Mother’s Day! Hit Me With Those Comments.
Today is Mother’s Day, and for every commenter who stops in today and says “hello” or “good luck” or “this blog sucks,” I will be donating $1 to FINCA International. C’mon - make my wallet groan in pain! UPDATE: Only four hours left! If you are reading this and haven’t said hi yet, don’t tarry! I’d really love it if we could reach a total of at least one hundred different commenters by midnight! De-lurk! De-lurk! COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!
My twins were a tad disappointed that rather than receive a present, Mommy wanted to give money away to other people as a gift. Consequently they wanted to help with my gift. I asked them to draw me some pictures please, and they came up with the idea (all on their own, too, clever boys) that they would draw their ideal perfumes to give to mothers. They were terribly concerned that someone might steal their pictures or ideas, so I told them about copyrights, and then promised to remind everyone that the artwork below is the intellectual property of Zeke and Henry Voll-Taylor. You’ve all been warned, heh!
The first triad of perfume bottles is by Henry. His idea was that “the bottles are talking, so that when all the mothers put their perfume on they hear the nicest things to say.” I’m not sure if the words will show up on all monitors, so the first bottle is saying “I love the world,” the second says “I love you,” and the third “I like you.” They indeed are nice things, though he forgot that one of the nicest things to say to anyone is “Congratulations, you’ve just won the lottery!” Well, come to think about it, it’s a nice thing to say as long as you’re not living inside a Shirley Jackson novel. He wanted me to especially draw your attention to the heart on the bottom corner of the second bottle - it changes colors when you spray it he says. He’s very proud of that idea. As am I of his creative little self.
This second design is Zeke’s… the heart shape bottle shows the heavy artisic influence the Escada perfume house has had upon his work. He said the best part of his design is that because it’s heart shaped you can give it to mothers on ANY day you like for a little valentine. I tried to sharpen part of the picture so you could read the name of the perfume. It’s written in pencil on the box beneath the bottle, but it’s still not quite clear after my effort. He calls his perfume “Super Rose.” I asked him about the name. He said it was the best rose perfume ever, and it would make mothers fly. And then I simply lost it and got all verklempt. His perfume is made of pencil, crayon, and paper, and it smells better than any other perfume I’ve owned. Am I flying? Well, not by his standard, but I got the effect and I didn’t even need fancy tights or a cape to do it: I’ve got a super rose.
Since they were in a perfume-y mood, I asked them to pick the perfumes they thought would be the best ones for moms. Henry selected Fendi Theorema. He’s really got the most challenging and interesting taste for a seven year old - bear in mind this is my guy who also loves the polarizing Miss Dior. He never fails to surprise me with how sophisiticated his nose is. Zeke picked Escada Ibiza Hippie. When I pointed out to him that his own Mommy never really wears it, he admitted that he just likes it for himself to wear because it’s the one that smells like “breakfast strawberries.” Upon some prompting for a selection for moms rather than for himself, he responded that moms like breakfast strawberries too, then gave me a rather dismissive look for even asking.
Roughly ten years ago, I tried to give my own mom a Super Rose. I knew how badly she wanted a bottle of Lancome’s Tresor, and when I made a trip to Canada, I picked it up for her on my way out the duty-free store going home. She was so tickled and pleased with it, and to this day that bottle sits in a place of honor on her dresser. But she’s barely touched it. If you didn’t look closely you’d swear it was full. She keeps telling me she saves it for “special” occasions. She also saves a set of silverware for use only with “special” occasions: we’ve never used it in the umpteen years she’s had it. There’s a tablecloth that sat unused in her linen closet for, oh let’s say 15-ish years, that was also “special.” We finally just took it out one year on Christmas without telling her and set the table so she wouldn’t know until it was too late to do anything about it: and she was so flipping happy about how pretty it was. I keep urging her to use the stupid bottle: I got it for her to use WHENEVER she liked. But alas, my arm twisting has no effect. The perfume has aged. While it still smells sweet and lovely, it sadly has lost some of its sparkle through the years. Waiting for something special to happen. So, Mom? Every day is a special one. Moreover, every day with you is an especial one. I have spent all my life trying to figure out how to give you a Super Rose, too. Even at my worst, when I was a ragingly annoying teenager, I wanted you to have one. I can only keep telling you the nicest things to say, and hope you realize what a wonderful mom you are when you hear them: I love the world, I love you, and I like you.
And, thank you.
If you’d like to visit some more benevolent bloggers, please click on the links below. They are all wonderful people, and they will love to see you!
