#Have an early stocking stuffer friend

[akela-nakamura]

Dear Santa,

I've been a really good boy this year. I've done all my homework and my chores. The one thing I want for Xmas is a new chapter for "Lock The Last Open Door".

Pretty please with milk and cookies.

Sighed, anonymous

LMAO. I have to say this is like, the best way to get asked for an update. This is both sweet and made me laugh, so nice one, Anon.

The last couple weeks have been rough, but I have been working on a Door update. It would be nice to update for Christmas.

But in case it doesn't work that way, have some words:

Spoiler laughs. “Bat ransomware.”  “Well—” Tim begins.  “Red,” Dick warns.  “...yeah, okay fine, Bat ransomware.”

[tomriddlehyperfixataion]

Merry Christmas~! here have (most of)the Christmas section of the fic im writing that is still very much ongoing! :3

=

-

Christmas morning felt like a childhood Christmas morning. Presents appearing under the three-courtesy of the house elves, warm treats on the coffee table in front of the fire, stockings full of treats and small gifts, and soft music playing from somewhere as (y/n) quietly walked into the main part the Slytherin common, tying her warm robe tightly around her waist, her slippers soft against her feet as she walked towards the fireplace.

It was early, barely 630 am, but early Christmas mornings were the best thing.

(y/n) settled down on one of the loveseats near the fireplace, taking one of the mugs of hot coco that the elves had set out and letting it warm her up, the liquid filling her chest with warmth as she sipped at it, the light of the fire and the Christmas tree gently illuminating the space.

Eventually, the few younger Slytherins who had stayed for Christmas came rushing in, eagerly opening their stockings and presents, and were out by the time Tom came wandering it, wearing his own warm robe, but he wasn’t wearing slippers-just his bare feet padding against the floor as he made his way into the main common room where (y/n) was.

“Happy Christmas,” (y/n) said quietly as not to break the comfortable quiet that had settled in the common room once the younger Slytherins had left to go get dressed and play with their new Christmas gifts.

“Mmm, morning,” Tom mumbled, sitting down on the couch, grabbing a mug of still steaming tea from the coffee table, (y/n) noticing he put quite a bit of sugar and cream in it, (y/n) didn’t mention it, sipping at her hot coco.

Tom settled back into the couch, eyes on the fireplace. He seemed tired still-it reminded her of how her parents would be Christmas moring, when she and her siblings got up way too early for Christmas and her parents would be exhausted from wrapping gifts only a few hours before.

(y/n) decided to take the initiative, getting up from the love seat to grab the still full stockings, the younger Slytherins had already grabbed theirs, but there were still two stockings left-and she handed one to Tom-who seemed surprised.

“I got a stocking?” Tom asked, his brows pinched together as he held the black and green stripped stocking in his hands-it was bulging, he could feel the small treats and gifts within the fabric. (y/n) shrugged, not commenting on the fact that he was surprised he got a stocking.

The two opened their stockings, (y/n) got the usual stocking stuffers she got almost every year-but just a 1940s version of them. Hair ties, a tooth brush, candy canes, chocolates, wand polish, and many other small items suited for a stocking gift.

She looked up, seeing Tom had poured out his stocking onto the couch beside him. She saw chocolates, candy canes, wand polish, a glass pen, a small carving knife, hair gel, a toothbrush, and a small wooden snake that was bendable.

Tom stared at his stocking gifts for a moment, picking up the small wooden snake and moving it between his fingers, fixated on the small toy.

(y/n) got up, grabbing for the first present under the tree. She frowned lightly, noticing the only gift for Tom was from her, so she picked it up and handed it to him. “Happy Christmas Tom,” she said softly, feeling her heart ache just a bit by the way Tom looked at the gift-as if it was the very first time he’d gotten a Christmas gift.

“For me?” Tom asked her, his brows pinched in what seemed like confusion. (y/n) nodded, and Tom took the wrapped gift from her gently, setting it in his lap with a look of confusion, shock, and a bit of awe.

(y/n) grabbed one of her gifts from her friends, the tag saying it was from lucy, sitting back down on the loveseat, undoing the ribbon as Tom quietly opened his gift from her. He gently set the ribbon at his side, and then began to open the wrapping paper-almost trying not to rip it as he turned the gift over in his hands.

He took off the wrapping paper, holding the small chest in his hands, admiring the snake carvings that lined the curves of the chest. His thumb smoothed over the metal snake latch, glancing back at (y/n) as she opened her gift from Alice-a pair of heeled boots; sturdy and fashionable.

“Thank you,” Tom murmured under his breath, and (y/n) turned to smile at him, Tom’s heart feeling as if it was beating out of his chest at the sight of it. He held the chest tightly through the rest of the morning, watching (y/n) open her gifts from her friends-feeling bad he hadn’t gotten her anything.

He wasn’t used to feeling bad for not doing something-unless it was school work.

“I didn’t get you anything, I apologize,” Tom said as (y/n) began to throw out wrapping paper, and she shook her head with a smile.

“I don’t mind, besides-I got plenty of gifts from the girls, one less gift doesn’t disappoint me. I don’t think you expected me to get you a gift anyway so I wasn’t expecting one in return.” (y/n) said, rambling a bit as she trashed the wrapping paper and sorted her gifts into a pile, smiling back at Tom-which made his ears turn hot.

Reactions like this, for Tom, had been happening for a bit-feeling things he never felt before. Nervous, sometimes anxious, even flustered-all because of her. He’d never really show it, of course not-he was still a very controlled person and hated having his emotions show.

But right now, he was sure he looked like a unicorn in headlights.

-

After Christmas breakfast in the great hall, with all the professors drinking Christmas punch and wearing funny hats, (y/n) finds a new gift under the tree after getting back to the common room. It’s addressed to her and as she picks it up-she feels the magic interwoven into every part of the wrapping-including the ribbon.

She looks at the tag, it’s from Tom, and she smiles, sitting down by the tree and opening the gift gently. It was a simple black box, and when she opened it, she found a silver snake bracelet inside, with small protection runes carved into the metal on the inside. The metal was interwoven with magic-it was a transfigured gift-not rushed but quickly made with perfection since it was such a last-minute gift.

(y/n) smiled, slipping the snake bracelet onto her left wrist and it magically tightened to fit snugly, and then easily became loose when she went to take it off just to see if she could.

She smiled warmly, getting up from the floor and cleaning up the wrapping paper and ribbon, admiring her new bracelet as she headed back to her dorm.

-

“Thank you for the bracelet, it’s lovely.” (y/n) said to Tom as she passed by him in the common room, Tom coming in from the library while (y/n) was heading out to go to the Christmas dinner feast. Tom blinked at her and nodded.

“Of course, I’m glad you like it.” Tom said calmly, giving her a small smile in return as (y/n) beamed at him. Something from above caught her attention and Tom looked up as well-the two freezing as mistletoe began to appear. “House elves.” Tom murmured under his breath, preparing to step back to not make anything awkward but he felt a warmth on his cheek-his ears heating up as (y/n) stepped away from him, still smiling, her cheeks warm.

“Happy Christmas Tom,” she said softly, turning on her heel and heading out the common room door to go to Christmas dinner.

