Passover shopping

I realize I may seem a little obsessed with Passover shopping, which is even stranger when the fact that we don't eat much bread to begin with is considered. Nevertheless, yesterday we stopped at two stores in the north suburbs of Chicago before going to seder. Despite each of them clearly not having the same selection they probably did even a week ago, they both had full aisles and sections devoted to the unleavening. It was almost, but not quite, like being back in Kemp Mill. The one thing I really was hoping to find was jelly. Evidently jelly was a hot commodity this year because I only found a few jars and they were all black currant. I've never tried it, but how bad can it be?

We're not in Kansas anymore

So far, other than the persistant snow, Milwaukee has been great. And it's even finally spring-ish and getting a bit warm. Today I went out to start doing a little shopping for Passover. There was really no point. Not only were the shelves bare, but it looked to me like they had never been filled.

And what there was could have been purchased only if a bank had been robbed in advance. Living in Kemp Mill for the last several years made Passover very easy. Milwaukee for Passover will not be easy. That much is clear.

I believe that this year we may finally fully embrace kitniyot. It will mean that beans, tofu and brown rice could be part of our menu. It also means that Passover food won't actually differ much from non-Passover food. I realize that's not actually the point of Passover, but in the whole "why is this night different than other nights" kind of perspective, for it not to be different may mean it won't actually feel like Passover....