Trader Joe's has finally begun selling apples by the pound in stead of in bags and they have most of the good eating and cooking apples for just 39 cents a pound! I bought as much as I thought I could reasonably store for the next couple of months. I got some Galas, Fuji, Granny Smith's, Rome and oh darnit, I can't remember what else.

I'm going to use a mix of Granny Smith's and Galas in my traditional Apple cakes that I make in old cookie tins and then mail out to friends for holiday gifts. It's a bit like Porter Cake but not as strongly spiced. The cake ages very well and will keep for a couple of weeks once sealed up properly. It never tastes its best until it's aged at least 2 days. Once you start slinging it though - it goes quickly! I keep the recipe in my head but I'll attempt o write down the measurements when I make it and post here.

I never did get around to making the Pyracantha Jam on the weekend past. No bother tho - the berries are still in fine condition. I plan on making two types one a hot-spicy Pyracantha-Chili Jam with some of those apples tossed in for body and the other a nice Ginger Pyracantha and Cranberry jam. Pyracantha is is the same larger familt that roses and apples are so it should be a good mix. People often think the berry flesh is poisonous but its not - just the seeds as are apple seed.