It's a very special day, oh me, oh my! A very special day indeed! It's the birthday of a little girl, a girl dearest to my heart...
I wish that I could have recreated her extra lovely chicken piñata (or is it a rooster?), but I have other tricks and treats up my sleeve. Hot glued fingers and countless hours, making something scrumptious for that sweet little girl, whom I love and adore...
Of course for her, I would be willing to turn over the keys to my studio and more, plus all my treasures, because I love her so much - as I type this, I might cry.
I'll tell you a little bit about the ruffle dress wearing little lass, for she infused me with tales a plenty, and possibilities of wildest imaginations come true (and still does).
You know who that girl is, with the giant white cake?
The one, who's fiddlin' with her buttons, while her guests so patiently wait?
Why, that little girl is...
My Mom.
Mombie, Mommy, Mammie, Mom ~ that's her.
The most specialist girl in my life, it's true.
I had her all to myself for almost 6 years, when she brought other stinky babies into the mix, haha! But that's okay, because life wouldn't be the same without my brother and sis.
It's me, then a sister, then a brother you see.
And Dad, of course.
Those are the characters that make up my little nucleus, my pot of solid gold. (I drew this as a silly christmas card, many years ago, of our family. Alas, goodness knows what is on my head in the drawing, a hat I think ?)
It all starts with Mombie, Mommy, Mammie Mom, who is the queen of our family.
Bold and strong, and carefree too.
I love her more than words can say.
So, join me in cheering Hip Hip Hooooray, won't you please?
You see.....
She is 60 today.
She told me that, when she thought of the number 60 in the car the other day, she lost her breath and started to panic.
But I said, 60 rocks, and when you are 80, you will wish you were 60 ;)
But, that might not have been too comforting. So if you are 60 or above, do tell her how lovely it is going to be, this age of 60, please oh please (lie, if it isn't, tee hee). She visits here often, and will read your kind words...
By the way, she told me I could tell you her age, so I am not being rude.
I actually can't find any current photos of this girl-woman, to save my life, except for the back of her head, or the top of her head, or the side of her head, isn't that sad?
So I must remedy that, and take many more photos, faster than fast. (of course, I have many photos that she would kill me about, if I posted, so I won't, haha)
When I look at the photos of her as a little girl, it yanks at my heart strings so much. I am not sure why...
Anyhow, I just love her.
Soooooo, I was putting together her gifts, and I decided to make some gift tags. Then I needed a recipe card, to include with her peaches, so I drew some up...
I will attach this one to some sunflowers, a pumpkin, basil and other treats from my garden...
I think it is a lovely touch for my gifts below, don't you?
Then, I will attach this one to some baked goods...
Of course, then I needed a recipe card, go figure. So I whipped this little guy up, and am about to jot down a recipe, to go with the basket of peaches I am gifting her....
A peach cobbler recipe for a basket of peaches, isn't that scrumptious?
Mmmm, yumm.
I also made a little stack of garden cards for her.
Then I thought, why not share my garden gift tags with you? For personal use, at your leisure.
So, I will. All you have to do is....
Give the PDF a few seconds to open.
Easy as pie.
Well, I best finish decorating, and ungluing my fingers...
See you suuuuuuper soon.
♥,V
ps: Random Things, 3 you say?
1) I would rather eat real food than sweets, or preferably savory treats.
2) I love to wash my face.
3) I am mean when woken from a slumber or if I fall asleep on the couch, and am woken up. Having to wake up and go to my bed annoys me to pieces. Grouchy grouch. And, I have to sleep at least 8 hours a night. Once I fall asleep, the chances of me waking up are very slim. I even slept through the huge early nineties earthquake in California, as the ocean waves splashed into my room.
The happiest of happy birthday wishes for your Mom! She is obviously a very special person, just look how you turned out, V! :) teehee
Have a wonderful day
blessings
~*~
Posted by: Laura | July 31, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Happy Birthday to your precious Mommy! What a sweet daughter you are...and a good friend to me! I love the sweet tags that you've given me today and I will enjoy printing them and using them...because...guess what? I am the SAME age as your mom! And I will tell you from the few months I have been 'this age'...it's GREAT! I feel great...look better than I did when I was younger...and HAVE FUN each and every day of my life! Give her lots of HUGS for me, sweet Vanessa! Now if she would only share YOU with me...after all....I have FOUR sons, ALL BOYS ! Enjoy your special weekend! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | July 31, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Oh my, What wonderful things to say about your Mom.. She is a dear one and bless your heart for saying so. She is blessed, such a talented daughter who thinks of others first. I hope Mom has a very special with her special daughter.
