#dormernatali

[sebassstian-stan]

Christmas comes but once a year...

Under the cut are (super on time, sorry!) Christmas treats for @butlergerry, @deltslea, @dormernatali, @roerigz​, @scarlettjohansssn, @shaiwoodleybv, @charliehmn, @residentgoober, @stefigerm, @bjamesjr, @apopple, @xolively & @vancityryan

~Merry Christmas!~

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I’m especially grateful for each and every one of you this year - old friends and new - and I hope you have a happy, healthy and celebratory holiday with your families this year. Thank you for welcoming me back with open arms, and including me in your families of choice. Stay cozied up and warm with this hot chocolate kit, and use it to help wash down some homemade cozonac bread - a Romanian specialty - and the blame for my expanding Christmas waistline. 

Though a lot of things have changed over the years, and I may have been MIA for a few of them - some things stay the same. I wasn’t raised with much, and feel that we all have so much... I hope you all enjoy my preferred version of Christmas giving - something homemade and from the heart, and something to put good out into the world for those who aren’t as breathtakingly lucky as the rest of us. 

Lots of love,

Sebastian

_______________________________

For my new mate, @charliehmn, helping five male refugees not only receive job and skills prep to join the workforce in their new homes, but vital supplies to get them through the first few weeks so they can provide for their families

For my moonbeam kid sister, @shaiwoodleybv​ and the woman who can - and maybe should - kick my ass on the reg, @scarlettjohansssn​, the gift of each of you sending ten girls to school for an entire year in areas like Afghanistan, the Congo and Lebanon

For the couples that not only redefine what successful, supportive marriages look like - @bjamesjr​ and @apopple​, @xolively​ and @vancityryan​, and @residentgoober​ and @stefigerm​ - but you all make very cute kids to boot, a vitally important baby incubator donated in each of your names to under-resourced hospitals in Africa and Asia. Each incubator on average will save hundreds of premature babies’ lives in these areas for loving parents like you all.

For the unofficial Mayor of Bayview, and the guy who always has a plan, or at least fakes it like nobody’s business @butlergerry​, a water distribution and sanitation station for rural tribes who cannot source it themselves - needless to say, a vital part of the rebuilding and vitality efforts and something we take for granted. As someone who does a lot for those around them on their own, I wanted to shine that light a little brighter where I could. 

For the strongest and most inspiriting woman around, @deltslea​, there isn’t a way to bottle up your special magic, but providing small business training for five women in places like Liberia, where market-savvy women are often natural entrepreneurs who generate income for their families and lift the fortunes of entire communities. Sort of like the way you lift up the rest of us, doll.

For the fiercest and defacto-everyone’s mom, @dormernatali​, as someone who has brought their own family together to create something beautiful, my favorite gift this year of reuniting five refugee families who have been separated during a crisis, migration or other natural disaster across Africa and the Middle East. Because of you, five families are going to find each other in this crazy world to begin healing and thriving. 

For my brother, @roerigz​. A lot has changed, for us as men on our own, and between the two of us as friends. Family again someday, hopefully. Though I have some regrets, coming back home and, admittedly not easy, but having the chance to work on things together - metaphorically, but also kind of literally soon enough - will never be one of them. I wanted to get you a few goofy things, because, you know, Christmas - like this shirt - but the wood brand is something I thought you might like to design for yourself to sign your work. It’s beautiful, and deserves to bear the Roerig name, or Windsong’s, if you wanted. Your affinity for fat, happy, healthy babies is something I’ve learned to start appreciating over the years too, but one that I started learning from yours. In light of that, your real gift of four mobile clinics - Gracie’s Clinic, Jason’s Clinic, Harper’s Clinic and Ryan’s Clinic - which will serve across southeastern Asia and Africa, to have there be more fat, happy babies in the world because of you all. 

[bviewdrew]

Wishing you fun, laughter and happiness that stays with you forever. Merry Christmas! 

Drew, Olive & Frankie. 

For @butlergerry & Gaelyn

Ger, 

It’s finally here, it’s Christmas! I can’t say that when I arrived in Bayview I had any idea how this year was going to turn out but it turns out that my rash and impulsive decision was the best one I’ve made in quite sometime and that’s thanks in large part to you (and Gaelyn, of course!). So obviously there was no way I could let Christmas pass without a little spoiling so you both knew how grateful I am that the two of you have come into our lives. 

