3 cups sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla or maple extract

In a large, heavy saucepan, combine 3 cups sugar, 1 cup boiling water; cook over low heat to 234°, soft ball stage. Meanwhile, in another saucepan, combine milk, soda, and butter; bring just to the boiling point. When the first mixture gets to soft ball stage*, add the second mixture. Continue cooking, to 258°, hard ball stage. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
Pour out onto a buttered marble slab. Begin to pull as soon as candy is cool enough to handle with hands. Pull until candy begins to harden. Stretch into long, thin rope. Cut with scissors. Wrap in cellophane wrappers. Makes about 1 1/4 pounds.
Shared by OKRAS1
*To Test for Soft Ball Stage
A small amount of syrup dropped into chilled water forms a ball, but is soft enough to flatten when picked up with fingers (234° to 240°).

Source: http://southernfood.about.com/od/candyrecipes