Today I was in Walmart. I think that’s the first time I’ve been in there in almost a week. I went in there because I thought they used to have a cake decorating area in the crafts department and hoped they might have those tiny bottles of anise oil. They didn’t. Speaking of oil, that’s one word people do not say correctly in Louisiana. I called one place and asked if they had anise oil.
Me: Do you have anise oil?
Lady: Anise what?
Me: Oil. (I was trying so hard to say it right and I think that made it worse)
Lady: We have star anise and anise powder but I’m not sure what you’re asking about.
ME. OIL
Then she yells over to someone:
“Do we have anise ola?”
Then she came back to the phone and said “Sorry, we do not have anise ola.”
I simply said “Thank you for checking!”
The second place I called and asked. There was a long silence and then she said “I understand anise but could you spell the last word?” O.I.L. She said “Oh . . oil!” They were the ones who had it for $35 for one ounce.
Back to the Walmart story . . We are short on plates and bowls. I left all the dishes we use at home for Vince. I’m not sure why I left him 12 plates, bowls, cereal bowls, kinda flat bowls and saucers, but I did. I had a second set of dishes at the Nevada, MO apartment but those were the leftovers from the set of dishes got in his divorce. They’re plain white so kinda timeless but they some kind of pottery like stuff and several had chipped so I tossed those. I was down to 6 plates, 4 bowls and 5 saucers. I had bought some super inexpensive plastic dishes at Walmart. I think I only bought plates – 5 plates and they were 50 cents each as I recall. I don’t mind them except they HAVE to go in the dishwasher. No amount of hand washing, even in the hottest, freshest dishwater will get the grease off those plates. I sent the pie home with my uncle on one of those plates so now I only have 4 but I don’t want any more. They’re great for sending things home with other people and hoping they don’t return them!
For Thanksgiving, we’ll have 7 here but I’m using paper plates.
The other day Vince went to Walmart and he got bowls but they’re more of those pottery type bowls and I don’t like those, mainly because they don’t stack well. He bought four of them and said “you can take them back if you don’t want them.” I saw the receipt – they were 94 cents each. I am not standing in line at customer service for less than $4.
Anyway, I was in the kitchen area of Walmart looking for dishes and I did buy plain white Corelle dishes. Plates, bowls and the flattish bowls I like.
Then I was just wandering around looking at other stuff I might need – measuring cups. I don’t have the measuring cups I like so I bought more. This lady comes down the aisle. We both have on masks so it’s hard to understand if one speaks. She mumbled something and I said “I’m sorry??” She said “That woman! She’s taking over everything!” I turned around to see who she was talking about. I didn’t see “that woman”. She said “That Pioneer Lady! Everything in here is her brand!” I had to laugh . . That Pioneer Lady.
I remember when I first started reading her blog. She had and still has the best recipes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her make anything that I didn’t want to stop and make the same thing. Vince never understood my fascination with her. I’d make something and he’d be going on and on about how good it was and I’d say “This is Pioneer Woman’s recipe”. Ugghh . . suddenly it wasn’t so great.
My only fail with her recipes was when I made her garlic mashed potatoes and we all loved them. Chad was still living at home and he was/is such a garlic lover. We were all trying to dig out the big pieces of roasted garlic. The next time I made it, I think I put in more garlic than potatoes and we all about overdosed on garlic. I’m not sure I’ve made that recipe since then.
Every time I see a Pioneer Woman product, show or recipe, I’m going to think about “That Pioneer Lady . . taking over everything!”
Paula Nordt says
I really love her lasagna recipe!
Marilyn Smith says
I have had Corelle. It was great 50 years ago when we first got married. Thr, we had dishes we got free at the grocery store. Then I bought a 4 place setting set of Blue Tanks. They were great. Then my mom bought us an 8 piece place setting of Villeroy and Bosch. We used that until she died and I took her Villeroy and Bosch French Garden plates. I have not broken one. Do gret in the dishwasher/ Just almost like eating off of real china every day. We love them. I have antique china from my grandmother in San Francisco. Gorgeous stuff. Dresden. Tea cups so beautiful. I have used them but no longer give tea parties.
Judy, but some plain white dishes from Pottery Barn. They have beautiful things. Then, if you buy enough, you will always be able to feed a large holiday party. I bet you would love them and the food looks great. Sell or give away the old dishes. Sounds like you will be entertaining more. Treat yourself to some new, pretty dishes!
Teri says
What do you make with the anise ola?
Dot says
I have a bunch of Walmart Corelle dishes, and I like them. Mine are white with a blue rim. They aren’t heavy, and they don’t break when you drop them! (Usually.) Perfect for my arthritic hands. I haven’t tried any “Pioneer Lady” recipes – nobody but me to cook for, and I’m watching sodium and calories.
Marilyn Smith says
Sorry for the typos or unrecognized words. Then free dishes from the grocery store. Then Dansk blue and later gave those to our son in Hawaii. He is still using them. Then the Villeroy and Bosch. Gave the ones we used for years away to a young newly married couple. Then the pretty V & B from my mom. I love new dishes. A weakness of mine. We do entertain a lot. Love all the antique china, crystal and silver that I need to get rid of because the kids do not want it.
Donna says
‘That Pioneer Lady” (snicker) has the best tomato soup recipe. I will never make another one after finding that recipe! If you haven’t made it, and you like tomato soup, try it.
Judy Laquidara says
That is my favorite tomato soup!
Twyla Starr says
I have been using Corelle dishes (white) for over 40 years. I have ones with bands that I have picked up at garage sales. I love that you do not have to be so careful with them. But here I have noticed the Walmart is not carrying the individual pieces anymore. Maybe it is that woman’s fault!lol
Judy Laquidara says
I had always bought the sets and it aggravated me that they didn’t have the individual pieces – back in the 80’s or even 70’s. Now our Walmart doesn’t have sets – just individual pieces. October, 2019, when things were NORMAL, and I was furnishing the apartment, I wanted Corelle bowls and Walmart didn’t have individual pieces but now they have lots of individual pieces.
Toni Macomb says
About pronouncing words….sometimes you just can’t get it. I was on a phone with a supplier in Indiana once and I just could not understand her name. Finally I said “would you please spell that for me? She said N A N. Such a simple name…I was embarassed!
Lee Young says
It is funny how there are so many pronunciation variants of oil depending on geographic region. Not sure I’ve ever heard it as ‘ola’ before though.
I love(d) Pioneer Woman…followed her blog back when she was still writing the High Heels and Tractor Wheels and no one knew their real names…times have changed…still love her stuff but it’s not ‘as fun’ as when she was just getting started. I admit to buying a set of her metal measuring cups, and a nesting set of her rectangular ceramic casserole dishes with covers, but was surprised to learn they can only handle temps up to a certain level, I think 375F. They are pretty though, and I do use them on occasion.
Judy Laquidara says
I didn’t say ola! I say OIL . . like everyone else. 🙂 I know I do say it a bit different – probably more like a cross between the right way and owl or awl.
Here stuff is pretty but,knowing that Vince would probably freak out if I bought any of it, I haven’t done it.
April Reeves says
Hmmm. I didn’t know I say oil wrong. I know I say towel, things ending in ill, and Louisiana (Looseiana) wrong.
Judy Laquidara says
Maybe you don’t say it wrong. I don’t think I say it wrong but sometimes others seem to think so. We do have seem to say things differently in Louisiana.
April Reeves says
Do you say earl?