04
2011For My Beloved, On His Birthday
Tom’s birthday was on the 1st, and while I’m typically really bad and keeping surprises and secrets from him, I did really really well this year. It’s so hard to hide things from him because we literally spend almost every waking moment together, so I had to find the strangest times to get everything together so he wouldn’t suspect anything. (And I had some help, too.)
He started the morning sleeping in, and woke to a fresh cup of Traverse City Cherry coffee delivered to him in bed, with a note from me, two menus to choose from, and a list of the day’s activities. He chose the first menu, but we did the lychee red tea with roses (which was a gift) and wild raspberry tea scones instead of cherry. We also did strawberry rhubarb instead of the apple pie. (Though both were prepared no matter what menu he chose, so I guess that means he ended up with both.) We spent the day in our pajamas (or not, nudge nudge) playing video games we don’t normally play (racing, fighting games, AKA Tom’s favorites), surrounded by copious amounts of food. (And while I was cooking or preparing meals he was visiting the new kitty!)
I had so much fun preparing for his birthday and I was so excited that I almost couldn’t sleep the night before. I’m just wondering how on earth I’ll be able to top it next year. Since we don’t have his blog up and running yet, and I’m not even sure if this is the sort of thing he’d blog about anyway, you can see some shots he took of breakfast in bed on his flickr.
Photo #14 taken by Tom.
catarina
that was so sweet! you’re incredible. happy birthday to Tom!
Siebe
Tom is the lucky one.. what a gift
Genevieve
Well you have a buyer as soon as it’s finished
Shokoofeh
So wonderful! Loved the whole idea!
Sara
Thank you so much!
Kaite
That pizza looks heavenly!
I don’t suppose that recipe is online somewhere?
Sara
It isn’t but it can be! Check your email shortly. =)
Gina Guillotine
OMG. Everything looks FABULOUS and DELICIOUS! Mmmm! Loving that PIZZA!
I just added you on Goodreads and Flickr.
Sara
Thanks for letting me know, I admittedly would have probably missed it otherwise. =D
sheri
love everything about this post, what a wonderful wife you are!~
Sara
Thank you! =}
Jessica Johnson
SO. CUTE.
Sara
Haha, thanks!
Kim
Yay! Happy birthday, Tom! What’s the candle count these days?
Chris’s birthday came and went, and mine is about to do the same. We are so bad at celebrating our birthdays! (Also Chris in general hates birthdays and receiving gifts… sigh. Frickin’ buddhists!). Life just gets so much busier as we get older, so we treat ourselves to dinner at a favorite restaurant at some point in the week and call it a day. (Remember last year – I got a hat for my tooth and spent my bday literally puking all over downtown on my way home from the dentist, hah).
But this? This idea is AWESOME. I might have to steal bits of it for next year!
Sara
He just turned twenty-four, UGH. I ugh because that means I’ll be twenty-six in six months. Don’t think I’m ready for that yet!
We’ve been about the same with our birthday’s so far, because really our idea of a really good time is hanging out with each other in pajamas and playing games or talking and stuff. We’ve definitely done the restaurant thing for the last few years but this time I just got inspired.
♥
Jade
Is it weird to say that I wish you were my wife?
Sara
Aww, shucks. Thank you. =}
Alyssa
My goodness, you are an amazing wife! I am in awe (and I must admit it–a bit jealous of Tom). It all looks so beautiful and so sweet!
Genevieve
Alyssa said everything that was floating around in my head. Is it weird I stared at this post for at least 10 minutes teary eyed? I am completely in awe of absolutely EVERYTHING.
Your photography, your cooking, your gift wrapping, the cards you made, the menus, your ideas, your matching plates & tea cups, how the sausage looks so real, the fruit, everything! Wow. Tom is one lucky man.
I would also love to know what action (if any) you used on the photo of the plate with the sausage, french toast, and fruit.
Sara
Thanks to both of you so much!
Genevieve- I did use an action, it’s a new one that I’m working on for the “Window Light” series. It’s supposed to be very delicate and replicate film (without the grain and stuff). It’s my new favorite, I use it for everything. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready. =}
miss alix
oh my gosh, that breakfast looks AMAZING. such sweet birthday gifts!
Sara
Thank you! I am kind of craving some french toast right now. (And here I always thought vegan french toast was going to be hard- but it really wasn’t at all!)