- Beauty Addict for Orphan Foundation of America
- Blogdorf Goodman for FINCA International
- Brain Trapped in Girl’s Body for FINCA International
- A Girl’s Gotta Spa for Orphan Foundation of America
- MonkeyPosh for Humane Society of the United States and Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Mother Hen’s Place for Aga Khan Foundation Canada
- Legerdenez for Orphan Foundation of America
- One Child Left Behind for Heifer International
- Perfume Posse for Orphan Foundation of America
- Perfumery for FINCA International
- Perfume-Smellin’ Things for Orphan Foundation of America
- The Scented Salamander for Orphan Foundation of America
- Scenteur 7 for Orphan Foundation of America *Participating May 10th through the 15th!*
- SmellyBlog for FINCA International
- The Soap Blog for UNIQUE
- That Obscure Object of Desire for FINCA International
- Urban Chick for Womankind Worldwide *Participating May 12th ’til she returns from holiday in a few weeks*
- Victoria’s Own for FINCA International
- Yankee Family goes South for Orphan Foundation of America
May 13th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Come on K, get your camera into action! The Princely one demands it……..LOL!
May 13th, 2006 at 11:05 pm
Your blog rocks! I`m one of those who-read-but-never-comment, but I enjoy your blog very much. I love your humor!
May 13th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Happy Mother’s Day you Mother of Benevolent Blogging!
May 13th, 2006 at 11:48 pm
What a great story! Your kid are just great. (Also, my mother did the same thing with her perfume - the “special” occasions never seemed to materialize!)
I have been very busy today visiting all the blogs that joined in your project - such a cool idea!
May 13th, 2006 at 11:53 pm
It was certainly worth the wait for the pictures. Looks like you have a couple of budding Picassos there my dear.
May 14th, 2006 at 12:39 am
Happy Mother’s Day.
What a lovely post dear Katie.
I think I want to hug your boys!
Their pictures are beautiful.
I am sure Zeke drew Super Rose because you are a Super Mom!!!
Have a beautiful day!
May 14th, 2006 at 1:06 am
Ah, ah, tears! What a sweet, wonderful post. I am very impressed by the noses of your twins, their creativity, and their expansive hearts. And the unused bottle of Tresor–worth wearing every day. Happy Mother’s Day, and thank you so much for the generous and amazing organization of Benevolent Blogging.
May 14th, 2006 at 1:08 am
So nicely written and you do indeed have some lovely gentlemen in the making over there it seems. Happy Mothers day and thanks for doing something to make others feel verklempt.
BKS
May 14th, 2006 at 1:40 am
Wow…those boys are such darlings. I wish you many more years of SuperRose and talking perfumes. Happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 at 3:34 am
ah yes - the special occasion items. I do that myself
May 14th, 2006 at 3:38 am
What charming - and artistic - little guys! Happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 at 4:15 am
happy Mother’ Day Katie!
May 14th, 2006 at 4:16 am
You are such an amazing blogger and wonderful friend.
May 14th, 2006 at 4:17 am
And, it goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) You’re an awesome MOM! Yay.
xoxo
May 14th, 2006 at 4:39 am
Thanks so much everyone! I will try to respond to comments later today, but for now I just wanted to tell you guys thanks… And to encourage those lurkers amongst you to come out of hiding for just a second, please!
May 14th, 2006 at 5:26 am
Hi Katie!
I love the pictures!Thanks for sharing.
May 14th, 2006 at 5:52 am
Aww! Don’t you love when the kids draw pictures? My oldest made me a card in school and had all of his classmates and teachers sign it. ;) He is only 7 and knows how to treat a girl! Hooray!
Happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 at 6:01 am
Oh, Katie, the boys are so sweet and talented! Happy Mother’s Day to the Benevolent Blog Queen :-)
May 14th, 2006 at 6:21 am
1) I love your kids, I love that they love perfume, I love the talking bottles and the Super Rose, I love that they are concerned with the intellectual property law as regards images on the Internet.
2) My mother too saves everything for special occasions, and it drives us nuts! Moms everywhere, please, every day you’re alive is special, so LIVE IT UP! :-)
3) You’re obviously such a great mom. Happy Mother’s Day to you, and thank you for thinking up this great blog charity event! May it be a big hit and make a difference.
May 14th, 2006 at 6:41 am
Awwwwww! What wonderful, wonderful boys you have, Katie!! Can I have some of that Super Rose? Though I love the idea of talking bottles too!
Happy Mother’s Day!!
May 14th, 2006 at 7:09 am
I love the talking bottles…that is too cute. Happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 at 7:15 am
Dear Katie
What a lovely post and …excuse my professional touch here on Mother’s day…. I see your boys aiming for a cool marketing career in a perfume house. Please tell them I like the idea of a perfume bottle changing the colour and I love the idea of I love you perfumes. Sooner or later we will have to discuss licensing issues ;-)
Thank you and enjoy your day!
May 14th, 2006 at 7:48 am
Followed a link from a fellow blogger — great site you have!
May 14th, 2006 at 7:52 am
Aw, if ever images deserved to be stolen, those do.
May 14th, 2006 at 8:05 am
Katie - what very talented boys - If it wasn’t for that darn IP clause I’d have poached them ideas for sure!!
Lovely post
Heather
May 14th, 2006 at 8:08 am
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY KATIE!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
May 14th, 2006 at 8:10 am
Hello, and good luck!
Happy Mother’s Day,
K.
May 14th, 2006 at 8:18 am
A wonderful idea and wonderful pictures! I want some Super Rose!
