Fall is in the air, even in Savannah (kind of, sort of – it is eighty degrees today). For many of you, this may evoke thoughts of changing colors in the leaves, pumpkins, crisp clean air and winter clothing.

Not me. I start to wonder what Oprah Winfrey is going to have on her Favorite Things show. I miss Oprah. I can’t help it. Yes, I have been gainfully employed over the last two plus decades, but I watched her show. A lot. Usually while running on the treadmill.

I am not sure how I am going to get ready for the holidays without her Favorite Things show. It was a favorite of mine. For those of you who never saw it, it was at least one show – sometimes two – dedicated to showing the world Oprah’s favorite new items. These included food, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, appliances, jewelry, etc. She would typically restrict her studio audience that day to a worthy group – such as all military spouses or all teachers – and each member of the audience would get all of her favorite things. I still have and enjoy many items purchased after watching the show.

As a tribute to Oprah, I thought I would do my own version of the favorite things show – and I thought it would be fitting to include some of Oprah’s favorite things in with mine.  For my male readers, I apologize – some of this is more applicable to the ladies.

Presenting – the first annual Oprah’s and My Favorite Things.

Am I going to have to get up for this?

In case you don’t know, I am referring to Oprah Aldridge, my beautiful black cat.  (If you haven’t met her, you may want to read this post: Ode to Oprah.)

This peanut butter is unbelievable. And I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur. This is fantastic in recipes, such as the peanut butter muffins discussed on my Muffin Mania post. It is delicious on a spoon right out of the fridge, or on a banana.  I put one tablespoon into my oatmeal every morning for the delicious taste and also the protein. Yum – and healthy, with the only ingredients peanuts, flax seed and salt.  The only problem with this peanut butter is that you cannot get it in Savannah. When my hubby goes anywhere near a Trader Joe’s on his work travels, he knows to pick me up at least two.  For those of you that are lucky enough to have a Trader Joe’s, enjoy!

Oprah Aldridge loves snacks – she will pretty much eat anything. Because of her propensity (much like the real Oprah’s documented trials) for weight issues, she eats a low-calorie cat food. She does get treats, though. If it is not people food, she likes these treats:

Do you have an item of clothing that when you wear it, someone always comments on it? If I had to pick one item from my closet, it would be this belt:

Whenever I wear this belt (and it is often), I always get a compliment on it. I can wear it with a skirt, jeans or khakis, but my favorite is with jeans – black, blue or white. The belt is from Sundance. I would like to live in the Sundance catalog. I drool over each page.  There are so many items in the catalog that I love – clothes, jewelry, accessories, furniture, etc. This belt can be found in the catalog or online at Sundance Catalog.

My Oprah is a little devious and evil. One of her favorite past times is scaring people or dogs. And she has various places throughout the house from which she stages these surprises. Her favorite is on a shelf in my closet. You can see that it looks like she has been there recently:

She patiently waits until I come in there, half asleep, to put on my running shoes in the morning and, as I am bent over, reaches out and taps me on the back. Who needs coffee??

This next favorite thing of mine is an acquired taste. My husband once smelled it and commented that it smelled like sweaty socks. I have become addicted to it though and typically drink three or four a week. Have you tried a Kombucha?

As you can read from the label, it claims to reawaken, rethink, retain, reactivate, and many other wonderful things. I don’t know how many of these claims are valid. I do know that it has two effects on me: (1) it dulls my hunger, and (2) it does seem to give me energy (and it does not contain caffeine). Our Fresh Market started carrying these recently and couldn’t keep them on the shelf. My favorite check-out lady would hide a supply for herself and me when the delivery arrived. She has reflux and digestive issues and believes that the Kombucha helps greatly.  There are several different flavors – I much prefer the ginger flavor. Again – it is an acquired taste – you have to get used to it.

Oprah also likes her privacy. She has her favorite places to sleep, where no one can find her. One lair she has created for herself is on our guest bedroom bed – she has moved the pillows to create a wonderful hiding place.

I worry when we have guests that she will seek revenge on them for taking her spot.  You never know with her. If you visit us for an overnight stay, you may want to sleep with one eye open.

A final favorite item of mine is from a jeweler whom I found through a dear friend. Kathryn Riechert is a SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) graduate and sells on Etsy. I love that her pieces are very delicate, not over-pricey, and carry positive messages. The below necklace, which I own, says “Be Happy, Be Awesome, Be True.” Kathryn has a website at Kathryn Riechert.

I love being reminded of that wonderful mantra every time I wear it.

Enjoy!