Sunflowers, Ornamental Peppers and Rosemary from the Sacramento Farmer's Market

Is it a dilemma for any of you to pick a birthday present for your mother? When a person is trying to rid themselves of the clutter that accumulates after many years on the planet, what do you give that doesn't add to the problem? My Mom is one of the most interesting people I know. She has lived in California: Pasadena, Venice Beach, Malibu Canyon, Napa and Healdsburg and Petaluma. She lived near Santa Fe New Mexico in a village called Galesteo and also in Taos. She lived on Vashon Island in Puget Sound. She lived in Hawaii for a period of time as well. Along the way, she gathered beautiful things and mementos from all of the friends that she has acquired.

This Country Beidermeier armoire has traveled from Pasadena in the home where I grew up, to Galesteo New Mexico, to Vashon, to Healdsburg, Petaluma, and now to Sacramento. The marble topped table has traveled the same path. There is a crow from an artist, John Cannell, in New Mexico sitting on the armoire with two large metal finials that I think came along in Headlsburg. Then, there is the large handcrafted tin framed mirror that was purchased from an artisan friend by the name of Robert Stanfeld from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

There is this Folk Art man standing next to a carnivorous plant, which is so beautifully cool I think! I mean, who's mom chooses a plant like this?. The man is from a New Mexico Folk artist as well. And the Lamp is from Mom's antique Dealer days in Healdsburg. It used to be a beverage dispenser.

TV/Sitting Room

My mother collects ironstone, and has one of the most interesting collections I have seen A few of the pieces are atop just a portion her overflowing bookcases. (Now you know where I got my book fetish......and my ironstone interest.) The small hexagonal table is Victorian, picked up from an antiques dealer in Napa. And on top is an Indian Basket from my Father's side of the family (a few generations ago) filled with very old American Indian pottery shards gleaned from a forgotten New Mexico dumping site. The green Art Deco lamp is by Weller one of a pair and is from Mom's Healdsburg days. The glass pedestal the lamp is sitting on is an old Gas Pump cylinder.

So what does one give when a person doesn't want or need anything else?

We brought books to read, flowers to enjoy, goodies to eat, and wine to drink.

We brought our very favorite cake: a Pims Cake from Freeport Bakery, our favorite bakery. (It is a rich almond cake topped with orange marmalade and chunks of chocolate fudge, modeled after the Pims English Tea Cookie).

But most importantly we brought ourselves, our time, and too much love to fit in any sort of wrapped up package. And the undying promise of more.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!