I learned something new the other day. I learned that I cannot live without this stuff:

I kid you not, dear readers. It is crack in a jar.

Last week, after many months of anticipation, a Trader Joe’s opened up a mere three blocks from my house. SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Yes, you read right - three blocks. That’s practically in my own backyard! I can walk or bike there if I want. But, I’ll probably need to take the SUV when I go, if you know what I mean.

Yup. I’ll definitely need the SUV.

Since I wanted to maximize my first Trader Joe’s shopping experience, I did some advance planning via Facebook. I asked my friends in the “Trader Joe’s know” to divulge what their absolute must have products were. Over and over again I got the same response: “Speculoos Cookie Butter”. At the time, I had no idea what Speculoos Cookie Butter was. But, it didn’t matter. If that many people recommended it, I was buying it.

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Hello and welcome to SGCC! I’m Susan, a professional writer, food columnist, recipe developer, wife, mother, daughter and sister, who used to be a lawyer in a previous life. My love of food comes from a long line of wonderful and creative Italian home cooks who didn’t always have a lot, but knew how to make a lot out of what they had. I hope that you enjoy yourself while you’re here, and visit often! read more >>

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