I wanted to say a GIANT thank you to the campers of the forest. You guys are beyond amazing and I have shed several happy and overwhelmed tears over this holiday because of you.

As I posted in the Freecycle, I asked for help for a friend's family that really needed it this year and the outpouring of support was so wonderful. I wanted everyone to know that you really made that family's Christmas.

Any giftcards or even money that was sent, I put in a box and wrapped for Krystal to open herself so she can use for whatever is needed. The giftcards to Toys R Us I went and got toys for the kids open. Any toys or gifts sent were wrapped and left under the tree from "Santa" along with what my family brought. 

I know that there are a couple that haven't arrived and I told her she would just have to deal with me bringing more stuff so please don't feel that if it hasn't arrived that it won't be in the spirit anymore. Believe me, she will still need the help and will go to good use so thank you in advance. 

To those that even just sent support or kinds words or advice, I passed that along as well and it was so so appreciated. She told me to tell everyone that she couldn't believe the generocity of strangers that had no idea of who she or her children were and there are not words to express her gratitude.

There were tears, hugs and cursing. Then more cursing, more tears, more cursing, and more hugs. 

If I could hug each and every one of you I would. There would be tears and cookies involved I promise. 

I really just wanted to say thank you to everyone but this can be interactive too. Tell me what made your heart swell this holiday season. Make me cry some more. I'm ok with that <3

Who watched Downton's Christmas special?

What did you think?

My thoughts will be inside. There will be spoilers, especially for Americans who haven't given in and watched series 3 yet.

P.S. Can one of the rangers help me tag this? For some reason my browser is being a buttface.

Expectations and Other Moving Pieces updated today.

Each time this one updates I jump to read it.  My spoilery thoughts below:

<<<    I keep hoping for this misery to end, but it doesn't appear that it'll happen any time soon.  Just when I think we might see some tiny positive redemptive quality in Bella, i.e. finally going in to see her hospitalized father, we get the secondary flashback of her cheating on Edward.  I guess I rush to read this because I think that it has to get better right? Bella is unlikable, self loathing and self destructive, Edward is a complete pussy.  One of them has to have a breakthrough sooner or later right?   I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to flame this story or think I am complaining about the writing style of the author.  I'm just an instant gratification kind of gal.  We wait months for this one to update and I am desperately wanting something good to happen for these people! That's all there is to it!  I keep thinking I should just flounce, and catch up when it finishes, but I won't. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment that way.  Kind of like Bella!  >>>>>

I am curious to see everyone elses thoughts.

A few days ago, I asked for AH story recs. You've been fantastic, so now I'm looking for vamp stories. Thanks to the fellow readers who suggested to open this campfire :)

My preferences are: AU. No horror. No Slash. Only canon couples.

Here's my list (only complete stories, but I do read also WIPs). The ones in bold are the ones I absolutely recommend. Give me your favorite vamps!

- Raum

COMPLETE STORIES

Daedalus in Exile: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5379739/1/Daedalus_in_Exile

Dog Star: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8087942/1/

Angel, Second Class: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5785377/1/Angel_Second_Class

Distractions: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5759303/1/Distractions

Hardcover Paranormal Romance: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7824101/1/Hardcover-Paranormal-Romance

In the Blink of an Eye: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4500819/1/In_the_Blink_of_an_Eye

Ithaca is Gorges: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4988866/1/Ithaca_is_Gorges

Mad World: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5083222/16/Mad_World

Sacrifices: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3940174/1/Sacrifices

Seducing Miss Swan: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4425217/1/Seducing_Ms_Swan

Stranger than Fiction: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5634545/1/Stranger_Than_Fiction

The Art of Losing: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5208632/1/The_Art_of_Losing

The Bella Swan Scholarship Fund: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6993916/1/

The Parachutist ( + sequel "Our New World"): http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5732101/1/The-Parachutist

The Pilgrimage: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8013436/1/The-Pilgrimage (no Edward and Bella, but Adso is amazing!)

Blood Lines: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5085822/1/Blood_Lines

A Litany at Dusk: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5312635/1/A_Litany_at_Dusk

A Man of Few Words: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6656406/1/A_Man_of_Few_Words

Across the Universes: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5914339/1/Across-the-Universes

Beauty and the Vampire: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4683145/1/Beauty_and_the_Vampire

Beyond time: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5755522/16/Beyond_Time

Bronze: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6391069/1/BRONZE

Creature of Habit (+ sequel): http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4769414/1/Creature_of_Habit
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6357340/1/Creatures_of_Habit

Dark Games Twisted Minds: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5467692/1/Dark_Games_Twisted_Minds

Ethan Church: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5090892/1/Ethan_Church

Everclear: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5014469/41/EverClear

Everlasting Why: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7515357/1/Everlasting-Why

For Whom the Bell Tolls: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6460691/1/

From Innocence to Experience: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4429957/1/From_Innocence_to_Experience

Glimmer Darkly: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7418494/1/Glimmer-Darkly

Goodnight, Noises Everywhere: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5650508/1/Goodnight_Noises_Everywhere

Hide and Drink: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5722450/1/Hide_and_Drink

Love is always an option: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5270129/1/Love_Is_Always_an_Option

Lust on a Deathbed: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6878752/1/Lust_On_A_Deathbed

Night Must Fall: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6000661/1/Night_Must_Fall

Paved with Good Intentions: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4824721/1/Paved_With_Good_Intentions

Perchance to Dream: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5137513/1/Perchance_to_Dream

Pixie Dust: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5324133/1/Pixie-Dust

Requiem, by Katinki

Sins of the Piano Man: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6036342/1

The Decision: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6797418/1/

The Deluded: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5269094/1/The_Deluded

The Evening Dust: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8555970/1/The-Evening-Dust

The Singer and The Sorrow: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5924138

The Vampire in the Basement: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4887478/1/The_bVampire_b_in_the_bBasement_b

True Nature: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8349484/1

Business Casual: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8700648/1/Business-Casual

I don't know what to think.

