A RECENT STORY about Spam in the Taste section started me thinking about this popular canned meat product.

My mother never cooked with it. In fact, I never had it at home. But when I was a camper at High Rocks in Cedar Mountain, N.C., it became a favorite camping food for many of us.

For some reason, nothing tasted better in the morning than a slice of Spam cooked in an iron skillet over a fire until it became crispy on the outside and still mushy on the inside. Sounds gross, but my mouth still waters for it.

Anyway, I began wondering what others think about Spam. Mary Zelle, a loyal food-page reader, sent an e-mail telling me of Google's e-mail system.

"There is a folder that automatically places e-mails in the system that it determines to be 'spam,' " she wrote. "You can go to this folder to see which mail has been put there. At the top of the list of spam e-mails, there is a Spam recipe of the day. I love it when a corporate entity shows a sense of humor."

Now I want to know your favorite Spam memories. E-mail them to me at abraly@timesfreepress.com. I look forward to reading and writing about them.

I NEVER THOUGHT Asheville, N.C., would be a city producing olive oil, but recently, the Theros family, who now lives in Asheville, began importing olives from their family olive groves in southern Greece and turning them into oil.

This is pure olive oil that has never been diluted or commingled with any other product or inferior olive oils, according to company spokeswoman Karen Malkin.

"I feel confident in telling you that this is the best olive oil you will taste in this country," she said.

I've tried it, and I agree.

It's being sold at Greenlife Grocery. Let me know what you think.

GEORGIA WINERY WILL be painting the town peach on Saturday with its first-ever peach party, celebrating the Peach State's crown fruit.

Be one of the first to taste and purchase the new Georgia Peach Wine made solely from Georgia peaches. There will be samples of many peach products on sale at the wine outlet as well. The Peach Party lasts from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 day of. Call (706) 937-9463 for reservations.

The winery is located at 6469 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, Ga.

IN A RECENT COLUMN, I passed along a few economical household hints from readers. From food ideas to cleaning solutions, they were all helpful. Here are several more sent in by Maryse D. Malone.

"Having grown up in France during the war, I thought I knew just about all the ways there are to squeeze, but I came across a number of excellent ones in a Jerry Baker Living Well book, "Supermarket Super Products.' "

Ms. Malone said the book is filled with cleaning, health, pets, garage and garden products to make from inexpensive items.

"I have made numerous ones, and I can attest to their efficacy," she said. "The book has more than paid for itself in savings." Here are three of her favorites:

Spray Cleaner

This is just like Tilex.

3 cups water

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

1 tablespoon laundry detergent (must be the kind with enzymes)

Combine ingredients and stir till detergent is dissolved. Spray tiles and shower curtain after each shower, and there will no problem with mold and mildew or soap scum.

Age Spot Reducer

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 tablespoon grated horseradish

Combine and spread over age spots. Let dry, then gently rub off.

No More Crows' Feet

1/2 avocado, mashed

1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil

1 tablespoon plain yogurt

Combine and gently spread around eyes before bed, avoiding getting into eyes.