So this weeks post is going to be a little different, since taking pictures of dinners was the farthest thing from my mind last week. 😉
I did make a trip to Costco though to pick up my 2 new pairs of glasses and as I was leaving {with NO food purchases} I passed by two sisters pushing a cart of ciggies and meds out of the store when I spotted this box of samples in their cart.
When I asked if I could take a picture of their loot, they told me it was for their 76 year old mother who wasn’t able to leave the house anymore, but missed her Costco samples dearly.
I told them that if you make it to 76, and are housebound, you are totally entitled to a box samples and told them well done for taking care of their momma.
Zaycon Foods is in the Northeast, did you know this? Granted they aren’t everywhere and you may need to work their delivery schedule into a day trip or something like I did but they are here.
When I pulled into the parking lot to pick up our free pork chops {I had Zaycon credits} I asked the driver if he had a lot of customers at that particular location, and he said that so far he had only had about a dozen, but things were starting to pick up.
Panera Green Goddess salad. The first once since I’ve been here.
3 Quarts of local cherries from an ordinary roadside stand $36!!!!! {1 1/2 pounds in each box = $8 a pound!} HOLY CATS BATMAN
No, this stand was not on Martha’s Vineyard, not in the hippy dippy district of San Francisco, or even New York city. It was like, DOWN THE ROAD from my house.
I had noticed they were asking $6.25 for a quart of strawberries, which I thought was a bit high, but hey you know, you are buying something direct from the farm, supporting the local peeps and there is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON to an el cheapo box of strawberries you’d find at the grocery store that’s been trucked in from who knows where to fresh strawberries that were grown just down the street in local soil.
That being said, I didn’t see a price on the cherries and really didn’t think much of it {probably because Lucy was in the car and was in a hurry to get her home and settled}. I kinda sorta noticed the cashier telling the woman in front of me her total was $29 for some strawberries and a box of cherries but I don’t think the price really registered until the college aged cashier said “that will be $36.”
Uhhhhhhhh, okaaaaaaay. And I handed over my money and walked back to the car shaking my head and honestly, I think I even laughed out loud a little. Because seriously, what kind of person pays $8 a pound for cherries?
Amaretto $4.99
I knew I was going to make a cherry pie and some sort of batch of jam when I bought the cherries, but then I found a cherry jam recipe that called for almond liqueur, and well, being pretty much a teetotaler, that meant an awkward trip to the liquor store to buy a bottle {of the cheapest I could find} almond liqueur.
All I can say is, THIS JAM BETTER BE FREAKIN’ AWESOME! 😉
And then if the $36 worth of cherries wasn’t enough of a budget buster, earlier in the week {before all of Lucy’s trips to the hospital} I paid a pretty penny for one of those New England Hot Dog Pans. Which of course, I will test out over the July 4th holiday.
I’m sure there is a cheaper pan out there, but I really like the quality of the USA PANS brand and hey, the reviews were fantastic and beans and weenies, it’s kind of a staple item in our house now. Whateva. Some weeks you rock it in the spending department, and other weeks you are off totally off your rocker.
One last thing. I want to say THANK YOU for all your meal suggestions for Lucy, I think I pretty much tried them all. It was a tough week with her not eating for about 3 1/2 days, but she has her appetite back now and we couldn’t be happier.
In the end, the winners were plain boiled chicken and lean ground beef. 😉
Thanks for taking care of us, you rock!
~Mavis
Total Spent this week: $40.99
Total Spent in June $206.47 <- Attempting once a month grocery shopping
Total Spent in May on Groceries $216.50 <- Included a stock up trip to King Arthur Flour
Total Spent in April on Groceries $169.98
Total Spent in March on Groceries $306.75 <– Apartment life, moving across the country and settling into a new house
Total Spent in February on Groceries $259.81 <- Living in an apartment and buying a lot of ready-made meals
Total Spent in January on Groceries $240.15 <– Packing mode and not cooking from scratch as much
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Jeanie says
I’m so glad you figured out what was wrong with Lucy. Poor puppers!
Em says
I would love to hear how the jam turns out.
Also, I will make a mental note that ground beef was a hit with Lucy, in case something else comes up here.