Come inside and share your thoughts about the Christmas special and/or the first half of series 7.

Yes, there will probably be spoilers.

Any Americans who missed the Christmas special, BBC America will be showing it again this Saturday at 9 EST.

I think I may have to watch it again.

It's What the Fic ghetto style!

Can someone add the pic for me? Pls and thanks!!

the freeforall is still going!

post on whatever you like until sunday, january 6th. no permission or recs required!

still no n00dz or filthy effing language, though. that never changes. it would get us in trouble with google.

speaking of google ads, please feed a tree while you're here by clicking on the header at the top of the page, the little box on the right, or the footer at the bottom. there are creepy mugs with faces and an open mouth to keep your cookies being advertised on mine right now, gross.

so, how was your christmas, for those of you who celebrate? did the holiday armadillo bring you everything your heart desired?

are you off the rest of the year? are you tearing your hair out because you're stuck home with your kids?

talk to me, campers. what's goin' on?

this a-hole fyt:

I don't know about everyone else, but I LOVE getting gift cards for Christmas.  We are a single income family, so gift cards are like guilt-free shopping for me.  Yesterday I got a couple nice gift cards to Sephora and for the first time ever I'm stuck.  I don't know what to buy!!  This is the part where you come in.  Do you have any suggestions for anything that I shouldn't be without from Sephora?  Tell me what I should spend these gift cards on!  Also, my daughter made bank on iTunes gift cards.  Any suggestions for apps and/or music for a 9 year old? 

To make this interactive let us know if you have any gift cards you need help spending!  Or tell us what you got for Christmas.  Or tell us what you DIDN'T get, but really, really wanted.

FYT I offer to share the pecan pie my mom made me for Christmas (paging wtvoc and mallmouse!).  As in, it was wrapped and one of my presents.  lol

Just a reminder, Michelle Birbeck (aka Faerie Kitten) article, Different Types of Publishing, posts December 29 on the PTB Blog. 

And there's only five more days to enter the Twilight Forever and Michelle Birbeck Giveaway!

Also, PTB's Scrivener Coupon code for 20% off expires December 31. Take advantage of that while you can. Code: PROJECTTB

To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter here or at: http://bit.ly/ptbgiveaway

Michelle Birbeck Prize Package: The Last Keeper, Consequences, and Isolation

Twilight Forever Prize Package: The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, The Twilight Saga: The Complete Film Archive, The Psychology of Twilight

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted with permission by LJ Summers

Right, so I wanted to post this while it's still FFA. My husband has been working for a year on a kitchen play set for our daughter. I have had little to no contact with this thing, which is kind of the way we both like it, really. :) It saves us from marital disputes.

On Christmas Eve Eve he installed this beast and we kept our daughter busy and away from it until the big reveal on Christmas morning. I haven't uploaded her reaction video, yet, but here is a tour of the kitchen for you to check out. I'm so incredibly proud of my husband and how hard he has worked to hone his skills over the years.

to all of the campers in the forest-

whatever you celebrate, 

we wish you and yours a merry one.

here's to a day of celebration, good food, good drink, and a smile or two.

love to you all,

your rangers at ADF.

Merry Christmas Campers from sunny Australia!

George arrived in my mail box yesterday,

so I thought I'd share some photos of what he's been up to!

More inside & updated as the champagne flows at Christmas dinner!

oops! forgot the interactive part, lol!  Post pics of what you're up to this Christmas Eve/Day!!

Welcome to the Monday Morning Hot Guy Campfire. What better way to start your week than a hot guy?

Every Monday, I'm going to dedicate a CF to the Hot Guy of the Week. The catch? The CF can ONLY be about the current nominated guy.

We all have different tastes in men, so please don't yuck anyone's yum. If you have a man you'd like to see crowned for the week, PM or hit me up on twitter (@ffcherry) with his name.

So come on in and see who won the crown this week!

Do you write fan fiction?

Give us a little peek!

Post something about your upcoming chapters here!

excerpt / pictease / music / riddle / poem / banners

~ Don't forget to include a link to your story! ~

The 2012 NORAD Santa Tracker is up and running!  

This year, Google has added a Santa Tracker (I don't remember them doing it last year) and it looks just as neat.  

I enjoy following this as The Midget still believes in Santa Clause, but feel a bit nostalgic, as this will probably be the last year she believes. She's 8 and I've worked hard to preserve this last bit of magic. 

Then again, my being so young at heart will always keep things interesting in my part of the hemisphere. 

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays!

**(Links will open up new windows)

So as the year comes to a close I have been thinking about challenging myself to read more in 2013. I have so many books that I need to read and I want to structure my reading more. Any ideas or helpful tips? Have you done a challenge? Would you be interested in something like this? 

can anyone send me a copy of FAP by 107year old virgin?  

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4947103/61/Femme_Docs_and_Kevlar_Knights

Let's share our best white elephant gifts!