Hoppy Easter!

Wishing all that celebrate, a very Joyous Easter!

(From another of my favorite holiday PhotoImpact Tutorials by Stephanie Baker-Thomas.)

My Status for the next 36 hours

In the kitchen #youdontneedfoursquareforthat

And then work.

Chag Sameach, a Happy Passover, to you and yours!

Hellas

Hellas, a set on Flickr.

Hard to believe that it’s been nearly six and a half years since our trip to Athens and Santorini. Greece is both familiar and exotic at the same time and I fantasize about returning to those lovely sites and especially the ones we didn’t have time to visit on this trip.

Via Flickr:
Athens and Santorini..this time.

The weather, cool, windy and mostly sunny, was perfect for walking, which we did everywhere. This was our first vacation in ages where we didn’t see the sights from a car window and I was thrilled.

Dear Postal Service

I am disgruntled. The number of cards and letters that I send by regular mail and which subsequently disappear into the ether without ever reaching their destination is dramatically increasing.

These days, when it is so much easier, quicker and, frankly, cheaper to send greetings by email or from a thousand and one online greeting card websites, there are still those of us who choose to spend our money to send mail by regular post. We treasure the experience of thoughtfully picking out or making a card, sitting down and writing snippets from our day or sending greetings across the miles. Once dropped in the postbox, we then imagine the face of our loved one when finding an unexpected envelope in their mailbox, their anticipation of opening it and then holding and reading the greetings which have journeyed to them from so far away.

I gave up sending checks or money as presents by regular mail long ago, as apparently it is just too much of a temptation for some, even if taking it is a felony offense. Now when illicitly opening my letters all they’ll find is “love and kisses.” Sadly, even they don’t reach their intended recipient any more. Explain to me then why I should throw out good money after bad to send my love and heartfelt congratulations, good luck wishes, condolences, prayers for speedy convalesce and festive holiday cheer by registered mail to ensure you hand-deliver them to the homes of my nearest and dearest when I have already purchased that service by buying a stamp and sticking it on the envelope and which, according to your declared service contract, you are then supposed to deliver.

As time goes by, and as fewer cards arrive at their intended destination, it is reasonable to assume that I will choose alternatives to sending cards by regular mail. In my view, that is a loss for both of us.

Sincerely,

(Lyrics)

It’s a Gingerbread Christmas

Still my favorite PhotoImpact kit and tutorial for Christmas by Stephanie Baker-Thomas with a few subtle additions including my Icings preset, which you can download directly here until January 2nd.

Over on “Letters Home,” Ian has written up a wonderful tale of another gingerbread house (and follow up).

And little did we know this was going to turn into an Internet meme!

Gingerbread Houses 2011 gallery - distinguished renditions of the culinary custom share.yhoo.it/6xP

—
  (@Flickr) December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh and thank you @chrisbrogan for pointing out that Straight No Chaser’s “The 12 Days of Christmas” is on youtube