To
paraphrase the perennial classic, these are a few, well, eight, of my favourite
things. Not eight discreet items, I’ve lived too long to have only eight
favourite things. I do have favourite categories of things though, and after
some thought, I came up with my top eight. In no particular order, here they
are.
British
TV: I’ve always enjoyed British TV, from
comedy (Monty Python, The IT Crowd, Blackadder), to game shows (Pointless, 15
to 1), to panel shows (Mock the Week), to drama (Shetland, The Bodyguard).
Given the choice, I’ll stream something British on Netflix rather than watch my
local cable TV.
Sweaters
I’ve knitted: I learned to knit as a
child but paused for many years for other interests, like piano lessons and
boys. I took up knitting again when I got married. I attempted to knit a
pullover for Mr. S. but I ran out of wool halfway through knitting the second
sleeve – I know! I took up knitting again when I had babies and haven’t stopped
since.
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| Son1 in a cardigan knitted with the wool from failed pullover. |
Desserts: I always eat dessert after supper, a habit
established in infancy – or at least as far back as my memory will stretch.
Baking is my favourite way to unwind and I love trying new recipes. If you
subscribe to my newsletter (www.luannastewart.com/newsletter) you’ll hear about
my baking.
Bread: A theme seems to be emerging – I like food.
But I love bread, any flavour, any
variety, from a chewy country loaf to a tender, buttery croissant. I could
happily eat bread all day long.
Italian
cuisine: By far my favourite. Though I
do enjoy the spices in Indian food – cumin, coriander, garam masala – and I
enjoy a good stir-fry (check out recipetineats.com for delicious versions and other scrumptious recipes), my
true comfort food is pasta topped with a sauce of garlic, tomatoes, and fresh
herbs.
Music: As a kid, we always had music playing on the
radio or on the record player. Mum listened to Englebert Humperdink, Dad
listened to Chet Atkins, my brother blasted us with BTO (Bachman Turner
Overdrive), and I enjoyed Bobby Sherman and the Bay City Rollers. I mentioned
piano lessons in an earlier category. I studied classical piano for much of my
childhood early teen years and managed to pass grade eight of the Royal Conservatory of Music. So
there I’d be in the living room practising The Horseman, Op. 68, No. 23 by
Schumann, and my brother would be in the downstairs rec room serenading the
entire house with Foreigner.
Travel: I love travelling – except for the long
uncomfortable plane rides – and would gladly spend half the year exploring
foreign lands. We recently returned from a few weeks of travel in Europe
culminating in a stay at a friend’s house in Cyprus. I had no idea what to
expect from Cyprus and I discovered a fascinating country that requires further
exploration.
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| One of the many spectacular views to be found around every bend in the road. |
I
also enjoy reading travelogues, or fiction that incorporates travel in the
story. One of my favourite authors, Elizabeth Peters, takes us through Egypt
and elsewhere in the Middle East in her Amelia Peabody series, which I re-read
regularly.
Cats: I’ve had at least one pet cat at a time since
childhood. There have been a few breaks in feline dominance but never more than
a year. Then the need for a furry friend becomes too strong to ignore and we
hie off to the animal shelter to be chosen by our next overlord. We currently
share the house with two cats – Bruno and Mogget.
