Sunday, Dec. 05, 2010 - 8:34 a.m.

I ordered a pound of vanilla beans yesterday, with a mind to making homemade vanilla extract for Xmas gifts. It will, of course, not be remotely ready in time for said holiday. And then, what, am I supposed to start a batch for next year and move them across the country this summer? Maybe I acted rashly. But I'm still pretty excited about having a pound of vanilla beans all to myself.

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