Summer twilight...

Isn't it hard to see this summer go?  Such an amazing season this has been!

We've had some deliveries this week - some new stuff you should know about! - and we need feedback on a few things.  Plus, there are some sales and events coming up this fall that you shouldn't miss...

We are completely restocked with Boar's Head, including a tortellini salad, for $5.99 a pound.  I'm planning on making a batch of potato salad and bean salad when we get there today, too!  We have been frantically perfecting our newest sandwiches, too - several new warm ones, just in time for cool evenings.  We've got some classic melts that are evolving, as well as a Medusa Ham and Cheese, topped with sliced Indian Ladder apples and honey mustard dressing.  We've also posted our version of a Philly cheesesteak, and a Medusa BLT featuring Wild Thymes moroccan mayonnaise!

United Natural Foods shipped in a ton of sale items this week, from a new Choice Tea - Green Gunpowder (and at a sale price of $3.82!), to all those gluten free pastas we've been discussing over at Facebook!  We got the Conte's Spinach and Cheese Ravioli (retailing for about $7.99 per bag) , as well as the Tinkyada pastas - Fusilli and Spaghetti, both with a sale price of $3.82 per pack.

We have a ton of Kettle chips in - including Sweet Onion in the 5 oz bag, for all those who've gotten hooked on those - as well as the Miquel's.  I was able to get Jim's coffee on sale, too - so if you come in for the Blend X (Witch's Brew) or the Sweet Love, the prices dropped.  There was also a request for Ian's Panko breadcrumbs - so that is on our shelves now, too.  (We are gonna need more shelf space very soon!)

And in honor of that sweet guy who dropped in last week and said I made his day by having Sonoma wraps (which I fell in love with, too - we're using them on the deli now!), I brought in multigrain and gluten free versions as well.  We also have a few extra cases of the Pirate brand stuff I have on the endcap as a back to school special - and I ordered some more essential oils, too...

Speaking of which...

If you are into essential oils, please give ours a try and leave me some feedback - I have been impressed with not only the quality assurance and testing of Aura Cacia's essential oils, but also that I was able to get us a nice selection for affordable prices.  There are cheaper ways of getting them, for sure, but I was trying to balance quality and affordability - so help me out here.

Similar to this dilemma is the ongoing Meadowbrook milk controversy.  Folks, they still refuse to deliver. This means that one of us has to ship milk over from Berne.  Not only is there the constant concern related to shipping milk in a warm car, but we cannot always guarentee we'll get it to the store in a timely manner, which has annoyed at least a few of you.  We are also quickly running out of room in our home refrigerator, as we're ordering upwards of 6 cases of milk a week.  Our solution?  We would like to try the Byrne Dairy in the glass bottles - Byrne will deliver and we are confident that they are supplying us with quality milk.  I need to know if this is going to be a deal breaker for many of you...

Lastly, I am trying to get deals on everything from meats and cheeses to dry grocery items - the economic news has been sobering lately, and I know a lot of folks are struggling.  As always, let me know if you've been looking for something and not located it, or if you just need it cheaper - I'll give it a try.  We'd like to do some special things around the upcoming holidays, so stay tuned!


My little ones are waking up, so this is the blog for the week, folks - stop in and chat with us - make suggestions, give feedback, we love to hear from you!  (Oh, and send some good wishes, would you? - I have 8 days to submit a final draft of my dissertation!)

Essential oils, herbs and seaweed!

And so much more!  I skipped a blog last week - so a belated thank you for an amazing last weekend - the Medusa Yard Sale Day was history making!

We've got amazing things planned for this weekend - Boar's Head is restocking us today (they've lived up to their promise of every week deliveries!), and just in time for several new warm sandwiches and wraps to be unveiled, including a BLT with a special Wild Thymes mayonnaise, and a grilled pressed ham and cheese.  We are rapidly working on getting an acceptable oven in here as well - I have been handing out samples of my pumpernickel bread this week, which I'd like to perfect for a Medusa Rueben.  Drop in - I think I'll have some other bread samples this weekend!

