A Bookring Arrives From France

I've had parcels arriving throughout the week; and it's wonderful when something like that happens, isn't it?  
Well, today's parcel was from France and is part of a Bookring.  For all of you who aren't Bookcrossers, I'll let you into this great idea.  A bookring is where you want to share a book with a group of people because you love it.  So, you register it on Bookcrossing.com and ask on their Bookring/Bookbox Forum if anyone would care to read your chosen book as a bookring.  After a few people take an interest in it, you sort out in which order and where in the world it will travel and send it on its merry way.  After around 2 years - give or take, depending on how many people you have on your list - you book will come back to you in a very well-read condition.  
The Bookring I've taken part in is 'The Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers' by Xiaolu Guo.  I have yet to begin reading it, but the premise on the back looks good. 

American Stretchy Book Protectors

Yesterday and today have been days of great things arriving in the mail.  I haven't received a single bill, but all the great fun stuff has been arriving... and I love it!
Yesterday, I had a thick envelope show up in the PO Box and so I opened it and out came two stretchy book protectors - one black and one a vibrant purple - and they looked beautiful!  They also came all the way from America as we can't get them here.  thank you so much LittleWhiteBird.  I'll use these a lot - along with the ones I already have.  I just love the colours and how they fit so well.

Birthday Parcel from Birthday Buddy Arrives!

On Bookcrossing, I have a Birthday Buddy.  We are lined up with them each year and if we're happy with them, we keep in touch and send each other gifts each year on each other's birthdays.  It's a lot of fun and I look forward to this time of year each year as it's a great give and take thing.

Well, today, I collected my parcel from the post office, but didn't open it as I had to get myself to the bus stop to get to my volunteer work.  Once there, and before it poured rain, I pulled out the cake for the day (before I found out that there were already two other cakes in the fridge) to share with the other volunteers.  Then, I pulled out my parcel and opened it at the front desk with my partner volunteer who worked with me today.  She was amazed that I received a present from somebody who was ultimately a complete stranger; and yet, we were so generous to each other.  I said that was main idea of Bookcrossing; it's a trust thing and it putting your trust in other people.  She loved it that there were so many good books inside such a small bag; and loved the coin purses, saying that my devotion to collecting them was wonderful!

So, I must say a big thank you to froggirlwendy for sending me the most wonderful present of five books, two coin purses, writing paper and inspirational quote and a lovely card (which will join the one on the piano from Mum and Dad).  I can't wait to get into reading these ones over the next few months - or better still over Christmas!  Thank you again, and happy reading!

Label Exchange From Shemchin.

I received two parcels today at the post office.  The first one was from Shemchin chock full of labels, bookmarks and stickers.  I opened the parcel at the post office, but didn't realise how full it was until I got it home.  

As I opened this parcel, I pulled out a collection of labels, sheets of home made labels, stickers, two bags and some postcards... all of Bookcrossing!  Thank you very much for this wonderful lot of labels.  I'll definitely get in and use them this year.

A Parcel From My Birthday Buddy.

Today, I received a wonderful parcel from my Bookcrossing Birthday Buddy.  She lives on the other side of Brisbane and we swap pressies every year; and I haven't forgotten her birthday... and neither has she forgotten mine.  Last week, I posted off her parcel of five books to her and today, my parcel arrived for my birthday.

It was wrapped in bright orange paper with a gorgeous golden card with a fairy on a mushroom reading a book on the front.  Inside the wrappings were two books, three coin purses, chocolates, a picture frame and a stationery set.  What a lovely collection of pressies.  I love all these things; and can't wait to read the books, they sound like a good read.

I sent Froggirlwendy a trilogy of books by John Twelve Hawks about two brothers.  The books are called 'The Traveller', 'The Dark River', then 'The Golden River'.  They were all bought new, but I found I couldn't get past the first book; which was really well-written.  Then, I put in two paranormal romances (not vampire ones, just interestingly different romances) because I saw on her Mt TBR, that she liked to read romances too.  Well, I hope Froggirlwendy enjoys her presents as much as I have.  Happy Birthday, and I hope you receive many wonderful presents and have a wonderful day; as good as I had.