“…happy Christmas (y/n),” Tom murmured after a few solid moments of him standing completely still in shock, his breath still caught in his chest, books held in his arms.

He just got kissed on the cheek…

-

“That’s so pretty (y/n)!” Alice gasps the night everyone came back to Hogwarts after break ended, just about a week after Christmas day. (y/n) smiled, looking down at the silver snake bracelet on her wrist.

“Thank you, Tom gave it to me,” (y/n) said and her friends’ jaw’s dropped, their eyes wide. “Always the look of surprise when I mention Tom doing something nice.” (y/n) joked, chuckling a bit as Lucy scoots as close as she can-her friends asking for every little detail about anything that happened between her and Tom during Christmas break.

“Not much, we had a nice quiet Christmas morning together, I gave him his gift-he said he was sorry he didn’t have one for me, and then after I came back to the common room after breakfast there was a gift for me under the tree from him. It was a last-minute thing girls, probably a pen or a ring he had transfigured to make it the bracelet. It’s a sweet gift nonetheless I will admit.” (y/n) said, pushing Lucy’s face away from her gently as Lucy squealed in her ear.

(y/n) then remembers the mistletoe. “oh yeah, I kissed his cheek.” (y/n) says offhandedly and Lucy nearly squeals her ear off. “ow!”

“Sorry-oh my merlin you kissed his cheek?! How-why? When-how did he react?” Lucy gasped, the other girls leaning in to devour each word (y/n) was about to say, but she only lifted her hands in surrender.

“it was just a kiss on the cheek! There was mistletoe-I think he was even going to step away to not make it awkward but I went for it because-you know, bad luck n stuff.” (y/n) said in her and Tom’s defense so her friends didn’t go ballistic and Lucy graoned, shaking (y/n)’s shoudlers.

“(yyyy/nnn) c’moooon! Theres so much tension between you two its gonna make me pop!” Lucy dramatically said and (y/n) snorted, rolling her eyes.

“What tension?” (y/n) asked and her friends just looked at each other and back at (y/n) with clear expressions of ‘seriously??’ (y/n) shrugged, sighing softly. “there's nothing going on between Tom and I girls, seriously. Just a few weeks ago we were at each others throats and now that were not you all think there's something there?”

Lucy snorted and Bella smirked. “c’mon (y/n), you know rivalries are just crushes you’re mad about having.” Bella laughed and (y/n) rolled her eyes again.

“He started it to be fair, and no-I don’t have a crush on him. He’s pleasant now but at most-he’s an acquaintance.” (y/n) said firmly and Alice giggled lightly.

“Whatever you say (y/n), but he’s the one who asked you to Slughorn’s party and asked you to have Christmas with him, and he never asks anyone to hang out with him-not even his friends. He prefers being alone.” Alice said and (y/n), again, rolled her eyes.

“Fine fine. Whatever, it doesn’t mean anything’s going to happen.” (y/n) sighed and her friends laughed, but left the topic alone, for now.

=

[idreamofticklehugs]

Christmassy things

It’s been such a sweet week. Last night a large group of my friends went to a retirement/rehab center and walked the halls Christmas caroling. So many people were so touched that we came and said we made their Christmas. It was very precious. My Ler made a special trip to sing with us and since I have to work today, we got up early to go get coffee before saying our goodbyes. Because it’s Christmas Eve, and we won’t be celebrating Christmas til Thursday, we decided to exchange one stocking stuffer just for fun

He got me a tickle tease sticker! 😂😂😂😂

It’s from an anime we both enjoy so it’s perfectly hidden in plain sight 😂

[welldressedandfandolobsesed]

Hello! I wanted to request X men headcanon during Christmas?

right time of year to finally fulfill this request I guess

- Their “Christmas break” lasts from the week before Christmas to the week after New Years. But, as time went on and they found more and more kids were using it was a safe haven then training grounds meaning not that many kids had a place to go for the break so they just put a hold on classes

- Because of this they try to keep the mansion has festive as possible to keep moral up during the holidays

- Charles go ALL out for Christmas. It’s very healing for everyone, him, the other adults, and of course the kids

- After it’s all said and done there is over 50 Christmas trees in the mansion

- Charles encourages all of the students to break some personal items from home to put up on the trees

- He also makes sure there is an abidance of other decorations like garland and wreaths (logan always rolls his eyes and says it looks like Santa threw up all over but everyone knows he secretly loves it)

- During the whole month of December there always is some sort of holiday baked good or candy scattered through out the kitchens. All handmade by the kids and teachers who feel the need to share

- On Christmas Eve Kurt and a few others always sneak off to go to midnight mass. Charles pretends he doesn’t notice.

- Almost no one sleeps in their actual room that night. The younger kids drag their blankets into the main hall in front of the kid Christmas tree to hopefully catch a glimpse of Santa. Friends share giant sleepovers in each others rooms. Couples sneak off to kiss under the mistletoe before sharing the small twin bed for the night.

- They then wake up early the next morning to stockings full of candy, books, and fun little stuffers (all courtesy of Charles credit card)

- On Christmas Day Storm always makes sure it’s a white christmas. So it’s tradition for all the students to go out and play in the snow (sledding, building snow men, snowball fights, and the list goes on)

- Then when it’s all said and done they all come inside and the adults hand out hot coca in huge batches

- After this the house kinda divides: Some kids go to bed, some watch movies, some do friend gift exchanges

- Jubile had made it her mission to show Kurt all the American cult classic christmas movies. Kurt in exchange shown Jubilee some German traditions.

- Bobby goes and ices the lake and goes skating with Bobby and Rouge. And there’s always a few others

-

- The adults have their own holiday traditions too

- For the first part of the day Charles and Eric lock themselves away in their joint apartment and spend times with just themselves. Exchange Christmas gifts, cuddle, make out, play chess. The usual

- Logan always gets up early and goes for a morning bike ride when it’s peaceful and quiet because no one is on the road

- He then comes back and reads the newspaper while the girls make the hot coca and smokes his nice Christmas cigar (with the window open)

- Scott and Jean spend the weekend before away in a little town at a bed and breakfast

- They come back the morning of Christmas eve always with a handful of presents for everyone

- The other adults to keep costs and work down do secret santa that’s run by Raven

- It used to be run by Angel but she was banned from doing it after she used it to try to get couples together (despite the fact that it worked more often then not)

- Logan always refuses to participate because he “hates shopping for gifts” but every christmas there’s a little gift sitting outside rouges door with his name signed in messy handwriting

- Charles leaves Hannakuah up to Eric. After surviving the concentration camps but losing his parents he had lost all desire to celebrate the holiday. He was too filled with rage. But after he met Charles he brought his love for the holiday back.

- So he always makes sure to heave a menorah up in the great hall and does traditional lightings every night

- In addition to all the holiday treats he always makes sure there is traditional hannakuh treats

- As years go by more and more students come forward with their own winter holiday traditions

- And Charles does everything in his power to make them feel at home

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

160 of 2024

What are you planning on getting your family members or friends for Christmas this year?

I have gifts already. My mum and husband get beauty sets (lol), and my dad gets a personalised mug and a patient planner since he starts therapy in the oncology clinic soon.

