My Favorite Store

Did I mention I love my new neighborhood ?

That I feel alive more so than the last 5 years? I love the neighborhood life, the cafés, the bistros and the little one of a kind shops...

Speaking of which, I am head over heels about  this adorable shop that is just one block away from my house.

 I present to you the Lambert Gratton General Store.

Located on the corner of De Bullion street and Duluth, it opened in June 2015.

 Every item in this delightful space is curated with love and care.

Here you can find amazing local products, handmade soaps,

mustards, sauces, soft drinks, cards...

all made in Quebec!

 And a beautiful selection of vintage items,

all reasonably priced.

 Check out all the glassware!

I am sure you could find a missing piece for your set.

 The artisan spruce beer and root beer are my personal faves!

 They also have a delightful selection of Pyrex.

Aren't these beautiful displays?

 A nice selection of tools for the gardener.

 And even some fab vintage lawn chairs....

My latest find? those adorable kitschy S&P shakers..

Just because....

So folks if you are planning a Montreal visit, be sure to visit 

Magasin General Lambert Gratton and like them on Facebook

@www.lambertgratton.ca

See you there!

The Pantry

We are still settling in and things are going relatively smooth....

We still have boxes to try to fit in the kitchen. I'm still looking for ingredients, like Worcestershire sauce and oyster sauce....but I have most of my dry spices.

I was in my old kitchen for 20 years and preparing food was like a well oiled machine. I am so inefficient in my new kitchen it is ridiculous. I know I will make it work but these things take time.

And as any old house the cabinets are so high I need a step ladder ALL THE TIME!!!

On the frugal front: we decided to make a new budget and to take a really close look at grocery shopping.

I always shop for food and staples on sale but I am out of a lot of essentials and finding them can be a challenge since I was used to supermarket shopping ( I had 3 chains near my house) to one supermarket I don't like as much and several specialty independent grocers or small chains.

But I am proud to say that I started filling the freezer with bargain meat and seasonal veggies! I love having some sliced frozen leeks on hand to add to soups...yummy!

We also need to deal with assorted food issues...Dad doesn't eat wheat or cow and goat milk products but can eat sheep milk....Dan doesn't want to eat wheat or corn or regular chicken and an assortment of legumes. I really don't like the Eat right for your type book....It is an eating plan for your specific blood type...It might be valid, but practically I think this SUCKS!

If you follow this, and in most households you can find different blood types,,,well that is different meals for each blood types....

For my part, I have digestive issues if I eat too much wheat or too much bread (could be gluten free, it doesn't matter)....and I get weird if i eat too much sodium bicarbonate (i.e biscuits and such) I get all bloated

So just to be safe it is protein and veggies, low carbs....

Sleep tight!

Grocery store sighting

This is why I love ethnic grocery stores! Some products are so unique or off the wall!

 

I give you Balli Cerez!

It is a mix of honey and nuts.

The label really cracked me up.

 

 

The label reads for every one who wantsto be young with a strong mind and nerves; for

every old man who dreams to have his youth back.

 

But how to we fix the guy with the jar on his head?

 

By the way I looked it up on the internet and it is supposed to be amazingly good!

 

Who knows? I just might follow Dave's advice RIGHT HERE and go get a jar!

 

I love honey and I love nuts!