Wednesday, August 4, 2021

It’s Wednesday again and it’s time to link up with The Style Six here. Today’s post is more about some recent purchases, planning for my back to school outfits, and a glasses dilemma.

Well, I dug out my masks in preparation for returning to work. Pomchies brand are the only ones that I can stand for a work day. If you are local, go see my friend Amy at The Prickly Pear. They are two for $10. If you aren’t local, you can purchase them online. I run these through the washer and dryer with my other clothes.

So I am in planning for what to wear back to school mode like most of my teacher friends. I like to wear something new on the first day and I almost always wear a dress. I ordered this from curbside pickup on the recommendation of Melanie Shankle of the Big Mama blog. Now I’m wondering if I should try a size smaller for comparison. I am super happy with the material and the style. I feel like this is a dress I can wear now through spring.

Hear me out… I decided I needed a mandolin vegetable slicer – not the instrument. One of my blog readers suggested it and I have been wanting to try my sweet potato lasagna that I did in the spring. It had great potential but it needed really thin sliced sweet potatoes because these act as the noodles. I looked online but then had the idea to try TJ Maxx. So, I went in and found these two beauties for $16.99. How could I leave them?

Here is me wearing it in Target before wearing it Saturday night to the outdoor concert. Note the prescription sunglasses on my head and the prescription regular glasses on my face. We will come back to this later.

I really like that they both have “fallish” colors in them because I like to have warm weather items that can look more fall appropriate. We can easily still have hot days until November here.

Oh yeah, I also found the mandolin vegetable slicer! Ha!

I was also in the market for black heeled sandals.

These are Corso Como from Nordstrom on sale for $41. I want to be able to wear these out and to school. I always keep an extra pair of shoes in my bag for school and they are usually Birkenstocks.

I want to wear dresses and blouses when school starts. That is the vibe I’m feeling right now.

Now, the glasses issue. Some of you gals of a certain age may be able to relate and may have some advice for me.

Glasses + mask sucks. They fog up. I am near sighted, but my vision isn’t horrible. If I wear my contacts to work, I need readers to see up close. This is what I have been doing for several years when I didn’t wear a mask. If I don’t wear contacts I can read just fine with my naked eyes, but my distance vision is impaired. I am thinking I will leave my contacts out and just use my glasses when I need to see a student further away. Thoughts? My prescription sunglasses have been a game changer. I have hardly worn my contacts at all this summer. When I go out I wear my sunglasses and have the regular glasses as back up. I have only worn a mask twice this summer so it hasn’t been a problem.

What have you been wearing? Are you planning to get back into “real” clothes? This tends to be the time of year that we are tired of some of our summer things I think.

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

It’s time for a fun linkup here to show each other what we have purchased lately from Amazon!

I felt like I ordered a lot in July, but when I looked back I realized it was reasonable. I did have a few misses that were returned.

I love this bra and have it in nude and black. Someone said Walmart has them cheaper but I didn’t find that to be the case when I looked.

You have seen this dress already, but here it is again! This looks and feels like a dress from a boutique.

I have been experimenting with doing my own gel nails at home and I have been super happy with the Beetles brand nail polishes.

I have enjoyed wearing a watch again after ordering this one!

I love a shiny lip gloss but I think I like a lip color where I add my own clear gloss better. This is a great price and a great consistency.

College kids home means lost chargers so I bought these plugs with two spots and these cords. They have been great!

This eye cream is really amazing. It instantly tightens under the eye.

And, finally I ordered these that will arrive this week. They look like they have potential!

What have you purchased lately? Amazon is so overwhelming that I appreciate recommendations!

Thanks for reading,

Amy

Monday, August 2, 2021

Hello Monday! I’m linking up today with Heather, Tanya, and more here.

I’m not really happy to see this Monday because It’s my last one before I start back full time a week from now. I love my job, but once I get on that train it is a long and sometimes arduous journey. Fellow teachers know what I’m talking about!

I had a really good weekend after a hard week.