How many presents do you think is too many presents for one child? Or perhaps it’s a monetary issue instead - how much would be the maximum amount that you would spend on Christmas presents for your child?

I don't know, it depends. Hard to say when you don't have kids.

Were you the type of child that woke your parents up early on Christmas so that you could open your presents? Or did you wait patiently? Did you open them while your parents were still asleep?

We give each other presents on Christmas Eve.

Were you a child that grew up being taught by your parents not to believe in Santa Claus? If so, how did you handle socializing with the rest of your classmates? Did you ruin Christmas for them or not spoil the fun of it all?

No, I wasn't.

Have you ever had any sort of a “bad Christmas” before? What was the tragic event that took place? (ie: a pet or relative dying, being sick or injured, etc)

Yes, several. When I was a child, my dad was taken by ambulance to the hospital. When I was 31, I was in the hospital after stroke. Now my dad has cancer.

Do you enjoy eating candy canes or peppermints around this time of year? If so, what is your favorite flavor?

No, I don't. Never did.

Do you get more joy/satisfaction out of giving or receiving Christmas gifts?

Giving, definitely.

Did you ever participate in a “secret Santa” event at school as a child, at home with family members, or at work as an employee/coworker? Were you able to successfully keep the secret until the big reveal? Was there a spending limit set?

I've never heard of it before.

Are there any Christmas ornaments that hold any sort of specific meaning or significance to you or your family members? Did your parents keep your handmade Christmas gifts/ornaments that you used to make in school as a child?

No, all the ornaments are gone.

How far would you be able to chase the gingerbread man if he jumped off of the cookie sheet and made a break for it? Would he be able to make a successful escape?

Gingerbreads are for eating :P

Have you ever gone Christmas caroling before? Did you do it indoors or outdoors? Have Christmas carolers ever appeared at your doorstep before?

I haven't, but yeah they appeared at my door many times before.

Do you start blasting the Christmas music on the car radio the first day that it starts playing on various stations, or do you at least wait until Thanksgiving is over?

First, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Europe. Second, we all hate Christmas music and we avoid it like a plague.

Does your family do Christmas stockings? What are some examples of things that you have received as stocking stuffers?

No, we don't practice it where I live.

Does/Did your family subscribe to the “Elf on the Shelf”, or do you/they find it to be creepy? Have you ever forgotten to move the elf before going to bed? How did you explain that one the next day?

I've never heard of it.

Do you get your pets any Christmas gifts? Do you wrap them and let them open them, or do you just show them and then open them up for them? Have you ever been given a pet before for Christmas? What was it?

I haven't been given a pet for Christmas, but I gave my cat(s) gifts before. Mostly treats.

Do you or anyone you know celebrate any other winter holidays, such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, St. Lucia Day, Las Posadas, St. Nicholas Day, or Three Kings Day?

We celebrate Sinterklaas at 6th December, and Three Kings at 6th January.

How would you decorate a gingerbread house, if you were given the option to do so?

No idea, but probably pastel frosting.

As a child, were you cooperative about sitting on Santa’s lap, or were you one of those kids who always screamed and cried while you were getting your picture taken? Did you ever try to pull off Santa’s beard before?

I've been crying, so my parents did it only once lol.

If Santa went on a diet, what is something that he would have to eat instead of cookies?

Jesus what a question. How should I know?

As a child, were you the type of kid who would go to bed so that Santa would come and leave his gifts for you, or would you try to stay up late and see him do his magic?

I would go to bed. I remember it.

(made by: tickle-my-pickle)

[invincible-selfxmade-punk]

Grocery shopping for the next couple of weeks is done. I made an order from Walmart and as soon as it was brought to me I realized I needed like five or six more things. So I had to go back out. Then since hubby is at work I had to bring everything in myself which is just exhausting. I think I am owed a nap.

My sister asked what I wanted for Christmas and it was pretty hard because I really have everything I need. I asked for more bedding and I've had my eye on some Firefly glass bracelets. I see the ads for Nogu constantly on here. I've been looking at the bracelets there and of course the more I look the more ads they send me. It's just their bracelets are fairly expensive and I'm so afraid that I'm going to spend the money and then they are not going to look like the ones in the pictures. I really want the green glow in the dark glass. So I found one on Etsy that was half the price and my sister ordered it. She also ordered us some monogram sheets and a bunch of bedding that just arrived today and I haven't even had the energy to open it up.

However she had also sent me something much earlier in the month that we had had a hard time getting delivered because neither one of us were home whenever you UPS came by. I started getting really curious about it because she said it was something very special that she saw it and thought of me. Well. , , it was delivered yesterday and oh boy...... I kind of felt like someone had given me a leg lamp. It was a set of super heavy Green Glass candelabras with dangling beads coming off the sides. And in the candelabras were these electronic candles that supposedly had their own remote control for that controlled how they flickered. It was the biggest ugliest monstrosity I think I have ever seen. And I guess she thought of me because it was Green and the Green Glass is very pretty but oh my God........ it's hideous. And I'm not even sure what the remote control is supposed to do we got the candles to turn on and that's about it.

They are so unbelievably heavy I guess if I could swing them they would make a great self-defense weapon. That's about the only good thing I can say for them.

But she is the only family I have and it is a thought that counts so I'm glad she was thinking of me.

Tomorrow I am going to go and send off my final Christmas present Period I was able to get two of my closest friends And my sister Personalized tumblers from this place that does it locally. For my other friend who Is usually In much more need of groceries, I sent a gift card from Walmart and she was able to get herself an air fryer and a few groceries with it. So that made me happy.

Tuesday I'm sitting up a table at the only coffee shop in town where I happen to know the owner fairly well. I'm trying to sell off these dozens upon dozens of extra Mary Kay cosmetics I ended up with.

I had ordered some of them for a teacher that I work with but when I had to discipline her absolutely hateful and disrespectful son who told almost every teacher on campus---- including her --'to shut up and go to hell.

I don't know what he told her about me but suddenly she did not speak to me anymore,, & hasn't spoken to me in the last year.

So of course she was unwilling to purchase all the Cosmetics she had actually ordered from me once they came in. *sigh*

Also last year I had to order $300 worth of cosmetics in order to keep my status as consultant. But then I just ran out of the energy to go out and sell the stuff. Most days I just want to go home and go to bed I don't want to track down any clients I don't want to give makeovers I just want to sleep. So anyway I'm trying to make whatever I can offer them and selling them cheap as stocking stuffers monday. Going to try to drag my carcass out of bed early and catch the morning Rush of people and I am so hoping I can sell a few things just to get them out of my hair.

[iffoundreturntosea]

January 1, Day 1

1 day 2015

I've stared at that card for the past 7 months wishing the new year would get here already & it finally has. I have kind of a big resolution that will probably take all year but I want to get off all the medications I'm on, get myself healthy & back to living and enjoying life! #wishmeluck #newyears #resolution #goodbye2014 #hello2015 #project365 #day1

I started project 365 because I needed something to keep me going. I was bed ridden at the time due to medication induced vertigo. It was awful and I wanted to die. It lasted months and my doctor was no help. I was hopeless. I starred at this card that a friend of my mom had made her for months just wishing for a change. That change was me.

