Try a recipe for the best soup ever

I?m not sure if I should be admitting my addictions in the newspaper, but here goes.

If you have ever had sauerkraut soup, then you might understand why I?m addicted to it. Lately I can?t get enough of it.

I know some people are repulsed by sauerkraut, and as a kid I was too. But now I crave the stuff. If I?m not exactly sure what to order in a new restaurant, I just make it a Reuben sandwich for the sauerkraut.

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It would be almost unkind to not include the recipe, now that I?ve mentioned the sauerkraut soup. I need to give credit to Linda Mathis for this version.

Ingredients:

1 lb. smoked sausage

6 tsp onion, chopped

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp black pepper

3 cups milk

1 cup half and half

8 oz. cubed hash browns,

thawed

8 oz. sauerkraut with juice

11?2 tbsp lemon juice, optional

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Bake the uncooked sausage for about an hour with a little water in the bottom of the pan. Then chop it. Put the sausage and the onions in a deep pan and saute over medium heat for a few minutes. On a small plate combine the flour, thyme and pepper. Add to the sausage and brown all together until the mixture bubbles up, about 5 minutes. Add the milk and half and half all at once, and cook stirring until the mixture bubbles up, about 5 minutes. Add the sauerkraut and cubed potatoes and bring to a boil; the mixture will continue to thicken. Add the lemon juice, then the parsely and serve at once.

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Another phone-book story.

I heard from Al Isaac that some of the early phone books, when the rotary dial came into play with our local telephones, had instructions on how to use the dialer.

The directory instructions actually directed you to put your index finger into the dialer and move the dialer all the way to the right until it hit the stop. Then you were to pull your finger out and do the same thing for the next number.

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Buying cheap shoes is a bad investment in my view. I have authority to say this because I have a lot of experience with purchasing shoes over the past 50 years or so. My mom took care of it early in my life and then I took a more active role.

My theory is that shoes that cost two or three times more than cheap shoes actually last about four times longer. Plus they just feel better.

When you have found brands that you like and that fit well, then just stay with them. My favorites are Red Wing for boots and tough casual shoes and my new favorite is Ecco, shoes well-made in Scandinavia. The latest pair I bought took all of five minutes. Didn?t even ask how much they cost because they felt so good. I smile every time I put them on and start walking.

Most memorable shoe purchase was in Mankato, Minn. when my mom bought me my first pair of cowboy boots because I begged and begged for months to get them.

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Persistence, I believe, is a good quality if for the right reasons?as in asking for the boots.

My brother learned persistence at an early age when he was overheard telling the little neighbor girl, ?I just keep asking until they (parents) say yes.?

If you wish to share your comments or ideas, my e-mail address is joel@hillsborofreepress.com.

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