This time it was a wonderful drawing by Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, known by his mathematically inspired impossible creations. Two hands drawing each other, but -- which hand is the 'real one' and which hand is being drawn?

I am about to die of cuteness. Before joining Postcrossing, I have never heard of Jetoy cats before. Once there, I noticed these postcards were very popular and no wonder they are. These illustrations are superb. Jetoy is a Korean company and this character is called 츄츄캣 (literally, Choo Choo Cat). On this card, white and black kitties are enjoying a trip in the hot air red balloon. ♥

My first Choo Choo card! ♪

The stamps, however, aren't related to the postcard (how cool would be to have Choo Choo stamps?!). I recall one of Limner's Dutch readers once complaining about these stamps. The funny thing is the came uncancelled. There isn't a single scratch on this card. Did the postofficers respect Choo Choo cats and protect them devotely? Who knows.

This is the kind of painting I would love to had hanging on my walls. The Romantic style was, in my opinion, the best of all. I loved receiving this postcard of IJsgezicht met houtsprokkelaars (Ice Scene with Wood Gatherers) by Andreas Schelfhout, 1849. I can't imagine how would I feel the moment someone sends me a postcard of any of Friedrich's works and I open my letterbox to find it. Especially if it's The Sea of Ice, which this card reminded me of. Will I die of happiness?

On the back of the card, this gorgeous stamp of the Skinny Bridge over the Amstel river in Amsterdam. Looks kinda melancholic with those lights and I think it matches the card Romantic's air nicely. I am glad to know the Netherlands have beautiful stamps besides the postcrossing commemoratives, which are proving hard to get.

This is Rotterdam... but everything except for the white bridge --Erasmus Bridge--  is fake! There was a competition of the best city and this was the promotion card for Rotterdam made by Rivka de Jonge.

Easter

My second Easter postcard came from The Netherlands and it is a lovely illustration by Silke Leffler. I liked it very, very much!

Postcrossing

Not long after H.M. Queen Elizabeth II I had another royal visit, this time from the Netherlands: the Dutch Royal couple at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria & Daniel Westling in Stockholm, June 19th 2010. I don't really like the gown she was wearing that day (she looks so stuffed in it that reminds me of a sausage!) but I am delighted at their visit because of their bright smiles. Now that the Dutch Royal family is having such a hard time looking at them so happy brings me a hint of hope.

I received this card on their 10th wedding anniversary. I still remember that day clearly -- I coulnd't attend their wedding on TV because a classmate was getting married on that day too. It was sunny and warm, spring just around the corner. May you live happily for another 100 years!

Postcard from: The Hague, the Netherlands.

Received: February 2012.

Language: English.

Envelope: no.

Stamps: one Europa 1. Geeft groen. Licht stamp from 2011.

Thank you, Chantal!
{NL-1021452}

Postcard from: Zwolle, Overijssel, The Netherlands.

Received: February 2012.

Language: English.

Envelope: no.

Stamps: one Floriade and one b/w sleeping child. Plus colourful stickers!

My first official Postcrossing postcard arrived today. As I have asked for "typical things of your country" I couldn't be more happy with it.

This smocking mill was built in 1829 and restoration was completed in 1980. The base of the mill is in use as a tourist information office. The sender herself took the picture and chose very beautiful stamps. I wish we had these priority sticks in Spain too!

Postcard from: De Wijk, Drenthe, The Netherlands.

Received: January 2012.

Language: English.

Envelope: no.

Stamps: one December 2011 and one 100 Jaar (years) circus Herman Renz.