Shopping for Thanksgiving (a commercial break)

So, Thursday, as I was running out the door to go meet up with my BeFri, Brandy in San Francisco (will tell you all about that goodness in the next post), I opened up an envelope from the good people at Safeway. Inside was a $25 gift card for me to take to the nearest Safeway (which I discovered was a Vons for me) and do some Thanksgiving grocery shopping- then chat with ya'll about my experience.  I was up to the challenge and vowed to get to Vons as soon as I got back from Northern California.

I got home on Saturday night, and then worked Sunday morning, so I didn't really get to even think until Monday. It was about that time I realized it was time to face the reality that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! After being sick for so long, and then out for vacation, I had only three things on my mind for grocery shopping criteria: quick, easy, and cheap.  Because I haven't been to Vons in a long time (we moved closer to another store) I was interested to see how their prices measure up to the store that I hate (the closest store) and the store that I love (totally worth the drive), so I first checked out their website to see what's the latest.

I was seriously impressed with all the new stuff they have up!  First of all- there is a recipe for a two hour turkey!!! What is up with THAT? How did I not know you could do that? Very exciting!  I also found that there are TONS of recipes and ideas for meals. Impressive. I jotted down a list, grabbed my grocery minions children, and headed this afternoon to see how I could spend my card and feed my family.

Because this was my grocery store when my son was a baby, it brought back memories of one of my favorite grocery tricks: If I started on the opposite side of the store than the bakery, I could promise my boy that if he sat in the cart the WHOLE time, he could get a cookie at the end. Every week, the kind ladies at the grocery store would give him a little cookie and tell him what a good, big boy he was. I wanted to kiss them for helping me though those trying toddler shopping years. The women were saints.

ANYway, we've come a long way since those days, and now my children are actually helpful. I make let them get the grocery cart:

Then, I gave the kids assignments to help get us in and out of the store quickly. I gave them a challenge to figure out the best price of each item from the list. We kicked it into high gear. The store was not very crowded so we really were able to shop quickly:

The produce department was just so beautiful... we had a great time picking beans for our big feast. And the potatoes were such a good deal, they were almost out!

I was not planning to purchase a turkey on this trip because I already have one in my fridge, defrosting, and then 2 in my garage freezer (my kids love turkey, okay?) so though this looked like a GREAT deal (above), I passed it right by.

One of us was not feeling up to being photographed on this adventure...

but he's actually quite helpful these days!

I'll be making a pumpkin pie, but couldn't resist these. They looked so pretty! 

...pretty delicious!

Here's my crew of cart unloaders. (woot!)

I was pleasantly surprised at my bottom line- I got a whole thanksgiving feast and a few extra items for waaaay under budget! We were in and out in about 45 minutes. Not bad at all, especially since I wasn't familiar with the store layout.

Here's the best part! Because I spent a particular amount of money, the cashier offered to me that I could purchase a whole turkey for ... FIVE DOLLARS!!! That was the cherry on top that made this entire trip just beyond enjoyable! I think I just may have found a new love in an older store. Also, I totally forgot that they are willing to take your groceries out to your car for you. It's been years since I've been in a store that actually offers decent customer service and I was pleasantly surprised. So glad to report that this trip was quick, easy, and cheap. (no jokes about that being anyone's nickname in college, okay? that would be inappropriate)

I'll keep you posted on how the Two Hour Turkey and other recipes turn out!!!

I'll be back soon with our regularly scheduled programming....

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you- may blessings abound to you and yours,