[8/3] happy birthday, jack!

[puckandpie]

There isn't any way on earth I'll be able to top the dinner date on the beach Jack gave me for my birthday a couple months ago, but seeing as it's still summer and still wonderfully hot out, I've decided a picnic is the right idea.

As little use as there is in being secretive, I still sent him sort of a vague text a couple hours ago, asking him to meet me under a tree with by the pond in the park and to bring Macha and Shannon. There are a lot of trees, of course, and I don't expect him to find me right away, but I'm hoping it won't take him too long. Besides, I've made it sort of obvious which one I mean with the red-and-white checkered blanket I've laid out and the few little streamers and balloons I have hanging from the branches.

The meal is entirely prepared by hand with a number of little finger sandwiches and a fruit salad. I tossed in some poutine even though I'm not at all confident in my ability to make anything at all as good as he's used to, along with several nanaimo bars. I even found a recipe for dog cookies and have made a half dozen decorated like the Canadian flag for the pups to share.

And, of course, a fresh maple sugar crusted apple pie.

Instead of murdering said pie with twenty-six different candles, I bought a number two and a number six, but they're both hidden away for until after the main dish.

I'd spent more time wrapping his present than strictly necessary, but it at least looks nice sitting under the tree with a large red bow. I hand drew a number of little maple leaves and hockey sticks all over the wrapping and I'm still busy making sure the plates and cutlery and cups of fresh lemonade are all set out nicely when I notice a familiar crop of dark hair heading up the path. Macha and Shannon are pulling him along, their tails wagging excitedly and I scramble to my feet to greet them, smiling wide.

"There he is," I say when he's close enough to hear me. "Didn't have too much trouble finding me, did you?"

Comments

[eatmoreprotein]

When I get the text from Bittle, it's fairly obvious that he has something planned for my birthday. I would have been surprised if he hadn't. Still, I don't really know what it is that he's planning. I just put on a nice shirt and put the dogs in their finest collars, with a bow for Macha and a bandana for Shannon, and head for the pond.

"Find Bits," I tell the dogs as we walk. Soon enough, they start whining and straining at the leashes. It's probably more the fact that we just got close enough for them to smell Bits than it is them understanding my command, but I'm still proud. A grin splits my face when I see the set up and I shake my head a bit as I come up to Bits, holding the leashes tightly so they don't trample the picnic.

"Hard to miss a set up like this," I say with a fond laugh, leaning over to give him a kiss. "This looks incredible, Bits."