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Bean there
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 08:44AM 
If the Lone Ranger was a can of beans
Late last spring, I discovered Walmart Plus.
It arose out of TG being out of town for several days, and me being too lazy to go to the store.
(TG is the kind of husband who gladly goes to the store for me, and yes I let him, although I do a great deal of the grocery shopping too.)
(But I don't always feel like applying mascara to go to the store, and no I will not go without mascara.)
So it was that I tried out the thing where you order your kitchen staples online and they bring it right to your door.
For a nominal fee, and a tip for the driver, neither of which bother me.
I have not looked back. It's just too easy.
Some humorous/perplexing moments have arisen, however.
Like, the time I ordrered a bag of Fancy Feast cat kibble and, although I know it's right there on the shelf in the pet food aisle of the store, they insisted on shipping it separately.
It was delivered the same day as the rest of my order, only it came via a different car and driver, and -- what a bonus -- in the package along with the Fancy Feast was a big box of Huggies Pull-Ups.
The beans were well cushioned for their arrival
Which I neither ordered, paid for, nor need.
Someone ordered, paid for, and needed them, though -- I suppose -- and that someone was out of luck.
I gave them to Erica for when she begins training Elliot a/k/a Skippy.
Another time, I received two unasked-for packets of taco seasoning along with the stuff I did ask for.
Then there are the times that I do NOT get what I ordered, paid for, and needed.
Like the time about one-third of my order was missing. I had to go on the app and put checkmarks beside those items, and there was an immediate refund.
But still. That means I had to re-order those things and pay another tip. C'mon, man!
The other day, only one item was missing from my order: my Wright Hickory Thick Cut Bacon. I love that stuff and so does TG. It's Bacon the Wright Way.
I have not yet reordered that but have simply lived without it. Yes I got my refund.
But I found it amusing when recently stocking up on chili-making supplies should the cool fall weather actually arrive and we be struck with a craving for chili, when the Walmart app said that one can of Bush's Chili Beans in Medium Sauce would be shipped separately.
? ? ? ? ?
With all that padding they could have added a few dozen eggs
Okay, but just one can of beans? Shipping all alone?
And sure enough, a few days later a box showed up on the doorstep.
A box big enough to hold at least eight cans of those beans.
But inside, a lonely can of beans, with a bunch of air pillows in the box for padding.
Because you and I both know how fragile a can of beans can be.
I found it ridiculous but then, what in our world is not at least slightly ridiculous these days?
Not much.
Also I thought I would add, my extra-simple chili recipe* got even better when I discovered a few years ago that buying name-brand chili ready tomatoes and chili hot beans, as opposed to generic, makes a big difference.
In the flavor of the chili, I mean. It's noticeable. Since then I buy only Hunt's Seasoned Diced Tomatoes in Sauce for Mild Chili and Bush's Red Beans in Mild Chili Sauce for my chili.
*For a large quantity of hearty chili (you can make a lot and freeze half of it for another day), brown three pounds of lean ground beef. Add to your slow cooker or Crock Pot three cans each of the Hunt's chili tomatoes and Bush's chili beans, and a packet of chili seasoning.
It was worth waiting for
Mix in the browned meat and let that come to temperature and simmer on low for a few hours.
Naturally you can amend that recipe for a smaller crowd (like just the two of you) by browning only one pound of ground round (what I use; no draining required), and one can each of the tomatoes and the beans.
Add, to taste, chili seasoning that you buy in a canister instead of using a packet.
(In fact it's more economical to use the canister seasoning instead of a packet, all of the time.)
Serve with corn chips, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and banana pepper rings. Or you can go with cornbread muffins on the side.
Make a lot and invite the crowd. On the first cool day. Which will arrive in due time.
And that is all for now.
=0=0=0=
Happy Tuesday
Reader Comments (10)
I've made your chili and it's so good! I have a few different chili recipes that I rotate through - and it's time to start making it again.
I do a grocery pick up through Meijers here. I order online and tell them when I want to pick it up. No charge for that. :) I haven't tried the delivery though, sounds like a great plan in the winter. :)
I laugh at Amazon's delivery too - they also send things from the same order in a few different delivery's and often put one little thing in a huge box with lots of packing. So funny!
@Mari ... there is no rhyme nor reason to the way Amazon packs things that they ship! Sometimes you just get a box of this or that dumped on your doorstep with no packaging whatsoever! And then, a can of beans is treated like it's breakable. Hahahaha yes do make the pirate chili soon! xoxo
Your description of ordering a single can of beans that showed up in a giant box is hilarious; that's prime example of modern ridiculousness. It's too funny how you draw the line at applying mascara just to go grocery shopping, but honestly, I completely get the convenience of online delivery, even with the odd mistakes.
I really had a good laugh when you said you won't go to the store without mascara!!! We have a store a few blocks from my house and there are times I literally have rolled out of bed and ran there to get milk or bread and ran out. Of course praying I would not see anyone I know. I've used Whole Foods delivery (which is 25 minutes away) and been very pleased with the service and have never had a any screw ups.Also just have to tip the driver -I need to learn how to use more of these kind of services. My kids even order food from restaurants- I never think of that and supposedly there is a service that will grocery shop at multiple stores and do your errands. I just need to learn how to use all these apps!!
Came back to say that although not a chili fan (don't know why cause I like beans), I did publish a bean recipe this week too.
Hee Hee ... oh me oh my, a fun story. I can add some of my Walmart shipping stories with yours. We could write a book!
Love, Carla
Shopping can be such an adventure...whether you do it in person at the store or online. It's crazy that one single can of beans was shipped in a huge box. But, I guess, that's life these days. I don't believe common sense is a thing in the present. Have a great weekend, Jenny! xx
That chili does sound easy and very good. I have never had groceries delivered. Going to the grocery store doesn't bother me, although the price of stuff stresses me out! I only buy name brand tomato sauce and paste when I make my spaghetti sauce. It does make a significant difference! XO
I have never ordered a grocery delivery from any store before. I have done a pickup from Meijer and it is convenient but I don't mind going to the grocery store. Well, the prices stress me out but other than that..... Your chili recipe sounds good and easy! XO
I suppose those beans just didn't get along well with the others! I love chili. I agree about the name brand and also the clarity of chili powder. I like a bit of molasses or maple syrup in mine... and my dad always cut his with a kittle dash (or more) of sweet pickle vinegar... now I'm hungry for chili! But it's still 89 degrees in Missouri!