I was so bored on Labor Day - I had all kinds of things accomplished and it was 11:30 AM. I got to feeling lonely, feeling sorry for myself and just plain bored (goodness knows I have things to do) - so what is a girl to do?
Go to the Wal-Mart Family Market up the road. It is basically just a grocery store - not a lot of other stuff like the regular Wal-Mart.
My reason was I wanted something to do, it was the closest store, and I forgot orange juice!!!! LOL
So here I go and I just meander throughout the entire store. You know I don't really like WM - but it's close by (and I used one of the 2 full service registers).
They have been remodeling the store and of course everything is in a new spot! SIGH!
They have a method to their madness - you have to walk every aisle to find what you want - therefore you see more and buy more.
IT WORKED!
I get really aggravated when you get used to the stores then they change them up. Lots of aggravated people were roaming the aisles.
BUT, they did do a few good moves. Some things now just make more sense where they are. I never really understood why some things were where they were before.
So yes, I saw a couple things that I didn't KNOW I needed and I bought.
Now comes the holiday part. I am planning on making several jar recipes for my goody bags this year. Many will be dry soup mixes. I always have a supply of ham flavored dry bouillon, as we found an outlet for that years ago. I however, have a hard time finding chicken and beef in larger container for a reasonable price. Most I have found are cubes or it is the paste type that needs refrigerated after opening.
The Goya products I have purchased and keep on hand all the time. It contains small packets of chicken bouillon which works great for adding just a bit of flavor. They usually run around a $1 or so a box.
Yesterday I found the Maggi chicken bouillon for $2.74 for a 15.9 ounce jar. I also got the Knorr beef bouillon for 1.98 per 7.9 ounce jar. I got 2 of those. (These are all on the Hispanic food aisle).
With the ham seasoning I have and these two and the homemade tomato powder I have - I am set for flavoring different types of soup mixes.
I generally have tons of rice, different types of dry beans and lots of pasta on hand as well as herbs and other seasonings (dry onion, garlic etc.). I may need to get a bag or two of dry noodles - but I think I am ready for about any type of soup mix I want to put together.
NOW is the time to start getting prepared for these types of goodies.
I can make them up for gifts for the baskets, for those unexpected folks that might drop by, or just for myself.
I want to be ready ahead of time.
So YES, boredom can lead to shopping and that can lead to being more prepared. Just don't over do it!
Start thinking ahead of what homemade gifts you might want to do.
I will slowly be posting recipes for lots of fun jar recipes over the next little while.
PS - I did get the OJ too!
There is a Neighborhood Walmart near us but I don’t know where things are. And now the big Walmart where I’ve shopped for years is being remodeled and all switched around, so I don’t know where anything is there either.
ReplyDeleteIt’s frustrating but I guess in the big scheme of things, we are fortunate to have nice stores.
About powdered boullion, I got mine at an Amish store in MO. I like the chicken and beef and my favorite one is the French onion one.
I hate when they change - but I agree it is wonderful that we have nice stores. Some people are not so blessed.
DeleteI used to get the ham seasoning from Amish - then found out where they get it and buy direct. I never had much luck with their chicken or beef - it seems to solidify of me pretty quick. Maybe it was just me.
French onion sounds yummy!
I am so flippen busy that having you talk about Christmas makes me jealous and shudder at the same time. If you were close I would put you to work.:)
ReplyDeleteI wish I were close, because I would come and do what I could!
DeleteHopefully it slows down soon.
I was in a local grocery store today, one I don't often shop at but they had an offer of a $10 gift card when one spent $25. I needed chicken and beef broth (I do have bouillon but I like having the broth on hand). I looked and looked and looked and couldn't find it. Finally I found a clerk and asked. It was in the same aisle as the bath/body lotions. Huh? Not where I would have looked.
ReplyDeleteWell duh! You didn't think to look there??? Hahahaha.
DeleteIt is crazy sometimes. I truly wonder what goes through their minds. If I merchandised that way - I would be fired (if I worked).
