"Red-Letter Day" At the Post Office! by Weezilou

"Red-Letter Day" At the Post Office!

"Snail Mail" takes on a whole new meaning when you're excitedly awaiting an arrival and it doesn't seem to permeate the Canadian border from other countries very fast. We need to remember to go into town to pick it up from a mail box, so forgetfulness on our part can also cause a delay. After our morning walk (no rain!) Ken made the run and returned, calling out, "You've got mail!" Imagine my delight to receive both a package from our own Allison Williams http://365project.org/allie912/365/2010-08-19 and a letter from the Vatican in Italy! How cool is that, on both counts?! When I saw Allison's repetition photo of "Flat Allie", I suggested she send me one to take traveling with me this fall. (It's based on the children's story of "Flat Stanley" and his world travels) She included a little journal, so there's already Entry One about the company she kept upon arrival! While I'm not a Catholic, I think it's a very exciting prospect to sit in a Papal audience. Last month I wrote, requesting the letter we'll need to present to receive our tickets to this weekly event at the Vatican. My picture today allows you to look over my shoulder and share the mail I received!

And if you've been following my ramblings each day, I have to share that the dinner table sported a blueberry-muffin accompaniment. This recipe was *awesome* as Billy, David, Ken and I will attest! Barbara Harris had left me this note with her comment, and I suggest you run over there immediately to accept her offer..."You might like my blueberry muffin recipe I posted to my blog last year. http://www.winosandfoodies.com/2009/07/blueberry-muffins.html Add the blueberries frozen. They are less likely to burst when cooking." It makes a dozen muffins, though I doubled it and we'll enjoy them for breakfast, too!
That is the cutest thing ever! I can hardly wait to see how you incorporate Flat Allie in your travel pictures. You're the best friend, Louise. :)))
September 10th, 2010  
although this is the techno-age, isn't it the greatest to receive an actual LETTER that someone has written with their own hand?! i love it!
and i cannot wait to see the adventures of 'flat allie'!! that is just so fun! (:
likewise, i can't wait to hear of your vatican excursion! i'm not catholic either, but you can't pass up that wonderful experience!!
looking forward to 'experiencing' these things through your lens!! (:
September 10th, 2010  
Lol, this is soo cute! :)
I'm glad your blueberry muffins were awesome, theres nothing better than a good muffin, although I'm partial to chocolate chip myself! ;)
September 10th, 2010  
How exciting on both counts! I love the "flat Allie" idea; so cute, and I'm looking forward to seeing the photos! And it will definitely be neat to sit in on a Papal audience. Thanks for letting us read your mail. ;-)
September 10th, 2010  
You sound so excited Louise. It sounds as though you are going to have a marvelous time.
September 10th, 2010  
Oh, and I also meant to say thank you for taking the time to view and comment on my photos. I know just how busy you are, and it means a lot that you take the time to stop by and say hello.

Your travel plans for the fall sound fantastic. Do you happen to have room in your suitcase? I'm fairly small! ;-)
September 10th, 2010  
Too cute, Louise :) Thank you so much for the birthday wishes! =)
September 10th, 2010  
I LOVE the flat Allie idea! Also, I'm thrilled for you to be in the weekly papal audience (I'm not catholic either). Whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist - it is one GOD, just different customs and rituals.
September 10th, 2010  
Talk about feeling honored! I' m excited to think you might find a spot in your pocket to take me to the Vatican too!
September 10th, 2010  
Louise, what an exciting mail day for you!! I immediately recognized the "Flat Allie" - I loved Allison's repetition photo! How wonderful of you to take it travelling around the world! And a letter from the Vatican - this is not something you get every day!! Thank you for that peek over your shoulder! We are sharing the joy and excitement with you!

