To first-time visitors, welcome —
and if my tablescapes catch your eye, I hope you’ll check them out!
ME: You know, Babe, when I mention you on my blog, I seem to always call you “my sweet husband.” How do you feel about that?
HIM: (Shrugging shoulders) I don’t care. It’s fine with me.
ME: It is? Okay then. I just wanted to be sure. Last Spring when “T” saw your gorgeous tulips, she got a better picture of the entire “you” — and she called you a renaissance man. I thought if “sweet husband” bothered you I might call you that — but since it doesn’t …
HIM: (With a slightly sheepish grin emerging) Well … I sorta like that …
The description is actually very accurate. According to dictionary.com a renaissance man is “a present-day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field.” Yep, that sounds right …
Because it’s the combination I fell in love with, I’ll tell you first that my husband is extremely compassionate, has a great sense of humor, loves to tell stories, and is committed to the core. He’s a man of integrity with a very generous heart. And he will do anything for his family … including laundry and cleaning when necessary. He thinks being Poppa to our 17-month-old grandson is the best “job” in the whole entire world …
He knows his way around the kitchen — and didn’t balk even when it started out looking like this. Yikes! (I’ll show you the “after” sometime in the year ahead.)
He cooks whenever he feels like it … which is often. He doesn’t hesitate to BBQ ribs, chicken, and brisket for 100 hungry men — or make a wild game appetizer of pheasant gumbo … for 350.
Besides cooking, his special interests are many and varied — as you’d expect from someone called Renaissance Man.
He’s an avid gardener …
… an outdoorsman …
… and likes his power tools. (He was pretty good at getting in and out of tight spots when restoring our old house …) It’s sooooo nice having a DIY husband!
Renaissance Man introduced me to the exciting world of auctions when we married 20 years ago — and I suspect has lived to regret it on a few occasions! He’s been known to have a “vintage linen radar” that’s as good (and sometimes better) than mine. When job-related travel doesn’t have him on the road, he’s right there with me — scoping out the goods. While I’m bidding, he’s the one who carefully packs up the purchases and hauls them to the car … and into the house … so I can prepare them for my Etsy shop — and send them … from My Place to Yours! (Now that’s a REALLY good man, don’t you think?)
Professionally, he’s an ordained minister with a Ph.D. in religion, a published author, public speaker, professional fundraiser, and a former college administrator. He’s now president of the international non-profit ministry, Hope Unlimited for Children, offering hope and transformation to children at mortal risk in Brazil.
Renaissance Man is a big supporter and encourager of me … and this blog … and my tablescapes. In fact, he grew all of the flowers I used on these tables. (Just click the pictures if you want to see the original tablescape posts.)
And his “outdoorsman” interests provided the inspiration for these two tablescapes …
Recently when he walked into our dining room and said this tablescape was his “favorite so far,” I was surprised. Then I looked at it … really looked at it … and I saw a blend of classic elegance, masculine colors, and comfort. Yeah, I can see why he’d like it. Renaissance Man is a real “mix” … someone who can wear a tuxedo as easily as camo. (Bet you can guess which one he prefers!)
If you’re still reading this long, “personal” post, I don’t know whether to say a big thank you — or ask you why? Seriously … thank you for being interested in me and my family. I’m certainly interested in you and yours — and grateful that you’ve stopped by today.
So, in case you’re wondering … Why did I choose today to do this post — when I could have done an Epiphany tablescape with beautiful wise men nativity figures? Because this week, Tablescape Thursday falls on a special day …
Renaissance Man!
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.
“Happy Birthday to Renaissance Man”, and I hope he knows how truly blessed he is to have Such a “Sweet Wife”!!!
Happy New Year to you and yours,
Hugs
Donna
Susan, what a wonderful post. I loved every word and every picture, and I think Renaissance Man fits him perfectly. What a talented guy!
So Happy Birthday to Renaissance Man. I hope it is filled with all the joy he gives to others!
