Hi and welcome to the last By Invitation Only of 2014! Where has this year gone? It has flown for me……still so many things on my “to do” list that now by default have gotten pushed to my 2015 list. As we do every month, a group of bloggers gets together to interpret a theme for our “By Invitation Only” group. This months is loads of fun……
The “assignment” was if money were no object what would we give our mother, girlfriend and husband? We could choose one or all three and I chose all three. Here is what I came up with (and had a blast doing it, thank you Marsha)……
For my husband.….since he has always believed (and still does) that he is a cowboy at heart, I would give him a dream dude ranch to channel his inner cowboy to his hearts content. Complete with herds of cattle, hordes of horses, coops of chickens, and acres and acres to roam. Of course a beautifully restored barn (something we both would love) would be part of this gift along with perks like a huge luscious garden, a tennis court, a pool, a massive greenhouse (a little something for me too)! Welcome to Micheal’s dude ranch…..
?
And off he goes……
For my girlfriend(s)…….I have a few in mind, all of whom I consider to be like a sister. For them I would give them a “girlfriends trip” once a year for the rest of? their lives. Every year we would take a prepaid vacation to the destination of our choice and shop and eat till we drop. What better way to discover new places and learn about different cultures than with a bunch of your closest friends! This is the gift that keeps on giving, there are no limits to age…we can do this until we are old and gray:)? Travel, togetherness, friendship all rolled into one? I am so there!
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of things we would do and places we would see……
And for my beloved mother…..I had to really think about this one. But after much hemming and hawing about the classiest lady I know….I came up with a brilliant gift, one that will have her laughing. I would give her her very own workroom complete with acres of fabrics, buckets of buttons and a battalion of seamstresses.
My mother who is a very elegant dresser finds it getting harder and harder to find beautiful,elegant, well made lady like clothes that won’t break the bank. This is one of her biggest frustrations in life. I hear it all the time: TRUST ME:) So here she could create her very own wardrobe to her hearts content and who knows…probably create a booming business in the process! Welcome to Mimi’s Couturier…….
Oh and did I mention there will be an around the clock supply of Sees candy for anyone who works there….(her fave)
Hope you enjoyed this, so now it’s your turn. If money were no object what you would you get for your significant other, mother and best friend? Let me know,? this was such a fun post to put together! Thanks for stopping in, wishing you a wonderful day 🙂
If you want to see what the others in the group came up with and trust me it is always well worth the visit, click here to Marsha at Splenderosa (the brainchild behind BIO) where you can see not only her post but all of the other participants. They are all just fantastic! Such fun…..
Ahhhh Tina…I love this!! I am up early (another sleepless night) and am on my third BIO post. I love them all! Have you taken your husband on a dude ranch vacation? There are some super luxe ones you two would love!! And for the girls’ trip, I would be more than happy to plan it for you (and tag along as a personal tour guide!) Your idea for your mom is SO sweet! If only all our wishes could come true!! Hugs to you…stay dry today!
WELL! First of all, I would take your gift for your husband ANY DAY. I LOVE HORSES and I want one, and I’ll never have one, but I do have a toy horse (teeeeeee) that I adore. When I was a little girl, I wanted one of those pony heads on a stick with the little wheel at the end? Did I get it? NO! But I took a broom and rode it around the back yard and pretended. Thus, the beginning of my life as a wildly imaginative woman. But take me NOW to Michael’s Dude Ranch! If money was no object, I’d buy my husband (and myself) a ch?teau in the Loire Valley of France. I’d take my girlfriends on an endless shopping spree in NYC, London and Paris. For my mother, if she was alive, I’d buy her the biggest diamond ring ever, because she always wanted a large diamond ring. Ahhh….Tina, to dream.
