Braving the Grocery Wilderness

Food Lion, Jefferson North Carolina.

6:30pm.

Do you notice the one way signs?  I thought this was BRILLIANT!

I haven’t been to any sizable town in weeks, preferring the tiny Independence Food City market – a quick in and out and no masses of people.  Less population in the area means, well – less population.

But last night we needed to head to Jefferson to pick up the new washer/dryer that are replacing the 23 year old ones at the Cabin.  It was time.  There was a sale.  We ordered online and did curbside pick up. 

Eventually when things get back to ‘normal” (if they ever do.) I needed a larger capacity to be able to handle the Quiltville Inn laundry.

Jeff and Ashlyn have been traveling back and forth to the Wallburg house to do their laundry because they don’t have their own washer/dryer in their new little rental house.

So they will get the older set from the cabin, we’ll have the newer larger capacity ones here for future inn wash, and all will be good.

(That’s a lot way round to get to the above photo – but you know.)

One person at a time in the grocery store.  Meaning – don’t bring your whole family.  Just one of you.

One door is entrance only. The other door on the other side of the breezeway is the exit only.

As you enter the store an employee will sanitize the cart for you (as they are all gloved up and in charge of the wipeys.) and off you go to do your grocery shopping – but only in ONE direction.  No taking the short route.

It reminded me of the grocery store version of IKEA where you follow the arrows on the floor, only these were taped up in the aisles pointing which way you should be moving.

Evidently some people don’t read.  I stood there behind my mask and pointed at the sign until their light bulb went on.

Undoubtedly these were also the folks WITHOUT masks.

Several customers were masked up, as were some store employees.

I quickly made my rounds of produce, dairy. cereal, canned goods – and yes, sometimes it meant I had to go up an UP Aisle before I could come down the next DOWN Aisle to get what was on my list.  But it worked.

Having the aisles be one way only meant that you were at least a cart distance behind the person in front of you and no one was coming face to face.

And yes, it felt weird having the store mostly empty at what is usually the busiest time of the day.

SCORE!

Cinnabon is my favorite creamer and I bought two bottles because it will keep and it has been hard to find!  I didn’t even check the paper products aisle afraid I’d still find it empty, and truthfully we are okay in that department as of now.

Taking the long way home through Grassy Creek, NC.

I found this scene to be so serene with the rows of Christmas trees growing – the leaves just appearing on the shade trees at the front of the house – the winding long dirt drive, the red barn ducked behind.

A slightly different angle.

I like this kind of social distancing.

Replacing lost recipes!

Or lost recipe photos that went BLAMMO with the missing folded fabric face filter posts. (I’m still baffled as to why.)

An email came in yesterday from someone looking for the Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats directions so I thought I would make it for breakfast this morning and post it again, hoping they will stay this time.

And it is so so so simple.  2 cups steel cut oats to 5 cups water  add 1/4 tsp salt and 1 tsp vanilla. 

Cook on manual for 4 minutes and let it self release the pressure for about 20 minutes. 

Then switch the pressure valve from locked to release to finish the job.

It will look watery on top, but simply stir it to blend in the water and serve.

There was enough leftovers for ONE more bowl – someone can have it as a snack later. 

I would say that this recipe is good for 3 servings even though it was supposed to be four.  We like big bowls of oatmeal.

The thing i like most about making steel cut oats this way – is there is no standing there stirring the pot during the whole cooking time.

It was a great breakfast for today – it was 33 degrees when I sat down to this yummy warm bowl.  I’m ready to tackle the rest of what this day brings me.

And yes, it’s this time!

Quiltmaker May/June 2020 Gift-Away!

Who is entry 1118 out of 8233?

SERIOUSLY!  8233 entries!  You would think there is a pandemic going on and no one has anything better to do than enter a blog gift-away! LOL!  

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This really IS the most entries I have ever had in any Gift-Away!

Kathie Castricano!

Congrats, Kathie!  Just reply to the email I sent you with your shipping address and I’ll be getting this bundle off to you right away.

Zoey – Dreaming!

This was last night after all was said and done and our big grocery run was put away.

I just love how her canine teeth hang out there when she is so relaxed upside down.  Precious girl.

Spreading her dry food on the mat is definitely slowing her eating down.  There has been no more throwing up from eating too fast and swallowing too much air.  

She loves the canned pumpkin, and I’ve given her a couple of tablespoons twice a day.

And yes – I’ve warmed it in the microwave for her – she loves it warm.  Spoiled rotten little love.

She has been with us a month now.  And I can’t imagine our lives without her.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

It's a time of turmoil on the outside.

Let the peace begin from within so you can always carry it with you.

This too, shall pass!

Much love to you on this Wednesday -