Thanks!
Kathie S. says
You are a good neighbor Mavis. The New England Yankee in me would have just walked away from the cherries. Please post the jam recipe it sounds interesting. 🙂 I am very happy Lucy is eating again too.
Mavis Butterfield says
Well, I have learned my lesson. I don’t think that will be my “go to” roadside stand, that’s for sure. Ha!
Kirsten says
I agree. Cherries are a luxury in this house because of expense and also my husband eats all of them in five minutes and I don’t get any.
I’m so happy to hear that Lucy is on the mend.
Ellie K. says
Yay! So happy sweet puggle is on the mend!! Haha, since your move I check in every morning with my coffee (instead of waiting for an email) to catch up. Occasionally I read your stories to my hubby. Boy, he’s hooked now! He was asking about Lucy this morning. Isn’t that a hoot?
I was going to suggest a carry out pizza to entice her appetite. Just for the delectable scent, not to feed her. So glad she’s eating and goofing in the yard again. Whew, scary!
Cindi says
LOL — I can’t say $49 for the week is exactly busting the budget. I’ve over-paid for stuff like those cherries before. All you can do is shake your head and vow to look elsewhere. Is there a farmer’s market near you?
Elise in the SF Bay Area says
We love to go cherry picking, but it’s a costly adventure for us! We make a day trip of it though:
gas to the orchards (round trip) $7
Bridge toll $6.50
and even then, no-spray cherries are $5-$6/lb (cash only)
But it’s fun, and it gets us out participating in our food production 🙂 My husband came for the first time last year (we usually go on a week day) and was excited to make some sauces with the 6 lb of cherries we picked. But by the time he had time, the following weekend, they were GONE – eaten one at a time, every one of them 🙂
Elise in the SF Bay Area says
Our BIG-box grocery store has cherries $1.49 a pound this week!!! Jeez. The thing is, I’ve only ever bought organic or spray-free cherries because of the “dirty dozen”. But wow. I’m thinking maybe 10 lb of cherries wouldn’t probably kill us…
Julie says
We went to a local orchard over the weekend and paid $5 a pound for u-pick rainier cherries. We picked 7 pounds so it wasn’t too terrible. They taste wonderful and the views and experience there make it worth it for my family.
Julia Park Tracey says
That’s an amazing price! Mavis, that amaretto will also come in handy if you make your own maraschino cherries! I need to buy some almond flavoring or liqueur while cherries are in season. I loathe those store-bought maraschino cherries–but one year I made them myself and they are sublime in a cocktail. Think about it? It’s basically simple syrup over pitted cherries with a splash of almond flavoring, seal and process. Dude! Easy peasy!
Heather says
Amaretto
1 cup water
3/4 c white sugar
1/4 c brown sugar packed
Warm until sugar dissolves, then cool.
Add
2 tsp vanilla
1 T almond extract
1 cup vodka
Cheap cheerful and then you can use the leftover vodka to make vanilla extract.
Carrie says
I don’t drink alcohol often but my favorite cocktail is an Amaretto sour. Thanks for the recipe!
Cathy says
Love the Costco picture, couldn’t figure it out when I first saw it. Got a good laugh , what thoughtful daughters.
Happy your family is up to speed
Sb says
I love the Raniers and here in the plains of Texas they are at minimum 7.99 a pound but I love them, it’s just a very short time once a year so I go for it with gusto! A pound of those gems is worth the price of a drive thru meal anytime!
Brianna says
Love that perspective! Drive thru meals and convenience foods have gotten pricey. I took my kids to Starbucks for a treat because Saturday was a rough day….a venti latte, 2 cake pops, and 1 coffee cake….$18.xx! I couldn’t back out of my order because they practically make your drink and throw the treats at my kids before she even told me the price. I just about cried, but that is why we go only on a rare occasion. I could have bought 3lbs of cherries for the same price and had a pit spitting contest with them and it would have probably cheered them all up more.
Sue says
So glad to see Lucy eating, blessing are sent to us on four legs and oh do we love them. Just know ya’ll are going to have a very good week.
nancy from mass says
even though the cherries were $8/lb, i bet they tasted amazing! I love cherries and my mouth just watered when i saw them.
