Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I mix a pint of good vanilla ice cream (softened), a stick of butter (softened), a cup of brown sugar, and a cup of powdered sugar. Add a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of vanilla. Freeze.
Add 2 tablespoons of the mix to a cup with rum and hot water.
You could give this as a gift but it needs to be kept in the freezer.
I use cheap rum, but this is the only thing I use rum with. It is also good with bourbon.

We always have several vegetarian dishes at Thanksgiving, including vegan mashed potatoes alongside the ones made with cream and butter. We don't even have any vegans in the family anymore, but they satisfy those of us who wish to stay awake for pie.
BTW, I actually have my Thanksgiving in July turkey defrosting in the fridge right now!

I put mine on top of the refrigerator. Its in a corner, so away from drafts, and the energy from the fridge's motor keeps it fairly warm.

My great aunt and uncle always had a party after Good Friday services and would bake hundreds of hot cross buns. Most were made with raisins or currants but there would always be several dozen without any fruit at all for us kids who blanched at the thought of "spider bodies" in our bread. There were also some with icing and some without, but as kids we always went for the icing!

Cleaning supplies, plus my giant box full of little boxes of Ziploc bags. From Costco. I keep the big box under the sink, and one little box in my drawer with the plastic wrap, foil, parchment, etc.

When I get coffee out: Latte with honey or cinnamon dolce latte. Always hot. I love Starbucks, but I live north of Seattle and there are a million coffee places, including two within two miles. (I live out in the country.) Tea at home though.

I definitely preferred the throwback Mountain Dew over HFCS Mountain Dew. I'm now anxious to try the Pepsi. I hope it is as good as Mexican Coke which is my standard soda pop right now.

I'm Athena. I'm from Bellingham, WA, also, although I was born, bred, and except for a 3 month stint in Seattle have always lived here. I'm 31. I love food, cooking, and baking. I could easily spend my one day off producing a dozen loaves of bread. And then consuming them.

@fenebabe. But I seldom actually tweet.

My mom's pork roast with mashed potatoes and gravy.

I got very excited about this especially because I'd planned on giving the kids Shirley Temples for New Year's Eve. I made a classic Shirley Temple, just swapping sparkling wine for the soda. It was okay, but I preferred plain champagne with a maraschino cherry for garnish. It was garish and fun without being too sweet. Perfect for New Year's!

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up using a cassoulet recipe guide my flavors. Beans, ham, wine, herbs, mirepoix. Very good. Even my kids liked it!