1 day 2016

Today was a nice chill day! (January's theme is blue!) #shadesofblue #chill #relaxed #january #hello2016 #picoftheday #project365 #day1

By the time I hit the second year I was ready to mix things up and add a theme each month. Each month in 2016 had a different color scheme, starting with blue!

1 day 2017

Happy New Year! 

#newyear #2017 #hello2017 #mayancalendar #january #circleoflife #picoftheday #project365 #day1

1 day 2018

#keyhole #cutout #klaus #dog #pup #bassethound #hound #lazyday #rest #newtheme #differentview #january #picoftheday #project365 #day1

Klaus isn't with us anymore but he was such a good boy!

1 day 2019

I remember last year like it was yesterday...Happy New Year!

This year I’m going to try a new challenge. I’m going to attempt to photograph the National Day calendar for my 5th year of #project365 Should be fun! 

#hello2019 #2019 #timeflies #justme #happynewyear #yearfive #letsdothis #create #challenge #live #experience #share #learn #january #newyearday #nationalday #nationaldaycalendar #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #hereigoagain

I did different monthly themes until 2019 and then I did the National Day Calendar. I was so excited for this year!

1 day 2020

The next year I did a weekly theme to recover from the previous year!

It is Time to start year 6! This Time I’m aiming for a weekly theme! Try to guess 

#glitter #sparkle #pocketwatch #watch #clock #timeywimey #time #year6 #week1 #january #january1 #2020 #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #herewegoagain 

1 day 2021

The 2 years after that were whatever the heck I wanted!

One day I’m not gonna do this anymore but I guess this is not the day! Year 7! No themes! No restrictions! Whatever the hell I want! This is the only picture I took today! Cheers to less stress and more fun! 

#nature #outdoors #bug #insect #grass #pecanshell #morningdew #year7 #herewego #nothemes #lessstressmorefun #whateverthehelliwant #january #january1 #2021 #picoftheday #project365 #day1

1 day 2022

The purrfect way to start the year!

#Leo #kitty #cat #furbaby #snuggles #create #artsy #color #fun #january #january1 #2022 #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #year8

This past year I was ready to try monthly themes again.

1 day 2023

A great start to the new year with an early morning hike with Dad, Dana, sister, fam & friends. Then a delicious meal made by Dana and our little christmas celebration together. Love family time so much!

#grateful #aloha2023 #litebrite #january #january1 #2023 #objectofthemonth #picoftheday #project365 #day1 #startofyear9

I got this mini lite brite as a stocking stuffer from Santa! It is so cute!

1 day 2024

It's a new year and the start of my 10th year doing a picture every day! This year I've partnered with my mom, we'll be drawing themes each day. I will continue photographing while she will be working in her mixed media journal. Today was "stones". Which one speaks to you?

#hello2024 #year10 #dailytheme #stones #color #create #art #january #january1 #2024 #picoftheday #project365 #day1

Alright! That is day one of this year. I officially can't stop now!

[aestheticvoyage2023]

Day 360: Tuesday December 26, 2023 - "Huckleberry Appreciation"

This post contributed by Audrie:

Our Huckle-Buckle-Berry-Good-Boy

It was a few years ago (maybe 2019) when I really started to think about and maifest the concept of actualizing a new four legged friend into our lives.  Afterall, it had been a really spectacular run as a duo and then a trio; from 2009 it was just me and the cheese-dog, then in 2014 Jake joined our duo to make our family.  And so went our tro status quo for more than 6 years.  And with the 2019 practice house in the old pueblo, and the 2020 pandemic pressure that caused us to leap into home ownership and baby making mode almost simultaneously, my maternal instincts were on high alert looking forward to and calling out the universe gods to send us our next four legged family member.  And lowe and behold, in September of 2020 our huckle-boy fell into our lap.  We would have to wait a couple months to pick him up and bring him home with a close early life shave with puppy parvo, but thankfully to a loving and lovely foster family we had our berry boy on his way home to us around halloween.  Havarti, we think, was thrilled at first, but then concerned when he learned that this sweet red hound we brought home and tagged was not a visitor but a permanent sibling brought here with loving intention to stay.  The two of them got along as one would expect an old steady seasoned grandpa and a young energetic whipper-snap to.  One had all the patience and one had all the play.  Thinking back on these two, it's not all that different than thinking about the way the puzzle pieces between William and his Great Grandpa Acton fit together instantly.  They just go. In a flow that nobody could have ever predicted and somehow made perfect sense.  

We lost our best good Cheese-Boy this past summer, and in so, Huckleberry lost his brother, his mentor, his papa-dog, and his every day play, snuggle, meal, lounge, cuddle mate.  The loss for us with Havarti was immense, and to think about the loss from Huckleberry's perspective feels immeasurable.  Havarti was his world.  His mentor. His model. 

We saw major changes with Huck as soon as Havarti passed.  Our trazodone doped anxious animal mellowed too with the loss of Havarti's heartbeat.  So we stopped drugging him on the daily.  Huckleberry seemed to process Havarti's passing so much like any human would grieve the loss of a sibling, friend, mentor, family member.  And as the months and life have begrudgingly moved on without our best cheesy boy, we have also been witness to the best good boy Huckleberry has been that we never fully expected him to become.  

We already knew he was good and patient and trustworthy with William, but once Havarti passed, we saw extra caution come into his play and movement around our toddling boy -- And extra patience and calm presence held down by his more relaxed body and energy through the days and the weeks and the months that passed after Havart's passing.  

And as we have moved through the fall and into the holiday winter months here at the finca, inching the days closer and closer to the stocking stuffers and the package unwraps around our strange human seasonal traditions, we have been able to just sit back in awe of our Huckle-nuckle-good-berry-boy, and see him truly come into himself.  At about age 3.5 now, shedding his puppyness and stepping powerfully into his Humancompanionness, he has caused pause many a moment through our bustling Christmas season to honor, acknowledge and praise this new best-good-boy of the house.  And as hard as it is to say we have another best good dog in our life, with the utmost respect to the most wonderful predecessor before him, we see more and more of Havarti's slow patient wise being and compassion come out of our wild Huckleberry as the months move on; we see more stretchy legs and lazy dog couch days that make us think about the good life Huckleberry has had, has learned, and has ahead of him as William's best bud and furry compadre.  

We have caught ourselves in awe of this sweet rescue pup, that happened into our lives, made a home in our hearts, and laps, with giggles, and kisses, and head hugs, and good boy snuggles.  And I have to pinch myself sometimes at the beauty of the best good boys that surround me in my home.  Huckleberry following in those very big puppy shoes, filling them up, far better than any expectation we could have set.      

Song: Elton John - Step Into Christmas

Quote: "We were together, I forget the rest." ~ Walt Whitman

[tinkerbelldetective]

A Paragon’s Guide to Ghosts and Mystery III: Dreams of Sand

This one had me smiling as I wrote the latter half, I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think! 

Ch 1 Ch 2

Chapter III: Dreams of Sand

With a promise she'd be gone by noon, Nina stares at him. His eyes are the only part of him that shows age. Victor has such tired eyes. She realizes how long she's been staring and breaks eye contact for a moment.

"Thank you," she finally says, holding her hand out. He grasps it with only a flicker of confusion, and possibly concern.

