Generic Brands

 As an adult, product labels do not mean nearly as much to me as they did when I was a kid/teenager. Back then, the important labels were mostly items of clothing like Reebok sneakers, Levi jeans, Members Only jackets with maybe a few food items thrown in like Coca-Cola.  As an adult...not so much. While I do like well-made clothes and definitely enjoy a good cold Coca-Cola when I can, now I am on the hunt for quality alternatives. 

When I go into a department store, that is when I can find a department store these days, I will go straight to the clearance rack. Now, this does not mean that I will not find well known labels there because I definitely have in the past.  What it means to me is that things that are not popular right now and they simply need to get rid of can still be well made and satisfactory.  But in the end, I could really care less who made the item. If it's well made, it's well made. I'm no longer interested in paying for someone else's name. This is just me.  If it makes others happy, then by all means go for it!

This is also true for me when I am grocery shopping.  And we all know how much I love that.  When I have specific items on my shopping list, my first thought is to search for the store brand.  It is often just as good, if not better, than some big-name brand.  And most often it is only a fraction of the price. Food Lion is my preference when it comes to grocery shopping, and I love their house brands. I have not really had anything with their name on it that I have not enjoyed.  And my bank account has enjoyed it as well.

The point being is that the older I get, I am more concerned with quality and getting my money's worth as opposed to who made what.  Don't get me wrong, I am willing to pay for quality if that is what is required. But often, I can find a replacement just as good and at half the price.  Welcome to adulting! 

Proverbs 27:5-6

 

There's always something interesting in the cabinets

 It's interesting the things I find when I'm going through each drawer and cabinet.  There is always something that I forgot I had and think "Oh, that's where that has been all this time!"  Not like it is anything vital to my day, but it is usually something interesting.  When I was going through one of the kitchen cabinets, I reached up to the top shelf as I could see a plastic bag, but not what was in it.  I pulled it down and it was a bag of cookie press discs. I knew exactly what they were the moment I saw them.  They were Grandmother's.  But why were they not with the actual press itself?  And where was the actual press?  I know that I had seen it recently.  I have used it in a few years, but it's in this kitchen somewhere.

Later on, I went to get some plastic containers for leftovers out of another cabinet.  I looked up, again on the top shelf, and there was the cookie press.  Actually, there were two cookie presses.  One that was Grandmother's and one still unopened that she bought for me.  It's not in the fun vintage packaging as in the picture but it's the same cookie press. It just made me feel good to know that another part of her kitchen is a part of my kitchen.  Now, I need to make her famous cheese straws and put that cookie press to work!

Some Days - Audra McDonald

 This is one of my favorite go to songs whenever I need a shot of hope.  I don't know what it is exactly about this song that does it for me.  It might be memories associated with the song or James Baldwin's amazing words.  But, in the end, it does not matter.  It means a lot to me and gets me through difficult times.  I hope you're inspired.

50 at 50

 

One month from today, I will turn 50. I am simply happy that I have made it this far because there were times in my life that I seriously doubted that I would.  I don't want to tempt fate since I still have four weeks to go, but I will hopefully make it!  So, this coming yearly trip around the sun, I am going to come up with a list of 50 things I want to do while I'm 50.  Again, with the chaos of the world right now, I need something to look forward to.  Some things may be big, some may be small.  Hopefully they will all be either new things or things I haven't done in a long time.  I am going to start putting 10 things up on here as soon as I figure them out.  And of course, if anyone wants to join in with me on my adventures or suggest something, I am all ears!  I'll keep you updated!  Thanks!

Recipe of the Week - Jalapeno Dip

 A friend of mine gave me a bag full of jalapenos.  Thanks, Debbie! Her garden had a lot of them late in the season.  She already gave me some earlier in the summer, which I pickled but I wanted to find some other things to do with these.  I found this recipe for Jalapeno Dip online and thought I would give it a try. I really liked it and plan on making it many times!  Hope you all enjoy!

Jalapeno Dip

8 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

3 jalapenos, seeded and diced

1 Tbsp cilantro, diced

2 Tbsp green onion, diced

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

In a mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients until well combined. Cover and store in fridge until ready to serve.  It's good with Triscuits or pretzel sticks. 

Quote of the Week

 Like most of you, I just want to make it through the next few days and the next four years.