Happy summer solstice!
In the past two weeks, I’ve been travelling to Vancouver and back so many times that my only memories from the last 14 days are stretches of highway and tail lights. Sad, but true.
I need to refresh the fridge with some random dairy products. I found this cream at Nature’s Fare the other day. Are you familiar with D Dutchmen Dairy? It’s new to me.

Have you ever purchased fish from random dudes on the side of the road? I have.
'Cause I’m classy like that.

It is wonderful to be back in BC. Thank you for all your great emails while I was away. I love your stories and suggestions keep ‘em coming. There is no food in my fridge when I arrive home, so I’m doing a quick grocery run at Nature’s Fare Market.

Oh la. Is this what I think it is?

Liberté Crème Fraîche ($4.69 per 250ml tub)

I’m stopping in the Bónus for some snacks, and yes, for some butter. This is Bónus. No, it's not the dollar store, Bónus is the local grocery store in Reykjavík.

Yes, their mascot is a pudgy pig that looks like it has partied way too much on all sorts of contraband. I love it. There has to be a story behind the design of this graphic, right? There has to be.

First, behold the wall of Malt Extrakt.

Attention British expats: hold on to your trousers, because this find almost blew mine off! After I posted about Yorkshire Gold teabags back in June, I received tons of great emails from many UK transplants (and a few Aussies too,) that were searching for their favourite tea in loose form.

While standing in line at the check out at Gourmet Greens Produce Market, I peer into the freezer display. What do I find? Pie. That’s what.

Laura's Pies is a little pie company based in Salmon Arm. Laura Peterson makes her homemade pies with much of the bounty from A&L Peterson Orchards, which is part of the Peterson Brothers Heritage Orchards in Salmon Arm. Do you know of the Peterson Brothers Orchards? What a rich history they have in the BC interior. This past September the Ministry of Agriculture presented the Peterson Family Farm with the Century Farm Award.

Amy’s Fiesta Mart. Have you been? It’s a Filipino grocery store located in Kamloops northshore. I notice it as I am whizzing southbound on Fortune Drive. My first thought is, “Pandesal!”

I make a detour to check out Amy’s Fiesta Mart, making a quick right down the closest street to change directions. I enter the brightly lit shop, crossing my fingers and hoping that perhaps they bake their own sweet buns.

They do not bake their own, but Amy's does have the next best thing: Aling Mary’s pandesal from Surrey.

Aling Mary’s Pandesal ($4.99 one dozen)

Another malt beverage find at Gary’s European Sausage and Deli! I make regular stops at Gary's for deli offerings, and malt drinks. On this particular day Gary’s Deli is out of Karamalz, but I spy Club Malz occupying its place inside the cooler. Let’s try!

Club Malz ($1.65)

Just a quick post to inform y’all that the Desert Hills Ranch Produce Wagon is now open for the season! The Wagon’s been up and running for the season since July 23rd, but I didn’t get an opportunity to head down until today.