Happy to hear Lucy is diagnosed and will continue to improve.
Mavis Butterfield says
They are delicious! 🙂
Lori S says
I can’t imagine paying $8.00 per pound for cherries! Luckily I have an Aldi’s Store close by I paid $1.99 per pound today and bought enough for homemade pie and plenty left over to can for the winter!! You gotta love Aldi’s.
Terri says
So happy to hear Lucy is eating and feeling better!
I’m a fresh sweet cherry addict and go a little crazy every June. I paid $6 a box for some cherries at a grocery store a while back 🙁 I haven’t made another trip yet so don’t know if the price went down.
Rebecca in MD says
So happy Lucy is eating again – – – loved the picture with the buffet of bowls. I had a friend who used to roast a whole chicken every week in the crock pot for her two cats – – – just because they loved it.
I just ordered my first Zacon foods order – – – some of the Argentine shrimp for pick up in August. Even though I am in MD, the closest location is in Newark, DE – – – so it is a bit of a drive, but I can’t wait to pick up my order. Wild caught shrimp are hard to find here.
This week’s menu:
1. Barbeque baby-back ribs (crock pot) with homemade French fries
2. Tuna salad
3. Homemade pizza
4. Ground beef noodle stir fry (new recipe that was a hit) https://damndelicious.net/2016/10/18/ground-beef-noodle-stir-fry/
5. Fish & chips (used cod battered in flour and seltzer water) with homemade onion rings (same batter)
6. Cauliflower fried rice (new recipe that was a hit) https://www.eatthis.com/easy-plant-based-recipes/
7. Thick cut pork chops with sauerkraut (crock pot) with mashed potatoes
Homemade desserts included chocolate ice cream, banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies.
Mavis Butterfield says
I thought the buffet of bowls might work better than trying things one at a time… LOL.
Lissa says
My favorite picture was of the buffet
Amanda Eisele says
I have never commented on a blog before but I wanted you to know how much we adore Lucy. I have five children ranging in age from 7-17 and every morning someone checks your blog to see Lucy’s picture of the day and read any Lucy antics. (We own nine guinea pigs and five rabbits, a horse and a hamster. We live to close to a road for a dog right now.)
Anyway, my kids and I have sort of adopted Lucy into our hearts and we have all been nearly frantic with worry for her and you! My seven year old son has been praying for her every night. We are so relieved everything is okay and are delighted to see her sparky adorable self every morning!
Thank you for sharing her pictures and stories!
Amanda
Mavis Butterfield says
🙂 Thank you Amanda!
Laura Z says
Whew! So glad Lucy is on the mend!!! That is a lot for cherries. I will pay more for local peaches in the summer because they are so much better, but I don’t think I have ever paid that much per pound for any fruit…. ALDI has NW cherries for 1.99/lb here in NC until tomorrow if you need a bunch more for canning and are going nearby.
Pat says
Here in Portland.
Hood strawberries ( the only kind to eat!)
$39 flat
Hood River cherries. $8
Raspberries – free from our yard
All of it worth it as far as I’m concerned. If they were available all year no absolutely not.
Starbucks after a hard day yes. Just remember that you ‘d spend the money anyway and if it brings some peace why not a real treat
Marti says
So thankful that Lucy is on the mend, but did I miss the post about what was wrong with her?
Sara says
I am so happy to hear that Miss. Lucy is on the mend & is able to be outside for a bit! Basking in the sun always makes a happy Lucy!! If Miss. Lucy is still not eating very much you can try this: peanut butter on a banana. Peanut butter on an apple slice (skin off). My dog has stomach issues a lot (part bulldog). These are the go to for our dog when he is not interested in his dog food. The Almond Liqueur Cherry Jam sounds amazing! I can’t wait for you post about it!
Christine Carr says
I had to laugh when I saw your comment about the awkward trip to the liquor store. I wanted to make homemade vanilla and needed vodka. I am also a teetotaler and I had to ask the man at the counter for a suggestion. He looked at me like I had a lobster growing out of my head! I would love to have the jam recipe and I will brave another trip to the scary liquor store if you think it’s worth it.
