and pretty tuck ins. You've been busy- hope you get to enjoy lots of rest and relaxation with your family once everyone gets settled in!
Response: Rest? Ha! We are just starting the rounds of vaccinations for the 65+ crowd. You're welcome. I enjoy making swaps to send.
5
rating
Comment: OK, the mole washi tape is SO CUTE!!! Your presentation is just wonderful. All swaps should be this awesome.
Response: Thank you! I have another mole delivering mail. They are from Paper Treats. She has a too-wonderful selection of washi tape.
TeaNi rated for CPG Just a Note + Tuck In #32- Global on Aug 27, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank you- I really enjoyed your note. You have a great tone when you write about your everyday life... reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Anne Tyler. Hope you make it to one of your tentative destinations this winter. I haven't been out of the US- well, except for one evening in Victoria, BC on an Alaskan cruise- since 2016. It's high time to plan something abroad I think. Although I'm also trying to visit states I've never been to. Thanks also for the lovely postcards. Cheers.
Response: You're welcome. Thank you for your lovely comment. Sometimes my notes and letters are little journal entries.
diesel101 rated for Non-Touristy Postcards #51 on Aug 26, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the lovely selection of postcards, Meredith. I loved them all! I enjoyed reading your letter, and the envelope was beautifully decorated! Happy swapping :)
Response: You're welcome. Happy swapping to you too.
CMBOND rated for 5 Postcards to 2 Partners #252 on Aug 26, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thank you so very much for these fantastic postcards! They fit me prefectly!
Response: You're so welcome! I'm happy when I choose a good fit!
5
rating
Comment: Woo-hoo! Lucky me to not only get this wonderful swap from you, but a 2nd gratis envie of equally fantastic cards. Thank you so much, my friend. The envies themselves are terrific with all the unique & gorgeous washi designs; your writing paper is exquisite; & the postcards you chose for me are all absolutely spot on! The Nick Cave Soundsuit (right up my quirky little alley) will ultimately be shared with a clown friend who now lives in Alaska. He'll appreciate the Greatest Show on Earth toy featured in Cave's ornate creation. Much more to say but I'll save it for a separate communication. So enjoyed your letters as well. Muchas muchas gracias.
Response: You're so welcome! Nick Cave Soundsuit is from our local art museum. Let me know if you'd like more.
sebastian122 rated for KSU: I would like, please... on Aug 19, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Suzuran - Seaside Hotel. Suzuran is Lily of the Valley. =D Thanks for the goodies. You have to know they've come to a loving home. XOXO
Response: And you've been to the seaside!
JtttK rated for Kawaii Happy Mail Swap USA #60 on Aug 18, 2023
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for all the goodies and cute envelope!
Response: You're welcome!

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
5.0000 2593 108 115
Completed Fives Threes Ones
2211 2825 0 0
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
13 1868 330 0
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Currently Hosting

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Comments

OrigamiGrace on Sep 14, 2023:

Wowee!! Thank you for all the gorgeous Parisian pcs from PC tag in the pfs!! Love them! Lucky you!:) Merci beaucoup!!

Highlander18 on Sep 11, 2023:

❤️❤️❤️ Sept WW - Love all the cards you sent - so very special - the animal one is a hoot. The cards are an awesome addition to my collection. Your outside envie is outstanding. I can never get them straight. ugh!

sebastian122 on Sep 3, 2023:

Your album of washi is MAGNIFICENT! The one below mine is to die for!! Thanks for the link. I'll drool daily, I'm sure.

fbresnah on Sep 3, 2023:

Thank you so much for the postcard and stickers for the August wish list! Love everything!

sebastian122 on Sep 3, 2023:

Thank you for the too cute postcard. Did you go to the state fair? =D

ChrisAnne on Aug 28, 2023:

Thank you for your effort to get me onboard with the Kawaii craze. I will admit the ones you shared are cute. My dislike may be that I’m not a cutesie fan to begin with, but who knows. I will admit being drawn to the tapes of a bear delivering mail and a lamb with postcards and calligraphy pen.

Thank you again for the fun happy mail!

kiddomerriweather on Jul 27, 2023:

How cool is that can!?! Thanks for sharing!

kiddomerriweather on Jul 22, 2023:

Thank you so much for adding to my hotel/motel PC collection. It was such a nice surprise to find in my mailbox. I love old motel signs, so I really love this card.

susieq11 on Jul 20, 2023:

Thank you for the oversize postcard with vacation ideas for WW July! I appreciate it. We are still at a standstill, lol! I guess we have time though. Hope you have a nice day and thank you for thinking of me. : )

LadyJo on Jul 19, 2023:

Thank you for the awesome glitter postcards! They are so pretty! Never seen any like this! Thanks for sending me these wishes for July WW!

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