Inspired part deux

I am sick again. This is 3 bugs in 5 weeks that have left me feeling like a vice is squishing my head. Like a pre-schooler is hiding out in my house infecting me while i am sleeping. I mean, don't get me wrong - I am ALL for lounging and watching TV and staying in PJs for days on end. But enough is enough. I'm pretty sure that this bought was brought on by the first yoga class in months, followed by some voodoo aka "energy work" the teacher did to me after class. She massaged some acupressure points and did some thai massage moves on me, which included putting her foot against my armpit and along my ribs while pulling on my arm (I was laying down and she was seated - for the visual). It felt great, but I think that all of the disruption of my lymph fluids sent me out of whack.

Before my sickness left me incapacitated, I cooked up a storm. On Saturday, I made yummy Mushroom Barley Soup from Moosewood. I had all intentions of making it vegan for my girl Enfievre, but realized that I lost that battle as I put the mushrooms into the pat of melted butter. As I've been known to say, my intentions are good, but I am often off on the follow-through. While my soup was simmering, jed whipped up a batch of his oh-so-good totally non-vegitarian chili that was completely devoured by our Phils Phans. Oh, and Sam and I went to town on the hot toddies.

On Sunday, the illness was just taking hold. But I was a woman on a mission. First up: curried lentils and sweet potatoes. Probably the easiest, tastiest recipe yet. I think I am going to make a double or triple batch for Thanksgiving, for my vegetarian sis-in-law and lactose allergic nephew. but only for them.
THEN, I made something awesome. Even before apple picking, I had it in my mind to pick enough apples to create something delicious to give as holiday gifts. Applesauce is my first love and was my obvious first choice, but one needs to pick about 9 tons of apples to make enough sauce for everyone. Since we only picked 2 tons, my second choice was a suggestion from dh: apple butter. Even though I am unsure what you actually do with apple butter, I know that my momma loves it. I gave it a shot mostly because it would require me utilizing my newly developed skill of jarring. dh found the recipe and it really couldn't have been easier. I'm so proud of my little jars. I would post a picture, but I want to leave a little bit of suspense for the holiday gifts. Oh, and as the apple butter was cooking, I made an apple crisp for jed, but I ate 3/4 of it.
Now that we only have a half of ton of apples left, I want to try a Jewish apple cake. I've been looking at several recipes and it seems like the secret unifier of them all is orange juice. I'm also brainstorming something sweet involving apples and peanut butter. Any suggestions? Would that even be good?