I understand. Earthfare is in the area and while it's gone downhill as well since they were purchased, I still go there for a few things. I go to too many stores because one has this but the other has that. Time and gasoline money are valuable too. I'm working on narrowing my list down - number of stores.

Right! I thought that about IKEA and Whole Foods. Looking forward to this. Although I don't want to "emotional" buy (buy more than I usually would because of the bells and whistles). 🙂

Charlotte (Ballantyne, somewhere)

See, I think that would look/sound fun. Something different! I'm not a kid and I'd like it. LOL!

That sounds like fun. Hatch chile - TJ's had a product, don't remember much about it. I'd like to buy Harch chili but don't know how to prepare it and in what recipes. I should Google.

Yes, Amethyst, I agree. Publix is such a step up over the evolving Harris Teeter. When HT was owned by the families 30 years ago, it was prime. They were "the" grocery store. But, maybe 10 years ago, give or take, Kroger bought HT. They kept the HT name but Kroger owns it. Not bashing Kroger as I'm originally from Ohio where I grew up with Kroger and Big Bear BUT Kroger is HUGE and gobbled up HT. Things went downhill over the course of the last 10 years since that took place. It's ok but definitely NOT what it was - HT, 30 years ago. I know the pandemic changed things but I other stores are "keeping up" so why not HT? So, I started going to Publix for quite a bit. I do agree thought that the produce is not the best at Publix. Thanks, 73349! I just made blueberry scones this past Wed! I appreciate that and have your visual above so I'll keep my eyes open now. Well, in 2 years LOL! So, is it like a WF? There is a HUGE WF I visited in Ohio (Columbus). I'm originally from there and a few years ago I needed to go to one for something when dh and I were in Columbus. It is absolutely huge. Thanks! 🙂

Saying a prayer!

Janeway, just read your post. How is your son doing?

OK, thanks! This is very helpful and you all seem to be saying the same thing. I guess since I'm stuck on King Arthur flour, I don't need to pay a premium at Wegman's but if it's competitively-priced then why not. I think I have a good idea. Based on the location here, it will "probably" be one of the BIG stores mentioned. Publix came in a while back and they are expanding like crazy here. I like Publix but not the produce. They (for the most part) have friendly staff. Each person seems to take pride in what they do. The stores are clean. The bathrooms are CLEAN! The shelves are stocked and nothing looks empty or moldy. I probably won't be buying the meals to go. I will buy 1 maybe 2-3 times a year from Fresh Market when I just don't feel like making dinner because I have become busier and busier (that's for you Catwoman) 🙂 but maybe. What is the price for one of those? Does it feed 2 or 4? Produce and organic produce is very important to me. I like fresh, tender yet deep colors in my foods. Sounds funny. I saw some celery at another well known store here which was anemic looking. It was the ugliest white/green! That's what I mean. The personal care products and their name brand sound interesting and promising to me. What is their house brand name? Is it Wegman's or do they use another name? Any specific store-label items to try?

We are getting a Wegman's in Charlotte, 2026. So, tell me about the store. Do's. Don'ts. Prices. Sales. Customer card sales or no (you know, the little VIP card that's used to kick in sales). Selection. Organics? International? Tell me. Thanks!

I buy the quills at the local Asian Mkt. You can buy from an Hispanic store. I don't buy it ground but buy the quills and grind myself. My little Cuisinart coffee bean/spick grinder was $40 and each package of ceylon was maybe $3-4. One package yields 5-6 quills. Grinding 2 quills equals maybe 1/3 c. or a small bottle so well worth it for me to grind. Takes seconds. If you buy Ceylon look for the "large" and loosely wrapped quills. That's ceylon. Cassia is hard and wrapped more tightly - smaller circumference.

Right, they are so kind and not focused on money so I'd have to research. Thanks for that idea!

Oh, no. The church carries this book and has many. I'd like to purchase 12 for the women in my ladies group. The book retails for $14, give or take. They are not interested in "making money" but want to bless others so they are willing to give me the books at no cost to me. Or, they said I can make a donation of whatever amount I choose. They don't want the money to stand in the way and that's why they said don't worry about making a donation even. But, I'd like to pay something. I just don't know what that is.

I've completely switched from cassia (and, yes, I used to "hand zest" the hard cassia to the tune of wearing down a zester or two and buying new replacements) to the ceylon only. The cassia took me 30 min to yield what I need at that time. So, I switched because the true ceylon can't be beat and it's a 2nd winner b/c my grinder does the grinding in 30 seconds!

Recently dh and I received a Christian-authored book. It is so good. I belong to a women's group and thought I'd purchase a book for each of the women. Knowing that sometimes there is a bulk discount (although 12 is a mini bulk lol), I asked and our church said they are complimentary, or I can make a donation. They don't care. The book retails for $14.99, I think. Knowing the above, what price would you recommend I purchase the book at x 12? Thanks!

Ceylon Cinnamon is a small, evergreen tree native to Sri Lanka. I have used Cassia cinnamon for years and do not know how I just learned about Ceylon cinnamon in 2022 or 2023! I've ditched the cassia (except to maybe put the stick in tea). Will not buy cassia again. Started buying Ceylon and it's so much better because it's considered to be the "true" cinnamon. I bought a grinder for whole coffee beans and spices. I've been happily grinding the ceylon quills into powder! I use it now in my baked goods, yogurt, cereal and so much more! Question- 1. How on earth do you wash ceylon? The back of the package says to wash before use and I never have. Have you seen how the quills are harvested? You Tube it. Interesting. But, once when I wiped the quills with water only, they disintegrate. It's like baking with parchment paper and if heated to a certain point, the paper just crumbles as you ball it up to throw away.

LOL, Australian chook eggs (chicken eggs). Had to Google that one. I'm going to re-evaluate this whole thing with dh and try use a couple of the ideas here to see if it makes a difference.

Regular eggs? Chicken eggs? My husband can have NO more than equivalent to 1/3 - 1/2 egg per day. That 1/2 is even generous. As you can see it's not enough scrambled egg LOL. But each crepe comes out to 1/3 + but less than 1/2 and he does fine. Sorry to hear that about your husband. If my husband goes over his limit, he'll get sick about 2 hours later and he'll have to rest in bed for another 4 hours.

I liked it too. The baby sling. But, I didn't wear it everywhere. Yes. We never had a front carrier but an actually backpack when dd was 10 months and older. We did and do light hiking. It's really not used that long b/c kids grow so fast and that 20 lbs at first year is replaced by more weight quickly. LOL!

Yes, I'm trying to remember if I had that issue. I didn't use it all the time and don't think I "shopped" with dd in sling. But, that is a valid point you made and I appreciate it.

Thanks for these ideas! Didn't think about the "sizing" of the wrap, sling, etc. I always thought they were adjustable. Don't know her size. So much to consider! I've seen those but didn't know what they were called. Good idea! Thanks!

Right. I like my scrambled eggs well done (dry). My uncle, when he was alive, liked his scrambled eggs slightly moist/wet. I've tried heating them longer and longer to see if that makes a difference. Will revisit that! 🙂 Thanks!

I know that would normally make sense and one I've considered back and forth but dh eats cereal and milk every work day M-F.

Yes, pack and play is also on the list. I think that's a great idea. DH and I used one for dd when we traveled here and there.

Yep, that's what I meant. 🙂