>  ML> I wonder if he knew the stuff back when it had
>  ML> whiskey in it.
> Daddy was born in 1919.  I assume he knew a lot of things when they
> had whiskey in them.

The original formulations of Southern Comfort
were whiskey-based, but someone later on,
Brown-Forman I would guess, economized by
using neutral spirits and whiskey flavoring.

> >> Northern Comfort (2 cocktails)
> >> Southern Soiree (2 cocktails)
>  ML> But anything that keeps dollars out of the
>  ML> pocket of the great agribusiness giants is
>  ML> much appreciated
> ???  Drinking keeps agribusiness in line economically?  Well, I guess
> if I'm happy with my adult beverage in my little corner, I'm not going
> to go out and buy hog futures.

You will have to get used to my ellipticality. 
Drinking beverages that mimic the big boys'
products while giving them less money than
you would if you used the brand name merchandise
gives the maximum pleasure to sellout ratio.

>  ML> La vignarola
> Wow, that is one robust, complex recipe.  The entire vegetable
> kingdom seems to be included.  I love reading the recipe, but it is
> just a bit overwhelming to imagine making and eating.

We post and enjoy reading recipes that few if any
of us would actually make. I'd be perfectly comfy
making that dish, more than eating it.

> Vegetable and otherwise, looks like your winter will be nice and
> green.

Out here it got to 80F, and the rhododendron and
azaleas were blooming, and it was gorgeous. Back
to the States in less than a week, though.

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.01

      Title: Sun-dried Tomato & Basil pasta sauce/dressing
 Categories: Italian, Sauces, Vegetarian
      Yield: 1 servings
     10    Basil leaves, fresh, large
      2    Garlic clove, large
      4    Sun-dried tomatoes,
           Large, oil-packed
      6 Tb Olive oil
    1/4 c  Balsamic vinegar, OR
           Red wine vinegar
      1 ts Salt
    1/2 ts Sugar
    1/4 ts Red pepper flakes, dried

  Insert steel knife in food processor. Place basil in work bowl. With
  machine running, drop garlic through feed tube and mince. Scrape down
  sides of bowl. Add drained sun-dried tomatoes and process until
  finely chopped, scraping down bowl as needed. Add olive oil, vinegar,
  salt, sugar and red pepper flakes. Process until tomatoes are pureed,
  about 1 1/2 minutes. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Transfer to
  small bowl. Cover and let stand at room temperature. Re-whisk before
  using if necessary.) Source unknown