I don’t have a husband or significant other, so the closest I have are my three dogs. I would get a farm where they could roam freely and be safe exploring. For my girlfriends I would do a trip and we would visit each one’s dream vacation spot. My parents have passed. My mother loved to sew and would have loved the room you had in mind, so maybe I will make a craft room in her honor after I get moved. My best friend just informed me a box of maple See’s Candy is on its way to me as she knows I love maple and See’s. Blessings
Amazing Tina, love your “story telling” and each of your recipients are incredibly lucky. The dude ranch and lifetime of trips is a dream come true but I loved the sewing room for your mom, that is so sweet! What a thoughtful gift that would be. I would give my husband his own mountain to ski on every single day, he loves it so much and doesn’t get to do it as much as he would like.
I’m amazed at how in tune our minds are. I, too, have a “cowboy” for a husband and one of the classiest mothers a woman could ask for. Clothes were always her love and, towards her later years, had such a hard time finding anything on her budget that she thought was wearable. So I would find classy consignment stores for her and treat her to whatever we could find! She’s in a nursing home now and doesn’t care as much albeit she still asks that I do her laundry so her clothes don’t get ruined which I happily do twice a week! (good excuse to go visit her!). Wish I could find a girlfriend who would do the same kinds of things I like! You’re fortunate!
Tina, I love this – from the dude ranch to the endless girls trips to the box of See’s candy (which is a favorite of my mom, too!). Isn’t the greatest gift to be able to know certain people so well that we can intuit their fondest dreams and hearts desires? To make the come true would be another thing entirely, but just to know them, that’s something, isn’t it?
Anyway – we would have to come visit you at the ranch – since I met him my husband has been talking about wanting a ranch of his own, too. Maybe we could have adjoining properties.
Love that we have a similar point of view once again. So fun.
Here’s to giving and Christmas and savoring the season – and bringing that spirit into the year ahead! XOXO
I would build my husband a beautiful garage and workshop with all the toolsThen I would buy him all the cars he would want to fix and drive.
For my girlfriends full time gardeners,cooks, and housekeepers and limo with driver so they would have time for their passions.
For My Mom..this is bittersweet since she just passed away the day before Thanksgiving….I would give her everything,delicious food a beautiful home by the ocean so she could watch the waves and a horse that she could ride like the wind. Beautiful clothes and a sewing room with every fabric she desired. Hugs everyday
Such a dreamy post Tina and Isn’t it fun to enjoy such a variety of things? A dude ranch, trip to France, a personal design studio, and .. of course unlimited chocolate. What could possibly be better? Such a fun series!
Such fabulous gifts, Tina…your Mother’s gift sounds a dream and an annual trip with your girlfriends would be wonderful 😉
Wishing you and your family a very happy christmas xx
I loved this! What lucky people in your life you have, I love the idea of a dude ranch and trips for life and what mom wouldn’t be happy to recreate the clothes that they love. Such thoughtful imaginative ideas, Tina, This was a fun read, I love the way you think:-)
Hope you are finding some time in between all that decorating to relax a little too.
Well Tina ?.. all I can say is that I wish I was on your Christmas list !!!!!!!
What a great post for our BIO subject this month.
Wishing you the merriest of Christmases filled with love and togetherness. XXXX
Well, damn girl, all you have to do is come to Texas with Michael! :)’s
I’m SO in with the girl’s trip, put me down, I’ll pay my own way.
And, your mother? Do you call her Mimi? My grandchildren call me Mimi. I already love your mother, what you have wished for her would make any woman’s heart sing with delight, and Katy-bar-the-door, wouldn’t the creative energy get a workout? Merry Merry Christmas to you, one of the most wonderful people in all of blogland.
SO creative. SO thoughtful. SO original! I laughed at the Dude Ranch, nodded at the personal couturier, and wanted to jump up and down at the thought of an annual “girls trip” to somewhere spectacular.
Brilliant. Truly brilliant.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season (and a side of Sees candies).
I’m new to your blog but am loving it. What a great idea. My mind is swirling with ideas for those I love. I loved every idea you mentioned! Thanks for something I look forward to reading whenever I see your blog in my inbox.