The blueberry muffin recipe sounds delicious! I'll be sure to make it this week! Our nephews are big muffin fans and I baked some almond popyseed muffins yesterday especially for them! Tyler is so cute, he calls them "mupins" ;-)

Thank you so much for your sweet comments! I am so happy we have the same breakfast likes! The cookies from my photo are not home-made, but they taste delicious. Me and Jeremy love them, and when we see them in the store we always stock up. They are called Anna's thins, and they are actually made in Canada. You have probaby seen them, here is the website for more info: http://www.annasthins.ca/ The cinnamon flavor goes perfect with the cappuccino! ;-)

I always love reading your notes! You are such a happy and sunny person, no wonder your days are filled with good friends and exciting events! Have a wonderful evening and sweet dreams, dear friend! ;-)
September 10th, 2010  
What a great mail day! All I ever get are bills and supermarket flyers... I hope you have a great trip in the fall. Looking forward to pictures of new and exciting places!!
September 10th, 2010  
please get us a picture of you, ken, dill, and the pope!
September 10th, 2010  
wow! that's amazing! are you going to italy specifically for this? or on a trip there anyhow? my in-laws are going in a little over a week! **jealous grin** someday we'll go... I hope! can't wait to see your pics from THAT trip!!
September 10th, 2010  
What an exciting mail call for you! And I love the flat Allie project!
September 10th, 2010  
This is so cool! That Allison is so very clever!
September 10th, 2010  
We love Flat Stanley and think this is great. Thank you for sharing your letter full of exciting news with us.
September 10th, 2010  
i love flat stanley! my class is going to do it this year! such a fun picture!
September 10th, 2010  
I love "Flat Stanley"! I had to send him out when I was taking a Children's Literature class in College. My family loved it! Making a personalized one is even cuter (great idea Allison!) A friend from work did this for one of our co-workers who retired earlier this year (to put together a scrapbook to show her that she is still with us everyday). It was very fun!

Wow, I can not wait to hear about all of the people that you will befriend while you are away this Fall! I love getting mail as well. It is one of my absolute favorite things!

I also thoroughly enjoy blueberry muffins, but have never tried making them myself. I think that putting the blueberries in frozen is an ingenious idea, I hope to try out your recipe sooner or later! Sounds great, thanks for passing it along to us - your lucky 365 friends!
September 10th, 2010  
btw ~ hug received, glad that you enjoyed my Muppets song. It's the same quote that I put on my photo of the goodbye cake for one of my students. I think it is one of the most fitting quotes to keep in your head when making a round of goodbyes. Keep it in the back of your head...hope it helps! : )
September 10th, 2010  
I was able to attend an audience with the Pope when I studied in Rome in '71. Enjoy the event in November. How fun to have Flat Allie to go on some travels with you. Should be fun. Fun photo of great snail mail.
September 10th, 2010  
what a great way to start the day receiving such special mail. I must get the ingredients for the muffins they sound yummy. ( thank you so much for the wedding anniversary greetings.)
September 10th, 2010  
How fabulous. I tried to read the letter before reading your words and at first thought it was an invite to an audience at Oprah or some TV show. I'm looking forward to your photos for that day. We'll all be saying "who's that up on the balcony with Louise?"

