1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup water
3 or 4 vanilla beans

Chop vanilla beans into small pieces. Do not lose any of the little black seeds. Drop the pieces into a clean jar and cover with brandy and water. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and keep in a dark place, shaking every other day. Vanilla Extract will be ready in about 2 weeks. Add a tiny bit more brandy if the beans still seem potent. The mixture can be added to indefinitely. Use just as you would regular vanilla extract.

Store it anywhere, and it will keep for up to one year.