Ah ... this popped up again. :) We prefer ripe serranos, split and smoked with mesquite at low (under 200F) temps until they are paper-dry. We tried green serranos, they were bitter. We tried "Sandia" and they were blah. They need to be ripe, thick-walled and have plenty of sugar to get a good smoked version. Without a high sugar content you get a bitter metallic overtone. If it's thin-fleshed you get all smoke and little chile. Will be trying ripe jalapenos and Hatch green (same variety but ripe ones) this year, poblanos next year.

Sorry Gang, been off line for a week. Wow didnÂt think IÂd see my post still active. To answer the how many pounds to make a pound question, let me qualify my answer a bit (because you may not believe me). First, IÂm extremely paranoid about food safety. I dry the Jalapenos beyond any reasonable doubt of humidity. No moisture = no room for nasty growths. Thus, in a coffee grinder the powder turns out like talcum powder. So my last batch of Jalapeno from the Farm was 9.4 pounds. After drying and grinding I got 13 1.25  1.5 OZ jars. Told you you wouldnÂt believe me. This is why IÂm suspect about the cheap stuff for sale out there. Done properly (ok my way) it would take a lot of Jalapenos to make a pound of Chipotle. In addition, we (I and the farm) choose the best Jalapenos for the Chipotle, not the stuff thatÂs in the bottom of the basket.. The season is over here for Jalapenos but next year IÂll post a picture demo of quantities and process for you all. Potawie, if I recall correctly you are in the Ottawa area. You could search for the farm that holds Pepper Fest each year and buy a jar at full price or you could contact me at Ottawapepper(at)hotmail(dot)com and we could arrange to meet so you could sample the Chipotle. I think others following this chain might like a second opinion yes/no? Cheers everyone and thanks for the interest, Bill

Merry Christmas Everyone!! Suzanne, I am glad that you got a chance to spend some time with your sister on her birthday. I love sitting in the quiet by candlelight too. something almost magical.. I just got contacts too! Maddie, I laughed so hard re those cookies. Sounds like something that would happen to me! I like Bj's suggestion about making a layered dish with them and vanilla pudding. What a clever idea! Relax and enjoy the bourbon.LOL Bj, I am not sure that I would have had as much patience if I had all that extra work sprung on me at what is always a very busy time. I would have helped you too, if I were there. In fact we could all have had a party! DeeMarie, the Good Carb Cookbook you sent is WONDERFUL!! I will be using it to plan my meals starting Monday. Thank you so much! Your Christmas party sounds like a lot of fun. I am making a large seafood platter for tomorrow as well: Jumbo shrimp, King Crab legs, scallops, crab salad served in a huge clam shell with bruschetta on baguette. I hope all is well with your DH and his kidney stones. No counting calories till Monday so don't worry about your MD appointment. Marci, I have been licking my fingers for 2 days! LOL How many cookies do you think we consume just licking those fingers, hmm? Raeanne, I am making bread today too. My kids got me a bread maker for my birthday and I am eager to try it out. I'll be thinking about you. I hope your package comes today... Enjoy the time with your DDs. Lynn, I like your positive attitude about that job! Life IS too short to be miserable. Better things are ahead for you I am sure (especially w/ such a great attitude) Patti, I can't believe that family won't climb over hill and dale to spend the holidays with you and Dave! I wish you were here to spend the day with us. We are going to church this evening as well and then on to look at some lights. Big hugs to Dave! Well, I am finishing the baking ( bread and cheesecake )and the wrapping. Almost done! I got DS tickets to see a concert up in San Francisco this March. He's never been there and I look forward to showing him around.These were very hard to get tix and he has no idea! I told his friend and he said "You are the COOLEST Mom!" Ha HA! I feel vindicated! After 2 weeks w/ no prednisone and a 5 day juice fast, I checked in at the Doc and am down 7 lbs!! I feel better than I have in a year. Wishing all of you, my friends, a wonderful and memorable Christmas ! Tikanas

My sister and BIL added an above ground pool and what they built is *perfect* for entertaining. They needed two levels for the existing door and height of pool, so the main area is off the door and is large enough to hold two long dining tables, two buffet tables, and a small seating area with a chiminea on the end away from the pool. That main area has a trellis-like roof over it that they usually cover. The end near the pool has one step up to meet pool deck level... one large area for benches, floats, towels, etc etc, and then a walkway deck all the way around the pool. They have only one set of stairs on the side across from the door and the grills are kept near those steps at ground level for safety reasons.