UPDATED: Grocery delivery by Peapod Truck from Giant supermarket

UPDATED:

The "Clipper" magazine has a coupon for $20 off your first order + 60 days free delivery.  Free delivery begins with your 2nd order.    PROMO CODE "SNOWCLIP" at Checkout.

As of this update, the areas served by Peapod include Marcus Hook, Sharon Hill, Cheyney, Chadds Ford, Glen Mills, Gladwyne, Haverford, Crum Lynne, Newtown Square, Ardmore, Media, Merion Station, Bridgeport.  See site for more.

Giant supermarkets in southeastern Pennsylvania are rolling out PeaPod as a home delivery service for fresh groceries.  PeaPod already has footing in the Great Lakes states and is creeping across the Eastern half of the United States through partnerships with regional supermarket chains.  The city of Philadelphia has received PeaPod.  Some parts of Delaware County and southern Chester County may be are seeing it too.  Northern and western Chester County and the state of Delaware have yet to receive the service.


Would you shop at home for groceries?

When Genuardi's tried it a few years back, Gardentina jumped on board with a customer loyalty coupon for free delivery and gave it a shot.  Unfortunately, it was an epic fail on the part of Genuardi's.  The truck was hours later than  the specified timeframe; the refrigerated foods were delivered at warm temperatures; and some of the foods were delivered with expired dates on them!  To the credit of Genuardi's, the store manager worked out an arrangement to compensate for the trifecta of failure.  Still, Gardentina has been wary to use home delivery service again.  It seemed as if the "products hand picked by staff" were the products that were wilted, crushed, or most likely to expire.  Plus, the ordering process took a long time to create the checklist of items.

If Giant provides a coupon for free delivery, Gardentina will try it, to find out if this is a viable option when in a pinch.  The current promotion of $20 off is not enticing enough for me to try it.

It must be said that for those who are shut-in for any length of time, it would be superb for them to have home delivery service - not just for the elderly, but for anyone with a disability or broken automobile or whatever life threw at them.  Gardentina would surely like to see the marketplace improve on the availability and quality of home delivery.  It will never be the same as choosing in person, but wouldn't it be convenient to plan a dinner menu for friends on your lunch break, and order the ingredients for delivery at the same time?

Has anyone tried Netgrocer?

Tips For Choosing a Tea Kettle

Prologue
When Gardentina saw that her tea kettle needed replacing, she set about getting a moderately luxurious tea kettle at a kitchen retailer.  To her surprise, a plain, middle-of-the-road tea kettle from a discount store won over her heart.  Two kettles were returned, the first for poor design (could not open the pot without scraping knuckles on a rough handle), and the other, for a whistle too soft to hear.  Both kettles were in the $50 range and produced by famous names.  The winner?  A big box store standby for half the price, $25.  As Gardentina walked up the aisle, a well-heeled woman was browsing the kettle selection.  She and the other women compared notes on kettle features and selected the same kettle.  A third customer walked up as they were leaving and gazed at the same box.  Stainless steel with ample 2 quart capacity.  Perfection found!


Tips for choosing a whistling tea kettle:

Search the internet for user reviews of the product and especially seek comments on the whistle.  Do not assume that a luxury kitchen retailer is selling you a high quality product.  They are selling you an expensive product, which is not necessarily the same thing.  Tea kettles below $15 are not generally recommended because they are often made of inferior materials or have insufficient holding capacity for moderate use.  Similarly, tea kettles above $50 usually have special features, materials, or colors.  At the higher prices, consumers are often paying for a brand name.  As the tea kettle is often quite noticeable in the kitchen, the prices of tea kettles are highly subjective to personal consumer preference to determine the best price point for function and aesthetics in the home.

Michael Graves Tea Kettle by Alessi, 

Available at Sears, Retail price $175.00

Source: Alessi

First, know the difference between a tea kettle and a teapot.  Hot water is poured from a tea kettle to a tea pot for serving.

Novelty Tea Kettle by Copco,

Available at Kitchen Kapers

Source: Copco

Padma Lakshmi Handblown Glass Tea Pot,

Available at QVC

Source: QVC

Second, know that some tea kettles do not whistle.  Tea kettles without a cover on the spout do not whistle.  Some tea kettles with a spout barely whistle, if at all.  If the teapot's spout is uncovered, listen for boiling water and watch for steam.  For any kettle designed to whistle, the whistling is dependent on proper care and use of the tea kettle.