UNFI and the amazing Chris from Albert's Organics have sent us some incredible stuff this week!  In, by popular demand, is a wide selection of essential oils.  I have the foggiest idea where I am going to put them, since space has become so limited (but plans in the works there, too - maybe in the next blog!).  I chose Aura Cacia, mostly because they had a great selection, and the prices were reasonable - you'll have to try them and inform me of the quality.  I also picked up a few nasal posts and salts, just in case any of you have been struggling with lingering colds like we have - also at a really good price.

I have Kinnikinnick gluten free hot dog and hamburger buns in this week, plus more of the gluten free Udi's breads that you all have been raving about.  We've been using the Udi's bread on the deli, too - so if you are gluten-free, just ask us to make you a sandwich on the Udi's.  I have Sonoma wraps in as well - which are an incredible brand - been using them on the deli and have them as part of our new warm melt wraps.  A lovely guy was in last night and declared they were his all-time favorite wrap - imagine finding them in Medusa, of all places!!  I'm still searching for a delicious gluten-free one, though - if you've got one in mind, let me know!

We have coconut water back in, as well as Annie Chun's seaweed snacks!  Oh, and we have an order in for more Freebird chicken - breasts and drumsticks.  Carol Clemens from Heather Ridge has also offered her chicken, which I'd like to start this fall.  We also have fresh iceberg lettuce, avocados and lovely valencia oranges in today - and don't forget the huge selection of fresh produce already here - from tomatoes (lots of tomatoes) to fresh herbs from Full Moon Farm in Medusa.  Of course there are more dumplings in this weekend from MacroVegetarian and fresh artisan tofu in from Vermont.

What else?  Oh, and come an taste a new cool beverage - Thai Coffee, from Taste Nirvana.  And I want some feedback on fish - I'd like to offer some salmon, which I can get from Albert's - it'll come frozen, and I think I'll keep it that way, and it won't be cheap, though I think I'll ask them to keep us alerted of sales.  I think I'd need to take pre-orders, so drop in an let me know if you're interested.

Lastly - soups!!  I can't wait to start soups - we can get soups from a huge variety of places - I can get Kettle Cuisine or Moosewood, and Jason has another supplies with a huge selection.  We think we'll do some taste testing, to see which works for everyone.  The variety is mind-boggling, though - so drop in and let us know your favorites!

Oh, and one more thing - we do computer repair!  Upgrades, new set-ups and repairs - and Jason specializes in transforming old machines by giving them a new Linus face!  More details to come!

Good morning, Medusa!!

Supposed to be a gorgeous August weekend!!  Whether you're planning for a lovely, lazy weekend in the hammock, or have 100 relatives over for a visit, we've got the goods!

First, because it's early August, we've got a ton of produce - especially tomatoes!  (Yes, I'm begging - come buy tomatoes!)  I am hoping to have local apples in soon - we had local peaches, but they sold out really fast.  I'm going to try to pick some strawberries tomorrow, too.  Maybe some blueberries, too.

Our UNFI delivery was in yesterday - lots of iced Tazo teas back in stock, as well as the Macro Vegetarian dishes, even the sorely missed Shanghai dumplings!   Tofu, and - new this week - tempeh.  I tried it last night - it's a teriyaki flavored one - tossed with some grilled eggplant a steamed chard.  Quite tasty!  I've got some new Newman's cookies this week - chocolate chocolate sandwich cookies, and a few others.  Oh, and rice vinegar - how could we have survived for 3 months without rice vinegar?!  The one think I'm still having a hard time getting are capers - they are either wildly expensive or come in enormous cases.

Lots of Julie's ice cream back in stock, too - pints are $4.49, which makes it cheaper than Ben & Jerry's and Haagen Daaz, and - in my opinion - tastier.  Oh, and those really amazing chocolate chocolate bars are back in, too.  Speaking of which, I have two varieties of Larabars in, too.  They look delicious!  No Cliff Bar display yet...still.  (Hint, hint, UNFI!)  Kettle chips are all restocked...

(Speaking of which, I have been politely stalking several Frito-Lay drivers, both of whom claim to want to deliver here.  Neither have made it to Medusa yet, but they don't know how persistent I am, either.)
 
