simplicity and pleasure.  it is what i seek out of my everyday existence.  there are little things - the few lingering moments when my girls crawl into bed with me in the morning - we stretch our limbs in unison while holding each other and welcoming the day; lighting a candle every night at dinner - the glow a ritual, prayer and my daily reminder that my brother is somewhere in the world - offering life and limb for us; my espresso - made on the stove every morning and filling the entire house with intoxicating scent of promises.  little, simple pleasures that fill me with a quiet calm.

another such ritual, but one that induces more palpitations - is our pen pal day.  we actually do not have a designated day - we write when it moves us - though at least once a week.  this is a new ritual.  several years ago i was one of the first members of the letter writer's alliance - an amazing little organization dedicated to the hand written letter.  through the LWA, i was connected with my first pen pal.  she is a most dedicated and inspiring pen pal.  even when i could not bare to sit and think of something to write about, her letters continued to arrive - full of enchanting art and beautiful script.  i am happy to report that in the last few months i have been holding up my end of the chain much better.  and once the ritual began, it became addictive.  i wanted to write more.  surely i could write more.  i wanted to post letters all over the world and as i began to turn again to the LWA to request a connection, it occurred to me that i have already connected with some unbelievable people the world over in the last two years.  and so, at first unbeknownst to them - some of them are now my international pen pals {i think you ladies know who you are *wink*}.  

while a delicately hand scripted letter is always my goal - i love sending treats - whether they be own art work, or someone's that is currently inspiring me... i love the details, the extras... the love.  some things i am wanting to add to some of my up coming packages:

~ lindsey is a print-maker and polaroid-taker - enter the ideal marriage - these amazing little letterpress books are handmade and designed to fit polaroids - my favorite part is the back cover where you can note the camera you used, the film, subject and date.  can you imagine receiving one of these in the post, full of light and magic? *sigh*

~ amanda {not only one of my favorite photographers, but one of my favorite people ever - that is why she is one of my international pen pals - did you know this amanda? ;) } has finally opened up shop featuring her dreamy polaroids.  imagine gently separating the flap of your envelope to reveal such beauty...

not only do i love including such lovely little things in my notes to friends and family, i love the ritual of the process itself.  the feel of the paper between my fingers, the sound of the pen gently scratching it's way across the surface - dancing in time to my pool of thoughts.  my absolute favorite pens right now are the stabilo point 88 - i have a pack in my bag, on my desk and next to my bed.  i am addicted.  and tape - oh how i love thee - right now i use this collection of tape to seal everything - a gift from a dear friend who knows me frightfully well.

and my adie fey writes with me.  she is an exceptional artists and draws with great detail - she practices her penmanship with little notes hugging the characters on her paper.  she posts letters to her cousins, her friends afar and her friends next door... the ritual continues... may you be so inspired.

xoox~jla

Comments

[emily]

i love handwritten letters, too. i learned this, i think, from my grandmother who lived half of each year overseas when i was a child. i remember, when faxing first became widespread and my father would fax her, she would say, "it's nice. but there's nothing like a handwritten letter." so true.

(and i keep those same pens in my bag all of the time!)

[rachel]

I think handwritten letters are one of the greatest treasures, for sure. What a lovely ritual Jen!

[jla]

what a memory to have emily - and the letters you must still have from her!

rachel - so true - i loved your post about the letters between you and your husband. i had to smile because i have a stack but they are printed emails - wish they were hand-written but we courted while on the same ship in the navy and would email back and forth *sigh*

[erin]

so lovely. i received a handwritten note from one of my sisters just a few days ago. she wrote on a colorful page torn out from a magazine and fashioned herself an envelope from magazine and tape. it was the first bit of mail i got in my new apartment, and i am so very glad for it.

[lina]

Just recently discovered your blog. It's absolutely beautiful. I like these nice things your see and write. Thank you for sharing.

[Jen]

I have the fondest memories of a pen pal. When I was 11 we were given pen pals in school from a different state. Well I kept writing to her and we wound up going to the same college. We had a class together and also would meet every friday for lunch. I miss doing that and have often thought of writing again to someone. Such a lovely think to do, even if it's once in awhile.

[Amanda]

!!!!!!
I'm so excited!!!
Have you sent any out yet, because I move to a different country in 3 weeks lol
You are the best xxxx

[hannah]

i think we might owe adie a letter?

[jla]

erin - that sounds like an amazing little something to receive in the post!

welcome lina - thank you!

jen - i think you might already have one ;)

amanda - yes - sent both a little something and the note cards to your mama!

hannah - i was thinking adie owes eliot?

xoox

[Anna]

you have the luckiest pen pals! i love all the careful packaging required for sending things off. it's an art in itself.

[Jen]

i know...i am very lucky...*giggling*

[Carol]

This post has inspired me to go out and buy myself paper and envelopes today, I so miss the days when friends and I would share snail mail.

[christina]

i love hand written letters. i began writing my pen pal, when i was 14. 25 years later, we still send each other letters. we have even seen one another over the years. It is lovely to bring our families together and share stories of how we began friends.
: )

[vanessa joie]

How lovely. I love the way writing feels - letters and journals and notes and funny little poems, and have a vast collection of pens. Thanks for the link to the LWA.

[chez danisse]

I didn't know there was such an organization as the Letter Writers Alliance. I adore handwritten letters. Thank you for the introduction.

[amanda]

Such a beautiful thing to share with your girls... there is something so wonderful about receiving a handwritten note... so wonderfully personal. My husband and I have a notebook... we write messages back and forth, not daily - but when the other needs it or least expects it. It shows up on a pillow or the nightstand, smiling. It stays there until we feel like writing back.

The hwa sounds like a great idea for my girls... thank you so much for sharing the link!

I'm so glad I found you... this is a place of beauty that I look forward to visiting more often!

[sunny]

beautiful blog and such great ideas for writing letters. I am going to write one out right now to a friend. I like your idea of having extras to include in the parcel or envelope!