Daruma delights

From Debbie, an amusing card, two Daruma dolls posing as Santa's elves, understandably grumpy (who wouldn't be grumpy with their workload?). Clearly they have done their job well as they have both their eyes!

Thanks Debbie, a winner as usual.

Frosty the snowman

This cute guy came to cool down our Christmas weather with a little frosty cheer. The grandkids love him Mayumi. Happy Christmas to you and your family.

Woof Woof!

That cheeky little rascal Tororo has sent me a Christmas card, Of course his mum Fumiko made the card but he has signed it with a genuine paw print on the reverse, clever  Tororo, I hope Santa Claus brings you a nice big bone to chew.

Thank you Tororo (and Fumiko).

A whole lot of goodness,gracious me!

Yes I am happy when a trip to the mailbox yields such happy results.
First cab off the rank is this delightful, very typical Shungo effort. A painting of a persimmon, my very favourite fruit in the universe!

Another delightful surprise was this sweet painting of berries and it's accompanying envelope from a new correspondent Corinne from La Belle France.

They look like a kind of acorn but Google translate is not much help, she doesn't know what an aubepine is.
 A lovely Christmas card from Fumiko using cut paper techniques and showing a shimmery snowy night sky using gold and silver paint.

Slowly bringing up the rear is one of Debbie's creatures, a very wise old snail trailing across some interesting textured washi, I can always rely on her for a droll creature but the words are inspiring, let us hope we can all follow this excellent example in the new year.

Thank you so much Shungo,Corinne,Fumiko and Debbie.

"The sweetness at the bottom of the pie"......

Just happens to be the title of a book I have lately read on the recommendation of Debbie (DosankoDebbie), It is one of those books like the  Harry Potter series, ostensibly written for a young audience  but appealing to all ages. A little bit like a junior Miss Marples. Anyway, I digress...I was reminded of the story when I received this yummy etegami from Fumiko showing a sweet potato pie she baked (and ate). Highlights of gold and silver give it that added sparkle.

 Thank you Fumiko (and Tororo her cuty-pie dog who stamped it with his paw).

The camellia man.....

Shungo, the man who loves camellias and who draws, prints and paints them so well has sent me this beauty.  It is a hand coloured print from a woodblock I think, very strong and beautiful.

No words on this but a lot of 'personality'. Thanks Shungo.

Mushrooms!

Mayumi has been doing a whole series of mushrooms lately and has sent me one. That is very appropriate as I don't read Japanese, I am like a mushroom completely in the dark about the meaning of the card but I do enjoy the softness and subtle colour of the painting.

Thank you Mayumi.