I wasn’t planning on doing a big time stock up trip last week but one thing led to another and well….
We were near Costco last week so we decided to pop in to see if that upright freezer I had had in my eye for $299 was still in stock and it was. So after going out to the car to measure to make sure the freezer would fit, we decided to buy it.
We’ve had a few different chest freezers before, but this is our first upright one. It’s just the two of us, so I didn’t want anything really big {ie: normal size} just something big enough to store excess garden produce, some freezer meals or a big time stock up trip.
I had read the reviews online and the biggest {5%-7%}complaint seemed to be that when people filled the bottom drawer with food, the items in the bottom drawer would not freeze properly.
Which actually made sense as the bottom drawer has about half the size of the other drawers because the compressor for the freezer is right behind that drawer.
I figured if that was true, it wasn’t going to bother me because we could just stick some extra produce {apples, pears, carrots etc} in that drawer.
Yada yada yada… After bringing the new freezer home and letting it sit for 24 hours {to let the freon settle} the HH plugged it in. We stuck a bottle of water in the bottom drawer and it took about 24 hours for it to freeze while the one at the top of the freezer only took a few hours.
So now I’m wondering if people didn’t give that bottom drawer enough of a chance to chill.
Anyway, the freezer is just the right size for us and I won’t have to dig around like I did with our previous chest freezers. It’s a win in my book.
Costco $292.09
Pumpkin pie season has arrived at Costco. Have you bought one yet? The giant pies are still only $5.99!
Butter on the other hand was a wee bit more expensive {Kerry Gold $14.49 for 2 pounds, Kirkland Brand $14.79 for 4 pounds}. I went for the Kerry Gold for baking.
He couldn’t believe how much I was spending on {Kerry Gold} butter. I told him it was for my holiday baking… Maybe there was something he wanted to splurge on… It turns out it was some rib eye steaks to the tune of $56.54!!!
Who’s the crazy one?
And that big jar of peaches? What would a trip to Costco be without coming home with an unexpected item?
How could I resist a giant jar of whole peaches for $10.79? Do they have the pits still in them? Anyone know? Fact: I have no idea what I am going to do with them. 🙂 The expiration date is 2027 though… So I have some time to figure it out.
Things we ate last week:
Steak and salad.
Steak soft tacos.
Big salad.
Pickety bits.
And then… Excited about the new {empty} freezer I decided to be at Trader Joe’s when they opened yesterday and do a major stock up trip.
Fact: The best time to shop for groceries… Is when the doors open at the crack of dawn. No crowds, people are on a mission, you get in and you get out quickly.
Trader Joe’s $540.16
Maybe I went a little overboard.
But as I was pushing my cart up and down the aisles I was like, you know… Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to step foot in another grocery store until after the holidays?
So I went for it. And I loaded up on all our favorite Trader Joe’s meals/treats. I’ve found that these days, it’s nice to have a good combination of ready made meals {and desserts} for days I don’t feel like cooking, as well as last minute guests.
I still need to do a big trip to Market Basket for all the things I didn’t get at Trader Joe’s {mostly basic items like meat, frozen vegetables, a few baking supplies, produce and some of other odds and ends for recipes} but I’m nearly there.
I’m almost done. I figure if I can stop by Market Basket this week and get the rest of the things I need… The only thing we’ll need is a sprinkle of dairy items {eggs and milk} here and there. And those my friends, are things I can grab at the corner store or gas station.
Yee-Haw! Operation winter hibernation is only a few more days away…
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week On Groceries $832.25 {HOLY CANOLIES!}
October Groceries: $954.76
September Groceries: $246.41
August Groceries: $115.71
July Groceries: $401.88
June Groceries: $484.69
May Groceries: $267.13
April Groceries: $135.90
March Groceries: $235.99
February Groceries: $282.90
January Groceries: $167.55
Holley says
You’re ready for winter! I bet that freezer is jam packed!
Brianna says
I bought those peaches at Costco last time too! They were so sweet (like sugar sweet and not fruit sweet) and I rinsed them! The flavor of the peaches is okay. They are from Spain, so taste different than domestic ones. They do have pits and need to be refrigerated, so make sure you have space when you open them. I will probably bake with them as they are just too sugary to eat and I can reduce the sugar in a cobbler or something to an accommodate.
Cindy R says
My husband likes one of the jarred peaches sliced on top of his oatmeal every morning. I had an upright freezer about the size of the one you purchased and it lasted for years. I had purchased it at Montgomery Ward and it was worth every penny!
