So, I am in a pickle. Yes a pickle. You see, tomorrow is the birthday of my most best friend, and love, in the whole world. The person I adore snuggling up next to on the porch, and watching nature roll by. The person who makes me feel totally happy and loved. The person I love to bits. The person who takes part in all of my antics, and believes in (plus encourages) all of my nonsense…
Don't get me wrong, he can be more rotten than me.
But percentage wise, he is overall pretty nifty.
So, yes….
Did you guess?
It is the birthday of Mister Lovee.
A total gemini.
The thing is, he wants nothing.
He said he just wants me to be my lovely self all day long.
Which means, I can't be rotten.
Okay, done (I hope).
And, when I asked him if I could make him a special dinner, he thought about it for a moment, and then said "sandwiches."
For pete's sake!
What shall I do?
I can't get him to budge.
I need to get swimming on an idea, like yesterday. Any thoughts?
I am on my way to the store to get ingredients for a cake for sure.
Plus, I am baking a whole slew of other treats, because on Thursday we are celebrating my Dad's birthday, which is actually on the 17th. Can you believe it?
But, what, oh what, do I gift my most beloved Lovee?
I was thinking something funny?
Or something homemade.
He is a hoot, has a hilariously wicked sense of humor, and he is a musician too.
As you can imagine, over the last decade I have come up with all sorts of gifts (including surprise parties at midnight), but this year I am simply stumped.
I want it to be lovely.
This is the man who I lovingly say to…"Lovee, you really are my soul-mate."
Then he looks at me quizzically and says, "cell mate?"
And I say, "ya, sure, your cell mate."
Then we both laugh.
He is so thoughtful and kind to me, I need to do something nice.
Maybe I should clean his room and do all his laundry?
(I am dead meat for posting this photo of him, taken a few years ago in Mexico)
Help me ponder, won't you?
What would Mona do?
What would you do?
Something kind, and thoughtful.
No gadgets or things as such…
Hmmmmm.
Ponder.
Pondering.
Pondersome.
Love, V
I had the same problem just last month. My beloved’s birthday and what to do?!
I made him a handmade coupon book. Using lovely paper and card stock, I fashioned coupons like: “Bitch Free Pass” “One Restaurant Choice” “One Movie Pick” “Kitchen Duty Pass” “Foot Massage” “One Cheesecake” —>all the things he loves the most or complains of most often, like when I get really cranky and take it out on him!
He LOVED it! He giggled for weeks afterward when he would tell people what he got for his birthday. 🙂 I think it made him feel appreciated and loved.
Good luck. Your Love is very handsome and very lucky! 🙂
–shelley
That is a puzzle! I would say that your love is what makes him rich, so shower him with it. Spend time doing what he loves. Bake him that cake, oh yes! Fill a homemade coupon book with all sorts of silly notions that he can ‘redeem’ at a later time. Just the thought is a good thing. You will do something most magical, that is for sure. I have been lurking around, Miss Vanessa and I miss commenting, but loads happening. I am glad to see that the magic fairy dust is still sprinkled in your fairy bower love shack. Happiest of days to the that ‘cell-mate’ of yours. May his day be as lovely as he is!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Oh, I SEE Mr. Lovey!!!! 🙂 Quite the handsome devil he is. 🙂 I am always in a pickle when it comes to my hubby’s birthday, too. What I can suggest to you is maybe make him his most favorite meal ever, along with his most favorite dessert (I always make my hubby a birthday “pie”…LOL). You can create for him something special, personal and memorable that he will love – perhaps integrating you and the furry babies. 🙂 And, of course, a handmade card professing your love. 🙂 Much good luck to you, dear friend. I KNOW you will do something magical for your love! xoxo Theresa
i’ve always loved picnics – it’s simple, but it’s so wonderful to laze outside in the sunshine with someone dear to you. bake or buy special food, blow up balloons, and be sure to bring the cake!
sending you lots of figure-it-out wishes!
love,
Actually today is my birthday and I bet I’m a lot older than old Mr. Lovee too. Gifts for men are hard to do so I’m not good at that at all. We all have so much in this life and the older we get we don’t want those material things anymore but more or less just attention from family.
