Well you all know I didn't buy lots of trinkets!! I don't go to the crafty places, but we did drive out in the country and found things like organic whole wheat flour, raw honey, (looks beautiful!) and some other interesting items.

Bought a lot of spices at incredibly cheap prices, also corn meal, rye flour, mollasses, raw sugar and about 20 pounds of cheese. I will freeze it and it will last a long time. Found a cheese called onion cheese, which was awesome. My favorite is Yogurt vegetable!! I spent about $70 total which blows my budget for February right through the roof, but these purchases will last a good while and I will buy a lot less next month!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 18, 2002

Answers

Melissa~ So you haven't blown your Feb. budget after all, just helped out March and April! Good for you. I love to buy in bulk, if it's something I have to have. I'm in Tn, near what was once a Mennonite community, now down to 2 families left.

-- IveyNelson (iveynelson@aol.com), February 18, 2002.

Melissa, thats my favorite kind of shopping. I live in middle Tn near a community that disbanded but the people who took over the store still order in bulk when I need it. The price has gone up some but its still worth getting stuff thats so fresh. It seems like when stuff like meal and flour sit in the back of a grocery store it acquires an off taste. At least to my taste buds. There are a couple of mennonite communities close enough that I can go every couple of months to stock up. Blessings Peggy

-- peggyan2@msn.com (peggyan2@msn.com), February 18, 2002.

Melissa, I see were you say you freeze cheese, I really didn"t know that could be done. I could have bought a big block of cheese at the flea market, but passed it up, as we are only two people, so figured it would spoil. Can I just chunk it up, and wrap in foil? and how long will it be good in freezer? God Bless Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), February 18, 2002.

Yes Irene, some kinds do get a little crumbly, but it is great to cook with still. I just wrap it in foil or plastic wrap. This is best for cooking not just plain eating.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 18, 2002.

Over the holidays, we stopped at Lehman's store on the way out to Chicago for a wedding. I was in my glory, like a kid in a candy store! I could get immersed in the atmosphere in that area! Sigh.....someday!

-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), February 18, 2002.

Irene, if you grate your cheese before freezing it is easier to use in cooking. Melissa, where did you go?? I drive down to Shipshewana to E & S a couple times a year and buy all my stuff like bulk spices, bulk jello, etc. Such a nice way to shop.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), February 18, 2002.

We went to Pearl Valley, and Sugarcreek and the surrounding area. We don't go too often, so when we do I like to stock up!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 18, 2002.

There is an Amish bulk store near us that we got to all the time. We buy all our flours, sugars, spices ect. there. They sell our home made soap which I take store credit for and use that to purchase our food. Works out great. They also sell mail order. If anyone wants,I can post the address and phone number (this area can have phones for business).

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), February 20, 2002.

Joanie,I would like the address and phone number of the Amish store in your area we have nothing like that around here.Thanks,Willa.

-- willa (goodall6@hotmail.com), February 20, 2002.