"Be careful, Chosen One."

She nods.

She ascends the stairs of the house once more, a weight on her chest. Nostalgia and responsibility all at once. Her suitcase is half-closed when she reaches in for her pajamas and a towel. The Sun is setting, and she nearly wishes for a sign or an answer, or even a visit from Sarah.

The shower is warmer than she ever remembers it being, and the knowledge that she doesn't have to worry about Patricia deciding to run the water downstairs to make it clear it's her turn is satisfying. Still, there's no point in wasting water, and she only stays in long enough to calm down any racing thoughts.

She hums the song Fabian was working on, patting at the ends of her blonde waves in time with the chorus.

It's weird being in this room without a poster of Taylor Lautner over her bed or the presence of Amber, but this doesn't affect her once she actually slips into bed, the reality of another long train ride and early morning settling in. She falls asleep to a quiet Anubis house once more.

**********

Sand dug into her skin and grazed her forehead. Nina blinked, holding her hands around her eyes in an attempt to prevent or halt the stinging assault of the yellow grains. For a moment, she thought she saw someone or something, but the sand blocked and impaired her vision again.

"Can you help me find my way home?"

Nina jumped. A boy now stood beside her, one that had not been there seconds ago. He was young, only a child. She squinted her eyes in an attempt to see either the boy or where she was but couldn't make heads or tails of anything.

"Where are we?" A stupid question, she knew this was Egypt, but where?

The boy lifted his arm and pointed off in the distance.

"The labyrinth is up ahead. My father is helping to build it!"

A labyrinth? Like the book she had hidden the papyrus in?

"What's the labyrinth for?"

The boy opened his mouth, about to respond, but he vanished, leaving her alone in the sand for a moment before she too slipped away, the sound of the alarm on her phone calling her back to the soft bed underneath her. Hands flew up to wipe the non-existent desert sand from her eyes. Her mouth widened into a yawn. For a moment, Nina stared at the wall, before she broke into a grin.

Home.

**********

All the money she spends on air fare, the hours stuck in a seat, homesickness for a walk in Cuyahoga Valley, it's all worth it when she sees Fabian Rutter.

Fabian greets her with the same enchanting smile he saved only for her. The one that slowly spreads from one side to the other and glowed like Polaris in the night sky. His hand found hers, running his thumb across her knuckles in a small motion. She leans in with a smile, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He steps aside for Nina to enter, her free hand tugging the suitcase behind her.

Fabian's flat is warm and filled with natural light. Books line dark mahogany bookshelves for an entire length of a wall, including a new and unburnt signed copy of The Solar System is Your Friend. Lamps from Uncle Ade dot the end tables that sit in the corners. Two guitars are displayed near the bookshelf. It's all very homey, and she loves it.

Nina, of course, has left traces of her own in his flat, considering she basically lives here. A small American flag peaks out from one of the shelves, a gag she bought him as a stocking stuffer. A newspaper cutout that features The Ohio State Marching Band spelling out Ohio is framed near the door.

Nina let the feeling of her second home wash over her. She parks her suitcase by the front door before engulfing Fabian in a hug. His arms tightly pull her into him, still smiling. She comes up to the tips of her toes and slightly rocks side to side with joyous laughter. She pulls away, only to resume holding his hand.

"I have so much to tell you."

"I bet," he slightly chuckles, leading her into the kitchen.

"Victor definitely made more Elixir, he hasn't aged, like, at all."

"You don't think-" Fabian begins, concerned.

"I would hope not, he knows what the scales do. You remember how he reacted when faced with the consequences."

Fabian grimaced, "I hope you're right."

"We went to the Frobisher Library, and I found this!" Nina rushed into the living room and returned with a book, placing it on the table.

"A book on the lost labyrinth of Egypt?"

"No, well, yes, but look inside! It was hidden in the base of one of the shelves."

Fabian glanced inside curiously, "Nina, this is ancient Egyptian papyrus!"

"I know!" Nina leaned forward, "And if we can translate it and find out what it means, maybe I can find out what the spirit wanted."

Fabian looked at it a little longer. "This one looks familiar, maybe light?" He hovered his finger over the glyph.

"Mmm, maybe," Nina watched that frown he did when he was thinking grow. She could have spent all day with him at this table, trying to solve mysteries, but she remembered that all she had was a small cup of tea and a pastry before she caught the train this morning. "What do you want for lunch? I'm thinking chips."

Fabian looked up and tapped her nose.

"Let's go! Look how English you've become."

Nina laughed and wrinkled her nose.

**********

Nina couldn't decide whether the chips tasted better on their own or dipped in ketchup. She missed having hushpuppies though.

"You should come back home with me next break. I can't exactly bring ice cream from that place near the lake." Fabian swallowed his piece of fish and nodded.

"Okay, but we're seeing the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame first."

"Of course." A comfortable silence grew between them as they became lost in thought together.

A loud crunch broke the silence and Fabian looked down incredulously.

"I think that was all breading."

[eddiecranes]

Secret 🤫 Rocker 🤘 Santa 🎅🏻 here!

I honestly forget where I found Tantrums and Tiaras online but if I can find it again I'll send you a link!

I agree with you, the early seasons of MASH are the funniest, but I do love a lot of episodes later on too! I like Psych and Monk but I haven't seen all of them, I just used to watch USA a lot. The only reality shows I've really gotten into were Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush but I loved both of those! I watch Drag Race with my friend sometimes and I enjoy it! Succession is only 4 seasons! The episodes are long but there aren't that many of them.

Don't apologize for rambling! I do celebrate Christmas, but I celebrate Hanukkah too! Christmas is pretty lowkey in my family now that we're adults, it's just my immediate family. We always have cinnamon rolls for breakfast. We don't do a lot of gifts anymore, we do stocking stuffers and maybe a few things, but usually we'll get tickets to a concert or musical or something instead. We always make scallops for dinner and this year since it's also the first night of Hanukkah we're going to have latke with them! And we usually go to the movies so we're going to see A Complete Unknown this year!

What about you? What are you celebration plans?

Ooo, baking shows can be fun, but ever since I started to work in bakeries I feel their anxieties a little too much. Fun fact: the bakery where I work now was featured on an episode of Cupcake Wars!

Oh right, I forgot that Hanukkah starts on Christmas this year! Tbh I'm just gonna spend the day with my parents (and my cats, of course.) It's so cool that you celebrate Hanukkah too! Latke sounds delicious, but I tried to make something similar once (or idk, I'm not sure how similar Reibekuchen are) and it just would not cooperate with me. Do you make them from scratch at home? What else do you do for Hanukkah?

[la-appel-du-vide]

Black Friday 2024

Black Friday looked just a little different this year. Taylor Swift announced that she'd be releasing the TTPD Anthology on vinyl, and the official Eras Tour book, exclusively at Target on Black Friday. There is also Black Friday RSD. It was most important to me to get the Taylor stuff, so I decided to wait at Target. Brayden and Kena waited at RSD. The exclusivity pitch was so stressful on both fronts, that we arrived at 10 PM on Thanksgiving night - totally unnecessary. No one else showed up at RSD until like 4 AM, and Target ended up having so many copies of each thing that I would have been fine to get there at 5 AM. But whatever - better to guarantee that we wouldn't end up disappointed than to just risk it.