From me: I think the socks are pretty self explanatory (although, surprisingly, the only coffee related item), but just in case - as someone who can’t drink coffee, I need a reminder so I don’t let your cup get empty! Plus, cozy toes is a good thing this time of year. As for the tie, I just figured you should probably get used to wearing this color scheme! The rest, your mother is probably going to side eye me for, but I’m hoping I can charm her by pretending to love haggis! Anyway, first is a collection of motorcycle maps - I have no idea how these differ from regular maps but apparently they were made by motorcyclists, for motorcyclists. Included is a small token to remind you to make you sure you come home safe (okay, you mother might approve of this one). The last one is a bit selfish, and completely presumptuous, but I figure wifedom allows me some leeway here - it’s a motorcycle Bluetooth intercom system that fits into most helmets so you don’t have to yell over the engine all the time. Yes, this is my way of suggesting a road trip at some point (or when we need an escape plan from certain little people...?). 

From the girls: Olive made you the dish - it’s paper mache so don’t try to use it as an ashtray! She intended it for keys and such because she ‘feels bad for boys who don’t carry purses’! Frankie decorated the coasters for you so you always have somewhere to put your coffee! 

For Gaelyn: Olive & Frankie got Wonder Woman and Supergirl pajamas from Santa and so we wanted to make sure Gaelyn was a part of their superhero gang (in sticking with the matching, also). The matching roll out beds were the girls’ idea - I think this is their way of insisting on sleepovers, and while they outnumber me and I couldn’t say no, I can’t say I don’t like the idea!

 I don’t want to get too mushy here and risk tarnishing your reputation, but I do want you to know that the time we’ve spent together has been some of the best I’ve had, so thank you for being a friend, for making me laugh and supporting my bad parenting. And for hot cocoa, obviously. I hope the memories made so far are just the start and that 2018 holds a whole lot more for us. Mostly, I hope you and Gaelyn have the wonderful, happy Christmas you both deserve so much (and Mama Butler, too!). 

xo Drew, Olive & Frankie

For @zaynsalamb, @krispinot, @dormernatali, @yelyahnichole, @bayviewlara, @sxphietxrner , @deltslea, @keshababyy & @reinlili

I just wanted to give you all a little something to celebrate the season and to thank you for your friendship, the laughs and, in at least one case, the babysitting. The cookies are sadly, not homemade (who has time for that) but absolutely delicious so please enjoy with your families! The wine is my own blend ad I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! Lastly, both the card and the coffee are of the ‘give back’ variety. The card supports animal welfare charities (Thanks to Hooray for the Underdog) and features animals that have been given a new lease on life and a forever home. Grounds and Hounds is an amazing company that supports nearby animal rescues, which would be enough to convince me, but they reportedly also make a delicious cuppa!

From my family to yours, I hope you have a beautiful Christmas and that 2018 is filled with love, laughter and joy for all of you! Merry Christmas! 

Drew, Olive & Frankie.

[bayviewjomo]

god feed the queen || natalie & joseph

“Finally” he muttered to himself while slipping the car into park. He’d managed to find his way around most of Bayview by this point, but Green Acres was an entirely different matter. And given the eight o’clock reservation he’d made at Clam Shells, it meant trying to find Natalie’s place in the dark, which only doubled the challenge and left him running a few minutes behind. He hurried out of the vehicle and made his way to her door, rapping on it a few times with his knuckles before running the same hand through his hair. He’d been a fan of Natalie long before he’d found his way to town, but having spent some time chatting her up, he liked her even more - she was confident, sassy and did a great job of keeping his ego in check - so he’d be lying if he’d claimed to not be excited to spend an evening getting to know her better. Still, he played it cool, nonchalantly hanging back until she finally appeared before him in the doorway. At which point, he could no longer contain the smile. “Good evening, your highness.” he greeted teasingly. @dormernatali

[bviewdrew]

Nat, ( @dormernatali)

You can pretty much count on the fact that every gift from me, from now until eternity, will be mostly about wine. I figured you were probably okay with that though. I don’t know about you, but there are few things better than putting the kids to bed, drawing a hot bath and sitting back for a soak will enjoying a glass (or three) of your favorite bottle, so this little doohickey seemed simple but absolutely brilliant to me. And then, just so you have all the excuse you’ll ever need to start as soon as the sun comes up, some Merlot infused coffee - along with a mug that is probably more accurate than anyone ever needs to know! I hope you have a wonderful day, darling, and this is your best year yet! Happy Birthday! 

