A POSTCARD FROM OUR ARMED FORCES

Since 1991, I have been writing our members of our Armed Forces wherever they are serving in the world. After September 11th, only postcards- not closed letters or parcels were allowed to any Canadian Services members. Families, of course, could send their gifts to their loved ones.

I find the locations through the National Defense site. All mail goes to the Canadian address before it is shipped overseas. My letters printed on festive paper with the address of the location is folded in half and taped so they can be scrutinized.
Over the years the responses from some of the personnel are my treasures. Our family is always thanked and often a little personal information is shared. Knowing first hand what the mission entails is always very interesting.
From Bosnia to Timor to Afghanistan to Golan Heights to Sierra Leone to Haiti- to name a few- messages and greetings have been exchanged. Sometimes a picture is even sent. Lots of school children now send letters so their correspondence is usually answered.

Sometimes our family letter is answered because the person lived in Barrie or East York, feeling a connection to us. There is still time to send an email to our troops. Just go into the National Defense site and follow the links. If not raise a glass on Christmas Day, to honour them!
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

MY CHRISTMAS BLANKET-CANADIAN STYLE

As many of you know, I love hand crafts. Crocheting is one of them. I made this Christmas blanket or afghan as some would call it a few years ago. It comes out for a month or so in the Christmas season to keep me warm or have a snuggle on the couch beside my Christmas Tree. The red, white and green are the season's colours. They also could be Italian or Mexican as they have those colours in their flags! So you could make a Christmas blanket but pull it out for Italian and Mexican visitors as well! This blanket used many small balls of scrap yarn. There was no pattern- just did each row with a stitich that suited the texture of the wool!  I find myself this year working on another afghan with the same theme in mind- to use up some scraps but this time in fall colours. A purple knitted scarf is also on the go. Sometimes I feel like crocheting and sometimes knitting. The handcrafting activity allows me to sit with busy hands and watch those sappy Christmas movies without the feeling I should be busier! It is very relaxing to sit and enjoy! Since the project has no deadline, there is a sense of contentment. Should Christmas be just about being busy? Can you find some activities in your day to find the peace and contentment of the season? If not come to my house, I'll teach you to knit or crochet or you can just enjoy my company as we have a good gab or watch one a movie or two!