Back to school soon, unless you're unschoolers like us.  We'd like to help, though - I have a flyer in the works - there are lots of case order deals through UNFI, for brands such as Ians, Cascadian Farms, Back to Nature and Envirokids.  I can get you really great prices, so if you are looking for good stuff for lunch boxes, at competitive prices, stop and see me before you schlep up to BJ's.

Boar's head was here on Thursday, and will now be coming weekly.  Quite a relief, considering we've been out of most of our cold cuts for almost a week!  It did give us the opportunity to try local Morning Fog Farm roast beef on the deli, which was fabulous.  And, for all of you Facebook followers, we've gotten a ton of valuable feedback about which new sandwiches to add - we'll have to have some sort of special unveiling ceremony next week!  Oh, and the survey's done!!  

Charlene Hull made us pies yesterday!  Woohoo - apple and blueberry.  Blueberry because it's seasonal - apple because it's almost seasonal and because it comes home with me if you don't eat it!


If you've been in since yesterday, you've noticed the lovely gladiolas by our front door, provided by Roswell Eldridge, in Rensselaerville.  $1.00 a piece and he says they'll last for weeks!

Last, but nearly most important, we have a lovely young woman - Diedre - who is helping Jason for a few hours in the morning, so there'll be less of a wait for breakfast sandwiches.  Make sure you drop in and say hi - and be patient with her while she learns our computer system!

All for now - go enjoy this late afternoon of summer - leaves will be changing before you know it!

The weekend's here!

July's a crazy time of year, eh?  Between unpredictable heat and the the head-spinning amount of things to do around here, we upstate hilltowners can just wallow in the abundance of summer!

To support your many goings-on, we've been doing battle with vendors, and passionately trying to keep the Store fully stocked (read: stuffed!).  UNFI amd Albert's arrived yesterday, as did a *NEW* Friehofer guy.  Gillette Creamery has been in with all of our ice creams, and with the sole exception of Tropicana orange juice in half gallons (so sorry, Angela!), Byrne dairy is fully stocked.  Oh, and Meadowbrook milk is fresh in the cooler, too - including the Betty's chocolate!

We've gotten some new things in, as well as a few items that were here and dropped off my list, so I added them back in.  Hunan dumplings are in - and I also have some of Karen Sister's Thai chicken this week as well.  Albert's sent a new MacroVegatarian dish, too - I think it's Soba noodles.  Someone needs to try it and let me know...

I have new gluten-free bread in - this one's called Udi's - and we have a white and whole wheat gluten free variety.  Udi's also sent me a gluten free granola for those of you who've been requesting that.  Rustic Crust was running low, so I reordered the favorites and added a few new varieties, and also now have both shredded mozz in the dairy cooler and a Rustic Crust pizza sauce, for everyone who was horrified that I sold pizza crusts without the pizza sauce.  (I thought you could just use any old sauce!)

We also have a about a billion yogurts at the moment - Stonyfield Farms as well as Brown Cow, in various flavors.  Oh, and some goat cheese, for those of you who requested that, and a nice array of many other cheeses, too.

On the deli, we have had good news and bad news.  First, despite the fact that I haven't finished the final version of my survey and got it out (*what* is my problem!), a whole lovely bunch of you have returned to tell us about our subs and sandwiches - and all of it has been great reviews.  (On the other hand, I have to assume that everyone who hated their subs will not come back, so my sample is a bit biased...)  The bad news is that all of my promoting of the Jason's Roast Beef meant we sold out of roast beef by Thursday, and it won't be back in till next week.  I have a multi-fold solution, though - we just got in Heartland Farms organic bacon, and are planning to offer BLT's this weekend.  Yay!  And, Morning Fog Farm has a number of small roast beefs, and I'm going to have them baked for us, so by Sunday, we'll (fingers crossed!) have roast beef back in stock!

What else?  I am running low on spices, but they are ordered and will be in next week.  I am picking up more hotdogs, hamburgers and bacon, and maybe even a few strawberries, from Morning Fog this morn.  We have a few new chip varieties - including a tasty new one from Dirty Chips - and don't forget about the Tazo iced teas we have in the cooler.  Oh, and no one's been trying the cowboy cookies in the freezer - seriously, they are like eating fresh cookie dough, just slightly baked.  Incredibly delicious!