You are the consummate gift giver! My husband loves to swim – I’d give him a 50 yard pool for laps and free pool maintenance for life! My mother loves mrs sees too!,, she sent us 3 lbs just today! She deserves a new car, but as an octogenarian, I’ll give her a chauffeur to go with her new Mercedes! My best friend… I would giver a fighting chance against cancer.
These are all so wonderful. Your lucky husband and Mom!! I agree with her frustration over clothes. I’d be happy to snip threads for her. Merry Christmas!
Tina,
I can’t help but smile at the gift for your husband….as you’ve just described my father-in-law, who goes by “Cowboy” to my boys. He is a dude ranch gentleman!
Can I get in on the girlfriend trip? That is the BEST gift!! And, how adorable your mother must be – I’m sure she would be one happy dressmaker!
I’d give my husband a weekly golf pass to the world’s most incredible courses – with his choice of 3 buddies and a caddie who could help him win. Bloody Mary’s “at the turn”.
For my mom, who is one elegant lady and loves to travel, I’d give a cruise around the world.
For my girlfriends, I would give them each their own personal stylist and beauty team so that every day when they left the house, the felt like a million bucks!
Here’s to giving those we love something they will truly cherish!
xoxo Elizabeth
I am 75 but it’s great to dream and if money were no object i would make sure every widow and single mother would have a home paid for .I would get great joy in watching a senior citizen shop and find out when they got to the register everything was paid for ! I would give to find cures for diseases that take our loved ones to early. I would give to the Gideons to make sure Bibles were everywhere so everyone heard of Gods love for them , and all the promises he has given to us. if we are going to dream we may as well dream big!
Such a great list Tina, and how much fun would that girl’s trip be?! May I put in a request please – when your husband is on his dream ranch, can I come and help out with the ranchwork? This is a long long time dream of mine, to ride on a ranch with my girls! 🙂
love to you
Sharon
x
LOVE THIS, dear Tina!!!
Can imagine how thrilled your husband would be!!!
Your mother and girlfriend!
What a fabulous post! Simply enchanting.
Warmest greetings and best wishes for Christmas,
Karin
love it! my gift for my husband would be a blank check for tuition to attend med school. he chose law in spite of being equally interested in medicine, and this is where he would be happiest spending his time…yep, learning and being pushed to the limit. peace to you.
Tina dearest,
Its just so like you to think of everyone and be so generous and affectionate with all your gifts… I love to give and I know you do too
Our mothers are similar! Mummy is 74 now, but just as elegant and stylish as ever…she says the same thing about shopping, and now I am allowed to choose clothes for her which is lovely. I treasure each day that she is here, that is a gift in itself.
Hi Tina,
oh what joy reading your blog post was.. beautiful!
I can echo the girls friends trips.. I’ve just experienced South Africa for two weeks, with a group of x6 of us.. gosh.. talk about eat and drink, all those beautiful wines, and marvelous hotels we checked into.. pure magic it was! Came home feeling like i’d been to a health retreat we laughed so much!
once again, if you’re needing a destination .. shout.. I do S E Asia, South Africa and India.. in style! warm regards – Jean
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Hi and welcome to the last By Invitation Only of 2014! Where has this year gone? It has flown for me……still so many things on my “to do” list that now by default have gotten pushed to my 2015 list. As we do every month, a group of bloggers gets together to interpret a theme for our “By Invitation Only” group. This months is loads of fun……
The “assignment” was if money were no object what would we give our mother, girlfriend and husband? We could choose one or all three and I chose all three. Here is what I came up with (and had a blast doing it, thank you Marsha)……
For my husband.….since he has always believed (and still does) that he is a cowboy at heart, I would give him a dream dude ranch to channel his inner cowboy to his hearts content. Complete with herds of cattle, hordes of horses, coops of chickens, and acres and acres to roam. Of course a beautifully restored barn (something we both would love) would be part of this gift along with perks like a huge luscious garden, a tennis court, a pool, a massive greenhouse (a little something for me too)! Welcome to Micheal’s dude ranch…..
