you said it. I think I've truly eaten a couple dozen on my own the last two days, either from trying them or just because I like them. I am glad the majority of the food stayed at my sister's house, but even more glad the leftover cookies are sitting at my home. they're calling my name!

here ya go....those formatting problems with the fractions are really beyond annoying! Apple Cake 4 cups chopped apples 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup raisins ( I use chopped other fruit like dried peaches or apricots) Mix and let sit for about an hour ( less is OK) 2 cups flour 1 1/2 tsps baking soda ( I like 3/4 tsps soda and 3/4 tsps BP) 3/4 tsps salt 1T cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg Mix dry ingredients 2 eggs 3/4 cups veggie oil 1 tsp vanilla beat together 1 cup chopped pecans if desired. Add the oil and eggs to the apples and sugar and dried fruit. Stir in the dry mixture and add nuts if desires. Pour into greased 9 by 13 pan and bake 350 until done�..40 to 50 minutes. Serve with cake gravy! Cake Gravy Mix 1 cup sugar ..half brown half white 1 stick butter 1/2 cup light cream 1 tsp vanilla�. Mix all and cook all in a sauce pan for about 5 or 6 minutes until caramel colored. Serve warm over the cake.

We did have a couple of food experiences inbetween the martini mayhem! The weather was pretty uncooperative with pouring/teeming rain, so we didn't rush out of the house to get into Manhattan to do the anticipated walk-around sightseeing nor was anybody really interested in breakfast (its a "just black coffee, please" kind of a crowd) so we went for a late brunch at a NJ diner on our way to the city. David had eggs benedict and the gals went for the lunch menu - grilled roast beef (rare and juicy) with cheddar, carmelized onions and horseradish sauce for Woodie, Sharon had a cheeseburger and Alexa had (if I remember this correctly) a grilled pastrami or corn beef with swiss cheese and cole slaw - we all liked our food a lot and we liked the waitress even better - she was a Rachael Ray clone, LOL, bubbly, enthusiastic, opinionated and cute. At dinner they were all kind enough to humor me and we went to my favorite place! The drinks are large and the food is good - we were a bit on the late side and I had wanted them to get to see the great wine cellar that they're famous for, but we just didn't get the chance - y'all have to come back sometime! We shared some shrimp and stuffed mushrooms and our entrees were lasagna, Chicken Girasole (very thin and pounded tender with prosciutto and mozzarella in white wine sauce), shrimp scampi and Fettucini Alfredo - 2 desserts came home with us and I didn't try either one, so I don't know what they were! We sat up a bit on the late side (to say the least) and continued partying around my kitchen table and sharing dessert. I had the time of my life this weekend! Its really a special thing to meet people that you've talked with for several years and (I think I can speak for us all) that we feel like we've known each other for a long time - well I guess we have, LOL, but to finally be together live, in person and in living color is really something else! Here is a link that might be useful: Woodie's Fav

You are right Elaine....but I have eaten it made by someone else.....and the peels were left on, and it was fine. Unless I know what tree the apples came from...I peel. Too much bad stuff sprayed on apples. How about heating the gravy before work and taking it in a thermos? If you make it today.....are you SURE you won't be dipping into it?