Good thought, Amelia! I generally have enough containers but green grass should work well for Christmas!grass filler for gift baskets.
Good thought, Amelia! I generally have enough containers but green grass should work well for Christmas!grass filler for gift baskets.
I will look into that. I wonder if the bad year will affect Australian prices as well.Should state picking up chocolate as it was a bad year for the growers and prices are due to go up
If you have any Hispanic grocery stores in your area, check there. I've found their vanilla to be of good quality and far cheaper than that found in my own grocery stores. My parents used to winter in Mission, TX and would frequently cross into Mexico and bring it back; I made that trek with them several times when visiting. More recently, we have another "connection" -- DSis#3 has a nurse-friend who has family in Hidalgo, TX (parents migrated from TX in the late 1950s or early 1960s, she is first-generation American, but still has family across the border) and whenever she goes home to visit, she'll bring vanilla back for my DSis (who includes me in her "order"). Last time, her friend brought back several quart bottles of vanilla, since she wasn't sure when she'd get back home and she knew Christmas baking time was coming up. That'll last me the rest of my life!!!! I also had a friend from high school who traveled to Reynosa, Mexico several times a year to visit one of their manufacturing plants located there. He'd regularly text me to see if I needed any vanilla, tequila, or other spices brought back. I can't tell you the last time I bought vanilla in my own grocery store.Apparently vanilla prices are going up too.
I think a little pre planning is needed here. I will need vanilla for Christmas so will add it to my list for next shop. I have learned over the last few years that it is better to have it then wait and miss out or have to pay a huge amount.Apparently vanilla prices are going up too.
I have seen posts about people making their own vanilla but have never looked into it. Maybe something to investigate.I have been making my own vanilla extract for a while now.
Same here - should make more as I use quite a bit of it.I have been making my own vanilla extract for a while now. I have a batch "brewing" now but I think I will pick up more vanilla beans the next time amazon has a good deal on them to get a 2nd batch going.
It's very easy... all you need is a jar, a paring knife, vanilla beans (I used madagascar grade a or b) and a bottle of cheap vodka and about 3 to 6 months for it to brew.I have seen posts about people making their own vanilla but have never looked into it. Maybe something to investigate.
Thanks for sharing that information. If it takes up to 6 months I better move fairly quickly so I can start by June.It's very easy... all you need is a jar, a paring knife, vanilla beans (I used madagascar grade a or b) and a bottle of cheap vodka and about 3 to 6 months for it to brew.
News from the supermarket today is that indeed the price of chocolate and chocolate goods will rise significantly. I have added cocoa powder to my list to buy next week.I will look into that. I wonder if the bad year will affect Australian prices as well.
I have just looked thorough my to buy list and have added what I might need to the shopping list for this week. I will freeze what I buy.I've been trying to stock up on chocolate too.