Amy says
The Zaycon website says they have suspended business as of today. I’m from Ohio and was scheduled to pick up 40 pounds of chicken on July 13. I think that was very unprofessional of them to not send emails to those of us who have paid for orders.
Michele says
Exactly my thoughts. I have two pending orders. One was for bacon that they moved the pick up date twice, each time it was a month later than the original. I should have emailed something was wrong then.
Nancy D says
A blog called The Coupon Project printed a quote from Zaycon:
“It is with deep regret that we inform you that as of today, June 25th, we are suspending business operations. Zaycon Fresh has put forth monumental efforts to endure recent challenges but conditions are such that this suspension is necessary. Updates will be forthcoming as we are able to provide them. Thank You.”
Teri says
Good grief! I hope they are going to reimburse everyone who paid in advance. I wonder what happened. At least you got your pork chops Mavis!
Heather T says
I have outstanding orders as well. They handled this very poorly.
Marybeth says
My son has been bugging me to get cherries. At $5.99 a pound for not local cherries I said no way. He ran to the store the other day and saw they were on sale for $3.99 so he bought a pound. Him and his dad at them all in 10 minutes. So glad Lucy is doing better.
Gina says
Maybe you can negotiate with your neighbor and get the cherries for $5 a pound if you pick them yourself! Enjoy them! Good to hear that Lucy is eating again!
Jenny says
I’m so glad that Lucy is starting to feel better!
When one of our furry friends was having some troubles and wasn’t eating well, our vet suggested baby food in jars – specifically the meat variety (chicken, turkey, etc.). She seemed to like it and digested it well.
Jessica says
https://www.zayconfresh.com/
I hope they refund all the people their money…..
Candy C. says
The first of season Washington State Cherries are 2.89# here in upper Ohio..and that means probably even less at the Aldis on the other side of town. You could’ve just said, Whoa, they look delicious but not enough to shell out $36. Sorry. and then left to drive to Aldi’s. Don’t be guilted into overpaying Mavis. Clearly the prices should have been posted but since they weren’t she could charge you whatever. Or maybe, ask the price per pound and just say maybe another time and walk away.
Rita says
So glad to hear Lucy is on the mend. Can you get her some health insurance? On another sub– how far is the Costco?
carry says
Sorry to say Zaycon closed up their business today. I hope you used all your credits
UpstateNYer says
Hello Mavis. I see on another site that Zaycon has thrown in the towel. They’ve closed their Facebook page, shut down their website, and disconnected their phones. The person stating this is disputing charges with their bank. Perhaps you might want to look further into this issue for your promotion.
Kristen F says
Hi Mavis – Now that you are in the New England area, you will be amazed at how many sources of locally grown meat there are. It typically costs more than the store or Zaycon, but you will be amazed by the taste. Sourcing from local farms that specialize in chickens, beef and pork supports local farmers and is better for you and the local environment. I’m sure you’ve heard all that before. And you can buy bulk (aka a whole/half animal) if you reserve early with the farm.
Just a thougtht
Jamie says
We have a pending irder from Zaycon as well, praying we get our money back!!!
Lilypad says
I know cherries are a huge crop for Washington State farmers but it’s funny to think of them being sold across the country, so far away. My mom’s family grew cherries in Yakima in Eastern Washington. Here on the other side of the state in the Seattle area, organic Rainier cherries (my favorite fruit, by far) were $8.99/pound at my local hippie co-op. So I didn’t buy any at first, it’s early in the season and money is tight right now due to medical bills, so I was hoping the price would come down. I bought some at Safeway last week for $3.99/pound and they were terrible, tasteless and not sweet at all. I’ve never had cherries like that in my life! I wonder if they were shipped in from somewhere else!! I hate Safeway and I should have known better. 😉 I’m going to bite the bullet and pay for the organic ones (now $6.99/pound) because they are such a seasonal delicacy and there’s no way I’m missing out!
Lilypad says
p.s. Forgot to mention that I’m also super glad to hear the Lucy is okay! My mom’s poor schnauzer just crossed the rainbow bridge and my parents (in their 80’s) are going to have a tough time dealing with that.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m sorry to hear that. In there 80’s. That is going to be tough.