little miss bake too much

Who: Naomi & @taryngramsey

Taryn smiled as she wiped her hands on a towel. "When you're right, you're right." She took off her apron and tapped one of her staff to let them know she was going on break. "I'm with you." she grinned as she came to the other side of the table and stood next to Naomi. She was about to protest her eating question when the other woman guessed what was going to come out of her mouth. "I'll have you know that my donuts are quite delicious and filling." she teased with a smile. "And what have you eaten today besides your own delicious treats?" she countered with a grin. "I did hear that there are some great nachos on one of the food trucks around here." she said as she began walking. "How has your tent been doing? I know everyone is loving your amazing food."

Naomi did have a bad habit of snacking when time permitted. She had enjoyed being able to keep busy and stay hydrated. “One of my man’s duties for the day is to make sure the customers get the baked goods and not us.” She joked. Though, she was serious and appreciated the help. “Nachos? I can go for some nachos or even bbq.” Finger food was truly the best and quick to devour. “It’s been really great. Sold out of chocolate chip cookies already but still have plenty. What about over here?”

He let out a soft chuckle, "hey no judgements if you did. I mean they are kind of our fur kids so I get it. You want the best for 'em." He didn't necessarily treat his dogs at that level but he probably went above and beyond for them sometimes compared to the average pet owner. "Okay Michelle Tanner," giving her a thumbs up back, before wrapping an arm around her and squeezing her softly. The house was amazing and had everything they wanted plus it wasn't out of their price range. Agreeing, he nodded, "exactly. It's a foundation and as time goes on we can build upon it. Gotta start with something," one couldn't just expect to get everything rhey ever wanted from the get go, plus he wanted to build a home with Naomi, add in their own touches over time. And owning their own home allowed them to do anything their hearts desired. "As long as I've got you and the dogs, it'll be a home," rolling his eyes at the cherry part, he kissed her temple, "give me all the puns." His heart raced and he was excited for this next chapter, to move in together and start the rest of their lives under the same roof. "Lets put in an offer, before someone snatches it right up."

The house would be theirs to make into whatever they wanted. A fresh start and it had been years since Naomi had lived with another person. A first time she had ever lived with a significant other and she felt like it was the right decision. She had no second guesses or what ifs. “I love you and I am happy we’re moving into a new chapter of our lives.” It wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. “Figuring out what to keep and throw away will be the fun part but so will decorating.” She gave a soft smile. “Shhhh, don’t even say that. The tongue is powerful my darling.” Naomi reminded, leading him back downstairs. She stood at the counter and listened to all the key factors that went into putting in an offer. “Wow, we actually did it. Now the waiting game is the dreadful part.” She wasn’t nervous but she was hopeful that this was the perfect starter and even a forever home for them. “Ready to say goodbye to your place?”

"I'm sorry a what?" He asked with a chuckle as he looked at his girlfriend before shaking head, "I mean they're both small so if we get a big enough one, why not?" He was teasing and knew she was too, but it was funny to think about and imagine. "Thats all I can ask, to consider it," he grinned widely at her and tilted his head, playfully trying to sweeten the deal. Each new room brought more and more excitement and he was nearly vibrating by the time they finished touring the place. He could see the excitement upon Naomi's face too and practically scooped her up as she mentioned she thought about putting in an offer too. "Really? You like it?" He asked, this time actually wrapping his arms around her, "I really think this house is perfect for us. And for our future, whatever that may look like."

Maybe she dove into took into her doom scrolling sometimes. “It’s a thing okay, I am not one of those treat your pets like children people.” Naomi reminded even though she came across plenty of those kind of pet owners. “You got it, dude.” She referenced, giving a thumbs up. The house was gorgeous and the price wasn’t too steep. “Yeah. I mean it crossed off majority of our wishlist. Plus, we can always add on down the road.” She had wanted to plant roots. She wanted a place that didn’t have a landlord raising the rent and neighbors that were loud at night. “We can make anywhere a home, but this is just the cherry on top. Pun not intended.” Naomi rubbed his back before locking her hands together at his waist. “Out of all the places we looked at in person, I think this is the winner, babe.”

JD turned to her and nodded his head, "good point, man four dogs is gonna be a lot of fun ya know." He grinned, and almost stopped to think how their lives would be in the future, with kids and all, the chaos just getting started now. His idea of decor wasn't exactly immature but it wasn't stylish or put together either but envisioning how this house would be decorated started to get him excited. Looking to where she pointed, he could see it, nodding along, "I think that can work. I think it's enough space for them. I know Rosie has a smaller crate than Scooter so that'll help." letting out a chuckle, he leaned on the counter, "a wine cooler huh? Could that double as a beer color too? Or just strictly wine?" He asked with a curious expression, raising an eyebrow for maximum effect. After taking her hand and trekking down to the basement, a rush of ideas started to flow, "okay get out of my head. Because I was thinking the exact same thing. A little theatre slash viewing room. Where we could enjoy it all and like make it a little sanctuary down here for us. Where we can decompress, and just hang out, of course with just us and the dogs or other people too." He smiled and looked at her after nodding at how the space could really come together. "So far this house is definitely at the top of the list, if the bedrooms are good I say we put in an offer."