Friday night we played host to some people on our boat. We rarely take the boat out in the evenings and every time we do we question why we don’t do it more often! So, my high school friend connected us with a 27 year year old new to town named Hooks. You may remember me taking him to the flea market. So, Hooks, my high school friend Dan (who is also helping him to connect here in town) and his wife Kara, and my co-worker Elizabeth and her boyfriend Andrew all came out. Elizabeth and Andrew are close to Hooks’ age so I’ve been trying to connect them, as well.

The young crowd:

Hooks, Andrew, and Elizabeth

Dan and Kara (part of the old group – sorry!)

Elizabeth and I (part of the old group). Tom is in the background talking to….

Jenny, another high school friend who happened to be at Captain’s Quarters. I went to high school an hour from here, by the way. Dan and Jenny are loyal readers of this blog. Thanks, guys! Dan called this photo “#blogworthy” so I had to include it. Dan may very well be the only male reader I have.

I ordered a grilled fish (#healthy) with fries (#balance). I only ate 5 fries and then I made the young people eat them.

And, I made up for the lost calories in Trulys, a blueberry seltzer that Andrew gave me, and this Unicorn Fart beer.

This is why we should go out in the evening more!

Hooks and Andrew got the full tour of the downtown from the water. We had charcuterie and apps that everyone brought and then ordered food at our riverside restaurant. We toured a bit more before heading back. I think we were out from 6-9:30.

Jack and Mason went to Shakespeare in the Park to see Henry V. They said it was awesome. Now, Jack’s show opens this week – Midsummer Night’s Dream. They start so late because they are outdoors – 8:00 and run until almost 11:00. Don’t they know I go to bed early? Hopefully they won’t have rain.

Saturday I was pretty lazy. I did start Outer Banks Season 2 so I will be able to relate to my students. Just kidding – I really do like it.

It really irritates me that they say “John B”. I guess that is his name, but how about just “John” sometimes? ” J.B.”?

Well, my hydrangea and I are in sync. She has flowered most of my summer and now as my summer is fading, so is she. I appreciate her solidarity. See ya next season, beauty.

Saturday night was so much fun. Jack and Mason stayed home with sushi and Tom and I took our sushi and sushi for our friends to a neighborhood that was having a concert.

I also bought a frose (frozen rose).

We all took our shoes off to practice “earthing”. Have you heard of this? It’s about the connection of the human body and the earth and if you go barefoot you can reap the energy from the ground. Anyhow, it can’t hurt – unless you step on a yellowjacket or a nail and impale your foot. Friday I had gotten a pedicure with “Funny Bunny” which I heard is being discontinued. My feet look especially “Flintstone” in this photo and for that I apologize.

People were up and dancing and it was so nice to see.

Sunday Tom, Ernie, and I went out on the boat. Jack and Mason had two friends over to play games.

Then, Tom and I saw a late afternoon movie – Snake Eyes. It wasn’t very good but I like Henry Golding from Crazy Rich Asians.

It was a full weekend.

Today as you are reading this I will be doing my classroom set up. We get a day’s pay for doing it and we get to pick which day we do it. It’s very nice.

Our school board voted that we will be going back in masks regardless of vaccination status. Then, we got word that all student desks must be facing the same direction and we needed to get as close to 3 feet apart for the desks as we can. I usually do a horseshoe shape with my desks to make it more communicative. My sister wanted to know if the students would be allowed to turn their heads.

Maybe I was naive, but I didn’t think we would have to wear masks if we were vaccinated. At the high school level, every single person has been offered the vaccine. Darn you, Delta variant. You can go away!

What was the highlight of your weekend? Is your summer coming to a close?

I would love to hear!

Amy

Friday, July 30, 2021

I am linking up with Andrea and many more here for ….

I don’t have too much this week, but here we go…

Mason and I have a tradition of watching Big Brother. We started this a few years ago and it’s been fun. We are enjoying this year’s group of people. We are not caught up because it’s on three times a week!

Wednesday evening my friend Heather invited the other Heather and I over to see her finished kitchen and eat sushi. It is gorgeous!

She has a cute dog named Paisley.

Heather is a vegetarian and always gets a veggie roll wrapped in soy paper instead of sea weed, so I ordered that, too. I loved it. I know next to nothing about sushi.

