Uncle Steve's BBQ Sauce for Pork

2 C. cider vinegar
1 1/2 C. tomato sauce (15 oz. can)
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/3 C. sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. onion salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp. minced onion
1 1/2 Tbsp. crushed red pepper
1/3 C. hot sauce (Tabasco, Frank's, etc.)

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Steve saves the old empty Frank's bottle, removes the label, and stores and serves the BBQ sauce in that same bottle!

Simple Syrup

This is Kaarin's recipe for a "liquid sugar" sweetener that is the consistency of syrup. She uses it anytime she needs to sweeten something cold and doesn't want to have to dissolve sugar in it.

Combine equal parts sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until thick, stirring occasionally.

Aunt Kaarin's Mojitos

...as purportedly served to Ernest Hemingway in Cuba...
(but not by her, of course! ;)

Fresh limes
Simple syrup
Fresh mint leaves
Rum
Club soda

Roll fresh limes on the counter to loosen the insides. Press and squeeze through lime press/juicer (or otherwise extract juice). Per glass:

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. simple syrup
4-6 fresh mint leaves, torn small

Muddle (or whir lightly with hand mixer) to get mint leaves in small pieces and mix everything together well.

Fill each glass with ice. Add 2 oz. white rum and stir. Top with 2 oz. club soda and do not stir. Serve immediately.