I'm so glad you enjoyed the muffins.
September 10th, 2010  
Dill and the Pope, know wouldn't that make a great picture. :) Nothing better than getting mail. I never tire of that giddy feeling.
September 10th, 2010  
So fun! What a great day on the mail front. Enjoy the event at the Vatican, what will it be?? I was there in 2006 but just got to see the then very new Pope Benedict from the window.
September 10th, 2010  
Oh, I'm so jealous! A Flat Allie to travel along! I should have thought to ask if Fraser could join you on your adventures (but he takes up a bit more space ...)!
September 10th, 2010  
Wow, this is just too awesome!
Snail mail is so exciting to get now a days, weird to have a thought process like that but that's technology for you eh?
I think it's marvellous that you are able to attend the general audience in the Vatican. I'm not sure how many people outside of it are allowed to attend, but you're the first one that I know to go, so kudos definitely.
Then on top to get all those cool things from Allison. That's really cool.
Thanks so much for sharing. I think this is so great! :D
September 10th, 2010  
Thanks for letting us read your mail! What an awesome trip you have in store...and so will Flat Allie. Have you considered taking a 'Flat Dill' with you on your travels also? Sounds like the next months will be filled with photo ops way beyond my pictures of my country life. But that's okay, I'll enjoy those sights through your daily 365 journal. Thanks so much for sharing your life...tell Flat Allie to be careful and to stick close - we don't want her wandering off and getting lost!
September 10th, 2010  
Ahh so that is the same event I went too, it was really nice and it did have a very fun vibe. Although it was just my wife and I so he didn't read our name! :)
September 10th, 2010  
I love reading this every day. The picture is wonderful. What a great idea! A long time ago, a friend made me a "Cynthia" doll as a joke (from the RugRats) and she went everywhere with me for a while. I think I still must have her around somewhere. I should dig her out.
September 10th, 2010  
what an exciting day,mail-wise! I had no idea there was any such thing as writing a letter to the Vatican, let alone getting a reply!!! I can imagine your excitement!! Can't wait to see pictures of you and Ken and undoubtedly lots of new Italian friends (and the pope)!
September 10th, 2010  
Wow! How exciting and what fun. Love your photograph today.
September 10th, 2010  
Gotta love good old snail mail!
September 10th, 2010  
How fun! Thanks for passing along that tip on blueberry muffins - great idea!
September 10th, 2010  
what wonderful treats that you got in the mail! i can't wait to see your pictures of the vatican, i'm sure you will have a lovely trip and make a lot of new friends :)
September 10th, 2010  
fantastic story and photo! Sounds very exciting!
September 10th, 2010  
Congratulations! Make sure you take pictures of the audience - if allowed!
September 10th, 2010  
This is such a cute idea--I love Flat Stanley. Ha to what Carolyn said--yes, a Flat Dill would be great. I don't know if I missed a post--but he stays behind in Nova Scotia, right?
September 10th, 2010  
I love the idea of a flat project and I definitely think Flat Dill is an awesome idea!!
September 10th, 2010  
Very cute.
September 10th, 2010  
what a lovely way to spend your day, i thought allison's cut-out of herself is soooo cute. i really enjoy reading your caption as always!!! i can smell the blueberry muffins....yum, it's one of my favourites!
i am amazed at the idea of how you and other 365'ers make contacts beyond this website! i just think it's wonderful!
September 10th, 2010  
Cool! I've never been to Italy! Nice shot! Thank you for visiting my project.
September 10th, 2010  
Nice picture and your letter can be read clearly. Have fun at the Vatican, it is on my list of places to go before I die.
September 11th, 2010  
Re: Aw, I wish I could take him for the winter for your neighbors! I'll miss Dill!
September 11th, 2010  
Sounds like "Flat Allie" is going to have some great adventures real soon!
September 11th, 2010  
Hey WE made the popular page!
September 11th, 2010  
How fun that you're doing a Flat Allie project! Todd & I started our relationship doing a "Flat Kevin" (my nephew) project together. I'm very jealous that you are going to Italy....sigh...
September 11th, 2010  
I may have to start calling myself "flat allie" on 365!
September 11th, 2010  
A letter from the Vatican - WoW!
I was there in '77 and unknowingly walked in on the Pope speaking. I was so oblivious that I thought there was a tour guide talking to tourists. Finally I realized there was a service going on. DUH! I don't remember which Pope that was but it was the one that died a short time after becoming Pope. Obvously, I'm not Catholic either.
September 11th, 2010  
This is wonderful beyond words for me. You know my love of the handwritten note... Wow.
September 12th, 2010  
Thanks for sharing your exciting letter.
I have visited the Vatican, but not been in the audience - that will be very special!
Great photo!
September 12th, 2010  
Wonderful picture! I think Flat Stanley is such a wonderful idea! :)

I also have something that I have been meaning to share with you..and I still might in a photo. Thank you for posting the idea about postcrossing as I have joined the site and have received five postcards so far. Let me say that it's been wonderful to come home from school and to go to the mailbox and see this postcard from France and just smile. It gives me something to look foward to...and it's because of you and your picture on this project.

I guess we truly really never understand the effects that we have upon others, do we? It's like throwing a stone into the water and watching the ripples go out...and out... and out...not know you will you touch.
September 12th, 2010  
that reminds me of flat stanley. i liked that book.
September 12th, 2010  
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