Here is Something to Be Thankful For!

During the World Series this year Public Television presented the Ken Burns series "Baseball." It is an excellent series especially for those of us who love history. Burns focuses as much on the times in America when certain games and events occurred as he does on the sport itself. One of my favorite lines in the series, narrated by David McCullough, is his comment about the Great Depression and Prohibition "When Americans really needed a drink, they couldn't get one." So we can at least be thankful that we haven't done anything really stupid like reinstating prohibition!

We need cheering up in these hard times. As we turn on the news and realize that our 401k has just taken another brutal beating and we glumly deduct another year from our retirement it is time to do something nice for ourselves. And in the spirit of the upcoming holidays I have just the thing. It stores nicely in your freezer so with a little self control it can last you until Christmas. I offer you "The Best Hot Buttered Rum You've Ever Had".

My Mother started making this recipe in the late 1970's. Fortunately for my sister and I the recipe works almost as well without rum since we hadn't reach drinking age yet. My mother cannot remember her original source for the recipe but it has become a favorite of family and friends ever since. I have never had a better hot buttered rum and I've ordered them in restaurants to see if they can compare. They are great after any outdoor winter activity and if you're careful even during! It can be packed in a thermos for expeditions in the woods to chop your own Christmas tree (not a bad option this year, price wise - check with your local Forest Service). Just remember to sprinkle a few drops of the sacred fluid at the base of your tree in admiration of it's beauty and spirit.

The Best Hot Buttered Rum You've Ever Had

1/2 Cup Butter

1 LB Brown Sugar

1 T Honey

Dash of Cloves

1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4 t vanilla

Dash of Salt

1 Qt Vanilla Ice Cream - softened

Cream together your butter and brown sugar..this will take awhile. Add remaining ingredients except Vanilla Ice Cream and cream together. Finally add the Ice Cream and beat until well combined.

Place 1 Tablespoon of mixture in mug, add 1 1/2 oz. of Rum, boiling water, stir, and then sprinkle with nutmeg. Sip with pleasure!

Apply as needed. Store in freezer between bliss out moments.