Beautiful post.
Posted by: Miss Linda | July 31, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Happy Birthday to your lovely mom!! Moms are the greatest! :) I love the gifts you have gathered for her, so special. And thank you for the lovely tags, I am going to print some out today for me and my own wonderful mom! Your little tidbit about being grumpy when you are woken up from the couch to go to bed made me laugh, that is so me on a typical night(as my very sweet and patient boyfriend could tell you-and its that special guy's bday tomorrow too!)Happy happy birthday to your mom, I hope she has a wonderful day!! ~Lauren
Posted by: Fair Rosamund | July 31, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Bon anniversaire to your beautiful mom! Hope she has a glorious 60th year (and on her, it looks good). :) Lovely cards you've created. xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | July 31, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Those are cute pics of your Mombie! Remind your Mom that we Lionesses age the most graceful of all :)Such a Leo thing to say I know..
There is something wonderful about starting off a new decade~a new beginning with lots of adventures! (Starting my fourth next week)~
Happy 60th trip around the sun!
Posted by: Christine | July 31, 2010 at 11:35 AM
thanks they are so cute...now if you just tell me how to make that magic wand :-) this princess needs one!!! I just love your blog!!! its so fun and colorful
Posted by: pamela ponder | July 31, 2010 at 11:41 AM
The author Marianne Williamson writes about the idea that today we get 15 more years of life than past generations and these years are not at the end of our lives but in the middle, so today's 60 is the new 45. Whew, talk about your run on sentences,my high school english teacher would not approve of the above sentence. Anyway, your mom is the new 45 this year and I wish her a year that is luminous, lavish and laden with wealth! Cheers and Happy,Happy Birthday.
Posted by: Jenny Mulvey | July 31, 2010 at 12:11 PM
you are so lucky to have each other! happy birthday to her! we love her as much we love you!!!
Posted by: eleni | July 31, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Happy Birthday to your Mom!! ♥
My Thomas is 63 and I just turned 52..it's all good. My Mom will turn 79 the end of August...hard to believe that me (the baby) of the family is 52...my how times does fly!
Thank you for the lovely cards...
Have a wonderful day,
Stephanie ♥
Posted by: Queen of Dreamsz | July 31, 2010 at 01:15 PM
Well, this whole POST is a birthday gift any mom would treasure:) And what lovely garden offerings and treats. Wow! Tell your mom sixty kicks ass. I'm 64 (will you still need me, will you still feed me?)and dont feel at all venerable. Wicked, actually:) What scared me was when I renewed my driver's license and realized when I next renew it I will be - SIXTY-NINE. Now THAT scares me! Seventy???? SEVENTY!!!!!!!
No waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
Happy Birthday to your mom. She has a super-great daughter!
Posted by: Sherry Blue Sky | July 31, 2010 at 01:22 PM
Wonderful tribute to you MOM! I love the photos; I had my MOM for 6 1/2 yrs for my brother showed up. He is a rig; I'm happy I have a brother. My Mom is like yours and would be thrilled with the garden treats; Her thumbs are very green! Cherish each other; She is as young as she feels and embrace the magic you two share! A rare bond of like souls with unique ideals and a gift of being open~! Thanks for sharing your Mom, she reminds me of mine, a true gift~ Happy Birthday to your Mom and celebrate your bond today!!!xXx
Posted by: Ellen | July 31, 2010 at 02:43 PM
What beautiful tags, Vanessa! How lovely of you to share. My Mom is 70 today! Ages are not the same as they were years ago. Once you were 40 you were "old". I thought it was mandatory to wear elastic jeans and big tops that hide your figure ~ until I turned 40 and said "no way"! Now I am closer to 50 and will still say, "no way" to stereotypical views of women at 50. I always remember what my grandmother told me many years ago ~ you are only as old as you feel. My grandma died at 85 years young.
Tell your Mom that 60 is the new 45! : )
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | July 31, 2010 at 03:09 PM
Cherish your Mombie....my beautiful, exotic Mommy died at 56 and I block out how terribly much I miss her.....Your mother feels the same way about you as you do her (and she knew you 9 months longer!) She must have been an influence on you creatively....and roar.....a Leo.....
Posted by: Jill James | July 31, 2010 at 03:38 PM
I'm so happy you have such a Wonderful Mom!
She obviously has been a big influence on you! HappY BirThDAY to YouR MoM!
May the two of you spend the day creating wonderful memories!
XOXO - Cindi
Posted by: cindi aka oldblackcatboo | July 31, 2010 at 04:38 PM
Happy birthday to your Mum! Sixty is the new forty-or something like that anyway! Lovely pictures of your Mum as a child.
