Braving the stores at last- Made in USA Socks

Friday was another very cold morning, 6° when we got up.

We decided to make a grocery run since our road out front was perfectly clear. We also do not like to shop on Saturdays. The streets were all clear and the stores were definitely not crowded. DH did just part of his chores so we could get an early start, another thing we like to do.

For years we have worn Gold Toe Socks and loved them and they wore well. For several years they didn't advertise online and often the stores would be out of them. We were both needing socks....W-M's just were not lasting and I was completely dissatisfied with mine. I did another internet search for Gold Toes and found they are now listed as made in USA and 'imported'. That did it. I found a website that lists all socks made in USA and found Wigwams....added plus our local farm supply Race Brothers carried them!

Our first stop was: Race Brothers.

They did have a big selection and I bought us a bag of 7 pairs each. When we checked out, the clerk said "Oh, you will just love these socks!" Turns out she has been wearing this brand for a long time. She asked us to let her know the next time in if we like them too. I thought that was a good recommendation.

They are made in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Then on to Wal Mart for the main grocery shopping. I would rather shop our local Murfins, but we no longer get their ads and they are not online. I told the manager he was loosing a lot of business by not having ads readily available. Supposedly they are working on a website...that was over a year ago. I love the smaller store but can't afford to buy most paper and laundry products there. So when we are ready for a lot of that kind of products we hit W-M. We save $5 a box on tide alone.

We did stop by Murfins on the way home. I don't buy fresh produce from W-M's. It is usually so sorry looking in our store. Murfins produce department is just beautiful.

Here is what I noticed in the two weeks since we were shopping: Prices have gone up dramatically!

Bacon was $5.98 a pound, some on sale with Murfins points but since I have not shopped my main groceries there for some time, I hadn't accumulated enough.

Chickens, whole. ranged from $8.75 each up to almost $12 for a fryer. My poor Mom is probably rolling over in her grave at that.

Toilet paper has gone up from $6.97 to over $11 and DH swears the rolls are smaller.

As always, I think of people with a houseful of kids and having to feed them with these outrageous prices.

Supposedly everything is based on shortage of corn last year and higher cost of fuel. Trust me, ethanol was a sorry thing to happen to us. Good only for grain growers and they are making a great deal money on this one. I won't get into the economics of all this, but the above plus the world demand for grain and the value of the American dollar has caused this food price increase which couldn't have come at a worse time for American families that are living on unemployment or just not finding work at all and living on welfare, to say nothing of families living on minimum wage or low-wage jobs since so many of our better paying jobs have left the USA. This is my rant for the month.

One reason bread is so costly (learn to make it yourself!) is that many wheat farmers are now growing corn....because the price is so much better than wheat. You can't blame the farmer. When you run a business the goal is to make a profit.

Now is the best time in recent history to grow as much food as you can and to learn to cook from scratch and to eat simply. I was raised on beans and cornbread, macaroni and tomatoes and fried potatoes. It is still one of my favorite meals.

This little shopping expedition led me to two conclusions:

1. We will be growing chickens for the freezer come spring.
2. We will be converting our very large dog pen around the base of a huge old Elm
tree to a pig pen. I hope to find two feeder pigs in the spring

I will keep records on all costs and see if it will be a money saving project.
One thing I know for sure is the resulting meat will taste much better. I will have to market one pig....maybe, maybe not.

I am dragging DH into this, especially the pigs, without much enthusiasm. I plan to do the feeding so he can't complain about extra chores. He will come around...........More to follow, I hope.

Before anyone complains about how can I kill those little animals let me remind you I am a farm gal.....and it will not bother me. They won't be pets they will be food in its original state.

I finished the day by taking care of the chickens. I gave then hen scratch, no warm mash this time and fresh water. They gave me 5 eggs.


Random Flower Picture

Jacob Cline Monarda