I spent a VERY cold night alone outside, huddled in blankets and layers. It was brutal. I wouldn't mind the staying up all night thing if it wasn't that cold. I made some friends with the people in line behind me, because I was the very first, and otherwise, just tried to pass the time (it went slowly). At least Target opens at 6 AM, instead of the record stores which open at 10.

Once Target opened, we had to all go inside to another line specific to getting Taylor merch, and the people behind me rushed in front of me (kind of annoying, but only because of the principle of the thing), but I was able to get books and records for Kena, Maddie, and Whit.

Kena invited a work friend to Black Friday this year, which also kind of killed the vibe for me of our normal Black Friday shopping tradition, but I tried to make the most of it. It's always fun to hang out with Jackie and Marilyn, and shop until we drop - literally, this year haha. I got all the pet shopping done at PetSmart, got the rest of the things I needed for Beach's gift, picked up some stocking stuffers for B, got wall flower scents from Bath and Body Works, and that was about it! We went to the mall, Hobby Lobby, Farmington Station, C-A-L Ranch... all the usuals. And of course, we had our traditional early lunch at Chick-fil-A! It's apparently going to be a new tradition for Ken and I to get some kind of mini brands on Black Friday, because we did the mini books last year, and this year, we got the mini brands partnership with Ulta! The balls are full of tiny beauty products, and they're SO cute. We got mini All Nighter by Urban decay, a mini brush, mini hair oil with a dropper, etc. I have no idea what to do with them, but they're adorable.

And that's a wrap! I don't think I've ever slept better than I did Friday night hahah.

[artsychowroamer]

Christmas in Italy

AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

CHRISTMAS IN ITALY

VISITING OFF-SEASON

Europe is the number one destination for travel around the world and it is very crowded because of that. Having spent the holidays there before, I have found that time of year can not only be magical but easier to navigate during the off-season. Depending on your departure and return dates, the airports are easier, the planes less full and all lines much shorter.

When I got a text with some unbelievable last minute air deals for Italy, I snagged two for a holiday visit to Florence. Sure, we have been there before but not at Christmas and I knew it would be a lovely gift to ourselves, full of beautiful decorations, fabulous shopping and special sights. There is so much to see, eat and do in the cradle of the Renaissance that I would never be able to cover it all in one blog but I will try to give you some of my favorite things.

WHERE TO STAY

While there are any number of nice contemporary hotels, we prefer to look for smaller, well-located spots that offer that old traditional Florentine ambience. We chose the Corona d’Italia Hotel located in the historical city center of San Lorenzo. It is close to the Santa Maria Novella train station and right next to the San Lorenzo Market, one of the largest indoor/outdoor markets in Italy.

While it is only a three star property, we loved the Italian tile floors, warm wood stylings on the front desk and lobby bar and old-world color scheme in yellows, blues and maroon. The front desk staff were welcoming and upgraded us to a larger room without asking. The lobby bar was cozy and intimate, the perfect spot for an early evening martini before going on to dinner.

Our room was spacious with windows that opened to the street, a large comfortable bed, a place for morning coffee or breakfast if you wanted to bring it up from the buffet. The bathroom was well outfitted with toilet and bidet. A working desk and a large flat screen made it quite comfortable for the weeks stay. BTW, that breakfast buffet was luscious, offering everything you could ever want with a machine that put out every sort of coffee and tea drink known to man and was included in our room rate which was excellent value for Florence.

WALKING THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Another enjoyable aspect of where we stayed was how easy it was to walk around the neighborhood for holiday spirit with trees, lights, merry-go-rounds and nativity scenes. The outdoor stands in the market were full of wonderful gifts and souvenir items. Anything you might want to give was there for really excellent prices.

I did all of my shopping a little every day finding leather products like bracelets with silver catches and decoration in black, brown, gray and red with that Italian sophistication to the design. Perfect for my besties. The softest cashmere wraps that could be used as a scarf or shawl were stacked in stunning shades of yellow greens, pumpkins, golds and reds; fall colors that had me buying several for my mother and myself.

Nobody does paper products like this city and while you find shops with larger selections, there were plenty of journals, watercolors on paper, books, pencils and pens which worked well as gifts for my architect friend and his wife. Handbags, wallets money clips, beautiful blouses, sweaters and dresses were available everywhere. Rugs and luggage bags of all sizes were popular as well as Italian foods and candies.

I found some of the sweetest handmade wooden toys for toddlers along with little books like Pinocchio which is the perfect Italian story to read to the children on Christmas Eve. Stall after stall had jewelry of all types, styles and price points. Pretty necklaces, earrings and rings made for great stocking stuffers. I loved the Lorenzo market and hit it every single day I was there.

PIAZZA DEL DUOMO

Our first stop is always a walk about on the Piazza del Duomo. The cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese in Florence was commissioned in 1296 and completed in 1436 with a dome designed by the famous Filippo Brunelleschi. Designed in the Gothic style with marble panels of various shades of green and pink, it is bordered by white and features an elaborate Gothic Revival facade designed by Emilio De Fabris. Put up with the line to see it if you’ve never been inside.

This area is full of galleries and shops for strolling, bars for drinking and restaurants for eating some of the best food in the city. One of our favorites for lunch is Il Bottegone with indoor and outdoor dining options. It’s beautiful in the evenings for people watching while staying toasty with all the festive decorations, heaters and blankets.

We opted to eat lunch inside as it was really cold so we ordered grappa with a cappuccino to warm up while the server brought a basket of fresh breads and butter for us to nosh on. Delish! Wanting not to spoil dinner we opted to share a platter special of fresh salmon slices with lemon, capers and dill served with olive oil, vinegar and toast points. This dish was simply sublime and hit the spot.

PALAZZO VECCHIO

Next up is always the Palazzo Vecchio which is about the fanciest town hall you will ever see. Here you will find a copy of Michelangelo’s famous statue of David along with other works of art including the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi. While having been know by other names, it got its current name when the ruling Medici duke’s residence was moved across the Arno River to the Palazzo Pitti.

I like to sit and have lunch outside in this area to view the statues and watch the people come and go. It is one of my favorite shopping areas for three things in particular. Art galleries where you can find affordable small pieces of glass and paintings, a small perfume shop that makes their own very unusual scents with wonderful bottles and boxes and one of the best liquor stores in the area where you will find all manner of things including grappa in fancy Italian blown bottles with stretched necks and colorful beads.

LA MENAGERE

Last but not least, I never make a visit or recommendation that doesn’t include La Menagere. Shopping is at its best in this magical shop and restaurant offering beautiful glass pieces, flowers, books, household goods, kitchen goods and more. Many stop in for tea or lunch sitting in the retail space before or after their shopping is done. It is always beautifully done up this time of year and they offer many of their decor items for sale as well.

Their glass is offered in many different colors with special one-of-a-kind pieces. I bought some lovely espresso cups, saucers and spoons with gold rims that I will always treasure. Their florists were very busy putting together the most visually interesting compositions I have ever seen. We had lunch next to the patio in the glass dining room which was outstanding. Fried gnocchi with sweet potato puree and fried shallots were over the top delicious as was the potato tart with melted gruyere cheese. Both were served with a wonderful glass of the house Italian red wine. Light puffs of heaven with cream and chocolate were dessert along with an espresso and brandy. This is my favorite place in Florence. Don’t miss it.

