2/3 to 3/4 c. sugar
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1-2 tbsp. lemon juice
6 to 7 c. thinly sliced, peeled and cored cooking apples (2 lbs.)
1 tbsp. butter
Milk

1. Prepare pastry. Roll out half of pastry and line 9 inch pie plate.

2. In small bowl, combine sugar (amount depends on tartness of apples) and next 5 ingredients.

3. Place half of thinly sliced apples in pie crust; sprinkle with half of sugar mixture. Top with rest of apples, then rest of sugar mixture.

4. Dot the filling with butter. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

5. Roll out remaining pastry for top crust and using a floured leaf- shaped cookie cutter, cut out design. Place crust over pie; trim edges.

6. Fold pastry overhang under then bring up over pie plate rim. Pinch to form a high edge then make your choice of decorative edge.

7. For a golden glaze, brush the top crust (not the edge) lightly with some milk. Bake pie for 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden.

8. MOST IMPORTANT STEP OF ALL, SPRINKLE A LITTLE LOVE ALL OVER!