diff --git a/actionpack/lib/action_view/helpers/form_helper.rb b/actionpack/lib/action_view/helpers/form_helper.rb
index 0e77a7e067..4459ccbce5 100644
--- a/actionpack/lib/action_view/helpers/form_helper.rb
+++ b/actionpack/lib/action_view/helpers/form_helper.rb
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 require 'cgi'
 require 'action_view/helpers/date_helper'
 require 'action_view/helpers/tag_helper'
+require 'action_view/helpers/form_tag_helper'
 
 module ActionView
   module Helpers
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ module Helpers
     #
     # If the object name contains square brackets the id for the object will be inserted. For example:
     #
-    #   <%= text_field "person[]", "name" %> 
+    #   <%= text_field "person[]", "name" %>
     #
     # ...will generate the following ERb.
     #
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@ module FormHelper
       #
       # Even further, the form_for method allows you to more easily escape the instance variable convention. So while the stand-alone
       # approach would require <tt>text_field :person, :name, :object => person</tt>
-      # to work with local variables instead of instance ones, the form_for calls remain the same. You simply declare once with 
+      # to work with local variables instead of instance ones, the form_for calls remain the same. You simply declare once with
       # <tt>:person, person</tt> and all subsequent field calls save <tt>:person</tt> and <tt>:object => person</tt>.
       #
       # Also note that form_for doesn't create an exclusive scope. It's still possible to use both the stand-alone FormHelper methods
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ module FormHelper
       #     ...
       #   <% end %>
       #
-      # And for namespaced routes, like admin_post_url: 
+      # And for namespaced routes, like admin_post_url:
       #
       #   <% form_for([:admin, @post]) do |f| %>
       #    ...
@@ -337,7 +338,7 @@ def password_field(object_name, method, options = {})
       # hash with +options+. These options will be tagged onto the HTML as an HTML element attribute as in the example
       # shown.
       #
-      # ==== Examples 
+      # ==== Examples
       #   hidden_field(:signup, :pass_confirm)
       #   # => <input type="hidden" id="signup_pass_confirm" name="signup[pass_confirm]" value="#{@signup.pass_confirm}" />
       #
@@ -404,7 +405,7 @@ def text_area(object_name, method, options = {})
       # is set to 0 which is convenient for boolean values. Since HTTP standards say that unchecked checkboxes don't post anything,
       # we add a hidden value with the same name as the checkbox as a work around.
       #
-      # ==== Examples 
+      # ==== Examples
       #   # Let's say that @post.validated? is 1:
       #   check_box("post", "validated")
       #   # => <input type="checkbox" id="post_validated" name="post[validated]" value="1" />
@@ -445,7 +446,7 @@ def radio_button(object_name, method, tag_value, options = {})
     end
 
     class InstanceTag #:nodoc:
-      include Helpers::TagHelper
+      include Helpers::TagHelper, Helpers::FormTagHelper
 
       attr_reader :method_name, :object_name
 
@@ -467,11 +468,13 @@ def initialize(object_name, method_name, template_object, local_binding = nil, o
       end
 
       def to_label_tag(text = nil, options = {})
+        options = options.stringify_keys
         name_and_id = options.dup
         add_default_name_and_id(name_and_id)
-        options["for"] = name_and_id["id"]
+        options.delete("index")
+        options["for"] ||= name_and_id["id"]
         content = (text.blank? ? nil : text.to_s) || method_name.humanize
-        content_tag("label", content, options)
+        label_tag(name_and_id["id"], content, options)
       end
 