Keep an eye out for our postcards - you should have gotten them in your mail this week if you are in R'ville, Medusa or Preston Hollow.  We are sending them out to Oak Hill and Cornwallville next week, I think.  And - I almost forgot! - free coffee from 6:30am - 8am, all next week!!

Grilling, lawn signs, Tweeting and the Tribe in Oak Hill!

What a week!  Was it the lawn signs??  Or has July BBQ weather just kicked in?  In any case, what a ride!

We've got some new things from UNFI last week, and more coming this week.  Tons of new meats from Morning Fog Farm, in Berne.  And - so exciting - we are planning to introduce at least one new deli sandwich, and (maybe!) one or two grilled sandwiches, and have our deli survey out for folks to fill out.

We've got fresh Vermont tofu, prepared Falafel, and Macrovegatarian's Hunan and Shangaia dumplings, plus a new Vegan dumpling and Pad Thai.  We've got more of Annie Chun's seaweed snacks - sesame and the wasabi (which I have had so much fun offering as samples this week!).

We've got amazing chocolate ice cream bars from Julie's in - dark chocolate shells with creamy milk chocolate on the inside, as well as fruit bars.  And, new this week, we've got two varieties of Soy Boy Ravioli and two varieties of tortellini, which I am dying to taste.  Or, better, someone! Come in and try a batch and let me know - I'd like to carry a tortellini salad on the deli.

Some of you might have heard that our neighbors in Oak Hill, members of the Twelve Tribes community, have decided to sell their land and leave to other communities.  Many of us have been saddened to hear this, as they have been wonderful neighbors, as well as providing valuable service - our porch on the Store, as well as several porches on our home, were carefully reconstructed or refurbished by their builders.  As it turns out, there is a good chance that the growers might be staying - we had the opportunity to talk with James, their grower, on Friday, and - good news! - apparently some of the community will be remaining in Oak Hill.  It sounded like they might even keep the restaurant open!  And - good news for the Store - he'll be selling us lots of fresh veggies, including mixed boxes of cherry and grape tomatoes, which sold out almost immediately.

Morning Fog's meats have been hard to keep on the shelf lately!  Glad you all have discovered them - see what I mean about the hotdogs??  I've got both pork and beef hotdogs, ground beef in tubes and in patties, bacon, pork chops, sausage, rib steaks and some larger sirloins.  You can get an even better price if you head up to see Susan in person - give her a call - 872-1772 or show up at her farm on the Switzkill on a Saturday.  For you vegetarians, I am going up this morning to pick more strawberries - gotta love those everbearing varieties!

On the deli - first, so sorry about the beginning of the week - we never expect silly advertising like lawn signs to have such an effect on business!  Boar's Head was back in, though, and completely resupplied us and have decided that we are worthy of a weekly visit, so hopefully, we'll be keeping everything stocked up...well, forever, now.  We're going to stay tight lipped about the new deli sandwich till it's finalized, but if you think BLT's or Grilled Portabellas sound dreamy, stop in and let us know.  I also have made some corrections (thanks to my amazing researcher friend, Lara) to the questionnaire and will have it ready by Monday for your deli feedback.

I'm always taking requests and there have been some calls for essential oils. Frankly, this isn't really my area, so if anyone has any suggestions - local would be fantastic, but if you have some brand suggestions, send them on.  We're still planning for some toy lines, have several lined up, in time for school starting.  Speaking of which, we have a BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES box accepting donations - at the front of the Store- if you are out buying, pick up a few extras.

We're also getting ready to sell our home in Berne, and are needing a temporary rental.  Exciting, though a bit overwhelming.  We are a family of five, but frankly don't need a lot of room - so if you come across something, let us know.

Lastly - someone come in and help me figure out Twitter!  We're MedusaGeneralSt there - but I haven't the faintest clue how I get all of you to follow us over there!

(PS: Angela - get your lovely self back to Medusa - we'll feed you - eating lots always makes a girl sleepy!)

Is it Saturday again?

