fruits and berries

strawberries and apples from Russia - on a round stamp no less! these are part of their 'gifts of nature' series from 2003

below is the lower value Canadian definitives that came out in 1992.  Mistassini Quebec has a blueberry festival every August which may be the reason it was chosen for the FDC issue.

1¢ - blueberry from the temperate climate of eastern Canada
2¢ - wild strawberry grows across Canada. apparently there are three different types: woodland, field and seaside (found only in the west)
3¢ - black crowberry from the Arctic where Inuit and Indians dried or froze them and brewed the twigs for tea.
5¢ - rose hip from wild roses, one of the richest fruits in vitamins (25x vitamin C more than an orange). black crowberries and rose hips can both be used for sugar substitutes.
6¢ - black raspberry grows in moist to dry woods, mainly used for cooking and preserves
10¢ - kinnikinnick, the only one I'd never heard of before, grows in the north. they are high in carbs and considered a survival food. it seems to be known as 'bear berry' in French so it must be a favourite of the bears who are not eating blueberries
25¢ - saskatoon berry apparently has about 15 different names throughout the country. they make excellent jams and pies

now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll head out and find some pie... or something otherwise fruity for lunch.

SundayStamps

grave post - Moor/Hughes

in memory of

Thomas Moor Jr 

killed in action at Batoche NWT May 9th 1885

Isaac Hughes 

died at Battleford NWT September 1st 

from injuries received in action at Batoche May 12th 1885

Private Moor was only 18 years old and Private Hughes was 20 when they died. They were part of the Tenth Royal Grenadiers who fought at the Northwest Rebellion.

I didn't actually notice the inscription on the base - this was taken during the tree walk and I didn't want to get too distracted, but the carving just needed a photo. After I uploaded it, I found the names. According to Mike Filey's Guide to Mount Pleasant Cemetery, there is also an almost obliterated inscription on the west side that reads:

The Officers, non-commisioned Officers and men of the Royal Grenadiers, congregation of Elm Street Methodist Church, the teachers and pupils of Ryerson School and a few citizens have united in erecting this stone to the memory of those whose names are hereon recorded as having lost their lives in the service of their country.

Batoche was a settlement on the South Saskatchewan River that was the headquarters of Metis leader Louis Riel. The siege lasted three days before Riel surrendered in defeat and Moor and Hughes were two of the eight Canadian soldiers killed (there were 16 Metis deaths)

Janeites

While reading the latest modern rewrite of Jane Austen's works - Emma by Alexander McCall Smith - I remembered that I had these lovely stamps waiting to be shared with you all for SundayStamps

I'm  not sure which of Jane Austen's books was the first one I ever read, but I know that the only one I have a copy of is Northanger Abbey, and only because it is bound in red leather and matches my copy of Little Women. This was from back in the day when I would buy (mostly) used books based on their covers and would exchange them if I found a better one or add to the collection if I found another with a different cover design. After several moves, and a difficult decision to start culling many of my books, the first to go were the novels that could easily be found anywhere (like a library). Although it did remind me of a bible, I quite liked the plain red leather book with the attached red ribbon book mark, so those two are still on my bookshelf. I'm not sure I would ever read either of those copies again - I need books with slightly larger print now that I am 30 years older.

And now I collect stamps and postcards which take up a little less room, but the same principle applies: I still like to have several versions of the same thing.

White House

Last week I featured a postcard from the state of Washington. this week we have the city of Washington - specifically the White House which suffered the ignominy of being burned by the British during the War of 1812 on October 29th, 1814.

the second card is from the early 1920s and shows the North Portico, built in 1829, the top card from the 1960s shows the South Portico, built in 1824.

show who you are

  Back in September, there was a Fashion Night on PC Hooftstraat in Amsterdam. This is a street full of luxury shops, like Prada, Tiffany's, Chanel, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton... you get the idea.  This would be your chance to walk in to any of these stores and perhaps not feel out of place (or at least have someone acknowledge you while knowing you are not likely to buy anything). The street was closed to traffic and filled with fashionistas shopping, posing, eating and drinking, photographing...

some people watched from above in their apartment balconies, but the most fun was down on the street with the crowds and the offers of a glass of bubbly and some cheese or chocolate, or maybe ice cream

there was entertainment that included musicians and dancers. you can read a review of the night here

and people taking photos of the other glamorous people                                  

as well as a horse drawn carriage

I was quite fascinated by the footwear, but as it was getting dark and the feet were usually moving it was hard to get many good shots. none of these shoes look particularly comfortable.

In the end, I didn't buy anything although my cousin couldn't resist and managed to carry a bag or two. it's a short street, only about 3-4 blocks, so much of the time you saw the same people (especially those with the more outstanding fashion sense) walking back and forth...

