T Stands For Happy and Surprise Mail

 

 It's time once again for T Tuesday, where we share a drink related post.  Before you ask, I have fixed my sewing machine.  I spent three really frustrating hours yesterday (Sunday) just looking for a screw.  I thought I was prepared.  I placed all the screws in a bowl in which I had also placed a magnet in the bottom.  However, as I was moving the bowl, I tripped over my broken anti-static mat that sits where I normally have my sewing chair and the screw was obviously not attached to the magnet.  Needless to say, I was very, very frustrated.  Hopefully that also explains why I didn't visit most of you yesterday.   I'll try to make up for that later tonight.  As soon as I finish this post, I will be in my sewing room working on tip-ins.  Sadly, there is no time to make handmade Christmas cards this year.

Today we are meeting in my very cold dining room where the sky outside is overcast.

 

Does the Dutch Stroopwafel look familiar?  You saw one on Carola's blog last T Tuesday.  The idea is to heat it over your hot drink.  As it heats, it softens the caramel and turns into nearly gooey goodness.  After I saw Carola's I thought it would be the perfect time to open my package I had received as a gift from my friend RO!.  And I have another Stroopwafel for later.

Be sure your mug or cup is about the size of the Stroopwafel so it heats evenly.

Now it's time for me to share my surprise and happy mail.  I admit, I'm getting pretty good with the smudge tool!

I say surprise because I was NOT expecting any of these cards.

I'll start with the first card I received, which had this quirky postage stamp.  I wish I had time to learn more about this stamp, but maybe Deb will let us know about it.

The envelope impressed me because I LOVE cardinals.  I'm sure many of you have seen them in my main floor bath, where they live permanently.

 

There was even a cardinal on the back of the envelope, but there was also a TREE.  LOVE trees.  Must save this tree.

Ah, the Forest Service would be proud of me, even though I took forever getting it off the envelope without tearing it.

Inside was this amazing and gorgeous photo of cardinals.  I am going to find a frame (I have tons that size) and add it to the collection I have in my bath.  Thank you SO much, Deb.  It's a gift I can proudly display year round.

The next two cards arrived at the same time, so I will start with the one from Australia.  To say I was blown away when I saw this envelope and stamp is like calling the Queen Mary a rowboat.  I love the Noel and wreath on the stamp.

I am also going to save this air mail sticker, which is very different from the ones coming from the UK.  Is that the Southern Cross on the sticker?

The card inside is stunning.  I took about 25 photos and they all looked like this.  This is one of those cards you just have to see in person to truly appreciate the coppery beauty of it.  I guess I need to mention it came from the host of Monday Murals, my blogging friend Sami of Sami's Colourful World.

Inside was a gift that was out of this world.  Sami's gift is priceless and worth more than words can say.  Sami explains that the RSPCA (equivalent to the ASPCA) has been around 150 years and these are some of the animals for which they have influenced and written policy for these animals' welfare.  Thank you beyond belief, Sami.

My final card features a postage stamp of a member of a Mariachi band.

My dear friend RO!, who now posts exclusively to Instagram, where I can't see what she is up to, LOVES stickers.  And so do I.  This is a real cutie.

Speaking of cuties.  This is a real gem.

Inside was a gift appropriate for T Tuesday.  I will drink this soon.  On the same day, I also received a gift from RO! who asked me to wait till Christmas to open, which I will gladly do.

Maybe you can see how the Stroopwafel has begun to distort due to the heat of my coffee.

 

Now it's time to share your own drink related post.  It can be gifts you received, photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, mail art, junk mail, catalogs, books, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, handmade cards, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, a favorite mug, cup and saucer, teapot, coffee pot, or even a wine glass. Regardless, please join us by linking below.  Bleubeard and I will gladly visit, as will other T participants.  Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Bleubeard would like to remind you that old photos are acceptable because they may be taken any time, not just on Tuesday and not just this year.  Please remember to visit your fellow T participants.

I bet you thought I had forgotten to share the sandwich I had.  

  NO ONE guessed correctly.  

  What probably threw you was the fact I didn't order the bread as shown in the menu.  However, see the AuJus on the left.  Yes, I was craving that roast beef, so got a French Dip with brown bread instead of a hoagie bun.  Sometimes I just have to give into my cravings for meat.