I couldn’t save this for Wednesday when I typically show outfits and any new items in my wardrobe. My favorite local consignment shop has put out their fall stuff and their spring and summer is 50-75% off.

This Vince Camuto dress was $7!

This blouse was $8! and gives off some serious Pioneer Woman vibes. IYKYK! (This is what the kids say – “if you know you know”.)

I’m still not sure how I get this subscription (they come packaged together) but I love it. I’m going to dive into these two magazines this weekend.

I’m just not motivated to read my current library book, so I was excited that two requests came in for me.

I am a very seasonal reader so I like to finish all summer books before school starts.

What were your favorites this week? Is your summer wrapping up, too? When I see you here again it will be August! Ay!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Amy

Thursday, July 29. 2021

Today I thought I would re-visit my posts from here and here and give you an update. You all have been so supportive and I can’t thank you enough.

So, I have now lost 25 pounds! It is very slow going – for two weeks I only lost .2, but then I had a nice 2 pound loss last week.

I bought these Fiber One lemon and chocolate fudge that are 2 points each for a little dessert. I don’t know if I will buy these again. They are very crumbly and there isn’t much to them.

I also got the coffee cake and I feel the same about them. I will use these up in my school lunches I think and then probably not purchase again.

Pretty much all summer I have gotten in at least three servings of veggies at breakfast. Prepping these veggies once or twice a week is such a game changer. I top them with two scrambled eggs usually.

I’ve been eating veggie burgers quite a bit. I made a yummy wrap with some potatoes on the side.

I invested in a food scale per the recommendation of my friend Kim. A few years ago, I didn’t believe I could make a true friend on the internet, but my mind has been changed. The support I have gotten from Kim is a true blessing. Thank you, Kim!

Below you will see me measuring out 1 oz. of feta for my whole grain pasta I made one day for lunch. I did the Tik Tok pasta with the roasted tomatoes. It had potential, but I needed more tomatoes.

I like to add a squirt of this to the fiber one brownie or to my bowl of strawberries.

I love this recipe for Mexican quinoa was given to me by another blogger, Kristen. I changed it to make it easier, though, because I’m lazy. I prepare a cup of quinoa by boiling it with two cups of water and then simmering for 15 minutes. When done, I add as much jarred salsa as I want with a can of green chiles. I add a tiny bit of shredded Mexican cheese when I am ready to eat it. Everything except the cheese is zero points!

I have increased my fruit intake and I am loving the strawberries that are so flavorful right now – with a dollop of Reddi Wip! I just noticed there is no “h” in Reddi Wip. That is weird!

I have a banana almost every day.

I have plans to make some homemade egg breakfast sandwiches with these below. They are 3 points.

I have one of these every day and yes, I do eat it by the “string”. What kind of monster just bites into it? Ha! I have told you this before, but Ernie comes running when he hears my string cheese being opened.

I love a Dum Dum sucker for a little something sweet in the evenings.

I have a half of a Premier protein everyday – either in the late morning or in the afternoon.

I will need to fall back on some fast food as school starts. I really want to try this “Burger in a Tub” from 5 Guys. I would try to make it less than 10 points – maybe by ordering the kid’s size burger. Doesn’t this sound good?

Or, I could make it homemade with ground turkey and a “special sauce” from Greek yogurt again. Yum!

And, I thought this Chick-Fil-A guide would be helpful. I love their grilled nuggets!

What can you recommend?

Amy

Wednesday, July 28. 2021

Happy Hump Day! I am linking up today with The Style Six here!

I don’t have many outfits for you this week I’m sorry to say.

This is what I wore to dinner Thursday night – the black $13 Walmart dress, gold jewelry, and my cognac MIA clog sandals. We ate with Beth and Bob and Beth had on the same sandals. I should have gotten a photo of her outfit – all white – white jeans, white tank, and these sandals and she looked chic as always.

On Friday, I wore the yellow but didn’t take the time to adjust it for the photo, apparently. This time I made it more casual with gold Birks. The black is the most flattering of three colors I own. I have black, yellow, and a dark cornflower blue.

Monday for my professional development I wore this new blouse. I love the pattern. I wore it with the white Old Navy jeans that I frayed myself. By the end of the day they were so stretched out and looked frumpy. Do you all have that problem with Old Navy, too?

