Last weekend we celebrated my son-in-law Mike’s birthday. Because they live in Massachusetts, Mike, our daughter Shannon, and the dogs came to Maine on Saturday to spend the night.
The day was astonishingly warm for early February in Maine. When it comes to the weather nowadays, my thoughts always turn to my parents, who never would have imagined it could be so warm in midwinter. Such big changes.
Mike chose to go to Absolem Cider Company to celebrate his birthday. It is one of his favorite places in central Maine. It is one of mine, too.
Here we are, on the way to the barn at sunset. Note how shiny with mud the path is. It felt more like March than February.
However, inside all was cozy and dry. Soon we had our drinks, and it was cheers to the birthday boy.
Here is a picture of Mike and our daughter Shannon.
After our drinks, we went back home for presents, and this year, Clif and I had come up with something special for Mike—twelve books, one to be opened at the beginning of each month throughout the year.
I got the idea from my friend Doree, who had done this for her sister for Christmas and had written about it on Facebook. Immediately, I was smitten by the idea, and my thoughts turned to Mike and his birthday in February. Mike is an avid reader, and I knew he would be thrilled to get a book a month. Also, and this is sheer coincidence, of everyone in the family, Mike’s taste in books is most similar to mine, which made picking out books for him very easy.
Last Thursday, Clif and I wrapped and labeled the books. As we did so, I thought about how giving these gifts was a joy from beginning to end—choosing the books, deciding which books should go for which month, wrapping the books, and then seeing them laid out on our dining room table, small packages of delight waiting to be opened.
A closer look at February’s book.
And what was February’s book? Here is New York, by the late great writer E.B. White, whom I mentioned in last week’s post.
It was so much fun to watch Mike inspect his books.
“This is amazing,” he said more than once.
Happy birthday, Mike, and happy reading!
Notes From the Hinterland 
What a wonderful idea — a birthday gift that continues all year long. I completely agree with Mike – this is amazing — and very, very thoughtful!
And so much fun to put together!
Happy Belated Birthday to Mike — and what a lucky guy he is to have such thoughtful parents-in-law! A brand new book every month in the year — super idea, Laurie! I imagine every time he opens a new package, he’s going to think fondly of you all and enjoy getting lost in a new tale.
A-w-w-w, thanks, Debbie. We are thrilled to have him for a son-in-law.
Happy belated birthday to Mike! The 12 books sounds like a wonderful idea for a present.
That is some muddy February weather you are having. The mud caught some beautiful reflections for that photo, though!
Such a delight to chose those 12 books.
Some mud is right! And in February, no less. Made walking a little difficult, but it did provide pretty reflections for the picture.
What a totally awesome birthday present. Thanks for the idea, Laurie!!
My pleasure!
What a good idea! It’s even better when you know someone well enough to know their taste in books, and at least a bit of their reading history. Well done — this is an idea I’m going to use myself. I know just the person who will enjoy it.
I think for gift to work, you would have to really know the recipient’s taste in books. Fun that you plan to use the idea!
Lovely idea! And what fun!
So much fun!
that is such a good idea w/ the 12 books. though i have to admit that i would be tempted to open them all up at once.
Well done on the present.
I see your point. But I think Mike is going to wait each month to open a book. At least that’s his story. 😉
What a great gift idea Laurie! I’m definitely going to borrow this one!
Oh, please do! Such a delight to put together.
Awesome idea.
Thanks, Rupali. And Mike was thrilled to receive them.
Ooh, I would love this as a present. It would be a good idea for my daughter’s birthday in August , I might start keeping my eye out for likely candidates.
From beginning to end, a wonderful present to put together.
What a wonderful gift to receive! Also, I know it’s a muddy path, but it looks so pretty ☺️
And such a fun gift to give! That muddy path does look pretty, but tough to navigate. Slippery and mucky. In the past, I have lost a shoe when walking in the mud.
Great idea… a gift that keeps on giving!
The weather has been pleasant, but we know it isn’t quite right. Hope you weather the coming storm without mishap. We just read that Nova Scotia got 5 feet of snow… oh, my!
All through the year! It’s hard not to like 50 degree weather in the winter, but, dang, it’s wicked weird. So far, it looks as though the storm is going to skirt us. I couldn’t believe Nova Scotia got 5 feet, and we didn’t get any. More weirdness.
