Duck Update

Our web-footed friend continues to keep her patient guard over the next generation. I've got to believe that sitting on a nest is terribly boring, even for a duck, which brings me back to the thought that it's a good thing humans don't nest for two reasons:

1. We'd lose our minds sitting still for that long
2. Men are clumsy, and we'd break the eggs.

A little online research led me to some information about ducks and the proper care and feeding of them. The bottom line seems to be "leave the duck alone." Feeding them bread causes them to abandon their normal diets, and because they don't get enough nutrition from bread they wind up getting fat. Food also attracts predators, which we're trying to avoid. Trying to keep the well-intentioned bakery staff from showering her with bits of bread has proven a bit of a challenge.

I also learned that it can take between 28 and 35 days for duck eggs to hatch, depending on the species. Since we don't know how long she's been there, we don't know when to expect ducklings, other than some time in June.

Once things start to happen, I'll update with photos and news. I've started calling the duck Baguette, which seems fitting for a duck living outside a French bakery.

Meet the Newest Member of the 1-800-Bakery.com Family

While doing some routine cleanup behind La Patisserie yesterday, we were surprised to find that someone had taken up residence in the small patch of land outside our back door.

We haven't given her a name yet, but she's the mother to 10 healthy looking eggs, and she's become quite the source of fascination for everyone here.

It's unusual for a duck to nest in an area like this. The closest body of water is a very small river that's across two parking lots. On the plus side, stray dogs are rare in town, so the only enemies she needs to worry about are a handful of squirrels and curious middle school students who cut through the parking lot on their way home.

She's shown no interest in the potato chips that someone offered her, but she has been wolfing down any bit of La Patisserie bread that we offer (a sure sign that she's a duck of excellent taste!).

This second shot shows just how close she is to the kitchen entrance at the bakery. She's about halfway between the bakery and the sidewalk that runs in front of the parking lot. Despite the tall weeds being gone, she's still camoflauged enough that most of the people who walk by don't notice her.

We don't know how long she's been there, or when her eggs will hatch. If anyone out there wants to supply us with some information on the care and feeding of ducks, I'll share it with the bakery staff.

In the meantime, we're all keeping an eye on her and making sure she's not disturbed. I'll keep you up to date on any developments, which I hope will include adorable pictures of duckings.

Cakes Taste Better When You Save

It's that time of year again, when America gets hot and cakes get cranky. They're still tasty and nice to have around, but they don't like being stuck in a delivery van for two days, so they up and melt to show their displeasure.

We like our cakes cake-shaped and unmelted, so as of today, Overnight shipping is the only delivery method available. "Oh no!" you're screaming. "That's too expensive!"

Not if we lower the cost. While everything else is going up, including those gas prices, we're dropping the cost of Overnight shipping throughout the summer to just $19.99--the same price as last year.

This discount will only be in effect until October 1 or so, when second-day air shipping returns.

Flooding on the Plains

Our thoughts go out to the people of Greensburg, Kansas, as they recover from their losses, as well as to everyone affected by the flooding in the Plains States.

This is a big week for sending gifts, but I'd like to remind you to check with people in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma to make sure they're at home and receiving deliveries before you send something to them. Flooding will close roads in the area, and there are evacuation orders in place along some waterways.

With luck, the waters will recede quickly and leave a minimum of damage in their wake. I'll be keeping an eye on the situation and posting updates to our Delivery Disruptions page as they become available.

Send Mom a Cake

This cake is so beautiful that it makes me want to cry. Just imagine how much Mom will love it, between her sobs of, "Oh, you shouldn't have," and "You're the best [son/daughter--pick one] ever!"

It really is a nice cake, filled with lemon and raspberry preserves, and it's got two dozen candy flowers on it. And you can only get it from us, because other bakeries don't think your Mom deserves two dozen candy flowers. Clearly they've never met your Mother and don't understand what an exceptional person she is.

For $62.95, and that includes shipping, you can send this cake to your Mom. Or you can send it to yourself and bring it to her on May 13.

Or you can get her flowers, just like you did last year and the year before that, which is why your Mom calls it "Floral Obligation Day" instead of "Mother's Day." I've got nothing against flowers, but none of the ones I've tasted are anywhere near the flavor of this cake. You can always give her the cake and flowers, if you must have a bouquet, but I think the cake covers the need for flora.