Dang, why didn't I look at this earlier. I could have drank the whole bottle today, lol. I don't drink very often anymore either but did drink about a 6 pack last night, lol. I work better when I drink. Glad you are feeling better April. I have been so busy this weekend I didn't get to get on here much til late. Speaking of late I better get to bed. I will have to remember to come back here and write these recipes down. Have to take a trip to Killeen to buy hard liquor though dangit. Ginger ale and chicken noodle soup are all I live on when I am sick, lol. Dang my whole body hurts. I should have drank beer again today. I forgot I had a package of that premixed margarita stuff with the alcohol in it already in the freezer. If I still feel like this in the morning I might have it for breakfast, lol.

Here is the only Recipe for Kahlua you need In a large pan mix 3 cups granulated sugar with 2/3cup hot water on high heat until it boils, reduce heat to medium, stirring constantly for 3 min. In a small pan mix 1/2 cup instant coffee with 1 cup hot water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and stir 2 min. mix VERY SLOWLY(to prevent volcanic eruption)the coffee mixture into the sugar mixture, on medium heat, stir 2 min. LET COOL TO ROOM TEMPERATURE(to prevent evaporation of alcohol) add 1 pint pure grain alcohol. 1 tablespoon vanilla mix, it will turn a caramel color and then a chocolate brown, mix thouroughly for about 3 min. pour into a large kahlua bottle($35 bottle)(or similar size) fill to top with water, shake well let sit for 24 hours ENJOY !

Besides making your own vanilla extract and vanilla sugar, what do you use the beans for? Homemade Kahlua 4 cups sugar 2 cups water 2/3 cup instant coffee 3 1/2 cups vodka or rum 1 vanilla bean Combine sugar, water and coffee in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Skim off the froth and allow to cool. Pour into a half-gallon glass jug, add the vodka or rum and the vanilla bean. Store in a dark place for at least 2 weeks, preferably longer. Remove the vanilla bean and store in glass containers. I've found the longer it's stored, the smoother it gets. In the beginning it's almost too sweet (at least for me). It's quite lovely over vanilla ice cream.

I would many times over rather receive a homemade food gift than any widget. I always need to eat, my friends always need to eat, but hardly ever truly need a widget :-) My next-door-neighbor sends a plate of Xmas cookies over every year, and although I don't really do sweets, my visitors always eat them right up. I would never think of a homemade food gift as cheap. Ingredients are $$$$! I also think the folks who give homemade gifts are enjoying themselves creating the gift, as opposed to the stressed-out-shopper trying to find a perfect widget (in my case, the perfect widget would be a 2.5 carat diamond, so if anyone wants to give me THAT...well, SURE!) And for those who don't like to bake, a pound of coffee or a nice container of tea would be such a nice gift... One year, I didn't know what to get my brother, so I made him a Bloody Mary basket. Everything he needed to create his favorite drink, with different mixes and olives...it wasn't cheap, but it sure seemed to be his favorite present that year :-) A previous coworker grew and canned her own pickles, and a jar of these pickles was coveted by every member of the office every holiday season. Wish I still could get some of those... If I ever start canning, which I always say I am going to do, I will be so happy to give away my jars of treats to people. Joanna