Random thing about being mean when woken-me too! I had a nap this afternoon before we were due to go out. There was a tap on the front door, and thinking it was Andy I answered it. It was a man from British Gas and I was so horrible to him-but he was so annoying and basically just a salesman. When I had woken up a bit more I was quite surprised at my behaviour but he woke me up!
Posted by: Sarah | July 31, 2010 at 05:02 PM
WOWIE! It's a Birthday-palooza!! Darling Deb's son had a birthday and then my own Cody bear turned 21 on Thursday and my grams was in between Cody and SPC Ryan I think and now...MOMBIE!!!! HURRAH!!!!!
You tell her for me that I love her to infinity and beyond for giving us the best present ever-VEEVALA!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Also, tell her she looks *hot* :-)
and very lovely. And sweet. And she has good taste. And she can come decorate my house anytime!!
XOXOXOXOX <-----just for Mombie
Posted by: Rhonda Roo | July 31, 2010 at 05:02 PM
Dear Vanessa:
Happy Birthday to your mum. What a beautiful and loving tribute from her eldest daughter.
I love your gift tags and thank you for sharing them with us. You are too, too talented, and I look forward to seeing more of your creations.
Enjoy the rest of your celebration weekend.
xoxo
Donna
Posted by: Donna Liljegren | July 31, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Happy Happy Birthday to your dearest mother. Hold her close and please take many pictures of her and you and her. To quote from a very intelligent fortune cookie... Memories are the paradise of the mind. I love that. I miss my mother beyond words... savor every minute you have with her.
Posted by: Jaime aka artsyfartsyme | July 31, 2010 at 05:26 PM
Happy 60th to your Mom! I remember having a surprise birthday party for my Mom and her twin sister on their 60th birthday. What fun it was, and I wish they were both here to celebrate many more birthdays. Enjoy every minute you get with your Mom!
Posted by: Laura S. | July 31, 2010 at 05:28 PM
Those are the sweetest cards Vanessa, thank you so much for sharing them! I hope your Mombie has the bestest birfday ever, tee hee ;)
Jamie :)
Posted by: A Forest Frolic | July 31, 2010 at 07:05 PM
Your mombie is a treasure...you are so lucky to have her, and she you. The photos of her when she is a wee girl are beautiful - I can see why they tug at your heartstrings so. I just love her cake - a crown fit for a queen! Some of my favourite posts here at a Fanciful Twist are visits to her beautiful home - a talented lady indeed! Clearly the apple did not fall far from the tree! Please tell her she inspires me so - last year I decorated a Christmas tree with fairies and masks, inspired by her magnificent tree. Mombie, if you are reading my little message, I am sending lots of sparkly birthday wishes your way x
Posted by: Tina Gates | July 31, 2010 at 07:08 PM
Happy Birthday to your dear, sweet Mom. I know in my heart that she is filled with goodness and is as kind as can be. You know how I know? Because she raised you to be filled with goodness and kindness.
Have fun together!
Kim
Gerushia's New World
Posted by: Kim | July 31, 2010 at 07:10 PM
V~
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOMBIE :)
Hope you two have a lovely day!! I took my Mom out for lunch today for her birthday as well.
p.s. I just love the "random things" at the end of each post.... :)
Posted by: Kylee | July 31, 2010 at 08:06 PM
Dearest Vanessa,
Please wish "A Very Happy Birthday" to your Mombie for us!
Thank you so much for sharing the lovely gift tags with us!!
I am loving your "random things" so much! From the last list, we love "The Two Fat Ladies" too! And I agree with you, I would rather have something savory than sweet most of the time too! I would turn down ice cream and cake everytime for cheese and crackers!!!
Hoping the rest of your weekend is great!
Betty
Posted by: Betty | July 31, 2010 at 08:35 PM
To your beautiful Mom.... The Mom who nurtured your talents and put up with your antics and who I know would give you the world should you ask for it. To the woman who has creative talent herself and from what I gather dresses lovely ALL the time. To the woman whose decorating sense is impeccable (based on photos you've shared). 60 is merely a number, it's the state of mind that matters - the life in the years not the years in the life. AND I've heard tell 60 is the new 40.....Happy Birthday to someone timeless and THANK YOU for having darling Vanessa!
XOXOXO
Posted by: Lisa Swifka | July 31, 2010 at 10:56 PM
Happy Happy 60th Birthday to your Mom! I hope her day was special celebrating with everyone who loves her! These are the days that create the memories we hold dear to our hearts.