EATING IN FLORENCE

You don’t really have to venture out to areas that are far away from the hotel where you are staying in order to find some of the best food around. A simple walk about will give you more places than you can try in a weeks stay or more. It won’t just be Italian eateries either. Some might be surprised to find out that one of the best meals we had in Florence was at an Indian restaurant just around the corner from us. Aroma of India was a cozy little spot with the friendliest of owners.

She seated us at a table and brought us a long menu to study while rushing over water and a little taste of what was to come from the chef. Delicious light crispy hollow balls filled with tasty fillings were a fabulous start. A little beer was the perfect wash down. Papaduums and garlic naan arrived next with delicious sauces from mild to spicy; mint, tamarind and chutney. Butter chicken and lamb vindaloo finished us off and were some of the best we have ever had.

Upon arriving in Florence, it was late and we popped out to the first sweet restaurant we came upon for bottles of lovely red wine, loads of fresh bread with the best peppery olive oil and basalmic vinegar at Osteria del Borgo. Since all their pastas are freshly made daily, we took the special and got pappardelle with a wonderful country slow cooked sauce with a thick chunky cut to the meat and veg. Beautiful….wish you were here kind of food!

Shout out to La Falterona for one of the best Italian meals we had just a couple of blocks walk to a lovely spot with a waiter who was utterly charming in an old school sort of way. Sliced duck with honey mustard glaze and mashed potatoes along with wild boar pasta were matched beautifully with his red wine suggestion that set us back a bit! Leave room for dessert please!

CONCLUSION

While many people might think Italy is only worth visiting during warm weather, we found that the tourist numbers are so high in-season that it almost begs the planning of your trip during the holidays. My husband and I love slow walks without dodging in and out of crowds. We like to be able to move around in shops without queuing up to pay. It is pleasant to walk into a restaurant or bar and be able to get a table without a reservation.

Add in the beauty of the decorations, the Christmas market stalls and the holiday spirit we found everywhere, it was just about perfect. Don’t be afraid to avoid the crowds when planning your visit. I highly recommend Christmas in Florence, Italy.

If you enjoyed what you read, you might enjoy other posts under Explore the World. There you will find my tips and guides on exciting places to visit with an emphasis on art and food as well. I also give you a taste of some fabulous spots under Snap Shot which will help you add to your bucket list. Until next time…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter

[adamgant]

Friday Faves 12.1 and Arkansas fun

Friday Faves 12.1 and Arkansas fun https://ift.tt/Px0g4Mw Hi friends! Happy Friday! How was the week? I hope you’ve had a great one. Ours went by quickly — part of it was spent in Arkansas and then we flew back home to Tucson. We had a wonderful time with family and enjoyed so many fun adventures. Some highlights: the alligator farm was a HUGE hit a beautiful hike, strolling around and shopping in Hot Springs, the Christmas lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens, and lunch at The Root. (gf chicken salad sandwich, salad, and sweet potato fries. 10/10) What do you have going on this weekend? It’s the squadron Christmas party and we’re going to get our Christmas tree. After being team fake tree for so many years, we switched to real a few years ago and I don’t see myself going back. They smell AMAZING. It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below. Friday Faves 12.1 and Arkansas fun November faves! It’s always fun to look back through analytics and see which products you’ve enjoyed the most that I’ve shared here on the blog. November is especially fun with gift guides (I have more coming next week!) and here are the bestsellers from this past month: The sauna blanket! I was so pumped to see how many of you added this to your collection this month! You can still use FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off here These cute joggers Everyday Chelsea boots This swimsuit that I bought years ago and still love The best half-zip  An amazing gift for any pet lover The gift that will make any little kid’s whole year Still my favorite leggings  A perfect stocking stuffer for your husband or partner A Barbie dream house This kids’ ruffle sweatshirt Read, watch, listen: Loving this audiobook so far, especially since I’ve been into rewatching old Friends episodes. It’s sad and comforting to hear his voice, and it was a loss this year that hit me pretty hard. I watched Falling for Christmas on Netflix while wrapping gifts – trying to get everything done early – and I have to admit… it was great. Check out this week’s podcast episode here!  Fitness + good eats: 15 festive holiday cocktail recipes. You have to try these crunchy almond butter truffles. Our favorite holiday recipes! 30 on, 30 off HIIT with weights Fashion + beauty: Love this Madewell dress (on sale right now) How cute are these ballerina flats? Kind of into the fact that bootcut jeans are back. Happy Friday, friends! What are you loving this week? Any fun Cyber Monday or Black Friday purchases that have been arriving? xoxo Gina WINNERS: Congrats to the winner of our Beautycounter giveaway: Traci and to the winners of the Amazon $500 gift card giveaway! @joyfuldesi19 @beachmom757 *Stay tuned for Favorite Things on Monday 🙂 The post Friday Faves 12.1 and Arkansas fun appeared first on The Fitnessista. via The Fitnessista https://ift.tt/zStj56B December 01, 2023 at 12:00PM

[chaotic-theatrical-weaver]

Pearl Warren headcanons because I am full of love for her:

At some point (probably shortly post-canon but could have been before, I don’t know), she takes up yarn spinning and weaves a drink sleeve for her mom. Mia cried because she was so touched that anyone would put that much labor into first creating the actual yarn, then weaving it.

She loves reading Shakespeare plays in class, but her classmates have no expression. She invites the Richardson children to read it with her–sadly, Lexie turns her down because she is not a Shakespeare fan.

When Izzy gets pulled into enjoying required-reading plays (take a guess as to which one I think started it for her), Pearl reads them with her, too! They wind up buying copies of plays and reading them together, and they’ll watch the film adaptations on VHS.

Pearl bakes red velvet cupcakes once every two weeks or so because it’s her favorite flavor, and she shares them with all her friends. Lexie calls on her for all her bake sale fundraisers now.

She was sorely disappointed in Skittles for changing lime to green apple, but then she bought a bag and then realized they taste more or less the same. (Inspired by me having the opposite experience as a 2000s kid–this one is way post-canon, but who cares anymore? It’s still a Pearl headcanon.)

She named her first betta fish Razzles like the candy, then named every subsequent one after a book character. She even named her guppies after characters in her Spanish textbook. (Yes, this was inspired by me naming my first betta fish Starburst and my guppies after the Ecce Romani kids.)

Pearl is in honors Spanish classes, by the way.

Another way post-canon Pearl headcanon: she becomes an art therapist and combines her creative upbringing with her desire to help people. Also, she has a husband named Tim. They have three children (twin daughters, Daisy and Eleanor, and a son, Liam) when they’re in their late twenties-early thirties (Daisy and Eleanor were born in 2009 and Liam in 2015).

She takes all of them to watch Encanto and it’s epic. Tim isn’t even into musicals and he is still singing the songs weeks later. She lightheartedly teases him about it.

Her kids get plantable pencils every year as Christmas stocking stuffers, Easter basket fillers, small birthday gifts, etc. They have a whole garden planted just from those pencils.

