Canada - Rothesay, NB

I really love it when I get a letter with a miniature or souvenir sheet is used on the cover.

Issued on May 17, 2012 the souvenir sheet above was issued to celebrate 100 Years of the Calgary Stampede. It bears the permanent domestic rate stamp (CAD0.61) showing a horse with classic western riding gear and the US rate stamp (CAD1.05) showing the 2012 Calgary Stampede belt buckle.

The other stamps used to make up the postage was a block of CAD0.05 northern bumblebees from the Beneficial Insects series (issue date October 12, 2007). The first in this series, this set of low value definitives also feature the convergent ladybug, the Canada darner, the golden-eyed lacewing and the cecropia moth. 

India - Bangalore

A first day cover from India celebrating  the Festival of Lights. This is a joint issue celebrating 20 years of diplomatic relations with Israel .

The stamps were issued on November 05, 2012. Both Deepavali and Hannukah mean Festival of Lights. The stamp from India shows a row of traditional earth lamps representing Deepavali and is issued in denominations of INR5 and INR100. The stamp from Israel features a menorah with a Star of David and is issued in NIS2 denomination each.