Tuesday for the professional development I wore the black dress but paired it with the gold Birks and my leopard headband.

O.k…. I have managed to not get on the Nordstrom website for their famous anniversary sale, but I have made two more purchases since we last spoke about new purchases – ha!

This first one is going to be controversial. Please don’t send me hate mail. I kind of think of the goose that lays the golden egg but then it makes me chuckle.

I purchased GOLD clogs from Lotta of Stockholm.

I warned you….the summer of 2021 is the summer of gold in my school wardrobe. Did I do this because of the Olympics? I don’t know. The summer of 2020 was the summer of red – remember my red saltwaters and my red clogs and my red Dr. Scholl’s? Yes, I do realize I have a problem. I am consistent, though.

I picture styling these gold clogs with my fun ruffle pants, skirts, dresses, and jeans.

And, I went to another TJ Maxx for some reason and found this Cynthia Rowley blouse. I thought it was super pretty.

What have you been wearing lately?

What have you purchased lately?

I can’t believe that one of my consignment stores is putting out fall stuff this week!

Thanks for reading and remember not to bully me about my GOLD clogs. Don’t they say “Go for the gold”?

Amy

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

I wanted to write this post because the time is nigh! We had varying degrees of “normal” school over the past year and a bit. So, it may have been quite a while since you have thought about stuff like this. Last year was all about survival. Many schools didn’t allow parents in the building. Everything was different!

My perspective comes from 27 years as a high school Spanish teacher and 13 years as a k-12 mom.

-Don’t complain about your school, teachers, or school or district policy in front of your child. I have been frustrated looking for a certain color folder or I have wondered why my child needed 24 pre-sharpened pencils, too. It’s stressful. Think the thoughts, but don’t say them in front of your kid. It’s important for us to stay positive and model respect for school and teacher rules. This is small potatoes in elementary school, but it becomes large potatoes in high school. If you complain about the high school dress code or act like it’s not important, that carries over into other rules that your child will have to follow.

-Any time the school opens its doors to parents, go! It amazes me how few parents come to our open house. What a unique opportunity to get to meet all of your big kids’ teachers and essentially walk their schedule and live their day. Your presence is just as important in high school, and maybe even more as your high school kids tend to communicate less.

-Get the school calendar now, mark dates, and don’t plan trips during school. Pulling your kid out makes it hard for kids to keep up and honestly, it sends the wrong message. Of course, there are always exceptions – weddings, funerals, and a few other events. I can’t tell you how many of my students complain about their parents making them miss school. I ask that my students email me if they must be absent – preferably before our class meets so that I can help keep them on track. This also adds a layer of accountability and maybe, just maybe this improves attendance. Picture this – we have a 7 period day. Your kid misses one day and has 7 assignments to make up. That can be overwhelming.

-Don’t bombard the teacher at open house. Send an email if there is important information about your child. The teacher may have to give multiple presentations. At my school the teachers have taught all day and come back to school that night for the event. He/She will not remember the details because they will be so exhausted!

-Let your child start doing the emails to the teachers when age appropriate. “Hi Mrs. Jones, I just wanted to let you know that I am home sick today. I will talk to my classmate about what I missed, but feel free to send me anything I need if you have time. I hope to be back tomorrow. Thank you so much, Student.”

-I always tell my students to have a “phone a friend” in each class. As a parent, it would be good to encourage this. Pick one student that usually knows what’s going on and ask for their number. Most kids are happy to help a classmate. It would be great if this was a reciprocal relationship and they can both help each other when absent.

-Do not be afraid to email the teacher! This is really the easiest way for us to communicate. We just don’t have much time for phone calls and rarely have an empty room to have a private conversation.

-Go to the parent teacher conferences. We want to be partners with our parents. Meeting the parents can really help us to better serve our students.

-If there is a problem, try to fix it with the teacher first. I have heard stories of parents taking the smallest complaints to the principal without talking to the teacher first. Most teachers enter the profession because they care about kids. I have heard parents talk like a teacher is “out to get” their kid.