Lots of tenderness, some good music, a nice wine and your wonderful cake… handmade card and maybe a poem…he’s a romantic, I know so that will touch him. Maybe some flowers.. maybe start planning a romantic trip somewhere in the near future? Dinner under the stars with his favorite music.. or give him a foot rub…
I have faith in you, girl, you are one of the most imaginitive people out there!
FINALLY I get to see his face a bit better 😉 Nice!!
The first idea that popped into my head was cake, and the second – here I hold my breath but it’s true, this is what I thought of first for a gift – some sort of shadow puppet or paperdolls of him and you, you know with moveable limbs?
Why am I seeing this in my head?
Have you already made them?
maybe you could paint a pic (might be a bit late now.. :S) of you and him cuddling? 🙂 orrr get a photo printed on a canvas? orrrr write him a song on the piano? 🙂 x happy birthday mister loveeee 😀
Hmmmm, men are so difficult with birthdays! Start the morning out with a favorite Mr. Lovee breakfast served in bed on a silver tray with a bud vase with a single flower that is his favorite – if he has one. Dinner, well, he wants sandwiches so make the most awesome sandwiches you can think of using all of his favorite ingredients of course using whimsical dishes and serve on a silver tray with champagne for the beverage – if he likes it – modify according to man. Cake for sure, handmade card – for sure, be sweet and lovey all day and night – for sure, and then at midnight make love under the stars (if possible) – if it rains then have a backup specially made Vanessa style tent with candles or lanterns (not too many – they cast shadows)LOL and sleep outside cuddled in each others arms… modify suggestions to fit Mr.Lovee’s personality as well as yours. Hope this gets the ole wheels in the brain turning?!
Hugs,
Beth P
Musician. Perhaps an antiquarian book of music for his favorite instrument. Or a biography of his favorite musician. I love my e-reader, but for me a lovely cookbook, photography book, or special new title by a favorite author is always a treat.
And I would jump on that picnic wagon and present him with it right before cake.
Whatever you decide, he will love since it will be given with love!
Cheers,
Sarah
Hmmm, I know it’s tough. My hubby winds up buying stuff for himself and I yell at him, “Your birthday is next week! You couldn’t wait!”. The cake for sure and I like Ingrid’s suggestion of a picnic since he wants sandwiches. Of course, with his favorite meats, cheeses or whatever he likes on his sandwiches. Maybe you could do a caricature type picture of him with his guitar, in a cell, holding a joke book ~ something like that, that incorporates all the things he loves and that you love about him. Or – you could always get him a new top hat! ; )
Moonlight horseriding – my hubby and I did that when we were living in Tucson.
Oh!!!!!! His face!!!! He’s a handsome devil.
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
First of all, Mister Luvee is Gorgeous!!
It is nice to finally see what he really looks like. So don’t get mad Mister L! It’s OK to be handsome and shy all at once..
how about a picnic somewhere fun and special, perhaps in the Gypsy Caravan, and feed him sandwiches and little cakes til he can’t eat any more…then, the rest is all up to fate..
Happy Birthday Mister Luvah!
…a handful of stars…
Plan a fun road trip and take a picnic of sandwiches and cake!? String up an inside the house “clothesline” and tape on a bunch of love notes with colored masking tape- he can read them all day. Big breakfast of favorite foods that you don’t normally make. That’s all I’ve got! Guys are tough!! I did the love notes for my husband’s b’day, made big breakfast and a cheesecake and gave him souvenir gifts that I snuck out of Morocco and Laos on trips this year(antique large key, antique iron rooster). Good luck!
Oh tis so nice to finally see Mister Lovee’s face and me thinks you are in trouble indeed. Today must have been your rotten day…tee hee. Now we all know and can see his beautiful Jewishness. I love Jewish peoples near and far. Mister appears to be gazing into the face of his Lady Love, or is it his Lady Dove? Me thinks must be both ;-))))).
