Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

holidays

September Squirrel, Holiday Shopping And Pumpkin Spice Lattes?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

Is it just me or has somebody cranked up the calendar and put the holidays before the horse? And the sleigh? Three weeks ago I noticed the Halloween candy was out at the grocery store. August, it was August! People were already buying their pre-holiday taste testing goblin candy to devour before they have to buy more candy for Halloween. (You know we all do it.)

Notice how dainty and well-mannered Mr. Squirrel is while he scarfs up all the purloined bird food.
Notice how dainty and well-mannered Mr. Squirrel is while he scarfs up all the purloined bird food.

Then this weekend I saw KMart advertising Christmas layaway on tv with Santa shopping from a scooter and a walking Christmas tree using a grocery cart. Hope Santa’s okay. Maybe his sleigh doesn’t work well in KMart. Reindeer droppings I bet.

Our weather dipped into the 50s on Sunday and didn’t reach 60 degrees all day. I went hunting my new alpaca socks to wear. Now the weather guy says it’s going to be 90 degrees on Friday. Must be Fall in Oregon.

I ripped out my tomato plants yesterday because we were both tired of each other. I took in the last harvest and now have a science experiment in progress to see if the green ones will ripen. Put them in a leftover Chinese takeout food plastic container which I think looks like a mini-greenhouse. Perfect. Harvest time. Must be football season! Yes!

On the local news Monday night they spilled the beans that the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes, using real  pumpkin, would be available today. As opposed to using alien pumpkin ingredients I guess? BUT, if you wanted to get the treat on Labor Day, you had to use the password PUMPKIN. How clever is that?

Without great personal restraint this would be me in any bakery I enter. It's been a miracle I haven't climbed into a pastry case yet. The season's still young!
Without great personal restraint this would be me in any bakery I enter. It’s been a miracle I haven’t climbed into a pastry case yet. The season’s still young!

By accident I noticed the squirrel feeder was out of food when Mr. Squirrel was snacking at the ground bird feeder, instead of HIS feeder. Got a couple close up pics by carefully opening the screen door, but my favorite is the last one I had to shoot through the window for the perfect angle.

If winter must come then we all might as well chow down by hopping into the holiday food trough just like Mr. Squirrel. Forget dainty and bashful.

Local weather forecasters say due to a historic El Nino the Pacific Northwest should have above average temperatures and less rain this winter. Right.

Time to go find my snow shovel, reactivate my Netflix account and get a few cases of Halloween candy. Mr. Squirrel knows something.

Start hoarding the Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

Wishing Our Military Service Members And Veterans Around The World Peace On Earth

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by Kimberly A. Cook                          (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

While much of the nation heads into the heart of the holiday season today, I want to remember and thank our active duty, reserve and guard service members keeping watch at home and around the world to keep us safe. One of my all time favorite marching band salutes seems appropriate to let them all know we are thinking of them and their families during the holidays. A big thanks to my fellow veterans and always remembrance of the service members and families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free. Wishing all Peace and Goodwill.

http://youtu.be/MjPmmCtHmfE

(P.S. In the Coast Guard tribute the boat is upside down for the other side of the grandstand. Of course here at the Oregon Bar where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, the Coast Guard’s special surf boats are designed to flip upside down and roll back up again. Yikes Coasties!)

So best wishes to all and let’s pass on some fabulous California Raisins for some holiday cheer for the troops!

http://youtu.be/Gs–phzj2TQ

 

Let’s Celebrate With Penguins And Skating Walruses!

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by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Nothing says holidays like penguins. Well, probably not, but I’m going with it because I can. Another favorite Claymation Christmas clip is the spunky penguins and the annoying walruses (walrusi)? Anyway, the battle over who owns the ice. Power to the penguins!

The sun  is out and I can see how dirty my windows are, so what better activity before the holidays than to ignore the windows and watch skating animals? The big soak is coming this weekend to Oregon. We might get five inches of rain in three days, so prepare the animals for the ark and pack snacks! Shop today while we can still see to drive!

