I never did a formal trip recap (oops) but I’m still thinking about the day we spent walking around Evanston (just north of Chicago, where the Northwestern campus is located). In addition to a coffeeshop where I got one of my delicious Earl Grey teas, we went to a gourmet spice shop called Penzeys. This was SO FUN- they had sample jars of spices that you could smell, and it was like walking around Bath and Body Works smelling all the candles, but better.
In November Penzeys spoke out against the Republican party- “Going forward we would still be glad to have you as customers, but we’re done pretending the Republican Party’s embrace of cruelty, racism, Covid lies, climate change denial, and threats to democracy are anything other than the risks they legitimately are.” Trump countered by calling their spices a “terrible, overpriced product.” For a while they proudly put that quote (and the source) in their front window. Hee hee! I was disappointed that it’s no longer there, but the whole store has a very progressive vibe.
They had five or six different kinds of cinnamon, and we had fun smelling them all and picking our favorite. We bought cinnamon, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. We could have bought so many other spices, but I had to reign it in- we bought the things we use the most. But I’ll be back!
After that, we found a bookstore!
We browsed here for a long time. I didn’t get any books, but my son got a couple things and I got a card.
We left the bookstore, walked about half a block, and discovered a USED bookstore!!! Now- if I had been alone I would have spent another hour in there. But certain members of our party (of the gender that have a limited shopping tolerance) were pushing to go eat dinner. But I’ll be back there, as well.
Just when will I be back, you ask? Well. Originally I thought my son was going back at the beginning of September (Northwestern starts late because they’re on the quarter system). But his lease starts August 15th, and he would like to go back then so he has a month to get settled before school starts.
I had been assuming I would go with him, but he told me, in the most gentle way possible, that he doesn’t actually need me to go. What? I… oh. Yes, he doesn’t need me to fly on the plane with him, or drive the hour from my sister’s place to his house. He also doesn’t need me to help unload a carful of stuff, and if there’s anything he doesn’t have, he can drive himself to the store to get it.
It took me a while to adjust to this realization, but honestly, mid-August is not a great time for me to go anyway. Between having pinkeye (Covid?), taking a vacation and THEN having jury duty, I would rather not take more time off work so soon. I HAVE A BETTER IDEA!
Now I’m planning a trip up in October. Dates are TBD- maybe it could coincide with an NU concert. I’ll (maybe? hopefully?) get some nice fall weather (ooooh!) I can see my son, AND return to the spice shop and bookstores. It will be a short trip- probably just a weekend, but I’m already excited about it.
What would you buy at a gourmet spice shop?
Top photo by Akhil Chandran on Unsplash
29 Responses
This sounds like a lovely day you had. I love that card, and I agree that smelling all the spices would be even better than candles. I would have to get smoked paprika, cinnamon and probably cumin. I would also check if they had their own curry powder, because a good curry powder is hard to beat. I had a little gigle about your realisation that your son doesn’t need you there with him now. I’ve been having to consciously step further back with my son, I mean, next February he’ll be married, then he’ll really be off my hands.
I know, Melissa- my son is 22. He doesn’t need his mother to go along with him to school every year. It makes me a little sad, but they do have to grow up!
They did have all sorts of curry powders. And smoked paprika is another thing I considered getting. Maybe next time I’ll get both of those.
It sounds like the transition to saying goodbye can be tough. I’m still in the phase where my kids always come home (both of them, today, from sleepaway camp in fact), but I also increasingly realize the next 4 years of high school for our oldest will be over in a flash and then…wow. I’ll cherish time with them in a whole new way since it will likely be far less common.
I just love how wonderful a relationship you have with Paul, and the idea of a fall getaway is perfect. Awesome weather, something to look forward to, and presumably none of the pressure of moving things into a place, etc. Win, win Jenny!!!
I’d probably get cinnamon and smoked paprika as well!
Yes- every year I realized Paul needed me less and less at the college dropoff. That’s sad, but on the plus side it’s less gut-wrenching for me to say goodbye each time. Not that it’s easy! goodbyes are always hard for me.
I haven’t done a fall getaway in… forever? I’m excited about it!
A USED book store! How cool is that! I’ve just ordered 15 books from Germany from a used bookstore, but I would love to walk into one! So much more interesting! Now, when you get back in October, you know exactly where to go first (or second, after Penzeys).
Six different types of cinnamons? Which cinnamon did you buy?
I was boring and just bought the “Penzeys cinnamon” because I honestly liked it the best. But they had all sorts of other ones like Vietnamese cinnamon for example- I’ll have to branch out and try a different one next time.
I’ll definitely hit up the used bookstore first!
I love that you get a leaf peep trip! You get the time with Paul between now and when school starts, you get to skip out on moving duty, and you get to come back to see him in a place with your favorite season. I really like this plan. It would be fun to do “seasons” visits. And you can get a lot done in a weekend trip.
There is a Penzey’s near Trader Joe’s. I’ve never really shopped there, but my mom loves them. I definitely approve of the message.
You should go in to Penzeys! It’s just fun to walk around and look- and you like to cook, so I’ll bet you can find something you want.
I picked October because I want a fall visit- but I don’t think I’m up for a winter visit! Maybe spring. I don’t have enough warm clothes for a Chicago winter.
Oh my god, your president. He’s like the weird kid in class who is always making fun of everyone but when anyone says something about him, he tattles and gets mean. I am so sick of everything about him. And I don’t even live in your country! But then, imagine being us in Canada, and hearing “we are going to DESTROY you economically unless you become part of our country” and then, when Canadians stop travelling to the US and buying US things, we hear “Canadians are the nastiest people in the world.” SERIOUSLY GO FUCK YOURSELF.
