Eric, I just leave the bath towels on the warmer all the time. It would be a bit of a hassle remembering to move them back and forth. Smaller hand towels and the bath mat hang on other towel bars or rings. I have the Runtal automatic controller. It allows you to program different on and off cycles for each day of the week, multiple on and off cycles per day, and to control the temperature setting. Since I'm a creature of habit, the week days are all programmed the same, but at the weekend, the warmer comes on later and goes off later, as I tend to get moving later on those days. If my schedule deviates from normal, I can easily override the programming. The warmers in my guest rooms are programmed to be on in the mornings and again in the evenings, but off during the middle of the day. When I don't have guests, I simply set the temperature to "0", and they don't come on at all. The controllers are hidden away in cupboards or closets, where they're out of sight, but easily accessible, so their appearance wasn't a consideration. If you choose to go with a Lutron timer, be sure it's one rated for a heating appliance, and be aware that it probably won't provide as much flexibility or allow you to control the temperature level. I usually don't operate my warmers at their highest setting, and I appreciate being able to lower the settings on them during the warmer seasons. I've been totally happy with Runtal and recommend them.

A quarter cup sounded really large to me too - even if sage in cake is okay which sounds odd to me. The whole thing reminds me of a pumpkin gingerbread trifle my DIL tried last week. A lot of work and to me the end result had too many tastes fighting with each other. The plain gingerbread with a bit of whipped cream or lemon sauce was better. I think the whole idea of using my whip cream canister with hot contents and a triple charge sounds scary. The instructions that came with it certainly don't cover that kind of use (or abuse).

I honestly don't know anything about what would be an appropriate gift in Boston. In fact, as far as Houston (where I've lived my whole life), AFIK there's no "custom" gift. Not that I'm up on all that stuff!! The thing is, I give what I feel comfortable giving rather than trying to figure out what the couple expects or what the local tradition might be. If money is the custom there, they'll already be getting a lot of checks. Why not make your gift one of the few personal items that stand out and get remembered? I have a few quotes below from a very wise person who frequents this forum. See if you can figure out who said all this: When I got married, I did not have enough experience to know what would REALLY come in handy as my family and entertaining needs grew. Even then, I could see the difference between the gifts our peers gave us -- "unique," fun, or short-term stuff (e.g., a bed tray and a subscription to a book review) -- and the things the "grown-ups" got us: serving pieces, carving board, tablecloths, dishes, flatware, etc. We liked and appreciated all of it, but I could see the older generation had the better idea, and theirs are the gifts I am still gratefully using almost 26 years later. Registries tell me colors, styles, etc. I often give a silverplate water pitcher (there's an example of something you don't know you'll need but never have enough of, if you entertain). I look at the couple's registry to decide whether to choose a very simple or more ornate style. Not many young couples need giant serving platters or dishes, flatware, and crystal for 12 or 18. But years later, when they start to take their turn hosting holiday meals and family get-togethers -- for a family that will probably be getting larger -- they are going to need all that stuff -- at least many people do. Twenty-six years ago, I never imagined serving 29 people dinner in my home. But that is what we are doing tomorrow! So even though at the time it seemed like we would never use all the platters, bowls, and pitchers, I have used every one of them many times over the years. The nicest bonus is that every time I use the "boring" items, even all these years later, I think fondly of the person who gave it to me. That is a very lovely experience you don't get if all you get is cash or things you registered for yourself. My favorite gift was a big, fancy silver plate platter from my great aunt. She had received it as a wedding gift when she married into our family in the 1950s. I certainly didn't have occasion to use it much in the early years of our marriage, but I use it all the time now, and I think of her every time I see it. This is probably more a matter of local and ethnic custom than anything else. In many communities the northeast, for example, it seems that cash gifts are so customary that "thing" gifts are unusual (for wedding gifts \-\- these people also often give very large "thing" gifts for engagements and showers). But several posters who live in the south have reported that in their communities cash gifts are considered impersonal to the point of being a no\-no. Both are common here. I prefer to give a "thing" gift, but that's just my preference.

That’s so weird, for Rachel Allen’s recipe not to list the ingredients. Thanks for posting the full recipe Tigereye. (Serves me right for posting in a hurry and not double checking.). But I can thoroughly recommend this cake. :-) PS I didn’t use the Malibu :-)