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Saturday, March 28, 2009

What's to love about going to the grocery store?

Welcome to HEB... just about the only real grocery store in the San Antonio area... we don't have a lot of choices... HEB is a local company... We don't have Kroger or Albertson's... but as grocery stores go... I think HEB is pretty good... so here I go... though I hate to... it's probably my least favorite chore...

There really isn't much that I love about going to the grocery store. In fact, at our house, Ricky does most of the grocery shopping. So today, when I had to be the one to go (because Ricky went to a farm equipment auction and I needed stuff for the church celebration tomorrow)... I decided to make it a little field trip for myself... blogging field trip that is... So off to our local HEB Grocery Store I went... little pink digital camera in hand...

During the spring and summer... our HEB greets us with a floral fantasia... I guess to get us into the festive mood...


I like that HEB has big grocery buggies... and I always try to remember to bring my Eco-Friendly grocery bags... the blue one is for cold stuff... the green for everything else...

Hey look! I actually remembered the list...


The produce isle greets me first... HEB always has great produce...

and they have this great little gadget that weighs your produce and prints the label with the price... makes it a lot easier to scan if you do the self check out thingy... from the looks of all the labels stuck on the machine... I guess some people are just too stupid to use modern technology correctly?!

I always put the produce in the little upper basket in front so it doesn't get smushed...

and just past the produce is... wine... this is one of three isles of wine... this isle holds my favorite...

Saint Genevieve White Zinfandel... my favorite for a few reasons... This giant size bottle... 1.5L (twice the size of a regular 750 ml bottle) is only $6.99, a wine made in southwest Texas... and it's really delicious... (and $5 cheaper that the same size of Beringer's White Zin). I think I'll take two!

HEB also has a great meat department... very fresh and mostly from Texas farmers and ranchers...

They even have a little Sushi kitchen... where Sushi is prepared all day long by real Sushi Chefs... see her standing behind the display... I like the California Rolls the best... with wasabi... I think they're right... here..
Now I'll leave out all the boring beans, Borax and condiment isles... let's just move on to the good stuff... ahhh here they are...

yep... a huge display of Peeps! Wow! only 99-cents each.. but alas.. no sugar free to be found... guess I'll just force myself to eat the regular sugary version...

yep... got everything on the list... and look what sneaked into my cart... the second annual Cottage Style magazine... only once at year... at a cost of $9.99 that's about how often I could afford it... but then I save all that money on the wine... hummmmm... makes sense to me...

I hate the checkout process so we'll skip that too... but as we leave... there are those flowers again... do you think I should buy some?

Good thing I cleaned all my work stuff and cases from the trunk before leaving the house... I'm gonna need the room... and I do drive one of those litty-bitty cars ya know...

Well thank goodness... everything fits just perfectly... except... that one little thing I forgot to tell you about...

Tulips... a pot of pretty pink Tulips that are just about to bloom... I'll keep them here in the front passenger seat beside me... had to lose the denim jacket too... it warmed up quite a bit while I was in the store...
and now back home... all the groceries have been put in their place... the green eco-friendly bags stored in the blue one... along with those two brown bags for wine... waiting by the back door - ready for another trip to HEB one day soon...

It's a 15-mile drive to the grocery store... then back again... loading and unloading the groceries from the car... putting them up... I really don't care much for grocery shopping... unless you can blog about it with your blogging buddies... thanks for taking this little trip with me... and for making it fun to go to the grocery store, down here in French Lique...

38 comments:

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I made the same dreaded trip yesterday. I should have taken my camera. We do have a great store called Fry's that also has a section of housewares, decorative items, electronics and even a Starbucks. Now that's a store I should take a trip to more often. Hebs, looks like a great store. Thanks for the trip. Hugs, Marty

Brenda Pruitt said...

I go to the grocery store once per week. We have a chain of Brookshires here that are really nice and upscale. But I've lived in New Braunfels and other areas of Texas that had HEB's. And I really liked them. The only good thing about going to the grocery store is getting to also check out the magazine aisle!
Brenda

Stacey said...