XO,
Sheila 🙂
Susan, what a nice and loving post!
I am sure your husband already have the best birthday present: You!
Wish you and your family a wonderful 2011, lots of love, good health, good friends and great achievements!
I loved reading about your wonderful husband. When you talked about his “radar”, it made me smile. I have a similar husband and I feel very blessed.
What a sweet tribute to your Renaissance Man and I love the masculine table too — love the brown dishes. Happy Birthday to your sweetie! Joni
This is such a sweet post! I just started following your blog, and I really liked your “personal post.” Btw, I love to garden, and your Renaissance Man’s flowers are impressive. He certainly has a green thumb. Happy Birthday, R.M.!
Susan…a sweet tribute to your sweet husband, lol! RM is a great name for him. I follow another blog where the husband is called TNBIM (that nice boy I married) 🙂
Blessings!
Gail
This is an absolute wonderful tribute to your husband. Happy Birthday to Renaissance Man! May your days together be the best ever!
What a wonderful and thoughtful tribute. I have a Renaissance Man at home also..I call him my better half.I carry your link on my blog..my friends just love your posts…keep up the good work.. http://twotulipstalking.blogspot.com/
What a wonderful and thoughtful tribute. I have a Renaissance Man at home also..I call him my better half.I carry your link on my blog..my friends just love your posts…keep up the good work.. http://twotulipstalking.blogspot.com/
Susan, this post just made me smile and smile. I, too, have a Renaissance Man and he continues to surprise and delight me year after year. I am so happy to read about yours. Happy Birthday to him!
What a wonderful tribute to your dear husband. Happy Birthday to him, and many blessings!
First…hallelujah, hooray, and thank the Lord you and Renaissance Man found each other! Sounds like a match made in heaven!!! He is very comfortable with himself and isn’t afraid to show it, and I don’t think there’s a woman alive (a SANE woman alive) who would not want that! Although they don’t share the same interests per se, I think your husband and mine (I just call him by his name – Ramon – on my blog!) are of the same ilk. I sleep very easily at night knowing I have such a treasure next to me. Happy Birthday to your wonderful hubby, and I wish you both EVERY happiness and fortune. Oh…and thanks for stopping by my place earlier. I appreciate it! Have a great week!!!
aww, how sweet! and i like that tablescape too. it reminds me of one i did recently-simple and classic. guess renaissance man has good taste. and a happy birthday to him!
What a wonderful tribute to your husband. I hope he has a great birthday (and many more). He truly does sound like a renaissance man! Thank you for sharing!!
What a great post about your husband and I think his new name fits him perfectly. What a great way to show him how you feel about him. I hope he has a wonderful birthday with many more to come. Lovely post.
CareyAnn
What a nice tribute to your RM on his birthday…beautiful table, by the way! My hubby’s b’day is tomorrow.
Happy birthday to your Renaissance Man! How lucky are you to find all those in one man and you got him. Beautiful flowers and your tablescapes are gorgeous….Christine
I read every word because I kept thinking that our husbands would totally enjoy each other’s company…so many things in common. Oh the blessings of a true covenant marriage. I hear you saying that you have one, too. Thank you for sharing your story and for stopping by my post. Happy Birthday, Renaissance Man. Cherry Kay
I proclaimed a couple of tables ago that I realized that men who have tablescaping wives have to be extraordinary men! Renaissance Man is a perfect example and I love, love, love that he liked that name for himself. My favorite photo is of him reclining on the mower!
Awe, tell Renaissance Man happy birthday.
H a p p y B i r t h d a y,
Renaissance Man!
Perfect!…cause he is perfect!
You truely do have a Renaissance man.
I have enjoyed reading this post soooo much,thanks for sharing.
Kinda reminds me of Ree Drummond(The Pioneer Woman)out in Oklahoma on her cattle ranch, she often post of her husband(Marlboro Man),It is so much fun…I kinda jealous,Mr NL likes my blog(LazyonLoblolly) but he isn’t to keen on being featured,hehee.
