Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Ducks

Cookies, Sunshine and Duck Butts?

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by Kimberly A. Cook           (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

There is a lot to be said for serendipity, sunshine and the simple pleasures. Moseyed over to the opening day of my local Farmer’s Market to check out the wares and goodies. Came upon a booth with ginormous cookies.

Wait a minute. Those cookies looked familiar. I never forget a cookie! They were the size of pancakes with every kind from Cowboy Cookies to spicy chocolate cookies. Looked around and saw jars of jams and preserves, then some fresh fruit.

The Cookie Bar sign from Packer Orchards and Bakery in Hood River, Oregon. Or as I like to call it, Cookie Heaven!
The Cookie Bar sign from Packer Orchards and Bakery in Hood River, Oregon. Or as I like to call it, Cookie Heaven!

Yes! It was the Packer Orchards and Bakery from Hood River where I stopped on my way to the Alpaca yarn shop. Chatted up the booth cash register lady and she confirmed it was their first year having a booth at my market. It’s a miracle! Since the orchards and their store with the COOKIE BAR is a good 75 miles from my house, they moved the cookies closer to me!

Seriously, I’m going to have to take up running in addition to walking with this many treats so close. Procured a peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie and a marionberry pie sweetened with pear juice. Those gems were nestled right next to the cinnamon rolls with marionberry topping! I felt my jeans tighten just looking at them.

So I did a circuit of the rest of the market and found fresh asparagus, hanging baskets, jewelry, Hawaiian BBQ, all kinds of fun stuff. Then I parked myself in the line to get a chicken Greek gyro. Sun was out, great Spring day and cookies. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Yesterday at the day job the gorgeous weather continued and our resident pair of ducks were having a great time during lunch playing in the water feature in the man-made waterfall. I enjoyed my lunch in the sun and watched the ducks go hunting for morsels in the water, their cute butts going straight up into the sun.

You know it’s the perfect time of year when the farmer’s markets start to open, the ducks are playing in the water showing their butts and I can get humongo cookies every Saturday. Welcome Spring!

Got a favorite farmer’s market? Or cookie bar? Or cute duck butt sighting?

Congratulations To The Oregon Ducks!

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by Kimberly A. Cook                 (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

My neighbor’s dog may never recover his hearing, but the University of Oregon Ducks won the Rose Bowl yesterday and I cheered and yelled for all I was worth. It’s so nice to see good folks win. Especially when they represent our state. Hat’s off to Florida State for trying, but the Quack Attack undid them in the third quarter. Reminded me of the swarm scene from the movie “The Birds.”

Best of luck to the Ducks in the National Championship, but win or lose, this team is classy and works with the “we” mentality.  And it shows. The team arrives back in Oregon today, so after a 10 minute celebration I know they will be getting back to the business of football to get ready for the next game. In the meantime, thanks for the great memories you’ve already given us. Go Ducks!

P.S. Yes, that is the song “Shout” they are singing at the end, since the movie “Animal House” was filmed at the U of O, it’s a fan classic at the games. Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!