“What if we put Rosie and Cinnamon in one crate, separate beds then Scooter has his own?” She asked with a small laugh. It would still be spacious enough for two small dogs without having three crates. “I know bunk beds for pets is probably not a thing but it’d kind of be hilarious.” Anything was possible and Naomi would probably jump at the chance. “Mmm… maybe possibly. I’ll consider it.” A cooler in general was like icing on a cake. The house had everything they could want and built on. A spacious walk in closet . double sink master bath, ac and plenty of space even a house they could grow and raise children. “Lots of space in here too.” Naomi was floored. Naomi was practically skipping out of the master bath buzzing at all the newness around her,.“Yeah, well funny, I was also thinking we should put in an offer.” It was the year of free will. “I can really see us making a home here, whatever that looks like.”

"I've always liked the festivals that we have in town, but doing something this spring and having all of us pitch in together instead of relying on the Benefactor to bank roll it feels even better, you know?" Stelly might not have deep roots the way that a lot of people did when it came to Merrock, but they still loved the feeling that came with living in the small, cozy town, couldn't deny how good it felt. "I'll be taking pictures, probably, but I know Mandy has some artsy things in mind that I'll be helping her with," they said as they took a final look at the piece they were creating, before deciding to smooth out a few spots. "So I'll be keeping busy!"

After getting the chance to get to the final stages, she was happy that they had a chance to come back and paint the project they created. “It’s definitely better because it’s more personable.” Least in her opinion it was, she was planning to donate half of every purchase to charity. “You’re always keeping busy darling.” Which meant Naomi absolutely owed her a visit at touchback. “Oh, I am sure she will love that and I absolutely will have to check out her booth and bother you for photos.” Naomi was always down to help a friend. “I think we did fine work today friend and next time, we gotta get lunch.”

One of the perks of being a librarian were ARCs, or, advance reader copies - they were sent to him in advance of ordering shipments from various publishing houses to get him interested in their new releases. And Will wasn't picky, he'd read pretty much anything. Plus, it was good to have a wide variety of options for the town. He wanted the library to feel inviting, and having books for all readers was a big part of making that happen. He chuckled softly, beginning to return her books back and shelve them on the rolling cart beside him. "Well, you're right about that. There's nothing like reading off a proper paperback." He mused with a smile, "Well, it's not suspense, but the book Yesteryear just came out and I'm about halfway through. It's about this lady who's a tradwife influencer online, just a horrible person all around, and she gets transported back to the 1800s. I love when an author has an unlikable main character, and the concept is super interesting. But if you want something that's more of a thriller, The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead is the last suspense and mystery book I read, and it was really good! I think you'd like it. We have copies of both still in stock, I can get them for you, if you want." Will offered before nodding enthusiastically, "Oh, yes, please. I'm starving and my relief should be here any moment. What are you in the mood for?"

“I heard so much about it.” The book had been on her tbr and she was just waiting for the publication releases. Everyone that had got the arc seemed to have mixed feelings. “It’s being turned into a film right?” Naomi was iffy on book to film adaptations. Sometimes the work got changed so much and the best scenes in the book never made it to film. “Yes please! To both because I need something not romance for once.” She had tried to expand her reading genres as much as possible. “I had smash burgers the other night so maybe Thai or some good ol Chinese food? Totally not picky so if you have a specific craving, we can do that. Has it been busy?”

۶ৎ   open  to  all ! spots: 0/5 where: his apartment

“So, light work.” She confirmed. If it was one thing that she did well, it was give an honest opinion especially when it came for food. She had mainly cooked for herself and her boyfriend but she knew how tedious sauces can be. “When have I ever lied to you?” She rose a brow. “… that was one time and you looked really sad.” Naomi played with the gold ring on her finger. “Take a breather. I am sure it is not that bad.”

Location: Bookends Status: OPEN (0/5)

Spending the last hour at bookends was really no surprise. Her plan was just to look. She had mentally said it. Even verbally said it to control the impulse to purchase books. Did she need any new books? Probably not. However, she had always liked to compile a TBR for every month.

