My New Favorites

The other day a friend and I were comparing our food favorites when I realized that I had a lot of new ones. Surprisingly, one is sauerkraut.

Years ago, when I was growing up, home made sauerkraut was on the dinner menu every night. We usually had two huge crocks of kraut stored in the cellar where other canned and preserved foods were kept. During the winter months, at dinner time, Mom would send me to the cellar to get kraut for dinner. As we used up the kraut I'd let her know how much remained, but before the crocks were empty, I got weary of eating kraut every night and complained, “Not again!” Recently I ate a deli sandwich with kraut and rediscovered how tasty kraut could be.

Another new favorite is cucumber-lemon water.

It's served at one of the local restaurants and since I found out how to make it, I keep some in the fridge. Just put large chunks of cucumber and lemon slices in water and chill. Just replace the water after drinking some. As the flavor diminishes, add a fresh cucumber and lemon.

My latest new favorite is an open face cream cheese sandwich, generously covered with raw pecan pieces pressed onto the cheese.

Crystallized ginger, a forgotten favorite, is on my list again. I remembered it when I noticed that a piece of ginger root had sprouted.

Foods are not my only favorites.

My latest TV favorite is America's Got Talent.

If I hadn't seen some of the performances with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe them possible. Some athletic feats are beyond description with phenomenal strength and flexibility. Musical talents of participants are often amazing. Performances of many unusual abilities are shown, and acts combining the latest virtual technology with movement are elegant to watch.

My favorite late night comedian was Jay Leno, but since he retired, I haven't yet decided on one.

My favorite games are chess, mahjong solitaire, and Spite and Malice, a card game.

My sister Adeline had learned the card game many years ago and it became a family favorite. During any lengthy visit of family members, there will always be a Spite and Malice tournament.

I have favorite books but too numerous to mention. History books are top of the list with biography and autobiographical books a close second.

Over the years I've had many pets, favoring dogs over cats, however, Mimi, my cat that ran off with a river boat gambler during the hurricane Ike, was special.

I'll obviously continue choosing favorites as the current ones are replaced. Who knows what the next ones will be.



German Sauerkraut