The Kindness of Strangers

Monday I popped into Target to deliver 24 rolls of Advantix film canisters to have the images put on a CD.
Advantix was a film fad of the early 2000s which we were a party to much like the disk camera I had as a tween which I earned by selling greeting cards door to door. I have lurking suspicion that in 10-15 years (or maybe less) no one will know how to get those images off the rolls and my son's babyhood will be lost!

They wanted $100 for the job which was not something I was going to spring for so the gal at the counter did some fancy trickery with her calculator and said she could do it for $45 but I would have to come in on her shift and she also loaned me an obscure battery so that I could get free the final roll (which includes the first moments of Boba Fett's life which have never been seen) from our broken camera. She was SO NICE. Thank you Target Lady!

On Monday, the guy in the produce section of Albertson's said that he would save me some boxes to pick up on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the guy who looks and talks like Chris Rock was there instead and knew nothing of any boxes for me. Hopelessly discouraged I went to Trader Joe's where after a preliminary "We crush our boxes as we go" they found me a dozen wine boxes which are perfect for packing books of which I have 750 so you know, boxes are important. So nice, why does anyone shop anywhere other than Trader Joe's? Thank you Trader Joe's!Today, I was having a morning where everything was going wrong, the climax was when I was rushing to the car with a piece of peanut butter and jelly toast balanced on each hand and then they toppled and landed face down on the gross garage floor.

No breakfast for us.

On the drive I hear "Goody Two Shoes" by Adam Ant on the Radio and it changed my whole attitude. Suddenly I was no longer thinkng about all the bad thing that had happened but was thinking about dancing instead. Thank You 97.1 Charlie FM!I then stumbled upon a knitting group that meets in the rec center while Nutmeg has her ballet class. They were so nice and friendly and loaned me a tapestry needle as I had forgotten to bring one. Definitely a better way to spend the day. They said I should join them. I think I will. Thank You Knitting Ladies!

Samurai Mom's Salad

Using the Trader Joe's Mediterranean Feta Cheese with Herbs and Trader Joe's Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil, mix a salad of greens. Sprinkle Feta cheese and Sun Dried Tomatoes. Then sprinkle some Trader Joe's Roasted and Salted Pepitas ( pumpkin seeds but really tasty) for a crunch and serve with Trader Joe's Goddess Dressing.

Pizza Kylene

Pizza Kylene is made on tortillas so they are individual sized
Ingredients:
Trader Joe's Flour Tortillas (handmade or regular)
Chicken from Trader Joe's Chipotle Chicken Skewers
baby spinach leaves (I don't always have spinach on hand and the pizza is fine without the spinach)
Garlic
Trader Joe's Crumbled Feta with Mediterranean Herbs
Trader Joe's Julienne Sliced Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil
Coarse Salt

1.Use the Tortilla as the pizza dough and place on a pan or baking stone.
2.Spread garlic (roasted or crushed) lightly on the tortilla. (I used to add olive oil at this step, but there is olive oil in the tomatoes and it was becoming an oil slick pizza so now I leave it out.)
3. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
4. Add chopped chicken, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and feta cheese.
5. Place under broiler until edges are golden brown.

Voila!
-Tomorrow, a recipe using some of the same ingredients.


Also a fun tip: We use Trader Joe's Marinated Chipotle Chicken skewers for chicken tacos. With the leftover chicken I make Pizza Kylene.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Yes, it is true. Candy Cane Joe-Joe's are in Trader Joe's stores now. Get them while you can!