I'm sharing this Monday Walk with Restless Jo

and Lesley's signs, signs

Washington

There are truly so many different variations of these large letter postcards. I'm not sure of the date of this one but it was published by E.C. Knopp who sold the company in 1956. I'm also not sure what to make of these axe wielding men and their headgear and no lumberjack shirts, but taking a cue from them this looks like an early 1950's design. Also, the Grand Coulee Dam and the Floating Bridge were both built before 1942.

The images inside the letters:
Mt Rainier 
the State Capital building in Olympia
the Grand Coulee Dam
locks in Seattle
totem pole in Pioneer Park, Seattle
Snoqualmie Falls
the state flower (rhododendron)
Olympia National Park
Floating Bridge on Lake Washington 

Washington State seems to like Floating bridges as they have three of them over Lake Washington alone. I believe this one is the Lacey V Murrow Memorial Bridge (official name), built in 1940. It sank in 1990, but was rebuilt and now carries eastbound traffic with a newer floating bridge running parallel (built 1989) for the westbound traffic.

The totem pole has an interesting history. Originally in a Tlingit village in Alaska, a group of businessmen touring Alaskan ports stole it in 1899 and took it back to Seattle where it was erected in Pioneer Place Park. Apparently, everyone in the village had been out fishing when these "prominent Seattle citizens" chopped down the pole.  When an arsonist destroyed the 60' pole in 1938, the city (with some cheek) sent the pieces back to the Tlingit tribe who carved a new one and gave it to Seattle (after finally getting paid for the one that was originally stolen)

PostcardFriendshipFriday.

a tree walk

I met up with a friend in Toronto on Saturday and we joined a crowd of about 80-100 other tree enthusiasts for a guided tour around the arboretum at Mt Pleasant Cemetery

altogether the cemetery spans over 200 acres in a park like setting and has several miles of walking paths interspersed with fountains, statues, gardens, and rare and distinct trees. (as an aside, through the gates you can see the monument a certain Mr Steve Stavros had put up for himself which I posted about here).

there are interesting opening times listed to accommodate the variable dates of the time change

it was a rather dull day - usually good for photographs, but not especially for capturing the brilliance of fall colours.

okay, actually it was cold, the first cold day we've had, with a threat of rain all afternoon, but almost every one of the large crowd stuck with the guided walk for the duration

we learned about some of the many unique, and not so unique, species of trees in the arboretum and why they turn yellow or red and when, and some of their good and bad points. for example, the Norway maple is an invasive, non-indigenous tree that is planted all over Toronto. many love the massive shade it provides, but also lament that no grass will grow under the tree - because of the massive shade. it appears similar to a Sugar maple but one of its distinguishing features is that it is the last maple to change colour. so the one above is definitely not a Norway. 

this distinct maple is a long way from its natural habitat on coastal BC and northern California. 

we know it's a Vine maple as every tree has an identifying tag 

a few trees even have the original wooden tags still hanging on after more than 200 years








and, by the rugged condition of this poor willow, it is quite possible that this is one of the +200 year old trees in the cemetery

sharing this Monday Walk with Restless Jo       and signs, signs

autumn

Autumn in Finland. Each year, Finland issues fall themed stamps.
These timely ones both arrived this week - and neither one was cancelled!

I couldn't find anything about the artist or designer of these fall themed stamps from 2013. 

Sunday Stamps

sunbathing at a motel

My Postcrossing wishlist was recently changed to include any old postcards of motels - even used ones - and to my surprise, I've so far had three sent to me. This beauty arrived today from Chris in Michigan.

I especially like the sunbather on top of the motel sign.  This place is not only steam heated, but also air conditioned. And you have the new fangled telephone in your room!

The back of the card tells you that the White Village Motel is one of London's most modern motels with a swimming pool. Each air-conditioned unit has wall to wall carpeting, T.V., telephone, bath & full tile shower. Restaurant is adjacent.

In trying to date the card, I googled the name and found it still listed on one site, with the same name and phone number. No postcards, unfortunately. But when I did a reverse phone number look up, I found it had become Knights Inn, a recently renovated motel near the airport.

The website tells you that 

The Knights Inn has a charming family atmosphere with family rooms available. All rooms are recently renovated and feature a microwave, fridge, and free high speed wireless internet.

We have completed all our Daily Room's Furniture, Carpet and Decor changes in year 2012. All our rooms have LCD TVs with all major cable channels.

We also feature coin operated laundry, and vending machine one site. We have security System monitoring entire property. All rooms have drive up access with free parking. All rooms have free local calls.

Good to know that there is still a telephone in every room. Though it seems the restaurant may have been replaced by a vending machine. And no mention of a pool.

The above (in italics) was pasted directly from the website - perhaps they need someone to help with their grammar?

PostcardFriendshipFriday.

Thanksgiving Birthday

the baby just keeps growing.

lacking a bit in the hair challenge, though.

she's at least a bit less messy than last year!