Drew. 

[gustygrants]

Natalie + crown

Send me a word & a character, and I will write you a short drabble about our characters and that word.

Grant was out with his two dogs in the park, the two pups were excitable as usual, although Nora was still the one who would shy away from people when they passed by.

He noticed Nora looking around until he spotted a familiar face. Waving to Natalie, he smiled. “Look who it is,” he said as Natalie approached.

She walked up to them with Mercer and Rosemary in tow. The two tykes looked at the dogs and waved as Nora and Jett sat, wagging their tails. They expected someone to give them some attention.

“I like your crown,” Grant grinned at the little girl, who giggled and blushed, hiding her face.

Natalie laughed softly, cooing at her daughter, who giggled again. “That’s her way of saying thank you,” she chuckled, looking at the little girl.

“You’re welcome,” he winked at her. Rosemary looked down at Grant’s feet to find Nora looking up at her.

The little girl pointed down to Nora and looked at Natalie in question. Grant grinned at the two of them.

“I think she has a present for Nora,” Natalie said with a smile. She bent down and put Rosemary’s crown on Nora’s head. “Perfectly fitting for a queen.”

Nora stood up and barked happily, wagging her tail. 

[bayviewxbillie-blog]

Bradley + clouds

It was something she used to do as a kid. Lie down and make up shapes in the clouds. Some times her mother would join and it would become a team effort: Billie came up with shapes, and Carrie weaved them into intricate and silly stories. Then she grew up, and others kids told her she was weird when she’d try to get them to admire the silly clown juggling with a television that she saw. She stopped when a particularly crude 13 years old told her it meant she was a raving lunatic who needed to get committed. Teenagers could be cruel. A sudden wave of nostalgia hit her, as she was out on a walk with Tina strutting along. Maybe it was silly, maybe she was too old now and wouldn,t even remember how to. But a single look up the sky and she was gone amongst turtles carrying purses and lopsided houses. When a pull on the leash brought her back, she found herself dangerously close to walking straight into a tall blonde man carrying a toddler. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” she apologized preemptively. “I didn’t see you... my head was in the clouds. So sorry. Again.”

[residentgoober]

James + glitter

Send me a word & a character, and I will write you a short drabble about our characters and that word.

Darren was at the toy store with the two kids. Amorette was looking around with her eyes bugging out at all the toys and colorful things and candy. She was holding a sparkly pink wand in her tiny hands.

“So many sparkles, so much glitter,” he laughed to himself. Lennon squealed when he saw someone coming from the other direction as his sister spun in circles at Darren’s heels.

He smiled at James, who was with Sterling and Violet. Amore’s eyes went wide at the sight of another tiny little human and her brother giggled, causing Darren to laugh in amusement as the kids all looked at each other.

“Looks like they’re all intrigued by each other’s presence,” he chuckled.

“Like they’re plotting against us,” James said with his own grin.

Darren laughed softly. “Don’t remind me. This one is already a troublemaker,” she said, playing with Amore’s hair. “I just hope I’ll be able to remember everything that was on the list that Stef gave me!”

“The little ones can definitely be distracting sometimes. Luckily, they’ll just fall asleep the moment you put them in the car seat, most of the time.”

Suddenly, Darren felt something by his shoe. 

“Amore... did you just drop all that glitter on me?” he asked, a confused expression on his face.

James watched the two-year old’s innocent face turn into a mischievous one. “Welcome to the terrible twos, Darren.”

[mdmcgorry]

HAPPY F’IN BIRTHDAY!

I can’t say I know you well enough (yet) to really nail an epic birthday gift, but I figured cake flavored vodka and candles can never be bad...right? While this is late to the party, it’s not technically belated. This is where I’d usually say something nice but instead I’ll stick to the agreement and go with you’re a big meanie (translation: you’re pretty rad and I hope you have a great day!)

@dormernatali