Kimberly A. Cook

Military Romance Author

Warrior Tales

Getting Dirty, Thundereggs And Following Your Bliss?

By 1 Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook                   (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

I never get tired of playing in the dirt, especially when there are treasures to discover. Weekend before last I snatched my rock buddy Joann from her husband and we went on a four-day girl’s shop and rock trip to Sisters, Oregon.

Heading out on the road again to the thunderegg beds! Luckily I'd just put new tires on Subie. Gorgeous scenery.
Heading out to the thunderegg beds! Luckily I’d just put new tires on Subie. 

Stayed at our favorite place, the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, complete with a killer outdoor hot tub, free breakfast and llamas to feed. Liv’in the dream.

We packed up our gear, filled the gas tank then headed eleven miles North of Madras to the Richardson’s Rock Ranch to hunt thundereggs. I’ve never dug for thundereggs before and this ranch is the mother lode. We also love to buy pretty rocks and geodes here.

Signed our waiver, got our map to the digs and we were off on the gravel road eight miles to the beds at a not-speedy five miles per hour. Takes about 30 minutes to get out there with the gravel road and opening three gates along the way. Since I was driving Subie, Joann became gate girl.

The weather was perfect, 84 degrees with a slight breeze and we were alone at the dig beds. Heaven. It was so quiet. I’ve been living in a neighborhood construction zone the past several months and this was a treat. Complete silence except for a little wind, an occasional bird and my digging.

Happy me sitting in the dirt digging thundereggs. Priceless!
Happy me sitting in the dirt digging thundereggs. Priceless!

We only had an hour to hunt before we had to hightail it back to the shop, since they close at 5 p.m. We’d moseyed into the day and ended up getting to the ranch later than we expected, so we had to dig fast.

The thundereggs cut in half with the agate showing in the middle. Treasures!
The thundereggs cut in half with the agate showing in the middle. Treasures!

Thundereggs look like clumps of dirt or stone. I followed the directions from the “cutter” at the shop and went two feet out from the cut wall. A girl in the dirt. Happy.

Came across several I wasn’t sure if they were dirt clods or thundereggs, so I tapped them with my garden weed puller. Ended up with about 20 or so round orbs.

Back we tore to the shop, just in time to get several of the thundereggs cut. I picked the large one I dug out of the ground, one that looked like a double and a medium-sized orb. Mr. “Cutter” took them in the back and brought them out wet in the sun for us to see. Fabulous.

It’s like finding gifts inside a plastic Easter egg but better; these natural agate gifts are made by Mother Nature. We ran out of time to have more thundereggs cut, so I may need to find someone here with the skills. Or maybe we need another girl’s road trip to Richardson’s Rock Ranch? Yes!

Close-up view. So exciting. Buried treasures. Must learn how to polish them.
Close-up view. So exciting. Buried agate. 

And I need to wet polish them. Another craft project, I do believe.

www.richardsonrockranch.com

Story of the thunderegg

http://www.richardsonrockranch.com/story.html

Compassion and Prayers for Roseburg

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, UCC staff, law enforcement personnel and medical first responders dealing with the tragedy in Roseburg, Oregon. When evil comes I am grateful for the courage and compassion of the brave people who stand in harm’s way to help others, many times at their own peril.

Let us comfort the grieving, help heal the wounded and support each other in community. Perhaps we can take some solace in knowing we are a state and nation full of much more grace and good than evil.

I gauge the character of our country by how we respond during these horrendous acts. When the world seems to have gone mad, know there are still more good people helping those who need care and who can’t help themselves.

Hug those you love. Have a safe weekend. Say prayers for Roseburg.

By Savannah Numinen @snuminen7911
By Savannah Numinen @snuminen7911

Pink Clouds And Serendipity?

By 2 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook            (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

On my way home from the day job last night I noticed how the sunset started filling the sky with pink. So when I got stuck in a traffic jam due to an accident, evasive maneuvers were required.

I turned off onto a road I rarely travel and came across a great open spot to view the pink clouds.

Doesn't this look like a Monet painting? It doesn't look real.
Doesn’t this look like a Monet painting? It doesn’t look real.

Drove past. Then I turned around and came back. One must never pass up the opportunity to take pictures of pink clouds.

