Hooray, indeed, Cathy. Wish I was closer I'd love a day trip and a chance to see you again. It's been a while.

jude

Jude, wouldn't that be fun! You are a sweetie and I hope a revisit is in our future.

Hi Cathy, I just got back to Florida. Spend a couple of weeks in South Carolina helping our kids with the twins. Steve and I would love to take a road trip to Trader Joe's with you if you havent gone yet. I'll send you an email.

Karen

Great!!! I haven't gone yet. Twins, I'll bet that was fun. The weather changed tonight, was that your doing?

Oh I am jealous! I would love to see both of you again and I would LOVE to join you and Karen for a TJ's road trip! But I am about as far from Florida as it gets so I'll have to live vicariously through your reports!

Have fun! Buy a bunch! Laugh lots!

Linda

Can't come to florida but wondering about Trader joes.
Just heard they are putting one in my area with more to come. Read the website but wondering really what is so great about it. Are the prices really that much lower?

Many people here are annoyed where they are building the 1st one. Its it in the busiest plaza in the area. There are always traffic jams and accidents. Its going to be a nightmare.

Well Cathy, those twins are beautiful but they both have colic. It is a nightmare. No one got any sleep.

Darn, I didn't mean to bring this cool weather.

I'm excited about going with you to Trader Joe's. I have never been to one and it's about time. Steve is up to going anywhere. Hope you don't mind.

Karen

Well Cathy, those twins are beautiful but they both have colic. It is a nightmare. No one got any sleep.

Darn, I didn't mean to bring this cool weather.

I'm excited about going with you to Trader Joe's. I have never been to one and it's about time. Steve is up to going anywhere. Hope you don't mind.

Karen

Linda, I would love to see you again also. A road trip with you and Kathy would be a lot of fun.

debrak, I don't know anything about Trader Joe's either but I know most of the CF'ers enjoy it so it must be something special.

Karen

Girls, I'd love to go, but am not planning a trip southward until mid-March. Did you know the new store in Gainesville is now open at 3724 SW Archer Rd.? Next time I go to Oviedo to visit my Mom, I will definitely be making a stop in Gainesville!

Cathy - I wish that I can go. I love Trader Joes, for me is like Whole paycheck but better in prices and products. I always had one nearby but not where I am now, I hope some day...
Have fun!

Silvia

Karen, oh dear, sorry about the twins. I was so thinking you would have a fun giggly time with them. It would be a treat to have Steve. Depending on the HG's schedule, he might be available. I'm looking forward to it.

Debrak, Shopping at T.J's is akin to shopping at your local Farmer's Market or gourmet specialty store, without the steep prices. They have a cult following like other brands (Harley Davidson, Yuengling beer, etc). As I've said several times, I've been shopping at TJ's back in the late 80's and early 90's when I worked in LA one week a month. At the time I thought it was a neighborhood grocery store (it was only in California) and I would stop on my way to LAX before flying home. I always came home with a bag of groceries from TJ's.

Pat, I didn't know that Gainesville had already opened. Maybe we can meet there when you go. Keep me in mind!

Silvia, I was hoping you would see this. I always thought Orlando would get a TJ's before any other FL location.

Linda, Hey, if I can go up to MI you can come to FL. The guest room is always available for you.

I would love to go but it's not possible this time of year for me. Trader Joe's would make for a great get tother but I'd be more excited about seeing CF friends! Have fun and take a picture or two to share with us.

Here I am. In Gulfport Florida, wanting to go to TJ in Sarasota...but I am stuck without transportation... oh how I want to go.
Anyway, this is LindainTennessee....I keep moving and getting getting lost

Last call...Lakemayor, her DH, and I are going to TJ's next Wednesday. Karen has never been to a TJ's so it will be fun going with a TJ virgin.

I was hoping to hear from MaddieLee.

TJ virgin! ;-) Now that's funny! You all have fun and I wish I could be a fly on the wall enjoying you all!!

Trader Joe's is notorious for placing their stores in the worst places possible location. I wonder about their strategic planning - inadequate parking, hard to find, difficult to get to. We have one in Baltimore that is underneath a road, and good luck trying to find your way in and park.

I've been very disappointed with Trader Joe's lately. I've come out without anything - poorly stocked, surly staff. And because the stores here in Baltimore are so hard to get to, it's just not worth the trip any more.

Of course, YMMV - enjoy.

I hope YMMV means Your Market May Vary and not You Make Me Vomit. LOL

If Trader Joe's is crappy we still will enjoy our CF get together, lunch, a visit to Sur la Table, and a stroll in lovely downtown SRQ.

Hi Cathy! I was just alerted to this post (I've been boycotting this forum, in protest to the banning issue).

Sadly, I can not join you next week...wish I could! Would love to run away for a day.

Have fun and report back, please. i am also a Trader Joe's virgin.

ML (Cathy)

ML, Glad that you responded, disappointed that you can't join us. Perhaps you and I can go later, it's been too long since we have met for lunch.

"I hope YMMV means Your Market May Vary and not You Make Me Vomit." LOL

ROTFLMBO!

Trader Joe's is by far not my favorite grocery store. But I do enjoy going into any TJ's and squeezing the melons with my CF friends. Just sayin! ;-) It really does show that you are a true foodie!

"I hope YMMV means Your Market May Vary and not You Make Me Vomit." LOL

ROTFLMBO!

Trader Joe's is by far not my favorite grocery store. But I do enjoy going into any TJ's and squeezing the melons with my CF friends. Just sayin! ;-) It really does show that you are a true foodie!

Have fun Cathy!! They opened the one in Houston that is about 7 minutes from my office a few months ago and I'm now a regular shopper. It's great!!! Here are a few items I've come to know and love:

Carrot Juice - yes, it sounds awful but it's really more of a carrot and fruit juice, a combo of flavors with no added sugar. Delicious.
Cinnamon Raisin Bread (they also have it without raisins)
Olive oil (of course, great price!)
Gorgonzola Crackers
Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet Potato Tortilla Chips

I always pick up a few cheeses, they have great prices on those so I try different kinds every time.

And of course, three buck chuck.

Don't forget to bring an ice chest so you can pick up some frozen foods. Their various gnocchi flavors are really good.

Hi May, TJ's, Central Market, Pensey's...you got it all momma!

Thanks for the suggestions. I already have ice bottles freezing for my cooler and we are saving TJ's for the end of the get together.

This post was edited by mustangs on Fri, Jan 25, 13 at 17:35

Cathy,

Now you know I'm excited, because as you said, "I'm a Trader Joe Virgin". Ha! I'm also looking forward to lunch and spending a little time with my long distance friend. I'm only sorry that no one else can join us. I would love to meet more CF'ers. Are you sure there is no one else out there that we can encourage to come along?????

Karen

Cathy, I'm loving TJ's new frozen polenta with chopped carrots and spinach. Since I don't eat wheat and avoid most rice, this is manna! It's from France and the manner in which it's packaged allows me to make small servings and reserve the rest. I top it with grated parm cheese and yum!

Also DH is in love with two cheeses-Toscana,I think- one has a cinnamon rind and the other has a syrah soaked rind. Both are excellent!