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

 

In The Mood For Chicken And Dumplings?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                     (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

We are in the full court press run up to the holidays and things are getting wacky. From crazed drivers to potluck parties and trying to get two minutes to think, taking a break is a great idea. A comfort food timeout is even better.

Dumplings cooking away on the stove, right before the lid went on. Can you smell the magic?
Dumplings cooking away on the stove, right before the lid went on. Can you smell the magic?

I’ve been trying to make chicken and dumplings for two months and I finally accomplished it Sunday.

My co-worker gave me her quick and easy recipe which included using meat from four leftover baked chicken thighs, 6 cups low sodium chicken broth, 1 bag frozen peas and 1 bag frozen corn, 1 drained jar sliced mushrooms, 3 stalks cut up celery, 1 bag cut up baby carrots, minced garlic, 1 small white onion and 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil to sauté the onions and then veggies.

The fun part was making the dumplings. All it required was 2/3 cup of Heart Smart Bisquick mix and 3 tablespoons of milk. Mix together and drop on top of the simmering soup, leave for 10 minutes uncovered and then put the lid on for another 10 minutes and dumplings! Too easy.

When I got home from the day job on Monday night, heating up the chicken and dumpling leftovers in the microwave was super easy and left me to watch Monday Night Football. Sometimes we just need to slow down and smell the dumplings.

You could even put these dumplings on top of canned soup. The possibilities are endless. Try the Crock Pot too. The next best thing to Bisquick strawberry shortcakes is dumplings. So take some time in this busy holiday season to treat yourself. Dumplings for all!

How About Some Bells For Holiday Fun?

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by Kimberly A. Cook              (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Just when I think I’ve got the holidays under control, my schedule goes nuts and I get behind. Happens every year. One thing I do love this time of year is my Claymation Christmas favorites. This stop-action clay show was made in the mid-1980s by the then Will Vinton Studios. It’s a family tradition to watch the DVD and this is one of my very favorite songs.

Enjoy and Happy Quirky Friday!

Are You A Holiday Decorating Diva?

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by Kimberly A. Cook                     (Twitter@ WarriorTales)

Spent Sunday putting up a few holiday decorations and getting the Christmas tree up. Each year I decide whether to go all out or pace myself. This year is a simple but classy holiday decorating agenda. In the process of putting up the three fake wreaths on my front porch, I spied an industrious woodpecker getting snacks from the tree across from my porch bannister.

Mr. red feathered woodpecker on the left side of the tree. See, he's only a couple feet off the ground!
Mr. red feathered woodpecker on the left side of the tree. See, he’s only a couple feet off the ground!

This tenacious little bird, all decked out in his holiday red-head feathers, did not leave the tree. When a car came flying by, he scurried to the other side of the tree trunk.

When the boy walking his dog strolled by, the bird circled again so he was hidden from view. I got the camera and began taking pictures of him to see how long he would last. Then I went back to work.

I put up the other two wreaths, which involves me climbing up on my three-step stool and then getting on my railing and popping the wire backs of the wreaths into the hooks.

Still able to do it and haven’t fallen in the bushes, yet. When I finished Mr. Red Bird was still eating and enjoying his obviously tasty finds on the tree.

 

Digging in for snacks on the right side of the tree.
Digging in for snacks on the right side of the tree.

For all I know he’s still out there, since he never went away and kept pecking for insects.

Seems to me this is a perfect plan for getting through the holidays; focus on food and ignore the rest of the distractions or move out of the area if things get too noisy or bothersome.

Several people walked by the tree with the bird and never saw him, right there in front of them.

Take time during the holidays to enjoy the simple things. Slow down and see if you find a holiday decorated visitor in your yard or area park. Who knows who might be Santa’s helper this time of year.

Happy Holidays!

 

My best up close and personal woodpecker pic. Maybe he was posing for me.....
My best up close and personal woodpecker pic. Maybe he was posing for me…..