Istara P’tit Basque Sheep’s Milk Cheese is around $18.69 per pound today at Costco in Sand City, California by Ruth Paget

One of my favorite products at Costco (worth the membership for me) is the French Istara P’tit Basque sheep milk’s cheese at $18.69 per pound as of today. (November 2, 2026)

This round cheese with a basket shaped rind is festive for Thanksgiving, but I eat a slice of it or Brie with breakfast or with charcuterie as a light dinner. 

The cheese is semi-hard and has a buttery taste.  I like it with apple slices.  P’tit Basque comes from France’s Southwestern corner and is part of the Basque Country that is made up of territory in modern-day France and Spain.

Information about the cheese follows:

https://www.thekitchn.com/costco-istara-ptit-basque-review-23490414

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2000+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory blogs

Chic $18.99 Toblerone Frozen Cake at Costco for Thanksgiving at Sand City, California reposted by Ruth Paget

I have taste-tested the Swiss Frozen Toblerone Cake from Costco at Sand City (near Monterey), California and think this would be a chic dessert for college students and up for Thanksgiving.

It costs $18.99 (as of November 1, 2026) and features honey and nougat with chocolate flavors.  It is gluten-free and crunchy - perfect with coffee or Darjeeling tea.

Information about the cake from Almondy follows:

https://www.almondy.com/en/foodservice/almond-cake-with-toblerone/

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2000+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Good Deal Fish and Chips at Black Bear Diner in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget

Good Deal Fish and Chips Dinner at Black Bear Diner in Salinas, California by Ruth Paget 

When my family wants to go out for a California diner meal, we do a beeline for Black Bear Diner in the Westridge Mall in Salinas, California. 

This California chain offers a mini newspaper full of classic American dishes, but my favorites at Black Bear Diner are Friday Night Fish Fry, reuben sandwiches, and fish and chips. 

For $16.99 (online menu price as of 10-28-1016), the fish and chips meal comes with the following items: 

-3 large, deep-fried pieces of cod with a golden crust that is hard enough to be tapped for sound yet soft enough to be easily cut with a fork 

-a generous helping of double-fried French fries that take up half the plate. The fries arrive salted and do taste great with ketchup. 

-coleslaw with a delicious dressing of cream and apple cider vinegar. 

Black Bear offers a choice of sides, but I like what is on the menu. 

I drank two large unsweetened iced teas with this meal and thought everything was refreshing. 

I had no leftovers, but my husband Laurent and daughter Florence Paget gave me their leftover fries and coleslaw for lunch the next day. 

I thought the meal was delicious and also thought $16.99 for this meal was a reasonable price. With the iced tea, my meal cost about $20. 

I like fish and chips and think that the Black Bear Diner in Salinas, California does a good job with this meal.

By Ruth Paget 

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2000+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

I still love $4.99 Rotisserie Chicken from Costco in Sand City, California by Ruth Paget

I still love $4.99 Rotisserie chicken from Costco in Sand City (near Monterey), California with mashed potatoes and sometimes a fruit and cheese tray to eat as dessert.

There is easily enough for 4 to 6 people in this meal.

If you like roast chicken, this might be a meal to consider for winter.

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2000+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

Dollar Tree Sells Sudoku and Word Search Books reposted by Ruth Paget

Dollar Tree appears to have shelves and shelves of sudoku and word search books.

TikTok has videos showing everything.

Kohl’s has brainstacking materials too.  Walmart has been onboard for a long time.  TJ Maxx carries many brainstacking items.

 Happy brainstacking!

By Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2000+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games

$24.99 Fruit and Cheese Trays at Raley’s Nob Hill for Members reposted by Ruth Paget

Raley’s Nob Hill in Salinas, California members can purchase fruit and cheese trays for $24.99 with a 24-hour lead time.  

That is a nice deal for people who like these items.  

These trays  are time savers for book groups, scrapbooking work at home, and writing nights.

You can sign up for the Nob Hill members app online or in-store.

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Centrr

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2000+ Central Coadt California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory blogs

Hunger Games Advent Calendars reposted by Ruth Paget

Hunger Games created an Advent calendar.

Great for re-reading the series after watching the newest Hunger Games a little each day.

The TikTok merchandise link follows:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLyySMb6/

Reposted by Ruth Paget

-author seating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe’s Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books

-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games

-developer of food and beverage knowledge games

-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center

-creator of French travel and culture games

-writer of 2000+ Central Cosst California lifestyle blogs

-family genealogist

-developer of 9 music theory games