Book Box Arrival and Birthday Greetings too!

I was late getting out to the post office today... but when I did, I found a few little things there waiting for me.  One was a blue parcel pick-up card.  I went inside to pick it up.  I'm always excited when there's on of these in the PO Box as it always means one of my friends has sent me something very cool to me.

When I went inside, I found I had a postcard too from Finland.  How lovely!  I love getting these things.  They are so cool!

The parcel was a box from New Zealand and it was quite heavy.  So, I couldn't wait to get home to open it... and I found it was a book box that Sfogs sent over; with a very cool little birthday card inside too!  I'll figure out which one I have to read first, get in and read it, then, I'll place the card on top of the piano with the other two I've received.  Thank you Sfogs for sending the very cool parcel and the card.  How lovely!

A Mystery Birthday/HGG from London!

Well, today is my third day in a row to have received a parcel from across the miles; and what's even better is that it's a birthday present!  But the only part of it I opened was the card.  I wanted to know who sent me this wonderful and thoughtful gift for me two weeks shy of my 37th birthday!

And it's footymadgill from London who's been so thoughtful and wonderful. Thank you so much for sending me a lovely pressie for my birthday.  I look forward to opening it on my special day.  Yep, I can wait that long for it as I love receiving pressies on my birthday.  So, I'll keep it in the lounge room in the same cabinet where I keep my art gear so that I know where it is and will open it on the day.  Also, I'll upload another photo of it fully opened so you all know what it is on the day I do. Thank you again, footymadgill!

Around The World Reading Arrives!

I've taken part in a Book Read 'Round The World experience; and my parcel arrived today with my book of choice inside it!  About a week or so ago, I was notified via e-mail that it had been posted off and so I was expecting it soon.  And I was expecting only the book; but when I opened it, I pleasantly surprised to find all these little gifts inside it from South Carolina!  

I've never been to the USA and from what I've received from there, I'd love to visit one of these days.  And this parcel just cements my wishes to see this country more!

So, thank you very much, Courtney, the lovely gifts and information about your part of the world - and America.  You've told me things about your state I didn't know; and I'll definitely give the recipes a try, if not my family.  My brother loves to cook!  Thank you again.

Mixed Favourites Book Baggies Returns Home

There are times when I have the fun of organising a Book Baggie.  Sometimes it's themed; sometimes it's not.  This one was a Mixed Favourites one.  This means you can toss in any book you loved reading and recommend to anyone to read.  I also included a little pink plastic pencilcase that was for any goodies that may be collected and swapped along the way.

When I posted the baggie off four months ago around Australia, there wasn't much in the pencilcase and the baggie was full ( and I think it was a 5kg bag).  And it came back in a 3kg bag bursting at the seams with books; as did the pencilcase.  And just look at the amount of books that you all sent to around to each other, checked out, swapped and packed back in!  The last person on the list - Juli2007 - must have had a little trouble with packing the bag as when I unpacked it on the kitchen table, I couldn't re-pack to take it upstairs.

There was so much in the pencilcase too!  From a mini-bible to teas, moisturisers, sunscreen, bookmarks, ear-rings, stickers (loads of those!), magnets and other cute things!  And the books were of a wonderful assortment!  I even got two of my own back... how brilliant the world works.  And the funnier thing was that I couldn't fit the pencilcase on the table with the books; and so had to take a separate photo of the contents... how's that for amazing?

Thank you all for taking part and for all the wonderful goodies that came back home safely... well, I do look forward to next year's 'Mixed Favourites Book Baggie'... don't you? 

A Big Bag of Goodies!