So glad you will be posting jar recipes. I've thought about doing up some this year for friends. I have never done this so I would love some trusted recipes. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCool. I am glad you are looking forward to them. I love giving jar recipes and so far everyone that gets them loves them. They sure make for an easy dinner or a fun snack.
DeleteI will post a variety. Stay tuned!!!!!
I haven't given jar recipe gifts, usually sewing or knitting gifts here. I am looking forward to seeing yours and perhaps add to my gift giving repertoire.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It is always fun to have a few new things to add to the gift trunk. I don't knit and haven't crocheted in years - so food it is.
DeleteChristmas is coming! It will be here before we know it. I'm looking forward to your jar recipes. I'm thinking of giving them at work to fellow employees.
ReplyDeleteYes mam, it will be here in a flash.
DeleteWhat a neat idea for coworkers!
I am not usually a person that gets bored (even as a kid), but I have to agree with you! Past couple of days I am wondering..what is wrong with me?? Getting out of the house to get fresh air or to go to the library or just wander in a store is good medicine. I can only re -align my canned goods so much!! LOL.
ReplyDeleteBarb in PA
Exactly. Don't get me wrong there is plenty I COULD do - but even that gets boring!
DeleteYes, you just need a new atmosphere some days.
My local "No Frills" - that is the actual name of this chain - is also being renovated and a number of items are being discontinued or resized so there were a lot of good bargains. However, stuff has been put everywhere - cans of veg were on three different shelves - the cookies were next to the TP and I never did find the crackers - and as you say - there was a lot of muttering as people wandered the aisles! It will all get sorted in the next couple of weeks but it will be a challenge in the meantime.
ReplyDeletePork boullion cubes/crystals is something that I have great difficulty in finding - it doesn't seem to be popular here at all. I have beef, chicken, veg, fish, & mushroom but I am always on the lookout for pork - for soups!
I was also feeling a bit bored on Labour Day but a friend emailed as she had got free passes to the Art Gallery so we took ourselves off to have a lovely wander. I hadn't been in a few months as I let my membership lapse. But there is a fabulous exhibit of Rubens work arriving in October so I will renew just before that starts - that way I'll get to go to he members' preview days which is always quieter.
It turned out to be a good day out and was much better for me than lounging around at home - I had great plans to clean but I doubt that I would have managed much! :-)
It sometimes appears there is no rhyme or reason to placement of items at grocery stores. I guess they get you wondering around and hope you buy more. For me, it just makes me not want to shop there.
DeleteI will have to find my link to the online place I order the ham seasoning and let you know. Pork is hard to find on the regular shelves.
How much fun on the Gallery. That sounds like a nice afternoon and free too! Better than cleaning for sure.
Oh I am looking forward to the jar recipes. What a good idea for a last minute gift or for someone you don't know well. I have been making zucchini breads for the freezer but those won't last till Christmas around here. I have so many things I want to make for Christmas but not sure how they would be received. People are so funny about things anymore.
ReplyDeleteLaurie the zucchini bread sounds so good. Shred some of that extra zucchini and freeze to make some closer to the holidays as well! I make small ones to add to baskets or for that neighbor or drop by person!
Deleteknow people are strange today. I love homemade stuff - but I guess some people are leery. I would think jar recipes would be a welcome gift for anyone, as they aren't having to trust someone else's cooking, cleaning or canning practices. I know I have heard people say those things about stuff they have received.
I think they are a perfect gift myself - but that's me.
Keep watching - soon!!!!!!
Haha - as I was reading, I was sure you were going to say you got home and realized you'd forgotten your juice. Lol
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the dry mix recipes you put together
I have done that before! LOL
DeleteGlad this is something everyone is interested in.
Hi Cheryl. I use Walmart's app to make my grocery list. Just type in the item and search. When the item that you wants pops up, select it. If you scroll down it has a list option. After my list is completely finished, I sort the list by aisles. Thus may help in the future.
ReplyDeleteThat will probably help someone - but not me. I have no fancy phone nor no apps. Just call me old fashioned!!!
DeleteWhen I was in the WM one of the employees said they still had no idea where things were and had to use their phones.
I am just an old fashioned kind of gal. PS - I don't text either!!!!LOL