Jewel Arctic Vortex Busters #NotGoingAnywhere #ad

Disclosure:  We are happy to be working with Jewel-Osco on a sponsored campaign through January 31st and have been compensated for sharing this information with our readers.   As always, all opinions are our own.

It's nothing a platter of chocolate chip cookies & hot cocoa with whipped cream can't fix!

Today we're finally creeping up toward the + side of the thermometer for the first time in days and the record 50 below wind chills are safely behind us.   When the grim faced weather reporters first warned of the impending snow barrage and deep freeze, folks flocked to Jewel like the Zombie Apocalypse was heading our way.

We first partnered up on Jewel's #NotGoingAnywhere campaign to highlight Jewel as a fixture in Chicago who is not closing up shop any time soon.  However, not going anywhere took on a more personal meaning as schools closed for two days and much work ground to a halt.  In fact "not going anywhere" was the theme of the past two days for absolutely everyone who could get away with it!

Before the mass hibernation, our family stocked up on staples like bread, milk, & eggs.   Then we grabbed warming comfort foods like loads of soup, hot cocoa, and brownie mix.   Then we splurged on cookies, 'cause every arctic vortex is better with a bit of chocolate at the center.

After that we bought science stuff to entertain ourselves.   With rubber gloves and a bit of alcohol we were set to do some fire experiments.   Bubble stuff, balloons, food coloring and boiling water were all we needed for ice science.

Hope you kept warm, well fed & well entertained through the deep freeze.   We'll have science videos, stills & directions up shortly on the blog in case you want to make colored ice orbs, throw boiling water, safely catch your fingers on fire (under adult supervision), or make burning orb ice lanterns.

Disclosure:  We are happy to be working with Jewel-Osco on a sponsored campaign through January 31st and have been compensated for sharing this information with our readers.   As always, all opinions are our own.

A Jewel of a Deal & Another Slice of History #NotGoingAnywhere #Ad

Disclosure:  We are happy to be working with Jewel-Osco on a sponsored campaign through January 31st and have been compensated for sharing this information with our readers.   As always, all opinions are our own.

Jewel has launched it's $5 off $50 purchase coupon. Shoppers need to register here, then you will be able to print a coupon.

Jewel-Osco is on your block and in your corner!   

We frequent Jewel and rely on them for the basics and for special desserts.   Our favorite sweet treats from Jewel are Diana's Banana Babies and Graeter's Chip Ice Creams.   Graeter's originates from Cincinnati (my childhood home) and is my favorite ice cream of all time.   Their chocolate chips are HUGE slabs of dark chocolate and their ice cream flavors are made in small batches and are incredible!

My Dad's first high school job ever was at a Chicago area Jewel, back in the 50's!!

We're visiting the grandparents for the holidays as usual this year, and I was surprised to learn that before he got his accounting degree at Northwestern, my Dad's first high school job ever was at a Chicago area Jewel, back in the 50's!!   Back then he said they had to price everything by hand with a stamper and purple dye.   When canned goods would go on sale, they'd scrape off the code with steel wool and stamp on the weekly discount, then reverse the process at the end of the week!

It's a fun glimpse into the past to time travel back 60 years, Dr Who style. Kids these days don't know how easy they have it, with computerized inventory, registers and all.   Back then, minimum wage pay was .75 cents an hour!

Funniest Jewel Story from The 50's:
The Caffeine Fiend

My dad told me his funniest memory of those early Jewel days, a story I'd never heard before.   A thief came in once, with a huge, floor length overcoat, with interior pockets sewn in.   He proceeded to load up the pockets with glass bottles full of coffee, while the manager covertly watched him.   

When the guy tried to make a run for it, the store manager headed him off at the pass with a cart, and when the thief hit the cart, the stolen bottles broke all over the inside of his coat, covering him with coffee & glass.   The manager didn't call the police, but told him never to return, and threw the soggy coffee bandit out of the store!

Disclosure:  Once again, we are happy to be working with Jewel-Osco on a sponsored campaign through January 31st and have been compensated for sharing this information with our readers.   As always, all opinions are our own.