Sunday, December 27, 2009

I Just Have to Write About How Awesome My Husband Is

We're not so big on presents at the Haines house. I think all three of us feel that there's too much emphasis on "things" in general in this country, and that most holidays should be celebrated for their spirit, rather than for getting things.

One thing we share with various family members, for example, is sending donations and/or homemade gifts, rather than more traditional presents.

SOMEthing from your spouse, however, is always nice. And this is an area in which Dave has had some problems.

In any marriage, there are things you find just amazing about your spouse, and there are probably some things you wished were just a little bit different.

One things I wish were a little bit different about Dave is that he tries so hard at finding just the "right" present or card that often I've ended up with nothing at all. And yeah, that's created some doghouse moments.

This Christmas, when Dave asked what I wanted, I said, "anything simple, but I want a couple of things to open on Christmas morning - I don't really care what - just see what you think will work and don't spend more than $30 altogether."

I hoped I was making it easy, but maybe that was too directive. You can weigh in on that.

I expected that maybe I'd end up with a couple of paperbacks, and maybe some candy or something.

What I got instead was total awesomeness. Dave showed up and then some. The man is OUT of that doghouse!

First off, for those that know me, know there are few things I love more (well, other than family and friends) than coffee and my guinea pigs. So what does Dave do? He combines them:

Can I just say how much I love my new coffee carrier? I can't imagine anything better. And since Dave is a talented photographer, the pictures he chose are simply wonderful. Unfortunately, I am a horrid photographer, so you'll just have to imagine how great this mug looks.

My second item was Fellini's Amarcord. This is a favorite of mine from way back. And he remembered. As I said, awesome.

The last and maybe best was something he made for both Connor and me, but each was personal. Dave is always coming up with "million dollar ideas". It's a family joke, and every time Dave says he's got another one, Con and I kind of roll our eyes. Most of these ideas are real stinkers. If they were truly million dollar ideas, well, our lives might be different. (Or not).

Anyway, each of us received a booklet by a Dr. Silas Pepperpotdottson of our "unique and personal assortment of $1,000,000 ideas." Connor's were ideas for video games, and mine were ideas for restaurants. They were absolutely hysterical.

Here was my favorite:

"MICROVOR
Motto: The localist food in the universe
Image: A spoon containing grass, ants, leaves and a cute mouse
Target niche: People who really care

Local is in. Microvor is taking the Locavore revolution to its logical end. This "restaurant service" brings you a meal made entirely from food that's found no more than 100 feet from where you live. Make a reservation and the Microvor chefs will arrive at your doorstep with their aprons, attitudes, and nets. They spread out to make creative and unique meals just for you from the food found in your yard, your home, your basement, your attic, your bedsheets. Anything edible is fair game for their knives and their acute and creative minds. No one will ever eat a meal like yours again!

These people are in it for the love of it. If you have a house you get the super-fresh ingredients (grass, spiders, mice, moss) of whatever you have living in or outside of your house. If you live in a leaky, 4th floor walk-up, they'll love the challenge of creating a unique meal from your native flora and fauna before the food inspectors catch up to them.

Microvor is pricey but unique. It's so unique that each franchise comes with a film crew, a slot on the Food Network, and a whole set of liability waivers fully tested in court."


Now, is that a million dollar idea or what?

I'm telling you, my husband is made of awesome.

30 comments:

Korie said...

Thoughtful gifts are the best kind. Sadly, this year I thought I was being thoughtful by buying CB the cologne he was out of, but I accidentally bought the wrong one. He thinks it's okay but I really don't like it. Oops...

Dru said...

I love those types of gifts. Enjoy!

Jen said...

Lilac - I've been there in terms of buying the wrong cologne for my German daughter one year. And it WAS thoughtful of you - you tried your best. ;-)

Dru - me, too - finestkind!

Brian Miller said...

nice...your hubby sounds like a great guy. i love reading posts like this...makes my heart warm. hope you all have a great new year!

The Local Cook said...

Awww, how sweet! DH and I don't give each other gifts, as things are at the bottom of our Love Languages.

