A regular joe

Way back when I was regularly trying out recipes from Deceptively Delicious (which isn't to say that I don't still use the cookbook, just not as diligently as I did when I was reviewing it), I noticed a recipe for a chicken noodle soup that used alphabet pasta.

"Well," I thought, "if those aren't the cutest little pasta noodles ever."

I wanted to make it. Right then.

So, I went to the grocery store to find alphabet noodles. They didn't have them. I went to another grocery store. And another. Couldn't find them. I gave up. Turns out, I'm not that committed when it comes to searching for food.

One day, I was talking about the cookbook with a group of friends, and I casually mentioned my futile alphabet noodle search.

"Trader Joe's," someone said. They all nodded.

"Alphabet noodles are at Trader Joe's? I guess I wouldn't know since I haven't ever been there." And then all my friends wrinkled up their noses at me and walked away. No, not really. But I did hear someone gasp, shake her head, and say a little breathlessly, "Trader Joe's is amazing."

I've eaten food from Trader Joe's. I've driven past one more than a thousand times on my drive up to Washington. There it is, right off I-5, in Lake Oswego. My most favorite memory of Trader Joe's is receiving a bag of their chocolate truffles when I was in the hospital after Jules was born. My friend Eiko was like an angel straight from heaven for bringing me chocolate within two hours of giving birth.

However, I've never been in a TJ's store. There isn't one in town, and why on earth would I go grocery shopping in Lake Oswego? Plus, I surmised, it's probably really expensive.

Then a couple weeks ago, I heard that TJ's isn't that expensive. What's this? Not expensive? And they have a great selection of organic food? Well, this I would need to explore on my own.

Still, I wasn't going to drive 45 minutes just to go grocery shopping. So I waited for the perfect timing, and that happened on Saturday. Sydney had stayed overnight with Jason's parents on Friday, and so I suggested that we all meet at Trader Joe's to do the switcheroo. This would be my chance to finally get my alphabet noodle soup.

I have to say, I wasn't disappointed in my first TJ's experience. I got the noodles (under $1.50! cool!), plus a few bags of salad, some scones, a tub of Cat Cookies for Real People, and lavender dryer bags. All organic. Total: under $20. How about that. The scones were delicious, and the alphabet pasta noodles a big hit that night for dinner (although I mistakenly misread the recipe and instead of putting in 1/2 cup of noodles I put in 2 1/2 cups of noodles...now we have two big bowls of cooked noodles in our fridge).

I hear that there are some rumblings to petition Trader Joe's to put a store in town (it worked for Corvallis), but I'm sure that by the time that happens we won't be living here anymore. Good news though: there's a TJ's in Vancouver, and downtown Portland, and, of course, the one in Lake Oswego, which will always have a place in my heart for being the first one that I visited. I'm sure I won't really be visiting the store that often, but now I know where to go for alphabet pasta noodles. And as another famous Joe once said, Knowing is half the battle.

*****

(c) 2008 Creature Bug. All rights reserved.

Comments

[Rachel]

I love Trader Joes.
I have to tell you Fred Meyer carries, in their Health Food Section, Eden Organic Vegetable Alphabets. They are multicolored and taste so yummy...and of course, they are healthy!!!

[Meghan]

Isn't Trader Joe's the best? I've only been there once, but really loved it! I'm glad you had such a positive experience on your first visit!!

It was great to meet you at Rachel's stamp party last weekend..I hope you enjoy stamping! It's kind of addicting, well, at least buying the stuff is!

[Jen]

Unfortunately, there is no Trader Joe's in Corvallis (I would shop there if there was). But there is one in Eugene. Maybe they're putting one in Corvallis--I would love it if they did. I've only been there once but I found some good stuff.

[Alida]

Yes, TJ's is dearly missed by me. In California I had a TJ's and a Whole Foods 5 minutes from my home.

We have visited the one in Lake Oswego, althoug a bit far, it's the only way to stock up on those cat cookies...yum!

[Leslie]

I LOVE Trader Joes, and I am a little bitter that we don't have one here. If there is a petition, by golly, I'll sign it!

Glad your experience there was a positive one. And, great news that the alphabet soup was a hit.

[Karen]

So I have never been. But have heard people admit they drive up at least once a month to shop. My family goes and I have even many wonderful things from there. Maybe we will have to stop someday...

[Goslyn]

Oh, a Trader Joe's. I used to live two blocks from one, and did a great deal of shopping there. But they haven't any TJ's in PA at all. So, now I go visit TJ's when we visit our friends in VA, who still live about two blocks from one.

[Lynette]

I'm shocked that you had never been in a Trader Joe's before! My cousin is married to a guy who was one of their higher ups! I believe he has changed jobs in the last year, but still . . .

[Margaret]

Our local Fred Meyer has a fantastic selection of organic, vegetarian and vegan foods. However, I do love TJ, Whole Foods and my Seattle daughter's grocery store/co-op Madison Market on Capitol Hill. Amazing.

[Jeri]

TJ's never disappoints even if it is just for scones! I am partial to the cranberry orange. I have always had a TJ's close to where I live and I am there once a week. Plus, how can you not love the free coffee, juice and snack of the day tasting corner!

[Devon Van Essen]

re: grammar comment

Fair enough. After I posted that, I thought to myself that I'd better be EXTREMELY careful about my grammar and typos for the next few weeks. (And then, of course, a few minutes later, my friend Christin caught my spelling "error" as "errror." Oops.)

[gretchen from lifenut]

There are no Trader Joe's in Colorado. No IKEAs, either. People on the coasts don't know how lucky they are.

Macy's just came here last year, so I'll be looking for a Trader Joe's to open sometime in 2037.

[Tyler Lewis]

You can't talk about Trader Joe's with slipping in a little something about the wine!

[Tyler Lewis]

or without

[violetismycolor]

I don't get to TJ's as often as I'd like. I have to say that I spend a lot more time at Costco. But I do love Trader Joe's...great for picking up food to go to a potluck.

[gretchen from lifenut]

I'm back for more. I looked at the Trader Joe's location map and was stunned to see one in ALBUQUERQUE. Of all the places on God's Green Earth, I never imagined TJ's would be there. I mean, really. Albuquerque? It's where Bugs Bunny always makes the wrong turn.

My in-laws live there. I'm thinking Spring Break road trip.

[Jess]

Ooh, our apt complex is right next to a TJ's! It's quite dangerous. Their raspberry tarts are incredible and they always have gorgeous flowers. I hinted to Steve not-so-subtly that I'd love some of their dark chocolate bars for V-Day. :)