-Please don’t treat your child’s teacher like “the help”. I have heard one parent complain about a teacher and say “I mean, I pay her salary; she should do what I ask”. The teachers in your school have a great deal of education. I have a bachelor’s degree and two Master’s degrees. Plus, think of all the experience and on-the-job training they have. This is so disrespectful. These same parents probably say, “I could never do their job”.

-Do not always believe your child, as bad as that sounds. I have seen some parents not even listen to the teacher’s account of what happened. Where did the notion come from that a parent must always side with their child? There is right and wrong and sometimes your kid will be wrong! Wouldn’t you rather your child be wrong at age 8 than age 18?

-Do not stress about gifts for teachers. Sure it is a nice gesture, but I always worry about the kids who can’t afford gifts feeling badly. An email, a card in my mailbox, or a note sent with a student (even better when it is written by the student) means so much to me. I have every single one saved. I even have some of the emails printed out, but sadly, I didn’t do this with all of them. If your child loves a particular lesson, send an email saying how much they talked about it over dinner. This makes our day!

-YOU are your child’s first and most important teacher. They model your behavior, your speech, your tone, your attitude, and your etiquette. They watch you read for pleasure. They notice if you have a spirit of curiosity and if you are a life long learner. They notice how you treat your job or profession if you work outside the home. Take them to museums, historical landmarks, events, and festivals – but don’t go crazy. Don’t try to do it all in one weekend!

-Please stop overscheduling your child. They need time to play and be at home. They need time to do homework. I’m not a big fan of homework and I don’t believe that tons of it equals more learning. But, homework is still a thing to be dealt with.

That’s all I’ve got for now! Anything I’m forgetting?

Amy

Monday, July 26, 2021

How was your weekend? I hope it was great! As you are reading this, I am sitting in a two day professional development. Please keep me in your prayers. I am linking up today with Heather, Tanya, and more here!

Let’s go back to Thursday afternoon for a nail update. First of all, I removed my last color of gel with the method of filing down the color a bit, putting remover soaked cottonballs on each day wrapped in aluminum foil, waiting about 15 minutes, and then just wiping it off. The removal process is kinda tedious. I replaced it with this very light blue and I think I did a better job. We are going on three days now and it looks the same except for the nail I broke.

We rarely go out to eat during the week but we were invited by our friends because their weekends are booked. So, Thursday evening we met them at a Cuban restaurant where I did a make my own margarita – I asked for a shot of tequila, fresh lime juice, and a splash of Sprite.

I ordered grilled fish with cilantro. I only ate the fish and beans and a bit of plantain.

We had a nice time catching up with our friends!

The next day I took Mason to a place for lunch that I thought he would enjoy. Spoiler: he didn’t. We had such a nice time over breakfast but this was not as nice. They have artwork on the ceiling.

I ordered a combo lunch offering where you could get a house salad, a fish taco, and a vegetable and I got asparagus.

Mason got a combo with a Reuben.

Anyway, he thought the food was mediocre and didn’t like the clientele? Who knows? With teens, it sometimes can be a mood thing. We went home and I didn’t let it affect me. I wasn’t eating out at all until like two weeks ago and now we seem to have made up for it. I’m squeezing lots of things in!

Friday night we stayed in. I made Mexican food – using up a lot of leftovers. Then, the boys went to Shakespeare in the Park where one of Jack’s teachers was a cast member. I watched the Olympics opening ceremony. I love it so much!

Saturday morning I had my coffee on the patio because it was nice out finally!

And, I prepped and packed food for a fun day! My sister, brother in law, and one of their dogs boated to us again like they did last summer!

Jason, my brother in law, loves Mexican layer dip so I made that for him.

It was perfect weather and the time just flew. We always enjoy time with them. We invited my other sister but she had an obligation.

Saturday night we were worn out from the sun and water so we watched t.v. with Jack and Mason.

Sunday morning I read on the patio for a bit. This is my current read and it’s cute. My reading has really slowed down.

Then, we did it again! We met our friends Scott and Jessica and cruised a bit and then had some more portable boat charcuterie, ordered food from Captain’s Quarters and took it to the cove to eat and bob around in the water.

A full and very summery weekend, I would say!