[boldlyvoid]

Eddie Munson Masterlist

Eddie Munson x Female reader

Figure it out | 4k

Movie and a Cuddle night starts out a bit differently this week...

Carpet Burns | 3.4k

after a long week apart, they can barely make it through the front door without ravaging each other

Employee of the month | 9k

To make some extra cash before Christmas, Y/N takes a job stocking the grocery store shelves at midnight, unbeknownst to her that her high school crush also works there

Stocking Stuffers | 13.9k Part two^

Christmas is the season for giving

Meanie | 2.8k

She’s needy and sometimes he’s mean about it.

Pathetic | 3.7k

she wants a try at being in control

Poison Me | 1.9k

Having sex at parties is their thing, even if they're not dressed as themselves

Heartbreak Princess |2.5k

After breaking up with her on the phone and ignoring her, Y/N and her band, decide to play a special gig at the hideout... right before Eddie's set to go on and play.

Dear Eddie | 6.8k

a summer fling between best friends ends in heartbreak

Question | 4.6k part two^ After coming back from “the dead” Eddie adjusts to being a dad

Dear Reader | 3.8k Part 3^ Eddie likes to make things for his family

Love, Eddie | 6.2k Part 4^ The new Mr. and Mrs. Munson finally have their baby... and another one.

Midnights | 4.5K

a collection of stories while Eddie works the night shift at the plant to support his family.

Double Trouble | 7.2k (slight steve x reader, angst, unhappy ending)

Dustin's older sister has a choice to make... between the guy who's always been there and the dealer she met a few hours ago.

Double Cross | 4.2k part two^

A wet dream just dangling | 3.7K

As her best friend, he was always there to answer any question she had... he just never expected her to talk about how smoking weed makes her horny but not wet.

If I woke up next to you (honeymoon) | 2.7k

Late nights, Early Mornings Afternoons (wet dream part 2)

Head Over Heels | 4.4k

2 best friends on their 2nd and 3rd retake of Senior Year finally admit their feelings for each other

Princess Hellfire | SFW series

Summary: in Junior year, Eddie sits beside the new girl in his Science class not expecting her to become his best friend in the entire world

Surprise Surprise | SFW | 1k

he just wanted to know why she was so distant

The Whore of Babylon | NSFW | 7K | eddie, gareth, jeff and Kevin x reader

Eddie's friends are Virgins, and His Girlfriend has a Virginity kink

Eddie Munson x Original Characters

Come on, Eileen | Series

Eileen Mayfield moves to Hawkins in the wake of her step-brother's death, to care for her little sister, Max. The last thing she expects is to fall in love with their new neighbour at the trailer park

Eddie x Spencer Reid x Reader

The freak, geek and miss Indiana

3 unlikely friends choose to spend the rest of their life together

[natashas-girl]

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL- holiday lights

A/n: naive little y/n gets sucked into the shopping portal just like i do except shes not broke. I got this idea while scrolling through target on Black Friday. Also i added a ton of fluff to it so it gets better.

Genre: fluff

Summary: you and natasha are a cute happy couple

You were on a mission. Opening up your computer, you opened google chrome and typed out what you wanted to find. 

About 20 minutes through your searching, Natasha walked in. Once she realized what you were doing, she yanked the computer out of your hands with her amazing reflexes and slammed it shut. 

"But, natasha-" You whined, begging her for the computer back. You grabbed onto her arm over dramatically.

"No. We are not doing that this year. Last year you stayed up for 72 hours shopping and would have bought $325 worth of stocking stuffers had i not intervened. And, Christmas is tomorrow so no matter how amazing the things you find are, they are going to arrive after New Years and be twice as expensive in shipping as the initial price."

The three things that you took away from that, of course, was

1) she was saying all of that in practically one breath, and was incredibly hot in doing so

2) you were not going to be opening that computer for the next 24 hours at least

3) you had to find something else to distract yourself

Fortunately, that last one wasn't a problem. You grinned sheepishly at Natasha. 

"Fiiine. You win . . . But can we walk to the lights after dinner?" A couple streets down there was a cul de sac that went all out for pretty much every holiday. It was in one of the more secluded areas (probably because it was a cul de sac) but by far the most beautiful. If you went there earlier, say around eight, you might see some families sitting around on porches, sipping hot chocolate and apple cider. But if you went there later, around. . . Midnight, it would be completely silent, usually not a soul out there but yourself. . . Or in this case, you and Natasha. 

When you arrived there, the street was completely silent. Some of the falling snow caught your eyelashes, and despite all of the Christmas lights, you could still see some of the stars in the sky. 

"Natasha," you whispered, "look. There's Orion's Belt." You let go of her hand to point to it, and her brow furrowed. 

"Wait. Why is a guy's belt in the sky?" She asked. You rolled your eyes. 

"Well the rest of Orion is there, too." You both started laughing. 

After that, you walked in silence. Holding hands, occasionally stopping to kiss. Like you were in a snow globe full of glitter, the perfect moments safe and happy, while all of the bad stuff was outside of the snow globe. The bad things could shake it up, but in the long run, it would only make it more beautiful. 

Because when you were with Nat, everything was perfect. 

-in the morning-

You woke up next to Natasha. The air outside of your fluffy comforter was cold, so you scooted even closer to her. 

"Hey, baby," she murmured, still half asleep. 

"It's Christmas," you told her, "will you drag me out of bed? Please?"

"I won't drag you out of bed. . . But i will race you down to the tree!" That was one of the things that you really loved about natasha. That she was not only your girlfriend, but your best friend. 

Scrambling out of bed, you threw on some clothes (pajamas) and ran down the stairs, Tasha at your heels. The tree sparkled in the early morning light, even though the string lights were unplugged. 

Grabbing the plug, you crouched down and looked for the circuit. (see? I know fancy words, too. Def did not use autocorrect for that) when you found it, you plugged it in, lighting up the whole tree. 

"Open it," you said, pushing it closer to her. She did. 

"Oh- oh my god, y/n." She said, "Is this. . . Us?" It was. It was a snow globe of you two, holding hands on a street filled with tall buildings tat were covered in Christmas lights. 

"Yeah. . ." You blushed, "i found this great local artist who likes to make snow globes, and. . . I thought of you." 

"Aww, thank you. That is so sweet." She kissed you, only stopping when Thor cleared his throat loudly. 

“My turn. This one is for you, from me.” Natasha said, smiling. 

“Close your eyes,” she said.”

“And now. . . Open them.”

She was there, a nervous smile on her face. Down on one knee. Tears rushed to your eyes. 

“Yes,” you whispered, earning a couple laughs from the rest of the team. 

“Hey, i have to propose first, silly!” She said, a bit less nervous than before. “Y/n m/n l/n, i have loved you since the moment i met you. will you marry me?”

“Yes. Oh, yes yes yes. Yes.” You just couldnt say it enough times. Yes. Yes. Yes. 

You said it until she shut you up by putting her lips on yours. 

On Christmas morning, you kissed your girl. 

I did not re read this but i got sappy towards the end. Idek what happened but this was supposed to be shorter. Word count 878 words. 

Hope ur enjoying ur holidays