Fun with TJ and A & L

Trader Joe's just opened TWO stores in my area this weekend! If you already have one near you, you may just skip this post, but to those who have been exposed to TJ's and have been existing without, well now .... it was a party for myself and two daughters A and L.


Why did we get two? Kansas City sits on the border of KS and MO. MO can have liquor in grocery stores, and KS cannot. One store is 7.7 miles away and the other 8.8 miles away.

What is the big draw about Trader Joe's? Lots of their own brands reasonably priced, and some different things you don't see at other grocery stores.

Here's something TJ's are probably most famous for: 2 Buck Chuck! Two dollar Charles Shaw wine. Only now it is $2.99! A good (drink it while it's young ) wine, if you are not a wine snob. I don't drink wine, so I can't verify this information (I am a Jose Cuervo  limeade girl).

Look at all that chocolate! They have their own huge Belgian chocolate bars.

TJ's is not a big store, and they don't carry everything, but I loved looking at their displays.

People were grabbing the popcorn as quickly as they filled the shelves.

                  In fact, the bread rack was empty Sunday morning.

These are the coolest recyclable grocery bags!

The trip home was fun! We dug around in our bags, got out lots of stuff and passed it around.

What do you buy at Trader Joe's?

I am linking to



Dog Days of Summer


Dog Days  are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star,  was responsible for the hot weather.


The weather here has been 100+ and I stand at the door when I let my dogs out so they can  come right back in. SO here is my Dog Days of Summer tablescape.

The placemats are Irish linen tea towels. One towel has the fronts of the dogs and the other has  their backs.

The little black and white spaniel is a planter, so he is holding a copy of the Canine Chronicles.

Little dogs from my collection.

Black napkins stuffed into the black stemmed goblets.

The four little dog plates were a thrift store find for $2.

The  four little square plates spell out

Happy Dog Days!

I am joining

for Tablescape Thursday.

Hail Storm

Well, I hadn't planned on posting today, but what a perfect "opportunity" with a hail storm last nite. ( Note: sarcasm). It has been 100+ here for the last few days. The forecast was for spotty rain. HUH! We got 2 inches of rain and 5-7 minutes of penny to quarter size hail. I am hoping we won't need a new roof again. We have had 2 new roofs in 15 years due to hail, the last being in 2008. Here's some pictures.

It looks like a leaf bomb went off in the yard.

Notice the garden hose and sprinkler. I watered for about 1/2 day yesterday, because I didn't think we were going to get any rain. Kinda like washing your car. It WILL rain then.

Broken but blooming!

Even the hostas, under a thick canopy of trees, had hail damage.

Oh well, so far nothing that won't bounce back!

I am joining

and

 

Garage Sales!

Ok here it is.............My best find this week! I can't believe it! A PERFECT new chair for $20!

I mean not a scratch on it-new!

Pardon the garage walls, but I haven't hauled it upstairs yet.

Vegetable bowl, part of the Liberty series, 2 dollars, blue crock bowl with handle $2, and 2 wicker bottles. Table topper on left new in package 1 dollar.

ORB lantern $4 and lace runner $2.

Well, I went over my $20 self imposed limit this week, but that's ok. It has kinda been my goal to see how much fun I can have on $20. However, I do feel guilty that I buy this stuff, and have not hardly posted on USING any of it yet, which is the whole purpose, right? It is not the purpose to start a junk shop!! Have a good weekend!

I am joining my favorite new party that enables and encourages behavior such as mine. SHAME!

and

Appetizers on the Porch

I had told myself I would make more use of the porch and my flowers this summer for tablescapes, and I just haven't done it.

The tablecloth is Ralph Lauren from Home Goods. 

The vase is a thrift store wicker covered bottle.

Goblets are from Tar-jay.

Salad plates also thrift store.

I am joining