Lets see…birthday gift for your beloved Beau…how about a candle lit dinner by the gypsy wagon beneath the evening moon… while Django plays on the old Victrola? No, not good? Hmmm. Tis hard to tell what to get any man. So sorry that I’m no help, but whatever you do will be Fantastico!!!!
xoxo cori
Oh Dearest Vanessa!! Please tell me what is this new font thou has chosen. For I hast seen it everywhere but can find it no where…much to my displeasure. I’ve searched google fonts and peered within the code of many a page and yet it eludes me ;-((((((.
Tis the new font thou hast on thou blog for “posted by:”
Oh! You could always turn the gypsy wagon into a Parisian cafe for the evening. Do you know any strolling violinists you could hire for the night ;-O?
I love the picnic idea! Blanket on the ground along with cake?
Have a wonderful day however you chose to celebrate….
hmmmm…I think Mister Lovee’s Special Day… should one that brings music to his ears… I like the idea of a picnic basket maybe filled with a special dinner…let’s not forget a blanket & all the fixings of a picnic for two…sandwiches & a salad some cheese & crackers too which will all bee devine with maybee a bottle of wine ~ a cake with music notes on it & some music playing in the air maybee his favorite music/group….hopefully you can get tickets to a concert that is of the group or a musical play…thats what I ponder in my mind I hope that I could have been of a little help…Happy creating, gathering & celebrating ~ wishing Mister Lovee a Happy Birthday & may all his wishes & dREaMs come true! Have a honey of a night ~ sweet dreams! ;O) xox
Hi Miss Valencia! Happy Birthday to Mister Lovee! You two are so special. I am so happy that you have found your soul mate in life! It’s truly the best feeling in the world. I have been with Yanni for 9 yrs, 10 in August, and as the years past it does get harder to get material tangible gifts. So, I find the sweet surprises are always meaningful. Yanni is also a gemini. His birthday was about a week or so ago. I stayed up all night and hand cut letters spelling out his name and happy birthday, I filled the house with balloons and I took him to his favorite place and and had him get whatever he wanted. I think breakfast in bed would be romantic and sweet, a tray of his favorite things.
Maybe you could do a little treasure hunt. Where you make a little map of clues that he must find, and the treasure is you 😉
The first clue could be wrapped around Matty or Miles collar:)
There are so many wonderful ideas here. I hope they help! I can’t wait to hear all about it:)
I would pack a tasty picnic dinner and go for a ride in the evening and park somewhere scenic and have a birthday dinner followed by quiet evening at one of the hot springs in your area~
Warm evenings, picnics and water are always the best for those w/summer birthdays:)
p.s. Your cell mate is quite handsome 😉
I agree with Christine~~~a picnic dinner sounds perfect:)
Happy Birthday to Mister Lovee!
xo
Kay Ellen
Oooh, Mr Lovee is lush! Everyone else has made such splendid suggestions that I can’t think of anything else….
I wish I had a good idea! But wish him Happy Birthday! I am so excited to see his handsome face too!
Happy birthday to yours!
How about a journal of your life together so far! Make sure there is room for the future.
blessings
Michelle
Happy birthday to your lovee! How about compiling videos of him and you and projecting it on fabrics moving with the wind all around you accompanied by his own music(or fave music)in the background while you two have a special picnic under the stars. Well, whatever you choose Im sure it will be lovely and he will love it!
I am so happy to be back to comment on your fanciful life! Our virused, sickly computer did not make it home from zee hospital. Good news is that hubby bought a new one last night! I shall not be in absentia here any longer!
Now onto the important stuff. Oh, how you have treated us with a full look at that Mr. Lovee’s handsome visage! I feel like we are the ones receiving the gift of finally getting to see his face! How sweet you are to share a glimpse with us. Be sure you tell him all of the nicest of comments he is receiving upon the viewing of his photo. ; ) That will surely give him a bit of a bday smile, no? : D
I loved reading all the ideas here. I will have to keep them in mind for my own use. I hope that Mr. Lovee has the happiest of bdays.
Howsabout a plate piled high with sandwiches, eaten while snuggling up with Mr L & puppehs while watching the sunset? Then eat the cake with your fingers! 😀
Miss V – you’re so sweet…..I think a cute song that you make up about him. Even if you can’t sing – it’ll be cute! Then make delicious sammiches and sit outside and enjoy your space……cuddle.
