I joined the folks over at RevGalBlogPals a few months ago. And today, I finally played Friday Five (even though it’s still Thursday here!):
Gals and pals on the West and East coasts, and a few spots in between, may know of Trader Joe’s–a quirky, well-stocked, well priced semi-gourmet store that attains near cult status among some. I discovered it through my Aunt Judy, who always brought a couple of their desserts to holiday parties….The best was a chocolate ganache torte that had my four year olds begging for it (and among the only four year olds on the planet to know what ganache is, presumably).
My family has happily Trader Joe’d in southernmost California, up to the Northwest, and back down to southern Cal. And now we’re really excited because today a brand new Trader Joe is opening up across the street from our apartment. Wahoo! There are sure to be lots of tasty free samples on opening day and from now on we can just walk across the street to get a lot of our shopping done. I have a new spiritual directee coming tomorrow and she has already mentioned that she’ll be stopping in on the way here, leaving me to be jealous cause I’ll be spending that noon hour like, praying and preparing and study-vacuuming and everything, and won’t be able to stop in till the afternoon.
So in honor of the new Trader Joe’s, this week’s Friday Five is all about food shopping.
1. Grocery shopping–love it or hate it? I love it as long as I can shop when it’s not busy. I try going on the weekends but sometimes I have to go after work and this is my least favorite time! It’s so crowded.
2. Who is the primary food shopper in your household? That would be me. My husband is too much like my father. If I send him to the grocery store, then he’ll end up getting twice as much as I sent him to the store to purchase. There’s usually some sort of sweet treat (like we need it) or something extra for our dog, Jovi!
3. Do you have a beloved store like TJ’s which is unique to your location or family? I had only been to the TJ’s in Atlanta once or twice because it was across town. Now in California, I have two less than a mile from my apt. It’s wonderful! We miss Publix but Trader Joe’s is a wonderful choice.
4. How about a farmer’s market, or CSA share, as we move into summer? Or do you grow your own fruits/veggies/herbs? ooo, my favorite part of California yet! The farmer’s market is my favorite weekend activity. We are already planning our Sunday activity choices around the local farmer’s market. The good thing is that there is a farmer’s market that comes to my work during the summer in case I miss out on the weekend.
5. What’s the favorite thing you buy at the grocery store? Love, love, love Trader Joe trail mix and dried fruit varieties. Thanks to Em for turning my attention to the dried apricots!
What about you? What are your favorite things to purchase at the grocery store?
TJ and easily available farmer’s markets–what a blessing. I need to keep looking for more options with the latter here.
Welcome to FF and RevGals! Sounds like the farmers markets are great!
love that pic of all those peppers, I live in rural England (UK) and we have lots of farmers markets.
I need to do a better job of remembering to go to the farmer’s market here, but at least we have one (a little on the modest side). That really is a nice thing about CA!
I lived in California for three years, while attending seminary, and having Farmer’s Market year round was great.
Sounds like you’ve landed in Paradise, food-wise — although I hear you about Publix, I get to shop there once or twice a year when I go to South Carolina to be with old friends, and it is always fun.
I know what you mean about husbands…if I don’t get him to stick with the list, it always goes another $100 over the regular bill. He’s been doing better–even goes through ads and tries to find things on sale… He is a math whiz–he just shops like his mom sometimes.