Hi Dixie. I miss HEB and I also miss the Brookshire's stores like Brenda talked about. We always shopped at Minyard's or Tom Thumb in Dallas. Here in Oklahoma City we do not have ANY chains that you might find elsewhere. It's pretty slim pickins!

cottage farm villa said...

Dixie... you are too funny! Taking your camera to the grocery store! What a kick! What did the other women who were shopping think of your picture taking???? Did you have to do any 'splain'n ??

It was a fun trip....thanks for taking us along! And I know what you mean about the magazines.... $9.99....geez...highway robbery, I say! Thank goodness for blogging pics for those of us who can only bring ourselves to purchase those mags...a couple times a year! I hear ya sista! hugs.

Stephanie said...

You shop like I shop, always with a reward at the end like a magazine or flowers. This is one of my most dreaded chores, I wish we had open air markets here every day, but alas we don't. I'm cracking up you took your camera! May as well make it fun huh!

RoeH said...

Heck I was having fun just reading your list. I'm so proud of people who make lists. It's a talent that was not put into my DNA. If I make one, I usually forget it. I'm very bad with lists. How hard can it be, I ask. But I seem to make it be difficult. :(

Anonymous said...

Dh and i share.I make the list,he goes to the store.In return half of what he gets is wrong,but little by little he finally gets it right.Who can fuss????Ann

SmilingSally said...

I always like going grocery shopping. I'm glad you gave in and bought that tulip.

Dixie said...

the grocery list... yeah... I forget it about 99% of the time and since I only do the shopping for groceries about 20% of the time... but I wanted to make the Shepherd's Pie with Garlic Mashed Potatoes that Shirley at Plum Bush Cottage posted on her Foodie Friday... so... I had to make a list... and then I HAD to remember to take it...

the tulip and the magazine... I try to reward myself for "schleping to the grocery" by buying myself at least one of each...

I'm not sure anyone was brave enough to ask the cookie lady in the pink silk scarf and denim jacket "what" she was doing taking photos at HEB...

I do so dread going to the grocery my 20% of the time.. but blogging made it fun!

bj said...

I don't mind the shopping at all...actually like it ok. It's the putting everything away that I don't like. Just like I don't mind washing...hate folding and putting away, tho. Don't mind loading the dishwasher but hate unloading it...
GOOD GRIEF...I must do things
half-ass !!
Hugs, bj

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Dixie, I don't like going to the store either, and I'm not really sure why. Going to the store with you was fun though! laurie

Arich & Syble Harrison said...

Awww... I felt like I was with you on a grocery run. I love grocery "buggy"... so cute. In California we say "cart".

HalfCrazy said...

Hi there!

Shopping for Groceries is your least-liked chore? That's probably the only chore I excel in lol! It's a good thing you didn't get caught while taking pictures. :P

I like their meat section, everything seems to be so polished and organized!

I enjoyed this little trip with you, by the way! :)

Much Love,

Candy said...

Just for you girlfriend, I read (almost) every word. I could just see that little pink camera of yours clicking away. You are too funny.
Enjoy your Sunday and then it starts--the count down to Wimberley Market Days!
Candy

momma said...

i loved the field trip! i put the produce in the little top basket, too :)

your store does have a nice looking meat section!

Kat said...

Hey Dixie, since I went grocery shopping with you does that mean I don't have to go? This is my least favorite chore too, although I really do like HEB. It's funny, I love to cook and don't even mind cleaning up after, it's the grocery shopping that I dread! This did help make it fun, maybe I'll try it. Kathy

Jennifer@woodleycottage said...

I like your post! I however, love to grocery shop. If you head North up 281 let me know. I'd love to accompany you at our HEB Plus just beyond 1604. I've been trying to get the husband to go with me. I told him about the "tool aisle" today and his eyes lit up like fire flies. Matter of fact I was just there yesterday taking pictures for a post on my blog. Weird~ I'll hold off on that one for a bit though.
Have a good evening.

xinex said...

