lostinavalon

I am a 43 year old wife of 24 years and mother of 9, 7 still at home. I have 4 boys and 5 girls aged 23 down to 10, and one new grandson! My husband and I homeschool our kids, a job that is mainly mine since he works full time as a software programmer.

I am a Torah Observant follower of Yeshua Messiah (aka Jesus). Yes, this means I am a CHRISTIAN by colloquial standards (there's been some confusion here) but I wanted to specify that I am a Hebrew believer in case you are too and we can connect!

I love studying History and English literature, and I enjoy reading historical fiction and most nonfiction. I also like sewing and all kinds of crafting. I love anything tea-related and pink, cottage, shabby chic styles. I love Steampunk, botanicals, and dolls. My favorite time periods are the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian eras. My favorite artist is the painter, Johannes Vermeer.

We do not celebrate most common Western holidays but instead observe the Biblical feasts as Torah pursuant Messianic believers. Please don't send holiday related items. We spend a lot of time at home and have a pretty relaxing life!

Seasonal note: I don't celebrate any common holidays like Halloween, Christmas, or Easter. Instead, I observe the Biblical holidays and feasts. Please only send Biblical/Jewish related holiday items. Thanks!

Right now I'm really desiring POSTCARDS! I've revived my Postcrossing addiction and need more to send out!

I'd love a photo of your surroundings and/or info on your part of the world. I'm a geography junkie!

I'd LOVE to have anything from or about Israel.

I LOVE friendship bracelets! I've worn them since the 3rd grade and will as long as I live!

I'd LOVE a French Canadian cookbook or anything related to Quebec, French Canadian history, or northern France.

I'd LOVE to have some England themed ephemera for my VERY large England travel Smash Book.

I'd LOVE to have some Steampunk or CIRCUS themed ephemera and supplies.

My heritage is French Canadian (Quebec) and New England---would love recipes, history, ephemera, photos, anecdotes, books, anything related to these areas.

Things I Love:

Kewpie dolls

circus

strawberries

postage stamps (especially UK)

Amish anything

Jewish/Messianic anything

postcards

England

France

Israel

birds

frozen Charlotte

dolls

Quebec

New England

Victorian

stickers (no school/award related)

maps

stationery

Arkansas

Oklahoma

Oregon

I love doing most crafts! My favorite themes are Circus, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian era art, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, Kate Greenaway, vintage styles, shabby chic, cottage style, children, flowers, and places in Europe like England or Paris. I love to do paper crafts and anything "girly". I love to do altered art and would like to learn to paint roses and other flowers.

Pink and green, pink and brown, pink alone :)

Tootsie Rolls are great for sending chocolate to the hot and humid South!

Tea: mint, lemon, hibiscus, caramel, vanilla, berry, English Breakfast. I don't usually like green teas.

Please nothing containing pork or pork gelatin. I don't drink coffee. I don't like black licorice. I don't like cherry flavored things.

Candles: cinnamon, "baked" things like apple pie, pumpkin pie, etc.; eucalyptus, fruity; most Scentsy bars

Lotions & Bath Products: lavender, rose, lemon verbena, almond, light florals

I have no allergies to scents. I do not like the scent of cherry.

Paperbackswap.com Wishlist

I'm a BookCrosser...are you? Let me know! I'm currently enjoying books set in the Tudor/Victorian/Edwardian ages of England and America's Gilded Age, as well as nonfiction about these subjects. My favorite genre is Classics---anything 1940 or so and earlier. I've especially enjoyed work by Henry David Thoreau, Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Wilkie Collins, Louisa May Alcott. and the Brontes. I enjoy some Christian fiction, some nonfiction, and art books. I like non-murder cozy mysteries but have a hard time finding them. I love to read about art history.

I DON'T read romance novels, sci-fi, murder mysteries, anything involving graphic violence, sex, or any sort of negativity toward children.

**Please DON'T send:

non-Biblical holiday related items, loose glitter or confetti sprinkled in the envelope, quotes, school/awards stickers, advertisements (sometimes these come on bookmarks or postcards :( )

I won't use stamped images. I might use home computer-printed images but only if they are good quality and relate to my profile likes.

I won't use skulls, dead stuff, zombies, angry/scary/rude humor, etc. In fact, I'll probably just throw those things away.

I won't use those kids craft foam stickers. I don't mind kid-type stickers for decorating envelopes, but not the die-cut foam ones used in kids projects.