day 87: geneva il
I’m currently in Illinois visiting my sister and brother-in-law. As Vicki and Sean were working today, Matt and I went into St. Charles and then into Geneva just to browse the shops.
We found this cool bookstore in St. Charles
We found these kids t-shirts when window shopping and I had to take a picture:
And we shopped in more than one grocery store — because that’s just how we roll
I’m amazed that you can buy booze in the grocery store. What a novelty!
Vernor’s Ginger Ale in glass bottles?? Yes please!
I decided to make poached chicken for dinner from a recipe in Vicki’s Julia Child cookbook. The recipe called for leeks. I found them in the produce section of the Jewel-Osco after some careful searching and saw they were 2.99 for a bunch of 3. That’s about what they cost in Windsor, so I didn’t think too much of it. … until I got to the cash register:
Yes, those leeks were actually 2.99/lb and came out to $6.28!!! That’s half of what it cost for the whole chicken that I bought! I told the cashier where to put them (and it didn’t involve my shopping bag). No wonder no one in that place was buying produce. At those prices? I can buy a bottle wine and call it a day. Liquid dinner.
I brought Sean and Vicki a loaf of Multigrain Struan that I made on Wednesday night. I think this might be my most successful bread yet (or maybe I’m just getting better at baking since I seem to say this about every loaf I make). The “multigrains” were cooked millet, quinoa, and wheat kernels. Hello deliciousness.
We’re off to the city tomorrow night for a cooking class! Hopefully I’ll get a chance to blog all about it on Sunday.
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What the heck?? Were those leeks really so expensive?? I’ve never seen anything like it! Was all the produce in the store similarly expensive? I wouldn’t expect it, except at a place like Whole Foods, and even there …
Enjoy your cooking class!
I want to move into that bookshop. Love the chandelier!
1. Buying alcohol at the grocery store is definitely something I miss about the good ol’ USA. Especially at Costco! And the incentive programs.
2. St. Andre is very delicious — somebody has good taste. It’s Josh’s favourite cheese.
3. Yup. In FL, meat costs more than produce, even though produce is easily grown year-round. I think it’s because produce is not subsidized by the American government the way imported produce is in Canada. The only place I could find cheap produce was at a produce stand.
4. Those t-shirts are too cute! The bookstore looks dreamy! But I hate Vernors. Am I the only one?
That is a crazy price for leeks! Ouch. But the bread looks amazing. Hope you’re enjoying your trip.
WHAAAT? those sure are expensive leeks!
that bookstore looks lovely, I want that kind of library in my next home
Mmmmm. Vernors. Can’t get it here.
When I’m next in Windsor I want a baking lesson! My bread never looks that good, but then I’ve only been making bread since January! Practice, practice!
I’m from Chicago and just got back from a weekend there! What cooking classes? At the Chopping Block by chance? If so, I’m jealous!
I hate expensive stores like that!! Thats why I like farmer’s markets — plus you know that your money is going to a good place
what a fun day! funny that you can’t usually buy alcohol in a grocery store
the poached chicken sounds delish!
Can’t wait to hear about the cooking class!
I just discovered the joys of leeks with an herbed chicken and leek tart the other day! It was amazing. I only paid 65 cents for one at the most expensive grocery store in town! I’m definitely on the leek train now!