?And off he goes……
For my girlfriend(s)…….I have a few in mind, all of whom I consider to be like a sister. For them I would give them a “girlfriends trip” once a year for the rest of? their lives. Every year we would take a prepaid vacation to the destination of our choice and shop and eat till we drop. What better way to discover new places and learn about different cultures than with a bunch of your closest friends! This is the gift that keeps on giving, there are no limits to age…we can do this until we are old and gray:)? Travel, togetherness, friendship all rolled into one? I am so there!
Here is a snapshot of the kinds of things we would do and places we would see……
And for my beloved mother…..I had to really think about this one. But after much hemming and hawing about the classiest lady I know….I came up with a brilliant gift, one that will have her laughing. I would give her her very own workroom complete with acres of fabrics, buckets of buttons and a battalion of seamstresses.
My mother who is a very elegant dresser finds it getting harder and harder to find beautiful,elegant, well made lady like clothes that won’t break the bank. This is one of her biggest frustrations in life. I hear it all the time: TRUST ME:) So here she could create her very own wardrobe to her hearts content and who knows…probably create a booming business in the process! Welcome to Mimi’s Couturier…….
Oh and did I mention there will be an around the clock supply of Sees candy for anyone who works there….(her fave)
Hope you enjoyed this, so now it’s your turn. If money were no object what you would you get for your significant other, mother and best friend? Let me know,? this was such a fun post to put together! Thanks for stopping in, wishing you a wonderful day 🙂
If you want to see what the others in the group came up with and trust me it is always well worth the visit, click here to Marsha at Splenderosa (the brainchild behind BIO) where you can see not only her post but all of the other participants. They are all just fantastic! Such fun…..
Also announced a wonderful promo on Staffordshire dogs, it is not to be missed. Click here for details (ends tomorrow night)
Ahhhh Tina…I love this!! I am up early (another sleepless night) and am on my third BIO post. I love them all! Have you taken your husband on a dude ranch vacation? There are some super luxe ones you two would love!! And for the girls’ trip, I would be more than happy to plan it for you (and tag along as a personal tour guide!) Your idea for your mom is SO sweet! If only all our wishes could come true!! Hugs to you…stay dry today!
WELL! First of all, I would take your gift for your husband ANY DAY. I LOVE HORSES and I want one, and I’ll never have one, but I do have a toy horse (teeeeeee) that I adore. When I was a little girl, I wanted one of those pony heads on a stick with the little wheel at the end? Did I get it? NO! But I took a broom and rode it around the back yard and pretended. Thus, the beginning of my life as a wildly imaginative woman. But take me NOW to Michael’s Dude Ranch! If money was no object, I’d buy my husband (and myself) a ch?teau in the Loire Valley of France. I’d take my girlfriends on an endless shopping spree in NYC, London and Paris. For my mother, if she was alive, I’d buy her the biggest diamond ring ever, because she always wanted a large diamond ring. Ahhh….Tina, to dream.
Enjoy your day, gorgeous one! Anita
I don’t have a husband or significant other, so the closest I have are my three dogs. I would get a farm where they could roam freely and be safe exploring. For my girlfriends I would do a trip and we would visit each one’s dream vacation spot. My parents have passed. My mother loved to sew and would have loved the room you had in mind, so maybe I will make a craft room in her honor after I get moved. My best friend just informed me a box of maple See’s Candy is on its way to me as she knows I love maple and See’s. Blessings
Amazing Tina, love your “story telling” and each of your recipients are incredibly lucky. The dude ranch and lifetime of trips is a dream come true but I loved the sewing room for your mom, that is so sweet! What a thoughtful gift that would be. I would give my husband his own mountain to ski on every single day, he loves it so much and doesn’t get to do it as much as he would like.