Whoa. I need to get back on track here. So. Spices! That’s fun. I usually buy my spices at Costco and Superstore, so I kind of take what I can get (I like the Saigon cinnamon from Costco). I don’t think the Scottish and me could spring for gourmet spices.
Also fun will be a fall trip. I know how much you love fall and that sounds perfect!
I know, Nicole- he’s a big baby. Or, kind of like a nasty middle school boy. I love how Penzeys put his quote in their front window- it made him look even more stupid.
I’m also a little too cheap (or, frugal) to buy a lot of gourmet spices. That’s why I didn’t get much. To be honest, I’m not sure I’m noticing THAT much of a difference! Maybe my palate just isn’t that refined.
I love Penzey’s! We have a location in Minneapolis that I have been to and walking in the store is such a wonderful sensory experience!! I would probably buy cumin or a curry powder! I would also buy some white pepper! Sometimes soup recipes will call for it but I just use black pepper which is fine but I suppose it looks better when you use white pepper!
That makes sense to wait and visit Paul in October rather than go with to help him move in. That would probably be tricky with school starting back up in FL, too. You’ll get to experience all the fall vibes! And now you know what bookstores to return to! I’ve never been to Evanston but it sounds like a really charming area!
Lisa, you would like Evanston. That’s cool you have a Penzeys near you! I might buy some curry powder next time- they had a lot to choose from. I’m just not sure I have a discerning enough nose to tell which one to get. I guess I’ll have to smell them all and decide.
You’re right- going up in mid August would not be a good time because that’s right when school starts here. Going in October will really be a win-win.
Oh I am so sick of your President. All Canadians are really. Every time I heard him speak on the TV, I yell…’Shut the F*** up!”. Same goes for that repulsive press secretary. Some of my favourite spices are cinnamon, cardamom (LOVE breaking open a pod and putting it in my coffee, it’s a Middle Eastern thing), nutmeg, and of course, the queen of spices – saffron!
Ha, I like how the Canadians are all commenting how much they hate Trump- imagine how we feel!
YES, I love cardamom and nutmeg. I have to admit that while I know what saffron is, I can’t offhand imagine the smell or taste. I’ll have to smell some next time I’m at Penzeys.
Penzey’s is where I buy all my spices!
Oh wow!!! You are lucky, and I’ll bet your food tastes amazing.
Penzey’s is a great store! I went to one with my mom once and there’s also one in the city I live in. But I appreciate their politics and they have some unique spices.
Your plan to see your son in October seems like it’ll work much better for your schedule and you’ll get to enjoy some fall vibes while you’re there!
I wish we had a Penzeys here- I guess this crowd wouldn’t appreciate their politics though.
I’m excited about my October getaway! Did you have your birthday trip yet?
I just arrived to my Airbnb this afternoon! I have three nights here and got in a short jaunt on a nearby trail before sunset, and can’t wait for some longer runs the next couple of days.
A spice store and a bookstore sounds like my kind of trip. The Midwest in October is usually nice and will be a break from the Florida heat.
You’ve inspired me to look for a Penzey’s near me.
Ooh, I hope you have one! My sister has warned me that October is USUALLY nice- but no guarantees. That’s okay, I’ll have fun no matter what.
Let me tell you, Penzey’s sounds AMAZING in every aspect! And I loved what you said best: “it was like walking around Bath and Body Works smelling all the candles, but better.” 🙂
I love Penzey’s for their progressive politics and people are always giving me their cute stickers and magnets and whatnot. I buy their spices as gifts for people who would appreciate them (for the politics as well as spices)… but like you, I can’t say I can taste the difference!
I’m glad Paul let you down gently, and it’s something to be proud of, but simultaneously tough to let go, I’m sure… hugs!
Jenny when you come back to Chicago in the Fall, do you think there could be a midwest meetup?!
I love Penzey’s and need to go back to get some kosher salt! Our little envelope of salt is almost depleted!
Your trip sounds like such a nice time, and I’m glad you’ll get to return in October!
October in Chicago sounds like a great plan. When mini made plans last summer to see all her college friends on the east coast, I initially thought- Oh maybe all the moms could gather too. Um, that was not the sort of trip the girls were planning, but hopefully another time.
I might buy cinnamon but I am not one to use a ton of spices- oh, paprika, maybe? I do enjoy a good used bookstore though.
Penzeys in unapologetically anti-Trump. They constantly run sales taking jabs at him — like discount Taco seasoning. It’s worth getting on their mailing list just to see what they come up with.
I can understand how your son not needing you to help him move was tough to hear, but I’m sure he’ll enjoy your visit in October.
I’ve ordered Penzeys spices and they are amazing – all the more so because of the anti-Trumpishness.
Cute bookstore! And gorgeous card. I admire your iron will on not buying any books. I had a birthday discount code for a local bookstore and I almost didn’t buy a book because I am at an all-time high of owning books I need to read. I got over it though, lol. I’m sorry you didn’t have the best experience with Holly (the book), although it’s kind of you to let me know I was right!
I’d see if I could find SWEET paprika which is what you need to make the Spanish recipe patatas bravas! That’s so sweet about your son letting you down so kindly. I had to fend for myself after I was taken to university on my first day and left there, so I always appreciate reading about kind parents!
Ahem, you could come to Evanston AND come to Wisconsin and see Engie, me, and the Penzey’s down the block. Win-win-win! 🙂