Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Spring

Can Warm Memories Fight Snowmares?

By 2 Comments

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….

img_1657
My favorite place on the planet, my lawn swing. Nap heaven.

 

IMG_2720
The Double Delight. A favorite rose in my back yard.

 

 

IMG_4501
Chipmunk hijinks! This Batman and Robin pair in Eastern Oregon gave me a run for my money to catch their pic.
IMG_3721
Let’s not forget the berry bounty! Before baking it looks fabulous. After, not so much. More practice needed.

 

IMG_1716
And a sunny summer day at Depoe Bay, Oregon. Break out the flip flops!

Ready For Romance?

By Leave a Comment

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!

IMG_4686.JPG
How is this for a fabulous display? I use red accents in my pink kitchen and it works great. White and red are such perfect colors together with a dash of pink.

 

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.

IMG_4684.JPG
Jewelry treasure jars!

 

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?

IMG_4682.JPG
Vintage button bonanza!

 

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.

img_4685
I’ve got at least three pink mini-teapots. Maybe it’s four. This one had to stay put until I can take inventory.

 

Then this fabulous find would have gone home with me if I had a bigger house. Who doesn’t need a pink couch? Really!

IMG_4680.JPG
Spec Ops Cat would love to curl up on this beauty.

 

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!

 

Looking For A Warm Spring?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                         (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Living in the land of denial is high on my list. Especially right now when the majority of us in the good old USA are freezing our giblets off. In the Pacific Northwest we get cranky when it gets down to 32 degrees in the city, so these 20 degree temperatures plus wind chill are a force to be reckoned with this week.

IMG_0018.JPG
Took this picture of Mt. Hood on Dec. 28 while on a quick photo field trip in my neighborhood. Wanted to work with the fading light and my zoom lens. Clouds came in faster than expected and mucked up the visibility.  Snow belongs on the mountain, not in the city. Just say ‘in.

 

Our Mt. Hood snow skiers might find this face freezing cold fun, but I do not. My days pulling 4 a.m. post guard at Fort Carson, Colorado wearing full arctic cold weather gear pretty much gave me all the thrill I needed with high altitude cold weather training.  You haven’t lived until you’ve tried walking in Army Mickey Mouse boots in a snowstorm.

If I wanted to live in these temperatures I’d move to Antarctica or someplace colder, like Wisconsin. (Go Packers!) So I’ve taken precautions. Moved the Gardenia plant into the garage for a balmy 37 degree spa experience. Duct taped the foundation vent hole blockers to ensure they stay put in the high winds forecast for tonight.

Bought four more holiday blankets on clearance to hang over the big windows; plastic blinds are not the best for insulation. Stocked up on goodies from cookies to beans. Got myself a plug in Warm-Me-Up Heated Pocket Wrap to cuddle into while in the LaZBoy.

My sister got Mom one for Christmas. I beat feet to Bed, Bath and Beyond and bought one using my 15% off coupon. When I combine that with the heating pad, will be toasty as long as I don’t trip the breakers.

img_4663
Spring Bunny Squad! It’s just around the frozen corner.

 

So you can imagine how excited I was at the store today when I spied this row of new merchandise on the shelves. Spring bunnies! We will make it through this cold and the daffodils will rise again. They started peeking up last month then all this cold hit and they went back down into the ground. Smart move.

Stay warm, stay safe and keep any important body parts covered. Words to live by this New Year. Happy 2017!

img_4660
Had to take this picture before Christmas. How happy are these giant bears? If you can find one on clearance, snap it up. Big teddy bear snuggles will keep you warm!

 

 

 

How About A Private Camellia Show?

By 2 Comments

When I motored over to my writer friend’s house April 2nd for writer support group, I arrived a little early and got to wander in her yard. It was a week before the “official” camellia show and I had a private viewing.

IMG_4250.JPG
How fabulous is this? He told me the name but I forgot, stunned by its beauty. 

 

These gorgeous flowers are award winners on many levels and they grow them all around their home. With the warm Spring weather and hot days, my friend’s husband was concerned they might not have the best buds for the show. Lucky for me I always have my camera.

Looking at some of the beauties in their yard, he told me about how much work went into making the different varieties and how he had been sought out by growers for plant starts. Seems camellia fanatics check out the winners of these shows and then hunt down the growers for stock, nationally and internationally. Who knew?

IMG_4251
This reminds me of candy. Maybe peppermint circles?

 

All too soon it was time to head off in our carpool to the writer’s group and leave the lovely blooms behind. The amazing symmetry, beauty and jaw dropping designs of these camellias are simply stunning.

IMG_4252.JPG
The petals on this camellia take my breath away. Certainly a show stopper!

 

In the backyard of my parent’s house is a gorgeous fuchsia pink camellia with a bright yellow center. I’ve grown up with that bush and it’s still there, blooming away. My friend and her husband have the same one in their yard besides all the other amazing varieties. I had no idea there were so many types. Their camellias are all truly award winners, official and unofficial.

Got camellias? It’s show time!

 

Time For A Sun Bath?

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                        (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

Sun fever. That’s my excuse. Missed my second Friday posting due to the distraction of the sun and warm temperatures. It was in the 70s! I wore shorts and sandals! Naked toes! It’s the little things in life.

So we need to take a lesson from these kitty cats. Sun bathe when you can. Nap hard!

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Are You Having Garden Daydreams?

By 1 Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

This past weekend I got caught in a rain storm, a thunder and lightning storm, sunshine and hail; all in the same two hours. Welcome to Oregon in the Spring! Between March Madness on the tv and political crazies everywhere, it seems the safest bet for mental health these days is to plan my garden.

IMG_5335.JPG
Found these gents hanging around in the garden center a few years ago. Okay, I had to draw the line somewhere with these three-foot tall dudes, so I took their picture. But they were on sale….. Back away from the gnomes!

 

I’m thinking about buying a very big blue pot to move either the fairy rose or the boxwood into. A focal piece. Then surround it with inspired fairies, gnomes and gorgeous rose quartz rocks I picked up at the Richardson’s Rock Ranch last Fall.

Downsizing the yard work and upping the fun factor is my mantra this year. Since I have clay soil the consistency of concrete, I keep everything in pots. From herbs to roses to strawberries and ferns, pots r us.

The Burpee seed catalog arrived before my tax packet from the accountant in early January. Now that the taxes are out of the house, I can focus on what plants to buy and how to rearrange all the pots. Thinking more color this year. The pots I mean, the flowers are always colorful.

So since we had more hail storms yesterday and 22 inches of snow on the mountain in the last two days, of course it’s supposed to be sunny and 65 degrees on Friday. Welcome to Spring!

Support a bunny, plant lettuce. Got garden plans?