What was the highlight of yours?

Amy

friday, july 23, 2021

I am not anxious for Fridays to come right now! Time slow down! I am linking up again with Andrea, etc. right here.

Here are a few things that were my favorites this week or just things I want to tell you!

I still love my Charlotte Tillbury cream eyeshadow but about a month ago I took a chance on a Burt’s Bees version for less than half the cost. I really like it! It isn’t quite as good, but I would definitely buy the Burt’s Bees again.

I apply with a perfectly sized brush that I think I got in my Ipsy subscription a long time ago.

I have been drinking less alcohol this summer but sometimes I crave a fun drink that isn’t water! I have enjoyed this combo. I use about a half of a Crystal Light lemonade and add this Kroger brand Pineapple Coconut sparkling water. I’m sure you can find this flavor at other stores besides Kroger.

I enjoyed this podcast this week. Have you checked out The Lazy Genius? I feel like if I get one new thought or idea out of something it is worth my time, you know?

I loved the spicy chicken I got at the bbq place on Sunday.

Here is Tom’s pulled pork and beans with pulled pork in it. Sometimes I carry out just part of a meal. Do you ever do that? I added our own corn and potatoes.

Mason and I have been talking about doing breakfast one day for a long time. We finally made it happen this week. My favorite breakfast place is called Wild Eggs, but Mason had never been. I usually go with girlfriends.

Mason ordered a breakfast version of the famous hot brown from our fair city.

I ordered the farmer’s market skillet.

I forgot to tell you all last winter but I have made a decision. I really think the Felina brand black leggings from Costco are my favorite for lounging or wearing with an outfit. I am not the only one that thinks this because I have heard this from others on the internet. They are also available on Amazon but in Costo the two pack is $10 I believe. They were out at Costco a couple of weeks ago so I grabbed a pack.

These have a wide waistband where my original ones (that I have had for probably 7 years) don’t. These might even be better. I tried to get a photo for you.

Anyone else tried this brand?

It had been a long, long time since I had made my chocolate chip cookies (which are really Nestle Tollhouse’s recipe). Tom, Jack, and Mason were quite happy!

I thought this was the best!

I made an excellent buffalo chicken dip this week! It is actually one WW point if you eat all of it which I did.

It would be so good with celery or in a wrap with lettuce and tomato. I only had cucumber and it was great with that, too.

I saw pumpkin stuff out already! As much as I love pumpkins, I am not ready to think about them yet. I try to do apple flavored things in September and leave the pumpkin for late September – early October.

Let’s get serious for a moment – this is not a favorite. As I did my little errands this week I noticed more and more people – customers and employees – wearing masks. Apparently the Delta variant of the virus is crazy contagious and our numbers are up. Are you seeing this, too? I am so worried that this will mean another compromised school year. I cannot teach in a mask and I don’t want my students trying to speak Spanish in a mask.

And, I wonder about our immune systems in regards to other viruses. Will everyone get so sick from being so protected and isolated for so long?

What were your favorites this week?

I hope you had many!

Amy

thursday, july 22, 2021

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I gave Aldi another chance. I have more time in the summer to do crazy things like shop at multiple grocery stores. I was really impressed with the re-vamp of my nearest store. I love many of the concepts they use! I love that it is German. Tom was born in Germany and I have German ancestry. I have been there 3 times and it’s a great country to visit. If you don’t have an Aldi, maybe you have a Lidl? I have heard these are becoming more commonplace here in the U.S. Also, Trader Joe’s is related and many of the products might remind you of theirs.

Let’s get started…

First, you have to have a quarter. The quarter gets inserted into the cart to release it from the chain of carts. I have seen Aldi devotees that have a quarter in a pouch that stays on their keychain. Apparently this is the first aspect of shopping here that saves us, the consumers, money.

The produce comes first.

3 beautiful looking zucchini for 99 cents. That is a good price. I love to go to farmer’s markets and support farmers, but dang, they charge a lot. Do you feel the same?

They do name name brands, but there is not much selection. I have one kid who loves Cheezits but not the “extra toasty” variety. Here are some other examples of name brands:

Some of the prices are good and some a more expensive than the on sale prices at my Kroger. I also live in an area where the cost of living is fairly cheap.