May 14th, 2006 at 8:36 am
Happy Mothers Day to one of the best mothers I know. Have a wonderful day with your family and thanks so much for organizing this. It is the perfect way to celebrate the day!
May 14th, 2006 at 8:44 am
Ah, I just love those little presents. Mine was some sort of hanging thing with love notes attached. My daughter also wanted to take me to a Jewelery store to buy something. When I told her it wasn’t open today, she nearly cried and said, “What about all the other little girls who want to go there for their mommies?”
May 14th, 2006 at 8:44 am
I’m a friend of Sticky Keys - just wanted to say Happy Mother’s Day, and what a great story about your kiddies!
May 14th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Cute pictures. Happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 at 9:02 am
Scentzilla, your sons are precious! Happy Mother’s Day to obviously a great mom!
May 14th, 2006 at 9:04 am
Young artists–I’m impressed. Those are the coolest pictures I’ve ever seen.
Hullo and Happy Mother’s Day, Katiedid.
May 14th, 2006 at 9:13 am
um, poo! cats! dogs! delicious salad! yeah, I do. money.
May 14th, 2006 at 9:29 am
What sweet drawings! Thank you for sharing.
Happy, happy Mother’s Day to you!
May 14th, 2006 at 9:36 am
Happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 at 9:42 am
Hope you get lots of comments for your charity!
May 14th, 2006 at 11:07 am
Good luck with benevolent blogging.
May 14th, 2006 at 11:13 am
Happy Mother’s Day! Those pictures are great! I used to draw little bottles for my mama, as well. Of course, they were bourbon bottles, but still…
May 14th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Happy Mother’s Day to you. Calivalleygirl is spreading the word about your Benevolent Mother’s Day blogging. What a lovely idea. Hope your day is going great.
May 14th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Okay, maybe it’s the hormones, but you made me sob and laugh at more or less the same time. The perfume that makes us hear nice things just shoved me right over the edge, but the Shirley Jackson follow-up ensured the coffee-out-the-nose routine.
Thanks from the bottom of my slightly tattered mommy heart on this Mother’s Day.
May 14th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Hit you with my comment. Here you go. I came via Kyahgirl and what a wonderful idea!
May 14th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Oooh…you made me all soggy! Your writing is so great, and your kids (and mom) sound even better. Give those boys a hug from another mom of a seven year old boy. (And give FINCA a $1 from me!
May 14th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Wow…I wish Super Rose and I Love the World could be bottled and sold. I’ll bet they would smell sweeter than all the Givenchy ever made. :)
Happy Mother’s Day, Katiedid.
May 14th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Very creative boys you have. Just adding another dollar to the fund…
May 14th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
De-lurking to say hi and Happy Mothers Day. Looking forward to your continuing reports on The Great Mascara Hunt.
May 14th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
You make me proud to live in Portland!
May 14th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
i read. i laughed. i cried.
how wonderful children can be. the talking and the flying of perfumes - they know intuitively what they can do.
and i hope super rose gets made one of these days.
thank you for sharing. i could smell the crayon and the love.
May 14th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
The drawings are just adorable!
Happy Mother’s Day!
May 14th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Katie, your stories about your little guys always touch me. The Super Rose is a great idea, and that is just what I did for my own mom this year … my first “finished” perfume was for her. At 89 she may not wear lipstick anymore, but it cheers me to know she often remembers to put on perfume!
May 14th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
what a cool idea!
May 14th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Simply wonderful to see all of you here! Please keep those comments coming - I so appreciate your taking the time to do it :)
May 14th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
What a lovely mom you are and what amazing children you have! Those drawings are incredible and so are the ideas behind them. Now I will have to ask their permission to make a Super Rose perfume. What a great name. And the talking bottles are such a vision - I will not be surprised if someone steals their ideas! How come no one have thunked the talking bottles idea yet?
My grandmother is also like this sometimes with savouring things. But not with perfumes. She uses them as she wishes. My mother, when she was a little girl - if she didn’t like her food, she would be very diplomatic about it and say: “Mom, it is so good, please save it for me for later!”. How cunning!
I think my super rose perfume is Parfum Sacre. I love to smell fresh roses, but in perfume I like to have some oomph added to the rose, a soliflore just won’t cut it. The spices, the myrrh and the musk make the roses perfect.
May 14th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
Oh, and of course - once more: Thank you so much, Katie, for gatheering us for thie Benevolent Blogging project. I know there will be more to come. My dream is to do a fundraiser for Autism each October, which is Autism Awareness Month.
On another note, my daughter would have probably picked breakfast strawberries too as a scent for me. She just loves strawberries for all the reasons in the world - shape, colour, flavour and fragrance…
May 14th, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Katiedid, your kids have imagination because you’re the kind of person who can nurture that in them. Doncha know you’re a great mom? ;-D I’m glad I came back to read the story because honestly I skimmed through it earlier. Good stuff. “I Love the World”, “I Love You” and “I Like You” would make an amazing perfume trio. If you need to sue me, you know where I am.