This was a fun concept.
Hah! I’m with Anita!! It’s that “dreamin” that keeps us going, right?! And, MY mother’s favorite candy is…”See’s!!” 🙂 franki
I’m amazed at how in tune our minds are. I, too, have a “cowboy” for a husband and one of the classiest mothers a woman could ask for. Clothes were always her love and, towards her later years, had such a hard time finding anything on her budget that she thought was wearable. So I would find classy consignment stores for her and treat her to whatever we could find! She’s in a nursing home now and doesn’t care as much albeit she still asks that I do her laundry so her clothes don’t get ruined which I happily do twice a week! (good excuse to go visit her!). Wish I could find a girlfriend who would do the same kinds of things I like! You’re fortunate!
Tina, I love this – from the dude ranch to the endless girls trips to the box of See’s candy (which is a favorite of my mom, too!). Isn’t the greatest gift to be able to know certain people so well that we can intuit their fondest dreams and hearts desires? To make the come true would be another thing entirely, but just to know them, that’s something, isn’t it?
Anyway – we would have to come visit you at the ranch – since I met him my husband has been talking about wanting a ranch of his own, too. Maybe we could have adjoining properties.
Love that we have a similar point of view once again. So fun.
Here’s to giving and Christmas and savoring the season – and bringing that spirit into the year ahead! XOXO
I would build my husband a beautiful garage and workshop with all the toolsThen I would buy him all the cars he would want to fix and drive.
For my girlfriends full time gardeners,cooks, and housekeepers and limo with driver so they would have time for their passions.
For My Mom..this is bittersweet since she just passed away the day before Thanksgiving….I would give her everything,delicious food a beautiful home by the ocean so she could watch the waves and a horse that she could ride like the wind. Beautiful clothes and a sewing room with every fabric she desired. Hugs everyday
Great ideas Tina…I wish I was on your girlfriend list…sounds wonderful!
Such a dreamy post Tina and Isn’t it fun to enjoy such a variety of things? A dude ranch, trip to France, a personal design studio, and .. of course unlimited chocolate. What could possibly be better? Such a fun series!
Enjoy your day!
Such fabulous gifts, Tina…your Mother’s gift sounds a dream and an annual trip with your girlfriends would be wonderful 😉
Wishing you and your family a very happy christmas xx
Tina all of your choices are pure perfection and thoughtful beyond! Does your husband read your blog? If so you are in for some fun conversations!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I loved this! What lucky people in your life you have, I love the idea of a dude ranch and trips for life and what mom wouldn’t be happy to recreate the clothes that they love. Such thoughtful imaginative ideas, Tina, This was a fun read, I love the way you think:-)
Hope you are finding some time in between all that decorating to relax a little too.
What great ideas, endless girls trips, a rugged yet refined ranch, elegant clothing and chocolates… very thoughtful and fun!
Well Tina ?.. all I can say is that I wish I was on your Christmas list !!!!!!!
What a great post for our BIO subject this month.
Wishing you the merriest of Christmases filled with love and togetherness. XXXX
Well, damn girl, all you have to do is come to Texas with Michael! :)’s
I’m SO in with the girl’s trip, put me down, I’ll pay my own way.
And, your mother? Do you call her Mimi? My grandchildren call me Mimi. I already love your mother, what you have wished for her would make any woman’s heart sing with delight, and Katy-bar-the-door, wouldn’t the creative energy get a workout? Merry Merry Christmas to you, one of the most wonderful people in all of blogland.
Girlfiend…..travel……can I be one of your girlfriends?
Looks like YOU have the PLAN DOWN!
MERRY CHRISTMAS……….
SO creative. SO thoughtful. SO original! I laughed at the Dude Ranch, nodded at the personal couturier, and wanted to jump up and down at the thought of an annual “girls trip” to somewhere spectacular.
Brilliant. Truly brilliant.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season (and a side of Sees candies).
