mmmmmmm, just opened some fresh vanilla extract. I love the way fresh vanilla smells.

CARAMEL CANDY

2 cups sugar

1/3 cup white karo (tried ½ cup on 12/21/09, recipe originally had 1 ½ cups, I think)

3 cups heavy whipping cream

4 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts

Combine sugar, syrup and ½ of the cream in large saucepan, bring to boil, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat and continue cooking and stirring until mixture forms a soft ball in cold water.  Add rest of cream and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until mixture forms a firm ball in cold water.  Remove from heat and add butter, vanilla, and beat until smooth.  Add nuts, mix thoroughly.  Pour into buttered pan, cool and cut into squares.
(Or you can use your candy thermometer which shows from soft ball to hard ball, choose desired hardness)

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Oh Oden! My Oden!

Oh how the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle.

Tell it not in the City of Angels, declare it not in a mile high Capital. May singing and dancing not be heard in Alamo City.

Most of us could already taste champagne so real; the cool spritz of bubbly was hitting our cheeks. But in a moment, real is ferociously and intensely surreal.

Have we all recovered from that moment? I think I have?

Last nights Miami game was hopefully an indication that we’re still going to have some fun this year. The team is going to grow. We’re still going to see some good basketball.

Christmas is still going to come.

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If you like acapella music check out the quartet Tonic SolFa

Sorry I couldn’t get a good link, try this sample but wait for a little after the 2 minute mark for a better example of what the group sounds like. Joy To The World 

Here’s a link . (Tonic sol-fa) to a few high quality samples. Their PBS special was very good but most of the links I’ve found are so poor quality they’re not worth your time.  Try the first 3 songs, (King of Glory, Chances, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) that should give you a good idea if you like their music.