Annual conundrum solved

My new favorite store of the week is Penzeys Spices. Yes, quite the change from my usual clothing or shoe retailer. You see, I received a gift card for their establishment and decided to pop in to a local store this past weekend to see what I could score. Low and behold, I fell in love. With everything. The spices, the helpful workers, the feel of the store – I want it all. Who ever knew so many variations of freaking Cinnamon existed?!? I think the gal that helped me pick out my spices went home that night to tell her husband about the country bumpkin she helped at work that had the audacity to ask, “Which one is most like the kind I’d usually get at Pick N Save?” I might as well have asked a wine connoisseur where to find a good box of wine.

Ah yes, it is I, shameless Anne.

After sniffing a little of this and a little of that, I finally selected the spices I wanted to purchase. And let me just say that I’m not even sure what one of them is really used for, but I sure as hell needed it and I’ll be finding something to use it for.

So why does this solve my annual conundrum? Well, here’s the dilemma. Every year I’m paralyzed by an all-important decision. Do I go pumpkin or pecan pie for Thanksgiving dessert? These are life or death decisions, people. Usually I’ll go the route of one of each…washed down with hefty side of self-loathing.

Well, 2011 is looking up. My new love addiction of Penzey’s had me eyeing up their website for other items I might get my sticky little fingers on when I stumbled upon their recipes. It’s really cool, you guys. You use their search page, type in the spice you have (or want to purchase), and a list will display of all the matching items available for purchase AS WELL AS a list of recipes that contain that spice. It is here where I found the love of all loves. Pecan Pumpkin Pie. Problem solved. Anne = 1, Thanksgiving = 0.

If anyone’s interested, check it out here! I my hips can’t wait to give it a test run very soon.

~as