I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.
Happy New Year
Because the beginning of the new year feels like a serious time, one where thoughts turn to beginnings, hopes, wishes or resolutions, I'm going to share what you might view as a silly slice of my life. Maybe it's a confession, but I have no plans to repent. Because I'm now retired, have moved into the city with even more choices, and most of the time I cook and eat alone, I have become a grocery store junkie. I do less in the winter when I make soups and stews that last a while. If you wish, I could call myself a connoisseur, more flattering? I know some do not relish a visit to purchase groceries. I've heard them say they hate it. But I think it's fun.
This is how it goes. One grocery store is very expensive, but I love to go there to look at some of their non-food items, and to purchase some few baked goods, like sumptuous brownies, and new kinds of bread. They create good tastes and once every few weeks I visit.
Another store is within walking distance of my home, my regular market! When I go there for a few things, I walk. They have great produce, so this is my favorite for fresh fruit and veggies. They also have a Starbucks. . .
There are three other stores I visit infrequently, and one is a large store, larger than my nearby one. They have the best delicatessen, so when I have a yen for a new sandwich filling or a different kind of salad, time to visit! They also carry a huge variety of ice cream brands. Don't laugh, other stores do not carry what I really want. Another store is a health food supermarket. They have all organic products and are reasonably priced, so that's still another trip when the Saturday farmers' markets are gone. That final market is a small one that sells authentic Mexican food. There I can purchase fresh burritos or tamales, and even a few slices of tres leches cake.
I hope I gave you a laugh as we begin 2017, and maybe enticed you to visit a new grocery? Perhaps I even made you hungry? Have a good meal today wherever you are, and celebrate that new days open the world for all of us. Have a wonderful beginning to your year.
photo credit: barnimages.com Greens and vegetables in store via photopin (license)>
Yesssss... starbucks!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Thank you! Hope this first week of the new year is good for you, too!
DeleteLinda, it is so good to read another wonderful post from you. While I am not a lover of grocery shopping, I do enjoy cooking and baking when I am in the mood. There are still so many baked goods around my house that I need to stay away from but I did enjoy trying out new recipes and being creative. You did make my hungry but it is well past my bedtime. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI've managed to give away most of those "extras", but some are still here, rather unloved I think. Thanks, Carol, and have a great week!
DeleteA slice on grocery stores?!?!? I love it! I share your love of different grocery stores. Maybe it's shopping for one that makes it FUN! Thank you for this fun slice!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that someone else enjoys different ones, Michelle. Maybe it is shopping for one?
DeleteWhat a great post! It's an awesome reminder that we need to take better care of ourselves and instead of rushing around we need to slow down and create meals from scratch. Which means more shopping and time to cook. We need to make it a priority. :) Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteWell, I really am not always the most healthy cook, but I try, Lisa. Thank you!
DeleteI love fun Slices. One of the things I hope to DISCOVER this year is how to be "retired". I keep thinking "What will I write about? What will I do?" I'll just have to keep coming back here and taking lessons :) Happy New Year, Linda!
ReplyDeleteAre you headed that way, Deb? I know your students will miss you a whole bunch! I feel like I'm so busy I don't know how I did everything when I did work! Being at the bookstore has been a joy, but not too much time. Thanks, and Happy New Year right back!
DeleteAhh yes, food shopping has taken on new importance for me as well. I do love eating out with friends but there's a new life, shopping for different items at different stores. I don't love it, but it is an adventure although not as engaging as yours Linda. Maybe some photos would help. :)
ReplyDeleteBonnie K.
I know that you eat out more than I do, Bonnie, and that's great. I had lots of fun with the family this holiday eating out. I stay in more when alone. Glad to hear you go to different stores, too! Have a terrific week!
DeleteThis is the advantage of living in a city. I love to visit my in-laws in Seattle and go to their many groceries. During Christmas break I went to nearby Lafayette and shopped at Fresh Market for flowers. They are still lovely. And I met a girl with her pet duck. You've changed my attitude about grocery shopping.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing that picture of the duck, Margaret, but didn't know it was in a different town. That market looked marvelous. Hope you find other inspiring stores this year!
DeleteLove your choice of topic. Light and delicious. Many choices. Appetizing. Happy New Year! May it be flavorsome!
