Today's real-life gift.

We had a fabulous evening: our neighbors watched the Bwun while we went out for dinner at Spark. If you live in Happy Valley, you really should consider going. The food was beyond perfect, from my alcohol-free berry martini to the flat iron steak to the ruby grapefruit brulee for dessert. (I know it sounds weird, but even the Romgi was impressed, and he hates grapefruit!) Best of all, I had two free hands to cut my food with, and I didn’t have to keep moving my cup away from the Bwun because he wasn’t there.

I adore the Bwun, you know that, but it was so great to have a little break.

We owe a huge thank you to ‘sposita, who generously helped fund our evening out! Come with us next time!

(By the way, the Bwun was apparently an angel for our neighbors, and was so calm they decided we must have drugged him before dropping him off. Really? He was a terror for me all day. And became a terror again as soon as we went to pick him up. Thanks, Bwun.)

Today's gift

I am so heartbroken that these adorable cookie cutters from Williams-Sonoma are currently sold out. Otherwise, I’d just buy them for myself.

Message-in-a-Cookie Cutters by Williams- Sonoma, via Creature Comforts

In case you aren’t bothering to click the link, the set comes with interchangeable words as well as letters for customizing your message. Please, consider this a real gift idea!

Terrariums on Etsy

I like the idea of a terrarium – but am too cheap to buy one and too lazy to make one (let alone care for one, regardless of how “easy” they are). Instead I’ve been admiring some of the best, in my opinion, available on Etsy.

By the way, the Romgi just referred to terrariums as “fancy Chia Pets.”

Simple Green Moss Terrarium by teresab123

The Green Garden Terrarium by doodlebirdie

Teacup Terrariums by augury

Three Itty Bitty Terrariums by TortoiseLovesDonkey

The Secret Garden by doodlebirdie

Ohm My Terrarium by JeffreyJamesModern

You may have noticed that I don’t care much for the embellished terrariums – which often include miniature gnomes, deer, toadstools, etc. This is a good example of one I dislike.

(You may have also noticed that the square terrarium costs $300. That’s why it appeared in this post instead of its own Today’s Gift post. I’m so considerate!)