I hear there's a thriving black market in semi-sweet morsels

[eofs]

My parents are off to the States in a few days and I'm hoping they'll be able to pick up a few bits and pieces for me. The problem is, I haven't been across for 8 years and thus don't know what interesting things there are that I might want

Comments

[eofs]

I'll try to remember to mention those quilting stores. I thought I had heard good things about Jo-Ann's for cheapness.

I really don't know much of their itinerary - flying into Boston, spending some time in Amherst, driving up to New Brunswick (so presumably through Maine, though we did it via Toronto once) and then back down to Boston again. Somewhere in there they're going to the Ben and Jerrys place Vermont.

If they bring back butterscotch chips, then maybe that means they can't adequately be substituted by Caramac.

I'm afraid I don't know at all what kind of fabric mum likes - quilty fabric? ;0)

[hollyberrie05]

Pumpkin butter or apple butter? Most grocery stores will sell it this time of year. Also, what about local wineries? There are tons of them in New England and they will definitely sell local food stuffs.
try:
http://www.weekendwinery.com

[thekumquat]

I second the suggestion for some really good maple syrup - you can get it in cans or plastic bottles so not too heavy. Like most stuff you can find it here...for a price.

I used to stock up on Betty Crocker/Duncan Hines cake mixes, but you can get those here now for not too expensive. A couple packs of cornbread mix and some Mexican ingredients?

[mrs_ralph]

If I was going I would probably want to hit a local Wal-mart to check out their crafts and baking stuff and, of course, go to Michael's Crafts and Joann Fabrics

[mrs_ralph]

We have the old style zip lock bags...you know the 'yellow and blue make green' kind? that you have to work at to seal but I haven't seen hide nor hair of the ones with the little zipper on them.

[mybdog]

Fritos. Of all flavors. My mom ships me fritos (for my English boyfriend)at least once every 3 months, he's retarded for them. Also, jolly ranchers. Best hard candy, ever. And I second the real syrup. The stuff you buy here (not from import stores) never tastes right.

If you enjoy baking, have your mom pick up a box of "Funfetti" cake mix and matching icing. By now they'll have out the Halloween ones and possibly Thanksgiving and Christmas as well. It's really just white cake mix with sprinkles in but it's the absolute best party treat, ever.

Other than that, pretty much everything I want from home I can usually buy here.

[eofs]

I love baking, but I'm afraid I'm heartily against box mixes and premade stuff. I recently bought a boxed chocolate cake mix for the first time ever and felt incredibly guilty about it! (I was entering a decorating contest and noticed the box mix would make with one egg what I would normally need two for.)