Paula Deen Tea Kettle

Available at JC Penney

Source: Paula Deen

A teapot will not whistle if there is not adequate steam pressure. To that point, ensure that the teapot lid is secured, the "bird" (whistle) is plugged,  and that the teapot is filled below maximum water capacity.  Too much water can cause overflow.  To that end, be sure to purchase the size of tea kettle that suits your needs.  A single person might need only 1 quart.  When there are two tea drinkers in the home, a 2 quart capacity is best.



Also pay attention to the materials and construction.  Tea kettles may be produced in stainless steel, copper, or coated in enamel.  Often the handle of the kettle is covered in silicone for heat resistance.  Many tea kettles have easy-pour spouts.  Some have special materials inside the kettle, for longer wear, or on the bottom of the kettle, for heat conduction.  When a tea kettle begins to emit flakes when you pour water, it is time to replace your tea kettle.  If the stopper has gone bad, some high end kettle makers sell replacement parts, but lower end brands will have bitten the dust.  Heating the kettle at the appropriate temperature will help with kettle longevity.  Consult the manufacturer's directions for temperature instructions.








Related Photos:

Giant Tea Kettle Adorns Downtown Boston And Really Steams

Source: Ericsinvention on Panoramio

Teapot Water Fountain in China

This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Hangzhou - 1600 Buddhist Temple, West Lake

Virtual Wine Tasting

Check out my Etsy "Treasury List" entitled "Wine Tasting Jaunt"

Etsy is an online community for buyers and sellers of handmade crafts and vintage items.

A "Treasury List" is an online filmstrip of things I like, designed around a theme.

Below are a few of my latest "treasures":

 Wine Gift Box ~ Can be personalized

Impressive Wine Rack

Comfy Handwarmers

Jump over to Etsy.com for the complete "Treasury List"

Titled "Wine Tasting Jaunt"

Filed under e-Curator: BrandywineLife

Shopping Review: Wendell August Home @ Main Street Exton

Earlier this fall, Wendell offered a Free coffee mug with purchase over $50.  Current deals are offered on their homepage.

What everyone owns from W.A., but doesn't admit, is their drinking coasters.  Designs range from monogram to military to scenery of plants, animals and architecture. 

Wendell August is an aluminum forger of home decorating goods and jewelry.  The Wendell August Home Store is tucked away as a standalone shop within the "Main Street Exton" Shopping complex on Route 30.  I first heard of Wendell August upon moving to the Brandywine Valley and wasn't sure what to expect inside, particularly as far as price was concerned, because the goods cannot be seen from the street.  Would I find expensive art gallery prices or everyday shopper prices?  As it turns out, the Wendell August aluminum-forged pieces are very reasonably priced as statement art pieces.  Bringing a Wendell August collectible into your home will not break the bank because there are items priced at the $15 dollar range (Christmas ornaments), $75 range (jewelry), and $150 range (serving platters).  The pieces are designed around gift-giving and family celebrations.  You will find themes like wedding, baby, retirement, and holiday celebration.  It is a good place to find a unique gift for a special anniversary or birthday.  Because of the delicate art pieces inside, shoppers with young children would be wise to leave them next door at Maggie Moo's Ice Cream with a shopping partner while browsing inside.  However, I did not see any signs within the store specifically directed at children, thus any comments on child-rearing are strictly Gardentina's.

Gift Pick: Wendell August Waterfall Arc Decorative Bowl, $59

Gift Pick:  Wendell August US Armed Forces Picture Frame, 

4x6 inches, $40

Shown: US Coast Guard; Choose Branch of Forces from W.A. Catalog

 

Related Articles:

Join Maggie Moo's mailing list to receive birthday surprises

Wilton Armetale is another Pennsylvania metal forger of gifts

Wilton Artmetale Cowboy Hat Chip 'n Dip, $100

Wilton Armetale Florentine 12 inch tray, $55

Product Review of OXO Salad Spinner

Had a store credit and got.... A salad spinner!  To go with the produce in the garden, of course!  This is the spinner from OXO  (Not a paid endorsement.)  Pros/Cons:  

• There are several parts to disassemble when washing.  It's manageable once you get the hang of it. 
• The base is wide, which makes the blending more even than some other spinners.  It also takes up a lot of shelf space, whether you're talking cabinet space or fridge space.