I haven't made applebutter in years. My kids are grown and gone so I don't make as much jelly as I used to. One thought came to mind; you have to keep an eye on the applebutter so it doesn't scorch. So how about using a crock pot with the lid off? It'd cook slowly but I don't think it'd scorch. I'm getting old and tired, so I'm always looking for a way to do things easier! I've been doing genealogy for years and served as a volunteer librarian at a Family History Center, even though I'm not LDS (Mormon). Most of us can go back to some European royalty if we look far enough back and check far enough out on the family tree's branches! Now, all the royalty way back (like Charlamagne) claimed to be descendents of Adam and Eve because they based their right to be the ruler on "Divine Right". In other words, God wanted them to rule. So, they had these family trees made up showing how they were descendent from Adam and Eve. Also Cain if you think about it! Now just how honest was that family tree? The ruler who comissioned it sure had strong motive to find Adam and Eve, didn't he? I know a very sweet elderly Mormon fella who really believes he's traced himself back to Adam and Eve. I don't argue with him out of respect, but I admit I am very skeptical. Bobbie, you and your friend are in my prayers. Annie P.S. My people are from Pike, Floyd and Johnson Co. The names I research are Damron/Dameron, Adkins, Mullins, Sword and Bailey. From Tennessee, Knox and Maury Co. Roberts, Hughes and Godsey.