Pretty neat gorcery! Looks like a one stop shop...Christine

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I'm dreading that trip, Monday...we only have Wally World and Piggly Wiggly. No locally raised anything..I will hit our local meat market Monday evening and fill the Freezer with fresh locally raised pork and beef, they also have Mississippi raised catfish.
You actually made the trip fun...lol..
Have a great Week-End
Molly

terry said...

I am so humbled at his moment and need to share,I love your blog and the trip to H.E.B.,Living in central Texas, H.E.B. is all we have ,but it is a blessing in light of the fact I just got an email from my cousin in Kansas they have only one grocery store and due to all the recent snow the roof collapsed tonight around 11:00 p.m. so they are hoping that everyone has stored up enough provisions for the next few days or perhaps week if needed.Wow I am suddenly so thankful for the local H.E.B. when a few hours ago I was frustrated because we only had one choice.
thanks so much for the beautiful visual tour today.
Blessings
Terry

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Dixie,
You made going to the grocery fun! Wouldn't it be nice if someone else could do it for us? Cindy

The Raggedy Girl said...

What a big beautiful grocery store. We have one store in our town but it is a nice little store.

Roberta Anne

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

What a cute~~~~~ post. Small things in live sometimes can be so special. I love flowers in the grocery store. shhhhhh~~~~~ I work at one and I love walking in to see all the flowers.
P.S. I was on a mission to leave a comment for Spiritual Sunday, I love your garden that is a blessing to be able to grow your own food.I feel like I got to know you a little better by stopping by your blog, I will be back again.
Ginger

Chris said...

Congrats on the garden! My wife and I have been thinking about starting one. I kinda like going to the grocery store. My wife does not want me to go because whenever I tag along, we spend way to much money.

dana said...

Hi Dixie! I loved going to the store with you!! That looks like a great spot to shop---love the scales that print out the prices! I will start looking for that brand of wine--thanks for the tip! I love using the eco friendly bags, too. I think they're much easier to handle than the icky plastic ones! I keep mine in the car once I empty them at home---otherwise, I forget them! I love, love, love those PEEPS, too (had them on my Pink Sat post.)

Hope you're having a great weekend. We got LOTS of snow yesterday! :( Dana

Charlotte said...

Looks like a great place to shop. I'm so thankful for the wonderful super markets and specialty food stores we have now. I remember when the Mom & Pop stores were all there were. There was something charming about that though.
I'm glad you decided to feature my Spiritual Sundays post on your other blog. I clicked on it and it didn't take me there. I noticed in the url there was an l before the http.
Have a wonderful day.
Charlotte

Anne Marie said...

What an absolutely delightful post that was! Sounds like you are caring to yourself (health) and to the environment for which surrounds you...and that grocery store! what a blessing to have local meat!
It's very nice to meet you via somewhere in this internet galaxy!
I'm from the midwest on a farm- and so I applaud your choices for shopping!
will be back...

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Dixie, the older I get the more like my mother I become. She went to the grocery store every day! LOL! I find myself loading up, but still doing that, too. But we have a wonderful grocery here in Florida (Publix), and I love to go there because it is so pretty and organized. It's also clean as a whistle. So I really don't mind that much. There's one grocery store here in Florida that actually plays classical music (The Fresh Market) and sells Godiva Chocolates... but I still prefer Publix. The family who owns it is very philanthopic and believe in supporting the communities that support them!

XO,

Sheila :-)

à la parisienne said...

Dixie,
Only a crazy blogger would take pictures while shopping at the local grocery store. I,too, am just as crazy. I took pictures at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago and the lady in the fabric department said I was the only person she had ever seen take pictures of fabric!! Little did she know that I also took pictures of the silk flowers! HA! Oh, and I love your comment about the left over SKU tags stuck on the produce machine. I always notice that at Central Market and laugh to myself! Great, unique post as always!

Heidi Pocketbook said...

How fun to shop at a real grocery store. My trek is even farther to go to one. HEB looks like one cool place to shop. I'm so glad you took the time to take pics of it all!

Sorry you didn't find any SF Peeps--check CVS as I know I saw some there the other day. I would guess all their stores carry them?