Wow!  It's been such a long time since I received something... a month or so!  And this morning, I felt really down as I have new neighbours who are making me feel very depressed because of their attitude toward me.  So, it was a total surprise to find a parcel pick-up card in my PO Box when I arrived at the Post Office; and an even bigger one when I found out it came from Julie2007!  

Thank you so much for all the great goodies inside this one from your desk clean out!  There's ear-rings, rings, post-it notes, joke American $1 note and Australian stuff.  I found all kind of bracelets and a tiny deck of cards along with dozens of others cute things too.  Just have a look at the photos!  I couldn't fit all the things into one photo and had to take two separate ones to make it all fit!  Wow!  And Julie2007, you gave me some great stuff to put into the Surprise Parcel I'm giving away soon.  Thank you so much for this!  

I Opened The Envelope From JulesPaige

I received this rather thick envelope the other day; and it said on it not to open it until 14th, February. However, I've noticed that everyone on Bookcrossing were already opening their goodies, and thought it wouldn't hurt to open it. And so, I have to discover the most gorgeous card I've ever seen!
Isn't it lovely? Seeing I've never received a St Valentine's Card like this (or ever) for over a decade, this card is like nothing I've ever seen! It's so pretty and well-made. I'm wondering if JulesPaige made this one or bought it. And just look at the detail inside it! I had to take more than one photo of that interior. But I chose only one.

Thank you so much for the gorgeous card! I'm not sure if I should give it to the person I have in mind; or keep it until next year. I'll have to put it away for the next few days and see. JulesPaige, you've given me something to think about as now, I have two cards to mull over to give to someone; that's if I have the courage to give him the card.

An Aussie RABCK!

I love getting mail! And it seems that a lot of the parcels that were supposed to arrive on Monday arrived today. So, when I looked inside my little PO Box, I found this parcel and blue pick-up card. I had some things to post off anyway, so I went inside to collect my parcel and to organise my parcels to send off. I also opened the parcels I had received in case there was anything fragile I should know about - but truthfully, I'm excited about receiving books and parcels that I just love to open them. And this one was from earthangelash; a prize in her Aussie RABCK she hosted.

Thank you so much for this. I do look forward to reading the book and have decided to add the heart into a parcel I'm organising today to be sent to the coast to Tinina67; the first person in my 'Mixed Favourite's Book Baggie'. Where the heart goes from there, well, it will the way of fate, but it will still travel.

Bookmarks from India

Today was shopping day and so I had to leave early to get myself working with my bung foot; and boy! Was it sore today! I went to the post office on the way to the bus stop and found a letter from the Customs and Fisheries people in Sydney. Now, I don't get these very often unless something has been sent where it had to be opened; and this one was. In the letter enclosed, I read that some leaves had been removed to be destroyed. Now, I hate to remind the sender of this lovely gift, but you have to be careful what you send to Australia. If you have any doubts, I'll put the Australian Quarantine site up on the sidebar here.

However, I'm here to thank lils74 for sending me this lovely card (which looks like it's had some water damage unfortunately) and these three bookmarks! They will most certainly come into great use this year. Thank you very much.

Book Labels from Hyphen8!

In the mail today, I also received another piece of mail; however this one came further than the Christmas card. Enclosed in this pretty envelope, was book labels from BC and hand-made book corners, and bookmarks. I love them all! They are so beautiful and will most definitely be used in the most suited books to match them all! This may take some time to put them with books to match them; so they may sit for a little while until I find the right book to suit.

Otherwise, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity as it's the small things that make everything else in life worthwhile. Thank you so much, Hyphen8 for making my day!

My First Christmas Card.

Now, we come into the time of giving and receiving. Yes. It's Christmas-time; and I do love this time of year. However it's not the receiving of the presents I love, it's the giving to others. And today, I received my first Christmas card through the mail from another Bookcrosser. I must thank Junequeensland for sending this lovely card to me.

Junequeensland and Glenystasmania and I met up in Brisbane City in October. And even though the day was wet, we had a lovely time at the Pancake Manor and 'Archive Bookstore' on Charlotte Street. They were absolutely astounded at how big the store was and vowed to come back and make a day of being there. I do look forward to seeing one or both of them back here in Brisbane again next year.

A Belated Birthday Gift.

When Loey came to pick me and Stevie up this morning, she told me there was a parcel for me in the car. Once I got my little bird settled in the back seat, I opened front passenger door and found the parcel that had traveled a long way from Pugwash, Canada. Yes! Queenfrog, your parcel arrived safe and sound after being in transit for so long. As we drove along Logan Road in the heat today, Unwrapped the many little gifts you had picked out thoughtfully one by one and I must say that I love each and every one of them!

Thank you so much for putting the thought and time into this present. I really do love the book cover. It will be used this Christmas when I'm down the coast - as the salt air really isn't good for books down there. I have found a place for everything from my parcel of goodies you sent to me; no matter how late it has arrived. You are wonderful!

HGG - From New Zealand!

I unwrapped this one and was taken back to New Zealand by a wonderful friend! You see, I have been to the South Island; but it was a long time ago and I just barely remember it, because I was very ill when I returned. All I have left is a photo album of photographs of places I don't remember and a diary of memories I think I had (sounds sad, but really I don't remember being there all that much). Anyway, as soon as I opened the calendar, I saw Milford Sound and completely remembered that trip!

Thank you so much for this beautiful gift Sfogs! The coin purse is gorgeous as is the card you chose. I love it all! And one day in the future, I'll have to return to New Zealand and see the place at my own pace.

A Set of Oregon Earrings!

Yesterday, Loey received a box on the front doorstep and called me about it. Seeing we were going to see each other that night, I waited until last night to pick it up and open it. Inside this box was a lot of packing beans and in amongst it all, wrapped in green paper and in a 'Made In Oregon' bag was my birthday present from ajijic! I unwrapped the items and found a beautiful magnet and the most gorgeous pair of Oregon Jasper earrings in the box! I loved them so much that I wore them out that night to dinner (It was my Uncle's birthday dinner; I thought it would be perfect). Then, came the cards... inside with the birthday card was an array of postcards of Oregon and Portland; and then a photo of ajijic's darling dog! And the next card was a Halloween card!

I love this present as I could wear these straight away and I'll find other times to wear them as often as I can. Thank you ajijic again for these wonderful presents.

Arty and Fun

This was the last one that I opened yesterday at Loey's house; and there was plenty of things inside! There was no first thing that caught my eye; but I do love the arty postcards and the Donald Duck stickers; they're so cute! Mum loves the birthday card which has 'Happy Birthday' in your home language on the front (I love that kind of thing too); which had joined the rest of the birthday cards on the piano. The Anne Geddes note book will be put to great use as will the bookmarks and post-it notes.
Thank you so much chamonix44 for sending all these cute and lovely things to me for my birthday. They'll most definitely find a place in my house. Some of them will be used in the Bookcrossing basket Loey gave me.

Inksmudge And Your Gorgeous Cards!

What can I say about Inksmudge and her trademark beautiful hand-made cards. They are one-of-a-kind and I love them. Last year, I received one with my screen name on it and I still have it on my bookcase next to the computer (Yes, I love it that much it's become part of the furniture.). Then, you sent Loey a birthday card this year for her Love Bomb (and she loves it too; telling people how well-known you are for your cards!).

And then this one showed up yesterday in Loey's letterbox. I was out and about at Garden City when I was told about it. When I arrived, I was thrilled to find the most gorgeous birthday card waiting for me. And isn't it lovely? It's now joined the rest of the other cards on my Grandma's piano for the next few weeks; until I put them into the purple basket that all your parcels came in. Thank you so much for sending this beautiful card. I love it and the verse inside is just lovely. You truly have a talent.