JD took a look and folded his arms, envisioning it before letting out a nod, "won't get any protesting out of me when promising a lazy boy." He was teasing but he truly thought that could be a good idea, he figured they'd entertain friends and family and ha e people stay over at times. "Always happy to do so especially for my favorite teammate," he winked and wrapped an arm around her as she leaned into him, then placed a kiss on the top of her head. He smiled to himself and saw it too, plenty of outdoor entertaining with friends and family, as well as just the two of them and their dogs, enjoying the weather and having fun. He followed closely by into the kitchen, head on a swivel as he took in everything from the interior. He leaned against the counter and nodded to no one in particular, but she smiled as she got excited about it all. "I mean it looks great, plenty of room so we can cook or bake together, or well you could give me lessons," he laughed, "and plenty of room on the pantry for all of our snacks and for the dog food too." He added with a nod, looking to see where the dog bowls would go, trying to find a good spot since they had two small ones and a big one. Shaking his head, "I wouldn't worry about the space at all, can never have too much room. And I think I did see a bathroom by the living room which is good. To the basement it is." He extended his hand for her take so they can check it out together. "I have a really good feeling about this house."

“Never especially if we plan to add another fur child.” She raked her fingers through her hair. The house was really spacious and an open floor plan. There was so much they could do with the space to make it their own little by little. It only made her even more excited. “Dog bowls could maybe could there. Their crates in the corner over there.” She pointed across the way. “Oh, there will be so many lessons for you. Don’t worry, love.” She assured taking in the rest of the kitchen. “The countertops are fun and is it crazy to still want a wine cooler in here?” She had one at her apartment and it was a little luxury she enjoyed. Slipping her hand in his, Naomi followed, she was excited to view the basement. “Me too. The open floor plan and all the space is really selling it. There is so much we can do to makes it more personable.” The basement even had a small bathroom and plenty of space. “Okay walk with me darling, huge sectional right with a flat screen on the wall because duh, dvd collection of our favorites new and old, pool table maybe… popcorn machine. A mini theatre over time or is that too homebody? She inquired after a while walking up back up the stair case. "Upstairs next?"

"I don't really think that you'll have much luck convincing anyone in this town to put in something big like that," they admitted on a soft laugh. It had been frustrating growing up, simply because Stelly had been raised in New Orleans, around so many big, exciting things to do. Merrock, by comparison, had been smaller, more laidback. And then as they got older, they understood that was by design, had come to love that quiet, simple life. Even if it wasn't what they had ever expected to want for themself. "One good thing, I think you'll see people put that energy into the Spring Fling more so than like… setting things on fire," they wrinkled their nose, reaching for a tool to make a sharp edge in the vase. "But I do think the Spring Fling will be fun!"

“The spring fling is always a masterpiece.” She nodded in agreement. Naomi was looking forward to having a booth again and this time donating the proceeds. “It’s always a good time that’s for sure.” Stelly had been right, the folks would be too focused on the fling than anything else. “I will be there with my little booth. Any plans to chill or volunteer while you’re there?”

"Yes I'm sure," he nodded and then shot her a look, "Hey I'm a positive person overall. But yeah you're right. That toilet was way too low and that shower was tiny!" He had a hand pressed to his chest before signaling a small space with his hands. He put the car into park and nodded as he looked at her. "Fingers crossed and I am absolutely ready to make an offer when it feels right," he reassured her with a gentle squeeze on her arm, "and if anything is simply cosmetic because of color, that's an easy fix." He was just thinking out loud, not wanting to nitpick anything, keeping an open mind and hoping this would be their dream home. "I think so too, and I can't describe it but I have a good feeling about this one. Like a reallt good feeling," not a fake one by any means. Walking along side Noami, he held her hand as they made their way inside before cm going over to the couch with a nod, "the room itself is nice. But yeah this doesn't feel comfy either." He pushed in the cushion before sitting on it and made a noise, "yeah no. Definitely not comfortable." He got up and looked out the window, "the yard looks like a nice size. Wanna check out the kitchen? That's an important room for our checklist."

“An easy replacement. Maybe get one of those sectionals that fold out into bed, a lazy boy for fun.” She remarked. The options were endless and she was excited to shop for potential pieces. “Thanks for taking one for the team.” Naomi grinned. She was positive if she tried, she’d probably just sink into the couch and be over it. Leaning against him, the view from the backyard was glorious. “This is lovely! I can see the grilling, pool side vibes and dogs running after each other at sunset.” Naomi nodded practically skipping to the kitchen. “It is a very important room, darling.” She took her sweet time going through the kitchen cabinets. She gasped in excitement, finding a hidden door meant for groceries drop off from the garage. “Ooooh look at this!” Naomi opened the garage door and peeked in from the little door. “I may be sold based on this.” She came back in closing the door behind her. “Sizable pantry. Island, so much counter space. Which could be scary, but we shall have a system. What do you think?” She rambled off. “I am sure there is a bathroom down here too somewhere but we can check out the basement next.”