DEAR SUN SPOTS: I purchased a booklet at the Cumberland Craft Show this summer. It is a booklet of “Family Holiday Recipes” one of which is for a holiday bread but omits the amount of sugar. I have tried the website address and calling the phone number, as well as writing a note to the address given on the back of the booklet, but get no response.

I am wondering if anyone would have a suggestion as to the amount of sugar I should try, the recipe calls for 3 cups of flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, 3 eggs, 1 cup oil, 2 finely grated carrots, 1 (9 ounce) can of crushed pineapple, vanilla and walnuts. The directions say to mix the eggs with the sugar.

The lady’s name on the booklet is Amber Bentley of Austin’s Mercantile in Oakland, 465-7201, and website 222.austinsmercantile.com. I also tried looking for a similar recipe online but didn’t seem to find any that compared. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. — Connie Beedy, [email protected]

ANSWER: Sun Spots has never seen a website address that begins 222; she failed to turn up any information using those numbers or www. However, she bets experienced cooks will have some suggestions as to the quantity of sugar needed.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: What has happened to the Country Kitchen bread? At one time it was the best bread you could buy. Now the loaves are smaller and the taste is not what it was. I called the bakery last November. They said it was because the bread sat in the hot sun. It was 49 degrees, and I live 2 miles from the store. Thank you. — Carlene, Sabattus

ANSWER: Sun Spots called Lepage Bakeries, which makes Country Kitchen bread, but they declined to respond.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On June 28 someone wrote you about the difficulty of finding good peaches in stores. I thought that person would like to know that there is a variety of peach called “Reliance,” which is bred to withstand cold winters. I know someone whose tree began to bear peaches after its third year.

I think it may be ordered from Gurney’s and Nature Hills Nursery. Other possibilities include online, Paris Farmers’ Union or the Shaker Orchard. — M.A., Lovell

ANSWER: Sun Spots looked for the trees on Gurney’s website, where it says they will be available again next spring. Sun Spots looks forward to growing one!

DEAR SUNSPOTS: Thank you for helping so many of us. My niece, a stay-at-home mom with two toddlers, has talent and passion for cake decorating. I hope to encourage her by providing her with a few tools.

If anyone is willing to sell some cake-decorating tools still in good working condition, this young, hardworking mother would be most appreciative. I can pick up in Lewiston, Auburn or Norway area. Thank you. —  [email protected].

DEAR SUN SPOTS: My husband and I would like to give a special thank you to my brother Dave and sister-in-law Shirley DiMambro and all those who donated to and attended a benefit supper for me and my husband, who has cancer. We are grateful for all the donations and can’t thank everyone enough for doing this. We have been blessed. — Tom and Judy K., Auburn

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to [email protected].