Monet is one of my favorite artists and these were his kind of clouds. Snapping off several shots, the light quickly faded and dark began to descend.

With the hectic pace of life we all lead, taking the time to appreciate beauty and savor the gorgeous does wonders for our human spirit.

It’s also a nice pause in the middle of a hectic day. I find it helps ground me again when all the pressures of a normal day crowd in.

Losing the light and the scene becomes more dramatic. The tree top at the bottom right provides some scale to the photo.
Losing the light and the scene becomes more dramatic. The tree top at the bottom right provides some scale to the photo.

The leaves are turning here in Oregon to beautiful yellows and oranges and the golden light of Fall is painting everything with a glow, including pink clouds in the sunset.

Saw a cute sign at a shop this past weekend that said, “Do One Thing Every Day To Make Yourself Happy.” Done.

Now spread some happiness around; it’s a good thing to share. Like pink sunsets!

Squirrel Shakes? Shake Squirrel? Who Knew?

By 2 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

So it’s not just me. Even the animal kingdom knows it’s Fall and they’re stocking up on food. This little squirrel went nuts over a milkshake. I can’t blame him I have the same problem with chocolate shakes, including trying to get the lid off the dang cup.

Of course, I don’t think we need squirrels high on sugar too. Chaos! So people, finish your milkshakes. Save a squirrel from sugar.

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

Ugly Fruit Tarts For Everyone?

By 2 Comments

by Kimberly A. Cook                  (Twitter@   WarriorTales)

Why do the desserts featured on the covers of magazines not turn out the same way when I bake them? I passed up this magazine several times in the store until I finally succumbed and bought it. Last weekend I decided to take the big plunge and bake it for company. In the magazine it’s called a “Rustic Fruit Tart.”

Before baking it's fabulous! Notice my pig whisk. Love it!
Before baking it’s fabulous! Notice my pig whisk. Love it!

First I used frozen berries instead of fresh, since they are out of season. Plus I have enough frozen berries in my freezer to feed Texas. Then I decided to use the fabulous Pillsbury pie crusts to save time. I use them for the pumpkin pies, so this should be fine with thinner crust than homemade dough.

Thawed the frozen blueberries and raspberries overnight in the refrigerator. Then in the morning I got up and took out the fruit, egg and one pie crust to warm to room temperature while I had breakfast. Put the ingredients together, followed the directions and it looked fabulous before baking.

Forty-five minutes later the buzzer dinged on the oven and out it came. Wait a minute. It doesn’t look like the picture! I’ve heard rumors that food stylists use all kinds of tricks to make food look good for photos, from spraying with cooking oil to using automotive products. Mine was virgin pristine and ugly.

Imagine the main culprit was the soggy thawed fruit, even though the berries held up well. And if I’d made the crust from scratch I could have made it thicker to hold the juices. The recipe did warn me there would be spillage.

Beyond spillage. Color kind of burple too.
Beyond spillage. Color kind of burple too.

They also recommended using parchment paper, which I did. Complete disaster. I couldn’t get it off the paper to move it on to the serving plate. So I airlifted the tart, paper and all, then cut the paper into a circle to fit the plate. Next time I’m using the round, flat pizza pan I thought of using in the first place. No parchment paper.

In the end it all didn’t matter. It tasted great and everyone liked it. My ugly tart.

All’s well that tastes well, to paraphrase the Bard.

It just so happens I have some fresh pears to use up now. Ugly tarts ahoy!

This looks too good. Darn professional bakers!
This looks too good. Darn professional bakers!

Let’s “Shout” For The Weekend!

By Leave a Comment

by Kimberly A. Cook             (Twitter@  WarriorTales)

My favorite song from the film “Animal House” is “Shout.” You HAVE to dance when you hear this tune. Now add that the movie was filmed in Eugene on the University of Oregon campus and it’s even closer to my heart. Nike released a new commercial last weekend for the start of the college football season.

They used this great song and brought back U of O athletes, the Duck and the BAND too! Crank up the volume on your media device and let’s all boogie to “Shout!”

Have a great weekend and Happy Quirky Friday!

https://youtu.be/iOEgDbdjj2s