...which means we got a lot of new UNFI stuff in yesterday!  The Hunan dumpling revolution continues, plus by popular demand, we've also got some Shanghai dumplings, as well as the Artichoke Spinach noodle.  Just in time, considering it's going to hit near 90 again today.  Don't cook - eat here!

I also have more coconut water, the regular and a new variety.  And more seaweed snacks - seriously, we sold out of the seaweed snacks last week!  If you haven't tasted them, drop in today and remind Jason - he has a package he was going to put out for tasting today.

Because that's the kind of week it's been, I also now have Hyland's ear drops, for kids and for adults - we've all been in the Lake a bit too much, I think.  We're stocked back up on all of our chips, and now have popping corn.  (Someone came in for some and he and I were both totally horrified that I didn't have any...!)  We also resupplied all the natural colas...yum!

For all of you carnivores out there, we have meat.  Lots and lots of meat.  Nice grilling rib steaks, as well as pork and beef hotdogs and hamburgers, from Morning Fog Farm in Berne.  Plenty of Freebird chicken, breasts and boneless thighs.  (Chris, from Albert's Organics, even insists he's got ground lamb for lambburgers - it didn't really appeal to me, frankly, but if you find the idea thrilling, give me a ring, and I'll order you some for next week.)

We now have 4 specialty sandwiches - the Medusa Cobb, Jason's Roast Beef, the Mandy and the Medusa Mozz.  (Will have to figure out how to upload our whole menu somewhere here!)  And, coming this week, we'll have an American Club, with Boar's Head's all-natural, preservative free turkey and ham.  We're thinking of switching the pasta salad to the Wild Thymes Parmesean Walnut vinegrette instead, too - you come in and taste.

And, hey, our look continues to evolve - Susan Caumont, from Cocoa Beach Gallery - http://www.cocoabeachgallery.com/ - has hung paintings for us.  They are all reasonably priced and look fantastic!  (I'll post some pics soon!) It has made our wifi cove look so much more charming!

Soon, we'll be on Twitter (OMG!), and my kids and I have plastered most of Oak Hill, Greenville, Rensselaerville and Berne with lawn signs!  It has been an achingly slow week, but we have high hopes for the weekend and the coming week!

Friday delivery!

So we have coconut water arriving.  No kidding.  Frankly, it doesn't sound like my taste, but Chris, from Albert's Organics, claims it is THE NEXT BIG THING, and he's in the know about this sort of stuff.  Delicious and really good for you. Plus some cool water I just discovered called Waaa-TAH! 

In other news - there's more falafel coming - I can't believe we sold out of it!  And in response to the Hunan Dumplings revolution, I have two cases of those and Spinach Artichoke Noodles arrving Friday, too.  Plus a new something from MacroVegetarian.

Fresh produce lovers - we are looking at a great week - I have peaches, blueberries and strawberries arriving, all at a great price.  We are seriously thinking about lemons for next week - we have to get a juicer first.  Lots of oranges, apples and avocados in stock, with celery, carrots and cukes arriving tomorrow.  Bob Kropp and Stephen Kenney have been working hard keeping us stocked with beans, cauliflower, broccoli and lettuces.  A smorgasbord of fresh stuff!  (Stuffed into a too-small cooler, in some cases!  Sorry!)

We have some fantastic new sandwiches coming up for the weekend, too - mozzarella, with sliced tomato, roasted red peppers and black olives with a drizzle of olive oil.  It would work as a lovely salad, as well, for my gluten-free friends.

Salads, galore, folks - can't seem to keep them in stock on the deli.  I think we still have Beans, Beans, Bean salad and Classic New England Potato, all with organic ingredients.  More pasta salad as soon as I get my Wild Thymes delivery - the Tuscan tomato basil vinegrette is amazing on this salad!  I really want to offer chicken and tuna salads, too, but UNFI's been out of stock of the chicken so far.  Fingers crossed for next week.

Last, but most deliciously - we have blueberry pie coming on Saturday morning!  Tiffany and I have been offering Julie's organic vanilla ice cream on top - you've gotta try some!

Stay cool - hopefully we'll have ice - and iced coffee in another day or so!