🙂
I’m new to your blog but am loving it. What a great idea. My mind is swirling with ideas for those I love. I loved every idea you mentioned! Thanks for something I look forward to reading whenever I see your blog in my inbox.
He will be one happy Michael, Tina… 🙂 and your girlfriends and mother will be pretty pleased too… xv
You are the consummate gift giver! My husband loves to swim – I’d give him a 50 yard pool for laps and free pool maintenance for life! My mother loves mrs sees too!,, she sent us 3 lbs just today! She deserves a new car, but as an octogenarian, I’ll give her a chauffeur to go with her new Mercedes! My best friend… I would giver a fighting chance against cancer.
These are all so wonderful. Your lucky husband and Mom!! I agree with her frustration over clothes. I’d be happy to snip threads for her. Merry Christmas!
Tina,
I can’t help but smile at the gift for your husband….as you’ve just described my father-in-law, who goes by “Cowboy” to my boys. He is a dude ranch gentleman!
Can I get in on the girlfriend trip? That is the BEST gift!! And, how adorable your mother must be – I’m sure she would be one happy dressmaker!
I’d give my husband a weekly golf pass to the world’s most incredible courses – with his choice of 3 buddies and a caddie who could help him win. Bloody Mary’s “at the turn”.
For my mom, who is one elegant lady and loves to travel, I’d give a cruise around the world.
For my girlfriends, I would give them each their own personal stylist and beauty team so that every day when they left the house, the felt like a million bucks!
Here’s to giving those we love something they will truly cherish!
xoxo Elizabeth
I am 75 but it’s great to dream and if money were no object i would make sure every widow and single mother would have a home paid for .I would get great joy in watching a senior citizen shop and find out when they got to the register everything was paid for ! I would give to find cures for diseases that take our loved ones to early. I would give to the Gideons to make sure Bibles were everywhere so everyone heard of Gods love for them , and all the promises he has given to us. if we are going to dream we may as well dream big!
Such a great list Tina, and how much fun would that girl’s trip be?! May I put in a request please – when your husband is on his dream ranch, can I come and help out with the ranchwork? This is a long long time dream of mine, to ride on a ranch with my girls! 🙂
love to you
Sharon
x
AHH is money was no object my gift giving would be dangerous…
Tina,
By invitation only is one of my favorite things to read. Your Christmas gifts for your husband and girlfriends sound fabulous!
The dude ranch is perfect for any cowboy.
I hope that you are enjoying all of the sight, sounds are adventures of the season
Have a fabulous day.
LOVE THIS, dear Tina!!!
Can imagine how thrilled your husband would be!!!
Your mother and girlfriend!
What a fabulous post! Simply enchanting.
Warmest greetings and best wishes for Christmas,
Karin
Wonderful gifts, all! When I was growing up, it just wasn’t Christmas without See’s candy, and it’s still true.
love it! my gift for my husband would be a blank check for tuition to attend med school. he chose law in spite of being equally interested in medicine, and this is where he would be happiest spending his time…yep, learning and being pushed to the limit. peace to you.
Tina dearest,
Its just so like you to think of everyone and be so generous and affectionate with all your gifts… I love to give and I know you do too
Our mothers are similar! Mummy is 74 now, but just as elegant and stylish as ever…she says the same thing about shopping, and now I am allowed to choose clothes for her which is lovely. I treasure each day that she is here, that is a gift in itself.
Hope your week is going well Xx
Hi Tina,
oh what joy reading your blog post was.. beautiful!
I can echo the girls friends trips.. I’ve just experienced South Africa for two weeks, with a group of x6 of us.. gosh.. talk about eat and drink, all those beautiful wines, and marvelous hotels we checked into.. pure magic it was! Came home feeling like i’d been to a health retreat we laughed so much!
once again, if you’re needing a destination .. shout.. I do S E Asia, South Africa and India.. in style! warm regards – Jean