My son asked me to recommend Xellent Vodka in the red bottle. His friend gave me a bottle as a house gift when he came to visit. I think I got one drink from it. The next time I looked the bottle was empty.
Well guys, I'm not totally inept at this Christmas stuff. I just made my first successful batch of pralines. As a former Yankee the knack for making this southern delicacy escaped me. The first time I tried it my stove wasn't hot enough. The second time, I got them hot enough but they all stuck to the pot and the cookie sheet. My dog ate the whole batch. Tonight I finally did everything right (I used a candy thermometer, a large enough pot, cooked it on the highest heat forever, and spooned it onto parchment paper)and I have real pralines. One more batch and I'll be ready for the cookie exchange on friday. And my dog still got to lick the pot. So she's happy.
)