ReplyDeleteYour comment is full of smiles, Terje. Thanks, and Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteThis did make me smile, Linda. Like you we have different stores we visit depending on what we need. One store has the best produce at the pest price while another has the best cuts of meat. A third has Tasty Cake Tandy cakes (my favorite) at good prices. Plus, roaming up and down the aisles, you never know what kind of unadvertised specials you might find. Happy 2017.
ReplyDeleteAnd you made me smile, too because you visit different stores for different reasons. Happy New Year to you!
DeleteOh my gosh. I love going to new grocery stores and exploring...and like you I go to different stores for different reasons. Loved your slice. Happy New Year, Linda.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa, happy to hear of others with the same habits! Happy New Year!
DeleteYou made an every day chore such fun! I love the variety of shops near you, Linda - and each one seems to have such yummy food...that cake, especially :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'm missing some, but this is plenty. There is a small store across from my bookstore that is very popular as a neighborhood store, but although near me when I'm at the bookstore, it isn't one I need really. Fun to explore! Thanks, Tara.
DeleteOh Linda, I LOVED your post today. I must admit I did NOT love grocery shopping during the stage when I bought in bulk to feed teenagers who were growing and eating in volume! Yet, after the kids were out of the house, I bought into a farm share and began to eat brand new to me veggies. It was life changing! Now I adore a good "Korean" in my area grocery!
ReplyDeleteLove hearing this, Anita. Since I just finished a long visit with my son and family, including a 15 year old grandson, it reminded me of your memory too. Just give them food! I need to find more ethnic groceries, great reminder!
DeleteI love visiting grocery stores everywhere I visit - you can learn so much about a place just by strolling through its grocery stores and looking at all the wonderful things on offer! For example, back home in Vancouver produce is so cheap and plentiful, and we absolutely take it for granted, but here in Japan produce is staggeringly expensive! It's an eye-opening experience for sure!
ReplyDeleteI understand a little bit, Jane. In Missouri where I grow up, they tax the food which makes the food bills so much higher. I understand the food is higher in Hawaii, too. Love hearing about your adventures in far places!
DeleteYum! What a deliciously fun slice! I feel like this is the true essence of a slice of life -- a glimpse into your everyday life that really makes me feel that I know you better! You are lucky to live in a place with so many shopping options!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am, and as you can see from the comments, I'm not sure I've explored very far at all. Thanks, Jennifer!
DeleteWhat a great idea for a slice, and how lucky you are to have so many options! We spend so many hours food shopping, and I do usually view it as another chore to get through. Next time I go shopping, I'll be thinking of you and keeping my eyes open for some inspiration!
ReplyDeleteEveryone feels differently, I know, Catherine. Perhaps you'll find a great store that makes it less a chore? Happy shopping!
DeleteOh, what a delicious journey of a slice! We have very limited grocery options, but a new grocery store opened up this fall. I'm having fun stopping by and checking our their offerings.
ReplyDeleteThat's fun to hear, Ramona. I do like to visit new ones, can't imagine just ordering & having it delivered, yet I know it must save time for many. And for those who are housebound, delivery is a gift!
DeleteOne of my favorite things to do when I travel is grocery shop! I have very limited grocery options where I live (I have to drive 60 miles just to get to a Walmart or a Safeway!). When I come to Denver--not very often these days--the only "must" on my list is a trip to Whole Foods! Preferably without my family because they have no tolerance for wandering slowly up and down the aisles. My other favorite grocerying when I'm in Denver is one of the Ethiopian markets. I stock up on injera, shiro powder, red lentils, yellow split peas, and the spices I might be running low on, and inevitably some customer is intrigued by my cart and asks me if I really know how to cook Ethiopian food!
ReplyDeleteWhole Foods is a delight, I agree. We would have fun wandering the aisles! I didn't mention that I also go to H Mart, a huge supermarket filled with food that is the usual for Asian cooking. I don't know anything about Ethiopian food, but maybe it's time to go! Thanks, Elisabeth! Hope you get to Denver soon!
DeleteYou have made me laugh indeed, Linda. I hate shopping of most kinds and yet seem to be at some kind of grocery store almost daily. Oi. But I try to remember to be grateful for how accessible food is, and your post reminds me there is joy there, too:>)
ReplyDeleteI am grateful. I read an essay once by a refugee who wrote that the first time she was taken to an American grocery store she just stood and sobbed. I go rather often too. My close one is just too close!
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