Simply Debbie said...

DEAR DIXIE,
HAPPY MONDAY AND I SO ENJOYED GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH YOU. FIRST.....I HAVE A FRIENDSHIP AWARD FOR YOU ON MY BLOG...YOU WERE THE FIRST PERSON TO BEFRIEND ME IN BLOG LAND AND WELCOMED ME TO WORDLESS WEDNESDAY...THANK YOU, DIXIE
NOW
IF MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LOVE HAD NOT BEEN VISITING US...HIS NEW DODGE CHARGER WOULD BE IN SAD SHAPE RIGHT NOW AS HIS CARPOT COLLASPED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOW...HE LIVES OUTSIDE OF WOODWARD AND THE FURNITURE STORE THERE COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOW.....WE RECEIVED ABOUT 7 INCHES BUT BY SUNDAY NIGHT WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH LEFT.....THEY HAVE ALOT LEFT IN WOODWARD....WHAT A WEEK-END
I WAS TRYING TO THINK OF THE GROCERY STORE IN PHOENIX THAT I ALWAYS WENT WITH MY SISTER TO....I LOVED THAT PLACE MORE THAN ANY STORE I HAVE EVER BEEN IN.....BEAUTIFUL FLORALS....YUMMY FRUIT...DISHES....DISH SETS THAT GO ON SALE FOR BETTER THAN GARAGE SALE PRICES....SCRAP BOOKING SUPPLIES....BOOKS....PATIO FURNITURE........I'LL HAVE TO ASK HER THE NAME........HUGE SELECTION OF SEASONAL ITEMS
HAVE A GOOD WEEK DIXIE
HUGS
debbie

Susie Q said...

I never thought that I'd miss HEB, but I do. Here in CO our choice is Albertson's, King Soopers (Krogers) and Safeway, along with Whole Foods and Sunflower Market. AND we have to go to a whole 'NOTHER store for wine...most of them are pretty conveniently located but still...PAIN! I'll have to look for that wine. You might try Firefly...Australian red that we first tried 'cause of the name...we love the show ;D, and it's very good. $10/bottle, so we don't get it that often.

Now you need to explain the name HEB ;D

Susie Q said...

And we miss Wolf Brand chili and HEB's brand of sausage for the grill.

Crafty Girls Workshop said...

Hi!
I'm from (and in) San Antonio as well! Yep, HEB is just about it as far as grocery stores go. I did spent a bundle at Costco yesterday though. Great job bringing your eco friendly bags! I always want to run up to people who are bringing theirs in and shake their hands and say "The earth thanks you!" Hmm, am I just a little tree hugger there? But your trip is very similar to what I do. Thanks for sharing, it makes such a mundane chore seem a little more exciting now that it's been blogged.

Anna

Candy said...

Hey girl, haven't heard from you lately. Hope you didn't have an accident mixing the wine with the PEEPS! Rest up, you have a fun Saturday coming up!
Cheers, Candy

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Ah yes...grocery shopping. Well, I have to say I have been fortunate because all three husbands loved to go grocery shopping. I had to wonder why...but to be honest I think it was those cute checkers who always said.."Hi Mr.______! How are you today!" Whatever the case, they have all enjoyed doing it. I have to laugh because the first "date" my new husband took me on..was to Costco!! Yep..we ate the samples..laughed shopped..and you know..looking back..not a bad date at all! :) And, yes, I got flowers!
Farm life...ahhhhh. And your grocery bags are to be commended. :)
Mona

Deb said...

Dixie,
That was a fun shopping trip, much better than having to go myself, I use the reusable bags too, some of the stores look at me like I'm nuts, but most are getting use to me, the family dollar I go to, the manager said I am his only customer that uses them, such a shame, I love the handles, so much easier to carry. Love your new header so Texasie, love the bluebonnets ours are just starting to show up up here in the DFW area.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Dixie I go to the store every week but don't like it...you made shopping for fun sound like fun today..thanks for coming by and seeing me I love your blog girl..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria