Well today marks the beginning of the holiday entertaining season ... Happy Thanksgiving btw ... but it's also the time of year when I enjoy my favorite grocery store the most! I've been shopping at Kowalski's since they took over the grocery space in White Bear Lake. Since back in the old days when we all used to hang out at Reed's Fabrics at the other end of the strip. A long long time! My kids really don't know any other grocery store. Well ... except for Teddy ... he works at Cub in White Bear Township (also owned by Kowalski's) but even though it's closer, it just isn't 'my' store!
When it comes to decking the halls, I always find some kind of inspiration just as I walk to the door. Right now there are spruce tops and these beautiful urns filled with greens and berries. Frankly, it's a struggle sometimes to keep focused because their gift area is the first thing you see. Even my friend Heidi from Iowa felt the pressure when she visited this Summer ... in fact, she's gone to Kowalski's several times since that first visit! I just have to keep chanting ... milk juice milk juice ... until I get a few steps into the produce department.
Look at these pomegranates ... they're the size of a man's fist ... and they're sooo beautiful ... and the price is good! I'm never sure what to do with them but this year there's a pamphlet with the fruit that tells you how to prepare them ... it's all about education! So maybe this year I'll buy one to eat and three to dry ... they'll look perfect in a bowl of greenery on my table.
And I know the Ugli fruit is only for decoration but don't they have a great name? They dry up to be bumpy and are a terrific bowl filler.
I can't even get past the the veggies ... these bowls are darling! BTW ... in the produce department it's not unusual to see the farmer stocking the bins ... I love that they buy local from companies that I know. And ... that the guys in the department will go in the back and search for things for me ... like pears that are just at the perfect stage for eating ... not too soft not too hard. Yum!!
Kowalski's has a ton of private label products but look what I spied back near the milk and cheese. These will be perfect for tucking into some gifts or maybe for the boys' Christmas socks. I haven't seen these pretty labels on their holiday stuff before ... its a sweet touch.
Oh oh ... more Christmas ornaments!! Good grief ... I haven't even gotten to the milk and juice yet. But ... before I move on ... you know those cherry pincushions of mine on the cover of Quilts and More? I searched everywhere for the perfect ramekin for the muffin top pincushion ... turns out the right size was waiting for me in Kowalski's housewares department ... you can get yours there when you're ready to do the project!
I love how they bring the world to me in their imported cheese department. Dexa is sooo enthusiastic and has given me terrific ideas for food gifts. You want to be in the store on the days she works because she'll help you by offering samples or combinations of cheeses for a party platter that will impress everyone! There are things that I never would have tried without her encouragement.
I want to buy every jar of honey in this display just for the pretty covers!
My mom baked bread but never like this. And who knew that focaccia bread would become a staple in our home? The boys eat it as a snack ... it rarely makes it to being part of a meal!
It's fun to see the bakery tables overflowing with all kinds of goodies ... especially right now because they look fabulous! Bob likes to sneak in a couple packs of cookies when I'm not looking ... the date cornflake ones taste like they used Grandma Waldoch's recipe. They do small packaging too ... who needs a whole pie when most people only want a small slice? The half pies are the perfect size.
Right next to the bakery is the deli ... I get their soup almost everyday for lunch. I've been missing it these last few weeks because we haven't moved the microwave to our new location ... but next week I'll be back on track. It's nice having something warm now that the temps are actually turning cold. I've been tempted to run over for lunch seeing I'm back in White Bear Lake ... it's nice to sit at a table and look out at the lake ... especially if the fireplace is going!
Here's my main reason for going to the store almost every day. They have a Starbucks! Laura and Diane are there most days and they know exactly how to fix my Perfect Oatmeal and we laugh about how they always stir a little bit of love into it. They don't do that at the other coffee bars. Oh ... and then last night I noticed all the holiday coffee mugs they had at Starbucks and decided to pick two so Bob and I could kick off the season this morning. Yike ... I was torn between two and with the help of the barista on duty, I chose the red oval embossed ones ... but I might go back for the glass etched ones with the Christmas verse on them. Decisions decisions.
And it's encouraging to shop at a store where the owners shop, too! Here are Mary Anne and Chris shopping for their own Thanksgiving feast. When the boys were growing up, it was normal to see Jim in the store shopping for dinner. The boys knew who he was and I'll tell ya ... it was like having Santa Claus in my pocket. If they would start to act up, I'd look at them with that stern mother face and ask "do you really think Mr. Kowalski wants you to behave like this in his store" ... it worked most of the time. That and the threat of not getting a cookie in the bakery. Combination of both, I think.
Another reason I shop here is because of their commitment ... first off to their products. They stand behind anything they sell. They have great customer service and I'll tell you ... after eight weeks in physical therapy it's nice not to have to load my stuff in the car! But in addition, they're good neighbors. I can't tell you how many committees I've been on in White Bear Lake where someone will say "let's ask Kowalski's" and they always come through ... even now when times are tough for everyone. Ya ya ya ... I know this sounds like a commercial for them. Can't help it! I love that this store is in my neighborhood and I hope they'll still be there when the boys push me off into the nursing home. Of course, when they do that, the bus will come by on Wednesdays to take me shopping ... at Kowalski's! You really need to add them to your list next time you visit White Bear Lake.
