Hard to believe that we have reached the eleventh month of 2025. Only one more month until … yikes … 2026.
I’m guessing these are grapevines. What do you think?
This month there are apparently only two holidays in Japan: November 3rd which is Culture Day and November 24 which is Labour Thanksgiving Day. I couldn’t find too much on either. According to multiple tour guides, this month the main event in Japan is what we call “leaf-peeping.” But you have to get out early in the morning as it is very popular!
I found this guy very entertaining! However, so far I’m planning to visit my son in March or April. Did I tell you he bought a house? Yup. Paid the equivalent of $3,000 dollars so it is a doozy. Doesn’t have running water and he’s too tall to get in the front door. Lordie, lordie. Children. I try not to worry but …
Meanwhile, yes I did it. Ordered the very expensive Hawaiian vanilla. Now, what am I going to do with it?
A numbered bottle of vanilla. Sheez. I know, I know. There’s a sucker born every minute.
Please leave recipes (the easier the better) in the comments, and, have a great November!
Saying nothing in particular 
Unfortunately, vanilla production has drastically dropped in Mexico due to local gang extortion. Pure vanilla is still around, but it is very expensive. The cheaper ones have a vanilla flavoring: coumarin, which has been outlawed in the U.S. Anything good attracts criminals … avocados, limes, shrimp, chocolate, olive oil. It is a long list.
I have heard that Mexican vanilla has more of a kick. I don’t think we can even get it up here although you can’t buy Hawaiian vanilla here either. From what I’ve read, the imitation stuff if made right is just as good but it doesn’t come in a cool little bottle with a wax top! Maple I’ll make it into a necklace and wear it around my neck!
Hi JT – I really liked the guy’s energy in the video and he had some helpful tips.
Also, cheers to getting a quality vanilla. That looks like a nice one, number and all, and please keep us posted to let us know if it was worth it (any major difference? etc)
And not all vanilla extract is created equal so I bet that one will also be stronger and you will use less?Hm
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The only think we use vanilla for is to make our ice cream in the Ninja CREAMi (ice cream maker)
1 cup whole milk, organic (can use almond milk)
2 tablespoons of monk fruit–erythritol blend (Wal-mart has an all natural blend that we like and we can skip the can sugar)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Let it freeze overnight and then blend twice on the Ninja CREAMi
sometimes we add one scoop of Vital proteins collagen
Thanks! It sounds tasty I’d have to buy a Ninja!
they are a great item to have
xxx
That’s some fancy vanilla! My older daughter and her husband honeymooned in Madagascar and brought back some vanilla. It was amazing stuff. I can’t imagine a house costing that little and not having running water. But if he’s fine with it, I guess it’s a good thing?
I think he gives him a permanent address in Japan and that’s what’s important to him now. Children! I have high hopes for the vanilla even though I’m much more a chocolate person!
A $3,000 house? You probably paid more for that yummy vanilla!
🤣
Not quite! I’m a casserole and left overs kind of gal and I don’t bake so for me, it was a huge extravagance. Luckily my son grew up working on building projects with my father and husband. Still …..
I hope he sends you pictures. I can’t even imagine what a $3,000 house looks like. LL Bean sells tents for that much!
😉
Enjoy the vanilla!
I’ll probably enjoy gifting it to my baker friends. I’m a chicken when it comes to baking.
I love the fragrance of vanilla. Japan is a most interesting country.
Me too – I’ve found a recipe for a vanilla honey pound cake (with lemon rind) that I’ll probably try.
Sounds delicious
“Too tall for the door”? Why am I not surprised.
So you’re going to visit in March/April? Fantastic. Maybe you should plan for Spring and the cherry trees?
Take care Jan.
The way things are going I’ll be lucky to ever get over there!
Considering the general state of the world? I understand. But, don’t let that get in your way. 😉
I’ll try not to – in this country it feels like something is about to give.
I follow a bit of American news, via Marc Elias and Heather Cox Richardson. There’s been so much tension accumulating that sthg is gonna break. What? No idea. 🎃 is everyday more delirious. MIxes up South America and South Africa, jumps from one topic to the other… How long are the Supremes gonna support him?
I just read that 40% of flights are cancelled? Things can’t go on like that.
No, they can’t. The Supremes are mostly old rich men who’ve lost touch with the majority of Americans and definitely the younger Americans.
Then eventually, they will end up in trial. Even if only at the Tribunal of History… I keep thinking how long? ten years maybe? At the most. 🤞🏻
I saw the price online. I don’t remember if you’re a coffee drinker, but if you are, I’ll be putting a couple of drops in my morning coffee so it lasts me a while. The bottle looks amazing.
I am. Worth a try … thanks.
Awesome! You’re welcome.
Japan, here she comes. Get ready. (That’s great news)
With the situation in this country – Spring seems so far away.
I know, I know…
You’re going to have a fantastic time in Japan!! I brought back vanilla from Costa Rica years ago and it was delightful. I can’t offer any especially vanilla-forward recipes. I just used it in regular recipes and reveled in the scent each time. I like the necklace idea, though. 🙂 It’s a fabulous bottle. Maybe you could eventually put a few tiny treasures in the bottle and use it as a decoration.
The bottle is definitely a keeper. So far, I haven’t gotten up the gumption to try the vanilla – I still have sticker shock!
Ha! I understand. But don’t wait too long. Just enjoy it.