Homemade...

Homemade Vanilla:

• 3 parts Vodka
• 1 part dark Rum
• Whole Vanilla Bean

Cut the Vanilla bean into 1 inch sections for smaller bottles, add about 2 or 3 pieces depending on the size of your bottle, you can add more or less. I used a recycled olive oil bottle which held 5 cups liquid, so I added 2 1/2 whole pieces of vanilla cut down the middle. Let set in dark place for at least 2 months before using, shake the bottle occasionally. You can refill your bottle with more alcohol as you use it up, the vanilla beans will last for awhile.

Dry Spicy Rub:

• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cup Salt
• 1/2 cup Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Paprika
• 1/4 cup Garlic Powder
• 1/4 cup Onion Powder or Onion Flakes
• 1/8 cup Ground Red Pepper or Cayenne or Chili Powder (to taste)

Thoroughly mix all ingredients and store in air tight container. Makes 1 Quart. (with pork try adding ginger, dry mustard or turmeric; with beef crank up the red pepper; with chicken add lemon-pepper or citrus zest)

I also canned up 9 jars of "Plum" Jelly the other day. This one was in the frig, that's why it's cloudy looking. I also did up 2 jars of tomatoes one night, but only one jar ended up sealing. Amanda and Charles left some tomatoes when they came so I will try to do better this time.