I have been a long time fan of Troeg's Brewery. The Brewery's prior location in Harrisburg was a mere 10 minutes from my in-law's house, which made it within perfect striking distance over long holiday weekends. During grocery runs for a used up dinner ingredient, ("oh my goodness, we are out of butter?!"), I would always volunteer to go, and my sturdy Jeep would inevitably be magnetically pulled in the direction of Troeg's, where a quick pint, a six-pack of their special Scratch beer, or a growler full of Javahead could be quickly procured, providing a little refreshment and fortitude to enter back into chaos of a large long family dinner.

It looks like my Asian Obsession has faded and I have moved on to Mexican food. It started over Superbowl weekend, an obvious choice. I don't know of any other day of the year (other than Cinco de Mayo) that most Americans are eating some form of Mexican or Mexican-inspired food, including but not limited to, Nachos, tacos, and salsa.

Today is the Superbowl. Even though I am only a casual football fan, I, along with millions of other Americans will use this hallowed day as an excuse to pig out on a scale only rivaled by Thanksgiving dinner. As I drove past the grocery store last night, and saw the full parking lot, it looked like the eve before a coming snow storm.

Today was a grey raw rainy day. I would have preferred to go straight home after work, promptly pull on some sweats, and plop on the couch with a Troegenator. But my daughter needed an annual physical for sports that couldn't wait. The doctor's office was in Mechanicsburg, so ever being the opportunist, since I was there I decided to make the most of it.

I collect old cookbooks, preferably used and well worn. I buy them inexpensively at flea markets, used book stores, and yard sales. When I open the fragile pages and find an old stained recipe, grocery list, or a birthday card, I feel like I am opening a time capsule. I love scrutinizing the old recipes, noting what ingredients were popular, and what particular dishes (usually long fallen out of favor) were considered fashionable at the time. I love making fun of the old jello molds, kodachrome pictures, and fatty meat roasts. And at times, I actually learn a little more food history, and feel like a low budget archeaologist.

There are generally two sides to the bad dining experience coin: bad food, and bad service. Sometimes, if you’re really lucky (and we frequently are,) that coin manages to spin on edge and you get both. The question then becomes, “What to do?”

It had been a couple of years since I went to the Pennsylvania Farm Show. After school activities, weather, and a full-time job had gotten in the way. At least that's what I told myself. I was ready to forego another year until my 13-year old daughter mentioned it. I had taken her many times when she was younger and life was simpler (or so it seemed). Evidently she had very good memories of the Farm Show. And she wanted to go again. After running out of legitimate excuses, and looking for something interesting to do on a quiet January weekend, we got up early this Saturday morning and headed to the Farm Show Complex.

This vegan delight is one of the most flavorful side-dishes this carnivore has ever enjoyed!

It was the weekend before Christmas. I should have stayed home to put up the tree and wrap presents. After my Thanksgiving Trip to Philadelphia I had vowed to forsake travel and occupy myself at home with domestic pursuits. But then Hubby and my teen daughter concocted a plan to go to New York City. Even though I knew the city would be mobbed with tourists and I should be baking cookies, I couldn’t resist. I left work on Friday at noon and off we went.

Each time I watch the host of "Man vs. Food" kick back another high-caloric fat-fest, I can't help but wonder, "Gee, I bet his cholesterol is astronomical" or "He's a diabetic in the making". Those thoughts would have never crossed my mind twenty years ago, but now, they are in the forefront of my daily thinking.