Hmmmmm… a pickle indeed! I know that whatever you do, whatever you make, whatever you cook, he will love it & will feel all the love you’ve put into it. ^-^
And I think Sara’s idea sounds just lovely! =D
Happy birthday to your Mister & I hope you two lovebirds have many, many more birthdays together!
XOXO
Write him a song. You have a musical family, right? I think he’d love that. It is so thoughtful and yet not too fussy.
Well I feel my life is complete.. I have seen Lovees face!
I am not going to suggest ideas because I see Im a bit late! eek!
Hope everything went swimmingly, I always find a day of yummy surprise food and hidden notes is perfect
much love
xxx
sheree
O
M
G !!
I can’t BELIEVE you did that!!
Happy Birthday Mr. L !
My sweetie pie is a Gemini too. He’s so not into birthdays. I try to do at least something sweet for him. I say make great sandwiches, have a picnic in the garden, play some old classic tunes and a small cake as well. Enjoy being together.
I’m happy to see a photo of your Mr. Lovee at last…Enrico Ricardo is who he reminds me of…suave, romantic, and a musician, lovely mix…My artist brother is also a Gemini, very lovely men are born under that sign…
But, I think maintaining a sense of ‘mystery’ about your man is very special. I think it is honoring and respectful to his privacy. And Happy Birthday to him!
I am answering two posts at once, as I love the photos of your carrot cake! If you ever go to Boston, and you are in the Little Italy area of town, be sure and go into Mike’s Pastries…they have carrot cake to die for and many other delectible pastries and the line of people is out the door on the weekends, but well worth the scrumptious wait!
Maybe for a present to Mr. Lovee, a new pillow, a new blanket, a new cell phone…I always have a hard time finding a gift for my husband…he is the man with everything. Men are a lot harder to shop for than women.
Ta,ta for now
Oh, dingy me! I meant Enrico Carruso!
OMG I have wanted to see Mr. Lovee for sooooo long now and Oh he is sooooo handsome !!!! Such wonderful curls to run your fingers through. Lol !! Happy Birthday Mr. Lovee!!!! swopemelmel@aol.com
Oh, Many, Many happy returns to your Loveeeeee!!! I’m sure you’ll come up with just the perfect thing, so thoughtful and creative and loverrrrrrly as you are! 🙂 I hope you both have a wonderful time!!!!!!! Sending you many fern-laden forest wishes, as well!!
Vanessa, Since you and he are so musical, write him a song and put it on a special CD for him to keep forever and ever. My hubby wrote me a song long ago and it was the most special gift he ever gave me, but it was never recorded. Happy Birthday Mr. Lovee and whatever you do, I’m sure it will be wonderful!
Now I know I’m a little late, but how about you paint a canvas for him? Have you done that before? I think that would be a very special gift. Hope you both had a fantastic time on his birthday!
I see him! I see him! I was so happy to find him….it was like an ISPY book. Do you know those kids books? You should have made it tricky to see him…..hide his face in a flower in a really jam packed image or something.
Has he killed you yet? Does he read your blog? SURELY he reads your blog. Did he make Demands with a capital D?
We’ve seen him!!!! Soooo happy. He’s CUTE, V!!!!!
Oh my V…I’m late, but I hope you got it all figured out!! Those guys can be so hard to shop for sometimes, tee hee. That’s a great pic of your lovee! Hopefully you aren’t too dead meat 😉 😉 Happy Birthday to him…and your dad.
Hugs,
Jamie 🙂
AT LAST!!! a picture of mr. lovee!! he is simply scrumtious=) he’s just perfect xoxo
My first time posting here, hopefully I’ll soon be posting on my own blog. So many wonderful ideas! The first thought that popped into my head is a treasure hunt! I did one for my hubby the year he turned 50. At each point I put a tiny ” treasure”. I don’t even remember what his present was at the end , I just remember how much fun he had ( and I had too ). I would love to be able to do a treasure hunt ending with a picnic in some shady little spot in the woods.
Lots of wonderful ideas here! Can’t wait to see what you decide to do-
If you have not done this already-
Adopt/name a star could be fun.
Also a CD with a favorite song for each decade
Hope he has a magical day!