Cabernet, Cupcakes and Cusswords

Last month, I posted arrival dates for seasonal, mostly pumpkin related, products at Trader Joe's, in order to help all of you Trader Joe's fans reading this blog find your favorites. But wait! There's more exclusively Fall finds to come. Here's a list to guide you when to shop for the very special items that are only available for a limited time. If you miss the window of opportunity, you will have to wait until next October to grab these goodies.  I recommend you call your local Trader Joe's to ask if the items are in stock, before you make the trip, to avoid disappointment if they aren't on shelves when you arrive. Occasionally, for reasons beyond our control at the store level, the arrival dates may change. Without further ado, I present the list. The week of October 3rd: *Pillar Candles *Apple and Pumpkin Hand Pies *Pumpkin Cobbler *Maple Streusel Bread *Sage Derby Cheese *Cranberry Chevre *White Stilton Cheese with Cranberries *Brussels Sprouts Saute Kit *

When I transferred from the  Houston Trader Joe's location at the intersection of W. Alabama and S. Shepherd streets to the Woodlands TJ's location, I didn't realize the fact that Chiller Bee Frozen Yogurt being right next door to my new employer's spot would be such a big deal, but I soon learned how lucky I am that it is! So far, there are six Chiller Bee locations in Texas. The Woodlands, two in Conroe, Montgomery, Spring and Frisco. I have only visited the Woodlands location so far, 5 times to be truthful, and I will mention a few of my tasty creations and/or suggestions at the end of this review.  First of all, let me tell you about some cute promotions the  Woodlands spot offers. My advice is ask for a punch card on your first visit. Each visit, you can get the card punched, and on your 12th visit, your yogurt is free up to a $3.00 value. Tuesday is double punch Tuesday, so you can reach your freebie faster. Monday is Mustache Monday, so all yogurts are 10% off if

Hello and welcome to part two of the Fall Product List at Trader Joe's! I left off in Part One listing things available after September 7th, and that is where I will pick up and continue telling you all the autumn goodies and when they should be arriving at your local Trader Joe's store. Feel free to call your store to confirm your products is in stock.  Let's resume our list of arrivals this week: Assorted Gourds Fall Fantasy Mixed Pumpkins Mixed Autumn Color Pumpkins Orange Pumpkins Mini Little Tiger Stripe Pumpkins Mini Orange Pumpkins Mini White Pumpkins Pumpkin Pie Pumpkins Acorn Squash Butternut Squash  Delicata Squash (my favorite) Murasaki Sweet Potatoes (3 pound bag Large Cinnamon Brooms Mini Cinnamon Brooms Ghost Vine Red Blend Wine Howling Gourds Pumpkin Ale Gourd Tree Pumpkin Cider Campanology Coffee Peanut Butter Cup Porter Arriving the week of September 12th:  Gluten Free Pumpkin Bagels Pumpkin Bagels Spiced Pumpkin Madeleine Cookies Pumpkin Brioche Twist Bre

Access to Fall products is one my most favorite things about working at Trader Joe's. It's a nice perk of the job, because the Fall lineup is only available for a limited time, and in limited quantities. I am obnoxiously pumpkin obsessed. I have been even before I worked for Trader Joe's. It's not a bad idea to call your local Trader Joe's before you make the trip, to make sure what you're looking for is in stock. That's not a bad idea to do all year long, especially if your closest TJ's actually is not that close to you.  Here's an insider's guide so you can know which week of September to rush in to be sure you get to buy your seasonal faves. It isn't just for pumpkin fanatics like myself, there are other scents, flavors and decor to celebrate Fall.  Already in stores NOW: Fall Greeting Cards Apple Cider Donuts Organic Pumpkin Spice Granola Bark Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal This Pumpkin Walks into a Bar (cereal bars) Pumpkin Maple Bacon St

I am a newlywed, who has been married for almost five months of bliss. I'm still mentally in bride mode, with all the intentions of sex and romance, but wife and work mode can't seem to get it together to execute the goal plan.  My precious husband and I are each close to 60 years old, we both work full time, and it seems to be a challenge to do fun things because our Mondays off together, lately, have been filled with errands, chores, naps, appointments and the reality of a busy life!  It's exhausting at times to be a responsible adult. I wanted to do something memorable and special to remind Mike that I fall in love with him a little more each day. I will share my ideas, and you can adapt them to suit whomever you want to spoil in your life.  I called my plan 21 FUN SALUTE because my precious hubs is an army veteran & because I like puns. We had 21 days in our house while my angelic bonus son, Jackson, was visiting his perfect sister and amazing brother-in-law in Virg

Sunday Funday has turned into Sunday Crumday for this girl! Each week, Crumbl (the cookie corporation has dropped the E at the end) rolls out a new menu of six flavors for the upcoming week. I firmly believe that Sunday is the last day of the week, although some people will debate It's the first day of the week. Those are probably people who put the toilet paper roll on with the paper deploying from under the roll instead of the only proper method with the paper rolling out over the roll. That, my friends,  is not debatable.  Back to Crumbl, man oh man, are these cookies my newest guilty pleasure. I discovered them 3 weeks ago, and have purchased 4 to 6 cookies each week, since my first visit. I am unapologetically a Crumbl groupie. I admit it. No shame in my game. By the way, they also sell ice cream pints, but I am not the least bit interested because I am way too busy eating Crumbl cookies. You can pick up your  order c