Jen said...

Brian - it's one of the reasons I love your blog - those warm posts about your wife, too. ;-)

Local - we don't do much with this, but I liked the personal touch of these. We've done coupon things for each other that we've both loved.

Oh said...

Yup, he's totally out of the doghouse. (bet he was never really even close to being in it!)

A salute to your coffee-and-guinea-pig passion is perfect, also that he even remembered Amarcord.

But the book! Ah, the book!!!! Wonderful.
Such personality.
Merry Christmas to you, Dave and Con.
And a very Happy New Year!

Jen said...

Yes, Oh, he's way out of the doghouse. ;-) And also, he wasn't too far in it to begin with, so that was fine, too. Hope you all had a good holiday!

Acedog said...

At first glance I'd thought the pigs were actually imprisoned in the coffee container! Yikes! I was pleased to realize differently.

WIDNEY WOMAN said...

How sweet!!! Glad you had a great Christmas!!

anno said...

They're beautiful, just perfect gifts! What a great way to end the year and begin a new decade...

Jen said...

Acedog - fortunately, animal cruelty has never been one of Dave's traits. ;-)

Widney Woman - I agree - very sweet!

Anno - and you know how much I needed this lift, too! ;-)

Thistlemoon said...

That is so awesome, Jen! Such awesome and thoughtful gifts! I often have the opposite problem with Roberto - he always overdoes it - and just a simple coffee mug like the one you got would be enough to make me happy! LOL! Glad you have such a good guy! Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Jen said...

Thanks so much, Jenn. He definitely hit the mark this year!

Maggie said...

He did great! Initially, we had an odd year or two when our husband/wife gifts were successful but generally it didn't go well and so most years we give up and make a no gift pact. We both try to make more frequent holiday gestures of kindness towards each other though.

Jen said...

I think that works just fine, too, Maggie!

hotmamamia said...

BRILLIANT, best gifts, evah!!! Sorry I haven't been around..will try to be better...happy and healthy 2010!

Jen said...

I thought so, Hotmama! And I haven't been around either - I think it's been one of those months...

Jeanie said...

WOW! Even hearing about the mug yesterday, I couldn't imagine how cool it was! That is super creative -- I love it! And the book excerpt is really cool, too!

I think your Christmas sounds wonderful -- and I'm so glad I read this today, because I feel like I even know the players better! Merry Happy, my friend! And here's to another meeting in 2010!

Goofball said...

glad you got some really funny enjoyable and yet "simple" (not in negative way!) presents. Fun fun

Jen said...

Jeanie - thanks for the kind words and wishes - and yes, indeed, here's to another meeting in 2010!

Goofball - They were, indeed, fun fun! ;-)

painted maypole said...

your hubby is awesome.

i got the glee soundtrack, some peanuts, and some mints. and called it a good day. ;)

Mae Travels said...

I'm not quite ready to be a committed locavore so no wonder I would fail at being a microvore -- what a great send-up!

I hope your New Year will be a vast improvement on December and that you'll return to blogging once in a while...

Best...MaeFood.blogspot.com

Jen said...

PM - I love Glee, too - that sounds pretty good!

Mae - I thought it was a riot. I'm hoping the future will slow down, too. I'm working on it. Happy New Year!

April said...

I have two coffee cups filled with pics of the girls. They are two of my favorite things. Along with Glee, of course!

Jen said...

April - I think those kinds of gifts are the best. Those memories you can keep with you visually throughout the day!

sophia said...

Yup, your husband IS awesome.
My brother is the same way, and this time round he made a collage for his girlfriend...spending $50 on girly stickers and decorations.

My dad, howver, has never bought my mom a single rose.

Brian Miller said...

hope you have a very happy new year!

Luisa Perkins said...

Awesome, indeed! This post warmed my heart.

Jen said...

Sophia - it sounds like your brother will make a wonderful husband some day! Dave hasn't been big on flowers for me, either, and some years he hasn't been present with presents - couples find their way despite their shortcomings. ;-)

Luisa - it warmed my heart writing it!