And do take as many pictures as you can. That is the one thing more than anything is I wish I had, was more pictures of my Mom...Moms are the best ; )
Posted by: Sherri@lavenderfields | August 01, 2010 at 12:47 AM
Happy birthday to your Mammie! :)
Tell her that my dad started having more fun at 60, (6 years ago) traveling with his friends and making many more new friends. He says 60 is the new 40! :D
Posted by: Alexis | August 01, 2010 at 03:24 AM
hippo birdie two ewes to your gorgeous mother..who has a wonderful looking head :)
xx
Posted by: ittybittyandpretty | August 01, 2010 at 04:49 AM
what a lovely post!!
happy birthday to your dear momma :)
sadly my own mum didn't live to see 60...
and thank you for your cute gift - my dear daughter will use them - she's inherited my mum's baking gene (it missed a gneration!!) she's only 12, but quite the cook :) xx
Posted by: Claire | August 01, 2010 at 06:18 AM
i forgot to give you random things back!
#1 i have more flip flops and slippers than any other kind of shoe-isn't that terrible for a girl with a 9-5 to say?? I have flip flops *just* for the front yard and flip flops *just for the back yard. Nutso!!
#2 i call my mom mommy goddess (mg for short) and she is hilarious-she's got a facebook, a myspace, two email addresses, and a NOOK! but-she's afraid of the DirecTV box, LOL!
#3 I will be using your tags, but more than likely the recipe card will say "go to black dog cafe to purchase these muffins, I only WISH I could make them this good!".
XOXOXOXOXOXO
Posted by: Rhonda Roo | August 01, 2010 at 09:14 AM
Happy Birthday to your Mom....
my Mom's birthday was on the 29th....and she has been gone since '98....I envy you in that you still have your Mom. It's wonderful for the two of you..... enjoy each other's company.... wish I could fly there for one of those delicious looking cupcakes....
Posted by: BumbleVee | August 01, 2010 at 09:18 AM
Happy Birthday to your Mom!!! I have been told that 60 is the new 30 so don't feel down, or scared about this birthday! Like fine wine, women just get better and better with age. So, don't think about the what-if's, just focus on how awesome you are. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | August 01, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Happy birthday to your mom! ^^
Posted by: Genevieve | August 01, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Beloved Queen of the Royal Gypsies, Mother of my Beloved Muse, ♫♪♫ Happy Happy Birthday ♫♪♫. Let's see, make you feel that 60 is fabulous...we'll start with the fact that I have 57.5 years on this little blue planet and am ever so pleased with my longevity. Remember how you felt when you turned 30, with a sigh of relief that NOW you didn't have to try bungie-jumping or that hot air balloon ride that scared the bejezees out of you. And then 40 was another relief because people were just so shocked to hear that one could look THAT good at THAT age! Ah, Fabulous Fifty, the biggest sigh of relief of all...remember the feeling of I am 50 and I shall color my hair any color I please. Yes, the 50's were fantastical, and I am sincerely looking forward to turning 60, expecting a FREEDOM like no other. Currently I amuse myself by informing everyone I know or even strangers, that I am pushing 60. I am stronger, and wiser, and happier than I have ever been. I have always been immature and have no plan for changing. SEXY SIXTY! There ya go! That's our new theme. Wishing you, Mombie of The Fanciful One, the happiest, most freeing birthday ever. Till next year.
**blows gentle kisses as to not blow out the candles** Deb
Posted by: Deborah | August 01, 2010 at 11:36 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! To your most dearest Mombie!
Well, I must confess dearest Vanessa...I cannot tell a lie...I am the same age as your beloved mother!!! How wonderful is that!!!
And I cannot tell another lie...I have NEVER GROWN UP!!! Why grow up? Why not be a little girl in your heart of make believe for the rest of your life?...it is a lot more fun!!! And a lot less stressful. So now you know my secret for keeping young. My favorite, soul mate, creative friend, just turned 85 yesterday...she was a Vogue model years ago and now only wants to play in her garden every single day just...like...you!!! What a treasure it is to have friends of every age who never grow up!!!
Cheers! Fireworks! Fairy Dust! and oodles of best wishes for your mom on her very special day!
~Miss Teresa~
Posted by: Teresa in California | August 01, 2010 at 02:41 PM
dear vanessa's mom
on
her birthday
{{ or there abouts }}
thank you for
~~being born~~
for
without you doing
all your wondrous thingies
{{ like growing up the way
you did
and having your own Special Family
and all }}
we would not have vanessa who
{{ as you well know }}
lights up the Blog World
and beyond...