I’m with the others who have commented; this is a great idea! I like that you have written clues about them on the outside of the package. It’s how I feel when I get a new book; it’s a present to be unwrapped. And now he can literally unwrap one a month. So cool!
Yup, very cool to unwrap one a month. Fun to write those clues, too. Everything about giving this gift tickled me.
What a fantastic idea for a present! Perfect. And happy birthday to Mike as well.
Thanks, Barbara! And so much fun to put together.
What a lovely gift !!! Great idea. The weather here is too warm for February, my roses already have leafs ! Mind you, we do get loads of rain.
Many thanks! I know it sounds odd to write that 50 degrees is too warm, but in Maine in February, it really is.
An excellent gift idea!
So much fun!
For an avid reader this is better than any other present I can think of. Applause to the in-laws and happy birthday to Mike.
You bet! And Mike is an avid reader. A-w-w-w, thanks for the applause.
I am another who commends your idea,
So much fun!
Yes, me too! Paul always loves getting books for Christmas, so having one for each month is a great idea.
Happy birthday Mike.
A year-round treat! Fun for Mike to be getting birthday wishes from around the world. Another wonderful aspect of blogging.
Yes, blogging is amazing!
What a great gift idea for bookworms. I think I might also adopt this as a tradition. Thank you for passing on the idea! 📚📚📚
My pleasure! Hope to read about it on your blog if you do.
What a perfect gift!
What a wonderful gift idea for a reader.
You have wowed us all with your thoughtful gift – what a lovely surprise. I too like that you have written teasers on the wrapping 🙂 🙂
A-w-w-w, thanks. Sure was fun writing those teasers. As I wrote, this gift was a joy from beginning to end.
What a lovely gift. I bet you really enjoyed choosing those books!
I sure did. And because we have such similar tastes in reading, it was pretty easy to choose the books.
A marvellous present to take him through the year. The sunset picture is a beautifully composed stunner.
Thanks, Derrick! A very photogenic place, especially at sunset.
Oh my goodness. What a great idea. And yes a gift that keeps giving and lasts all year long. How thoughtful of you. It sounds like it was such fun for you too.
Many thanks! I love giving presents, but this gift gave me more joy than any present have given.
That is such a brilliant idea! A sort of Advent calender that lasts all year!
Great comparison!
Wow, Laurie, what a great idea for a birthday gift! The little messages related to each month’s read were so intriguing. Mike is one lucky son-in-law. 😀 He had a wonderful birthday.
A-w-w-w, thanks so much! Fun to write those little messages.
Cool idea. I imagine you need to think about giving books that can be read in a month. Not like the one I finally finished after 3 months, “The Brothers Karamazov”!
What a wonderful gift to give Laurie, it is such a lovely idea. Happy birthday to Mike from all of us too 🎉
Will do! I know he will be tickled to get birthday greetings from Scotland.
What a fabulous birthday and gift idea!! It must have been just as wonderful choosing the books and writing the descriptions as it was for him to receive such a special gift!!📖🙂
That gift was sheer delight, from beginning to end, when Mike said, “This is amazing!” I’ve never had so much fun giving a gift.
What a great idea for a gift, Laurie! Fun for you and the recipient.
We all had a blast!
Whoa….I’m so going to borrow this great gift idea!
Borrow away! So much fun to give.
Now that us a neat idea (even fir Christmas
Yes, yes! A wonderful Christmas present.
Great idea and great pictures!
Many thanks!
What a wonderful way to celebrate Mike’s birthday! The cozy atmosphere at Absolem Cider Company sounds perfect for a February evening. And the idea of giving him twelve books, one for each month, is just brilliant! It’s clear how much thought and love went into choosing them, and seeing his joy must have been the best part. Happy (belated) birthday to Mike, and here’s to many hours of happy reading ahead!
So much fun!
I could imagine! Cheers!
Belated Happy Birthday to Mike …. and cheers to the dash of warm weather for you! A wrapped book a month – and with a note … now that’s a brilliant idea!
Many thanks! Such a fun gift to give.
Laurie, thanks for sharing Mike’s birthday celebration. I love the idea of a book a month, each wrapped in brown paper with a hint on top. Isn’t it fun after many years when you can surprise someone you love? I’m glad you’ve enjoyed some warmer days, but I know it evokes concern as well. I hope things move back to seasonal, though more spring like days can’t hurt but uplift.
Wonderful to give as it is to receive.
Indeed.