The people in the Family are possessed of talents.  Some cook or bake, some sew or fashion leather garments, chain mail.  Some farm, some do metal smithing, paint or make music.  Others' talents lie in the areas of warcraft, statecraft or are the keepers of tradition and the well of stories and the past.

One of my talents is that I brew...something which starts out as Adult Fruit Salad.  Please note the word 'adult'.  Coming from California to Texas, it never occured to me to explain any farther than this was 'adult'...meaning loaded with alchohol...in this case rum....a lot.  There are now certain people who eye anything I make with the word 'adult' in it as suspect and approach with caution.  This adult fruit salad is sweet and strong and sneaks up on you....

Recipie is a watermelon cut in half, scooped out, bunch of other fruit cut up and added to large bowl, large bottle of rum poured over, stir often and let marinate for minimum of 24 to 48 hours.  Scoop fruit back into watermelon shell and serve.  KEEP what ever juice and fruit is left over.

Add any fruit salad or juice left..mash fruit.  Put fruit and juice into sterilized jars with plastic wrap between the metal jar lid and the jar.  Shake every other day for 3 months.  Strain.  Rebottle into clan sterilized jars with plastic wrap and lids.  2 months later strain again until all setiment is gone....= Evil brew.  Or what has other wise become known as "The Man's Birthday Rum".

The Man is eagerly awaiting the current batch...which should be available by Thanksgiving, with a late summer batch just recently having been jarred which should be available around Valentine's Day/May Day. 

For those who scoff at making home made brew...in this case enhancing a product, or that this is actually done... A photo montage accompanies this post.