by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
You can’t beat a classic. This little bear always makes me smile, so let’s watch again. Everybody dance!
Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!
Blog
Big Bark, Fairies And Spring?
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
Last Saturday at my fiction critique group, my author buddy Cindy Hiday surprised me with a gift. When I unwrapped the item, it was a humongo piece of bark. Score! She felt it might be perfect for the Fairy Rock Garden. It fell off firewood she and her Air Force veteran hubby were unloading.
Cindy’s husband joked if she needed any bark. “Yes, for Kim,” she replied. He’s learned just to go with it when these events happen and my name comes up. Very smart man.
Another writer in our group puzzled by the bark present wanted me to explain my Fairy Rock Garden. Most Fairy Gardens are little scenes in the garden with plants and mini-furniture and houses in pots or tucked under trees.
In my case, I decided to make a Fairy Rock Garden so I don’t have to deal with the plants either. I have the start of an entire development; more rocks, less plants to water. My fascination with Fairy Gardens started while attending Camp Fire summer day camp at Camp Nadaka.
We split nut shells to make fairy bowls and put them on top of tiny wood tables we made in the forest. That’s all it took for my imagination to take flight. Also explains why “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is my favorite Shakespeare play; fairies rule.
On the way home from our fiction critique group, I stopped at Joann Fabrics to pick up some bead craft containers. When I walked in the door, this is what I saw to my right.
I almost screamed. Fairy Garden booty as far as the eye could see. I immediately began taking photos. The thirty percent off tags were very tempting, but I only bought two things. Think I was so overwhelmed with joy I couldn’t shop. Hard to believe, but true.
If you want to get some Bloom Room Littles, then Joann Fabrics is the place to go. But not before I get back to clear out some fairy garden stock. I have coupons for Thursday. Good thing I’ve got a Subaru Forester for hauling.
Got Fairy Garden furniture and accessories? Let’s all get ready to play in the dirt!
P.S. Checked online and the Camp Fire Organization sold the former Camp Nadaka in 1995 to the city of Gresham, Oregon. It is now the Nadaka Nature Park, 10-acres of natural area and a 2-acre neighborhood park on the former Nelson property.
Check out these clean-up and construction pictures which just happen to show some big fairy houses. Told ya! http://friendsofnadaka.org/photos/
Football, Felines, Food And Fufu!
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
Break out the dip, chips and snacks, its the great football weekend of Kitten Bowl IV! I know you’ve all been looking forward to it, but we’re concerned about field conditions given the weather. Seems the ground keeper plow puppies have it under control. Snow removal is on target.
There is also that other game between the Falcons and Patriots, but Kitten Bowl IV comes on first on the Hallmark Channel and repeats all day. Go cathletes!
Have a great SAFE weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!
P.S. So happy to know Fufu the predicting hedgehog at the Oregon Zoo overturned Groundhog Phil’s forecast yesterday. Early Spring here we come. Girl hedgehog power! FuFu rocks!
Can Warm Memories Fight Snowmares?
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
Mother Nature is cranky. We just got a Special Weather Statement predicting another snowstorm and possible freezing rain. Weather Service says small accumulation, tv stations say two to four inches; last time they both predicted that we got a foot of snow followed by ice. Sigh.
I’m sure the ice cream and chip rush is on at the grocery stores, especially with Super Bowl this weekend. Snacks rule! Since December when this weird weather started, I’ve cleaned out my bathroom cabinets and drawers, my pantry, three stacks of old newspapers and started my taxes. At this rate my house will be spotless by May, a rare occurrence.
So to perk us all up, I’ve decided to recycle some of my favorite photos. I need to remind myself there is a warm season when my toes can run naked in sandals, I don’t have to wear four layers of clothes and there are actual rose blooms in my backyard. Note to self, must get busy on more Fairy Rock Garden building plans….
Time For Sea Otter Chefs?
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
I read somewhere the average family rotates the same ten recipes for meals. That seems about eight more than I use on a regular basis. To increase my skills I’ve been watching a Mediterranean Cooking course. This class is taught by a Chef Instructor so I am way out of my league. Thought it would mostly involve cutting vegetables.
When I saw these rescued sea otters at the Oregon Zoo showing how to whip up a seafood buffet, I felt much more at home. Think I may use their shellfish opening techniques on the stuck lid on the spaghetti sauce jar. Get me a big rock! Or as we called them in the Army, a BFR.
Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!
Ready For Romance?
by Kimberly A. Cook (Twitter@ WarriorTales)
There are many types of romance, but digging out of a historic snowstorm and freezing rain/ice mess topped it for me last Thursday. Finally able to get out for a girl’s lunch at Monticello Antiques and Monti’s Café. Heaven!
When what to my wondering eyes appeared but red and white decorations telling me Valentine’s Day is near. The main reason I was so happy is because it means Spring is on its way. When even the Weather Channel says Portland is number one on the winter-fatigue scale, being able to shop is romantic.
Wanted to share some of the finds I found in my browsing. It was so fun to be out of the house, snow, ice, arctic cold temps without a snow shovel and my Danner Fort Lewis boots.
I discovered jewelry jars, but after a thorough scan of the contents I decided I didn’t need these; still have a bunch at home.
Thought these buttons were so cute and festive, plus vintage. Can’t we just kick ourselves for all the stuff we got rid of which is vintage now?
Found another pink mini-teapot that I managed to not buy. It was a tough decision, but I am out of teapot display space. Completely.
Then this fabulous find would have gone home with me if I had a bigger house. Who doesn’t need a pink couch? Really!
There is more daylight now. It’s time to buy Valentine candy for all the folks we love, including ourselves. My motto is buy early because by the actual day all the good candy has been sold on clearance. Better put it on your shopping list for Super Bowl party goodies. Just to be safe.
Happy Almost Romantic February!
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