Rosemary says
I am surprised that the bottom drawer of your freezer doesn’t freeze well. I have an upright freezer (Frigidaire 16.7 cf) – it has shelves, not drawers and everything freezes, even on the bottom. I guess the difference is the drawers. I saw that one at Costco and I liked the idea of drawers – keeps stuff from falling out when the door is opened . . . ha ha ha . . . but it was too small for what I needed. I am glad to know about the bottom drawer now – that would make a difference if I was going to buy a new one. Enjoy all your goodies!
Mavis Butterfield says
Actually it DOES freeze. I just updated the post. It took about 24 hours for a water bottle to freeze solid. The ones in the top drawers only took a few hours. Interesting! Maybe that bottom of the freezer just takes a little longer because of the way it’s configured?
Rosemary says
Could be. Thanks for the update!
Torry says
Wondering if it would be worth it to freeze on a shelf and the move to the drawer. Just a thought.
Connie says
Love this!!!! We don’t get harsh winters but I stock up anyway.
Costco 2 hours away so can buy limited frozen foods. Sadly TJ over 5 hours away so no frozen. But I stock up on what I can when we visit family.
After years of grocery shopping I have handed it over to my husband. Just the two of us and he doesn’t mind. But I would love to have the prepared meals and ice cream etc from TJ.
I really enjoy your grocery hauls and what you eat.
Lynn says
I love having an upright freezer. I used to forget items in the bottom of my chest freezer, only going for the items on top. Going to Trader Joe’s today but don’t think I’ll spend that much:). Incidentally, my husband LOVES the Sweet & Hot Jalapenos; definitely pick those up every trip. Enjoy your day; hope you got all those bulbs planted!
Mavis Butterfield says
We love those jalapenos too! I add them to so many recipes.
Laura Z says
I just noticed that both Aldi and Wal Mart in NC carry your Mediterranean crunch salad. Thought you might like to know in case yours are carrying too. 🙂
Looking forward to trying picking up the TJ Baingan Bharta and veg samosas next time I’m there. Love your shopping hauls. Fun!
Jeanine says
By the way….Trader Joes doesn’t carry the frozen chimichurri rice anymore. What would be a good alternative for your soup recipe. My friends all loved it when I made it for a group.
Mavis Butterfield says
I heard that… what a bummer. 🙁 I have one bag left in the freezer. I’ll have to come up with something else.
Tiffany F says
I wonder if some of that mac & cheese would be good in it?
Patti says
We have a full upright freezer beside our refrigerator in our 1950s style kitchen. Best idea ever! We keep it full (just two people) with our garden produce, some casseroles, soups I make ahead and meat. I have also learned to freeze things like chopped onions and celery that we can’t always eat before they go bad. Having it in the kitchen is a game changer so when I renovate my kitchen later this year, that has to be a priority.
Peg says
Yep! I freeze chopped onions, chopped celery, and chopped peppers too. Food is too expensive to let it go to waste.
Alecia Loveless says
I made the loaded cauliflower soup and it was delicious. 5 large bowlfuls. We still have two servings left.
I used pre-cut fresh cauliflower florets that were on sale at my local store 2 bags for $5. Next time I would chop up the bigger ones a little more.
Otherwise it was excellent!
Lindsey says
After reading your post where you first talked about the freezer with drawers, we bought one. I am so, so, so happy not having to rummage around our chest freezer for things, and happy not to miss things until they are so freezer burned they are good only for dog food. Kerry butter was on sale here for $3.99 a pound this week at Fred Meyer, if you have one nearby and need more baking butter.
Kim says
Mavis and Lindsey,
Please continue to let us know how the freezer is working. Giving serious consideration to buying one.
At present, in Dallas, it is $100. more.
J in OH-IO says
Trader Joe’s- I have never seen it that empty of people not being cart to cart with humanity! Thanks for letting me know that right when they open is indeed THE TIME to go to avoid the crowds and for a much more enjoyable shopping experience to be able to actually see what is on the shelves and not have to maneuver around people and carts.
Julie says
Congrats Mavis! Standup freezers are organizationally superior to chest freezers. I’m imagining neatly stacked and colorful ziplock bags of soups in your near future.
We use the “bottom drawer” of our freezer for bottles of water. They are good enough as temperature ballast within the freezer. Then we use them in place of ice packs when we go on picknick or camping trips with a cooler. Plus, as the water warms up, we’ve got cold water to drink and can refill and stick back into the bottom drawer for next time.
Taryn Dillon says
How is the caramelized onion goat cheese? I love their honey version.
Mavis Butterfield says
I haven’t tried it yet but I will be sure and say something when I do. 🙂
Taryn says
Thank you!