{{ i feel certain ALL your babies
are *fantastic*
but
i only know the one }}
so
thanks for doing all the Right Things
you did
and hope your birthday is/was STellAr!
♥
PS--over here
at my house
we say 60
in middle~age.
so
hope you have fun
with the next part of your life.
{{ my own mom is 87 and such
a hoot--today we did
some yoga stretches together--
and i plan on being a hoot
when i turn 87;
here is HOPING!
PLUS, my niece just had her baby
yesterday 31-july-2010
and named here ~~aubrie lynn~~
so
on
and
on
it goes... yippeeeee! }}
i am thinking
your very own mom must have done Something Right, too,
to shape your soul
and
so on
backwards thru time until eve...
♥
{{ BTW, if you paid for
art lessons
music lesson
dance lessons
and so on...
for your babies--->
thank goodness }}
♥
Posted by: somepinkflowers | August 01, 2010 at 05:59 PM
Happy 60th Birthday to your mom. 60 is not so bad. When I turned 60 I threw myself a tea party with all my bestest friends. I told them I loved them and that they were special to me. I made them little books and charms with words that were special to me. It was a very special day. As it happened it was the last time I saw one of those special friends, as she died soon after that of breast cancer. So it was a very special day. Celebrate, Twirl in your girly dress, and sing at the top of your lungs.
Posted by: Marilyn | August 01, 2010 at 07:17 PM
Aww, happy birthday to your mom! It's so sweet to see what a lovely bond you have with her. And didn't she hear? 60 is the new 40!
Posted by: The Princess of Hearts | August 02, 2010 at 08:22 AM
Happy Birthday to Mombie!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She is a Wunder~woman!! She had you and your bro!!!
Love,
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | August 02, 2010 at 05:44 PM
happy happy birthday to a special mum...all mums are special i know...but turnig 60 is a real milestone....it gives you rights you never had before...you are now offically a senior... woopy doo.....kids should stand up for you on the bus, and you dont have to dye your hair anymore...grey is the the new blond...people will not only ask your advice they will use it...you can wear anything you like now and people wont laugh at you...who cares if they do ..you have earned the right to be a senior...enjoy it...a wonderful time of life...your dont have to measure up to any yard stick... happy birthday... from
Australia.....
Posted by: annette | August 03, 2010 at 04:13 AM
Happy belated b-day, Vanessa's sweet Mombie! I was out-of-town visiting MY sweet mama (as I call her) and actually read this post for the first time out loud with her by my side. I wanted to share your beautiful blog with her, Vanessa.
When I read that you felt like you might cry while writing about that little girl who grew up to be your precious mom, I thought how you and I are sooo the same in this respect! My mama is the sweetest, and thoughts of her also evoke the deep emotions that you conveyed about your mom. : )
Vanessa, with you as a daughter, I just know for certain that your mom must live a wonderful, magical life as the recipient of your wonderful treasures and with the pleasure of your wonderful company! AND, I daresay, perhaps we have dear Mombie to thank for a bit of that extra special sparkle her daughter possesses. : )
Hugs to her and to you!
Posted by: Linda Diane | August 03, 2010 at 09:21 AM
My goodness! Where have I been??? Happy BELATED birthday to your dear sweet mom. What a darling tribute to her. :) My mom is 64 - and she is just fine. In fact, she's spunkier than she ever was. :) Age is JUST a number right? It's how you FEEL inside that matters most. I hope you shared a most joyous birthday celebration. :) And I am sorry I missed the day.
xoxo Theresa
Random things...
I have an irrational fear of elevators
I lost a bit of hearing in my left ear when I was 12 or 13 due to a very bad infection
I love listening to ABBA when I clean the house
Posted by: Theresa | August 03, 2010 at 04:01 PM
OH - THANK YOU for the lovely garden gift tags. They are just ever so perfect! You are such a thoughtful friend!
xoxo Theresa
Posted by: Theresa | August 03, 2010 at 04:02 PM
Happy Birthday to your Mom!!! I love the pictures of her as a little girl..so sweet.
I love that you slept through an earthquake!! And I thought I slept hard.
Posted by: Shell | August 03, 2010 at 06:03 PM
My husband is turning 65 on the 8th and has been feeling a little down.
Life is too short and we need to enjoy each moment of each day. I've always thought it would be nice to live a nice long life and experience each phase of living.
I'm 58 and was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I'll begin chemo in two weeks. The universe has pushed me into enjoying and appreciating one-day-at-time. I will never feel sad or down about turning another year older. Celebrate each year of living and be thankful.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine | August 03, 2010 at 10:00 PM