You see lots of the Aldi Clancy’s brand. They make the packaging look very much like the big national brands.

Wheat Thins are Thin Wheats – haha! Doesn’t it look just like the big name brand box? I have not tried all of these to compare.

They have a great cheese selection. I bought this Havarti again because it was delish. $3.00 for a block of a good cheese is pretty good. I went with the blue label because I knew we loved it but I was really curious to try the jalapeño.

I found these wraps that are zero WW points. There is regular and everything but the bagel flavor. I really like them.

Here I used one as a bun for my turkey dog.

Here I used one as a bun for my Trader Joe’s Quinoa Cowboy veggie burger.

This is a decent price on the fresh mozz I use on my pizzas. These are also great with grape tomatoes and balsamic glaze.

I like the jarred salsa for my Mexican Lasagna and some dips I make. This is a great price on a giant jar. See how the stuff is shelved? Another money saving measure is that they don’t remove the items from the boxes and do the neat or not so neat shelf stocking as they do in regular supermarkets. Smart, I think!

My cart was starting to get full…

You also have to either bring your own bags or buy the bags at the check out. I bought 3 paper bags for this trip at 8 cents each. They are very cheap and I don’t mind this because it is standard in Europe and I think it’s smart. This is another way they save money. They don’t bag for you which is another cost-cutting measure.

I spent $70 and got quite a bit. I think the price would have been at least $100 at Kroger.

I bought Keto one point buns for me and mini whole wheat pitas for me. I plan to make homemade pita chips using olive oil Pam and some salt.

The boys have been enjoying bagels for breakfast and they report that these brioche bagels are really good. They love mini muffins so I buy those for quick breakfasts. Jack leaves the house at 8:15 and is gone until 5:00 now for his Shakespeare project. He spends four weeks getting ready and then will spend the fifth week performing in our Central Park.

This is the produce I got.

During the pandemic I started making food for Ernie to supplement his dog food. He now gets cooked chicken, green beans, and carrots on top of his food. He is spoiled. So, these cans were great for that. I got a can of potatoes for a recipe and broth for soup. And, here is the salsa.

For snack items, I got these. Our friend told us the cookies taste just like Girl Scout Tagalongs. Why did I buy these? I put them in the freezer and only tried one but it was yummy!

The chicken was about the same as Kroger.

Below the chicken is an example of the German influence. My family liked these when we went to Germany so I bought them.

And, these are the sandwich and charcuterie items I bought, along with some butter for under $3 for baking. There is spreadable cream cheese under the butter. Don’t judge the cheap-o packs of beef. Jack loves the 80s appetizer my mom made where you spread cream cheese, roll up, and cut into 3 logs.

By the way, I took these photos on the long counter they have after checkout for you to bag your own purchases with the bags you either bought or brought. The cashier scans your items and puts them back into your cart. Also, the cashiers are seated, not standing, and are known for being super speedy and efficient. And, there is no small talk. It is quite German in the sense of no nonsense and efficiency. I like this because there are some cashiers in my Kroger that I avoid when I shop in store. They are slow, talk too much, and want to ask me about what I’m buying. Sometimes I’m in the mood for that, but sometimes I just want to get out.

Funny side story: I love going into grocery stores in other countries because I feel like it’s such a great way to learn the culture and not just be a tourist. During my semester abroad in Spain, my roommate and I would go to the grocery weekly to get our snacks. In Germany in 2016 I got in trouble by the cashier in a grocery for not being ready with my purchases on the belt quick enough. It felt like a “Soup Nazi” moment.

A better look at the cookies:

They may even be better than a Tagalong. And they don’t cost $5 a box!

So, I am trying to only do Aldi this week along with what I have in the freezer. My freezer is really full and I need to shop there!

Any recommendations? Are you an Aldi shopper? If you have a Lidl, how much resemblance is there?

Also, I heard that many young adults and college students shop at Aldi. My niece is one of them. I love that the younger generation is learning to be frugal and smart with their money.

I am sure there are much more informative posts about Aldi out there, but I hope you enjoyed this!

Amy