Not too long ago, we discovered that ducks have the power to transport us to faraway places, if only in our minds. My family and I have been going to a nearby lake, in the center of a suburban commercial area, to visit the local ducks. This is the first time my kids have experienced feeding breadcrumbs to these stout, waddling creatures. They may be 'wild' but they seem awfully familiar with wheat bread and baguettes. They're bottomless pits - much like my kids - and flock to sticky, little outstretched hands in a feeding frenzy. Before we stop to feed the ducks we get provisions at a nearby bakery. It's a sweet replica of a French boulangerie - the real deal - and serves bags of sugary chouquettes to go with cups of strong coffee and hot chocolate. The chouquettes are cheap and plentiful; little puff pastries that are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are dusted with chunks of pearl sugar and are completely addictive. One of the best things about this little family adventure of ours is that once a month or so, I get to pretend we are living in Paris. Watching my kids throw bread crumbs to the fat, hungry ducks while drinking good coffee and eating tiny pastries doesn't exactly make my new suburban digs a parallel to French city living, but it comes close, if only for a moment.
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