Jo
LazyonLoblolly
Happy Birthday to RM! He sounds like a sweet husband to me! Either way, you are blessed but I imagine he’s equally blessed.
Have a great day!
Oh I loved your post about your “sweet Renaissance Man”! Wishing him a most delightful birthday!
I love that you paid respect and tribute to Renaissance Man! Love certainly gets sweeter the more we fall into it!
I also loved the tablescapes you created. I agree with Renaissance Man, the last table is such an understated elegance.
Thanks for Sharing!
Miss Mindy
Happy Birthday Renaissance Man! Your whole post today was lovely and sweet too.
What a wonderful post. I have always loved that desciptive word, Renaissance, and it sounds like it fits him well. I think our husbands would enjoy each other’s company as they have a lot in common. Your tablescapes are lovely, as are the adorning flowers! Happy Birthday to your husband!
Wonderful post! Your photos are stunning and your wit, charming. Thanks for sharing and I hope your husband had a great birthday celebration. Your blog is lovely too! God bless,
Lynn @ Cottage and Creek
Renaissance Man is all encompassing, implying a man with a multitude of interests. Sounds like a good fit for your guy. Hey, the tablescapes are good, too!
Susan, what a sweet story! You definitely got a great hubby there! I like his new name…Renaissance Man. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your Renaissance Man. I love the new name for him, and it very obviously fits!!
I always love your tablescapes. It’s so neat to me to see the man behind the beautiful flowers and your inspiration.
My very favorite picture is that last one of him on the lawn mower. That’s just plain fantastic. Of course, that first one is a huge heart warmer too.
I am crazy about my husband. However, he is such a remedial DIYer. Oh you have no idea…
You’re blessed!
Hi Susan, I have been visiting with you a while this morning, and I’m not sure how I missed your ‘Let It Snow’ post with your Grandmother’s snowflakes. They are very beautiful and I know you must cherish them, as I do mine from my Mom. Your blog is amazing, and I will be following. Thanks for your kind comments.
How lucky you are to have such a great husband. I too had a great loving husband but lost him 7 years ago. It was very hard for many years but now am able to be my new self. Love your blog and give him a kiss for me you deserve him.
How lucky you are to have such a great husband. I too had a great loving husband but lost him 7 years ago. It was very hard for many years but now am able to be my new self. Love your blog and give him a kiss for me you deserve him.
Wow! Just attended a ‘For Women Only’ class at church the other night and we had to uplift our men, not bash them…….so this is the perfect post to go along with that class. The flowers are so gorgeous, though, I am a bit jealous of them:) Hope you have a very blessed new year and may you know how blessed you are!
Susan, this is a wonderful post. And, Happy Belated Birthday to your Renaissance Man. His birthday is the day before my son’s birthday.
I’m blessed with a wonderful husband, too.
Hi Susan, I love this post!!! Your husband truly is a Renaissance Man! Could he possibly do anything else?? What a wonderful husband you have been blessed with. I have had this similar conversation with mine; what to call him on my blog. I’m still searching . . .
Have a great weekend!
~ Julie
Thank you for going back to my Anniversary post and for the great comment, you’re wonderful. However, I wanted to the same and so I found your hubby’s Renaissance Man’s b’day, (my hubby’s is Jan.28) and the gorgeous flowers and the stunning table. wow! You sound like you’re so happy and he must be also with such wonderful and sweet wife! So God bless you both.
FABBY
This is such a wonderful post! You are both blessed to have each other, it is obvious.
Nancy
I’m a little ‘LATE’ in reading this post but I had to comment. I find it refreshing to read about a woman who adores her husband, respects him , loves him and likes to brag every now and then. I too have a husband I have loved and cherished for almost 40 yrs. In our world today, a long contented marriage is worthy of sharing. It may perhaps inspire a couple teetering on the cusp of divorce to stop and take note of the benefits of going the distance.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts very much
Blessings
Gmama Jane