Not from around here

Still no gnocci. But, I had fabulous Chinese food for dinner tonight. My husband is in Florida visiting his mom so I’ve been on my own, and this lonliness has shown me what a groove I’ve come to find here in Monroe: I get my oil changed at the same place each time, haircut by my favorite stylist ever, dog food at Petsmart, Chinese food at China Club in Carleton. It’s definitely easy to get comfortable around here.

I had a horrid nightmare last night that someone had broken into our home, though, and it’s gotten me thinking what I would do. I doubt it would ever happen, mostly because we have two dogs people find to be ferocious looking (far from the truth) and amazingly observant neighbors – the day we left for our honeymoon a company came to our house to pick up some chairs we had rented for our bbq and two of our neighbors came out, demanding to know why he was there in the middle of the day. But regardless, in my dream I couldn’t figure out how to protect myself, house, and pets. I don’t want a gun nor do I think I need a gun; I used to own pepper spray but got it taken away at the airport when I forgot to take it off the keychain (the guy said it was great on steak, by the way). I’m not sure how helpful that would be, anyway. I was kind of thinking a taser, but I’m not sure those are legal for civilians.

Any thoughts?

I bought the LAST box from Meijer. What is going on here?! Gnocci strike or what?

I’m in love with gnocci. It started shortly after we moved here; a work friend and I went out to dinner at a lovely little Italian place in Romulus called Leonardo’s and she ordered it. I wasn’t brave enough to try a plate on my own but when I tried one of hers I was instantly in heaven. I didn’t order my own place until our first experience at Detroit Beach Pizzeria and totally adored it there with the alfredo sauce. Not wanting to go out every night, though, I’ve been buying the packages from Meijer (whole wheat and regular kinds, I particularly like the whole wheat) and the little Kroger on Dixie (just the regular kind there). It never fails that the cashier asks me about what they are or tells me a lovely story about how she and her family used to make homemade gnocci each Christmas.

 So last Monday I went to the little Kroger and bought some on-sale gnocci. I was thrilled. I went back yesterday, however, and now there is none. As in, the spot in the aisle where they used to sell that brand is now overrun with a new brand.

I’m in shock and heartache, as well as despair. Do I really now need to drive at least 10 minutes just to cook my own gnocci? Is it possible that now it’s almost cheaper to buy Detroit Beach gnocci? Seriously?

I obviously love my weekly treat of gnocci. I would start a full-out personal boycott of the little Kroger (coupled with a few other reasons) but I don’t know that I can give up the convenience – a 3 minute drive sure beats a 10 minute one when you’re just running out to get a few things. But c’mon, how can they quite selling gnocci?!