       def to_input_field_tag(field_type, options = {})
diff --git a/actionpack/lib/action_view/template_finder.rb b/actionpack/lib/action_view/template_finder.rb
index aaf34de538..83b7e27c09 100644
--- a/actionpack/lib/action_view/template_finder.rb
+++ b/actionpack/lib/action_view/template_finder.rb
@@ -24,7 +24,12 @@ def process_view_paths(*view_paths)
         view_paths.flatten.compact.each do |dir|
           next if @@processed_view_paths.has_key?(dir)
           @@processed_view_paths[dir] = []
-          Dir.glob("#{dir}/**/*/**").each do |file|
+          
+          # 
+          # Dir.glob("#{dir}/**/*/**") reads all the directories in view path and templates inside those directories
+          # Dir.glob("#{dir}/**") reads templates residing at top level of view path
+          # 
+          (Dir.glob("#{dir}/**/*/**") | Dir.glob("#{dir}/**")).each do |file|
             unless File.directory?(file)
               @@processed_view_paths[dir] << file.split(dir).last.sub(/^\//, '')
 
diff --git a/actionpack/test/controller/render_test.rb b/actionpack/test/controller/render_test.rb
index 7491f16a84..066fa6acd4 100644
--- a/actionpack/test/controller/render_test.rb
+++ b/actionpack/test/controller/render_test.rb
@@ -23,6 +23,14 @@ def render_hello_world
   def render_hello_world_with_forward_slash
     render :template => "/test/hello_world"
   end
+  
+  def render_template_in_top_directory
+    render :template => 'shared'
+  end
+  
+  def render_template_in_top_directory_with_slash
+    render :template => '/shared'
+  end
 
   def render_hello_world_from_variable
     @person = "david"
@@ -243,6 +251,18 @@ def test_render_with_forward_slash
     get :render_hello_world_with_forward_slash
     assert_template "test/hello_world"
   end
+  
+  def test_render_in_top_directory
+    get :render_template_in_top_directory
+    assert_template "shared"
+    assert_equal "Elastica", @response.body
+  end
+  
+  def test_render_in_top_directory_with_slash
+    get :render_template_in_top_directory_with_slash
+    assert_template "shared"
+    assert_equal "Elastica", @response.body
+  end
 
   def test_render_from_variable
     get :render_hello_world_from_variable
diff --git a/actionpack/test/fixtures/shared.html.erb b/actionpack/test/fixtures/shared.html.erb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..af262fc9f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/actionpack/test/fixtures/shared.html.erb
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Elastica
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/actionpack/test/template/form_helper_test.rb b/actionpack/test/template/form_helper_test.rb
index c48d5dfd2d..b4857fcb62 100644
--- a/actionpack/test/template/form_helper_test.rb
+++ b/actionpack/test/template/form_helper_test.rb
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@
     alias_method :title_before_type_cast, :title unless respond_to?(:title_before_type_cast)
     alias_method :body_before_type_cast, :body unless respond_to?(:body_before_type_cast)
     alias_method :author_name_before_type_cast, :author_name unless respond_to?(:author_name_before_type_cast)
-    
+
     def new_record=(boolean)
       @new_record = boolean
     end
-    
+
     def new_record?
       @new_record
     end
@@ -36,13 +36,13 @@ class FormHelperTest < ActionView::TestCase
   def setup
     @post = Post.new
     @comment = Comment.new
-    def @post.errors() 
-      Class.new{ 
-        def on(field); "can't be empty" if field == "author_name"; end 
-        def empty?() false end 
+    def @post.errors()
+      Class.new{
+        def on(field); "can't be empty" if field == "author_name"; end
+        def empty?() false end
         def count() 1 end
-        def full_messages() [ "Author name can't be empty" ] end  
-      }.new 
+        def full_messages() [ "Author name can't be empty" ] end
+      }.new
     end
     def @post.id; 123; end
     def @post.id_before_type_cast; 123; end
@@ -72,11 +72,19 @@ def test_label
       label("post", "title", nil, :class => 'title_label')
     )
   end
-  
+
   def test_label_with_symbols
     assert_dom_equal('<label for="post_title">Title</label>', label(:post, :title))
   end
 
+  def test_label_with_for_attribute_as_symbol
+    assert_dom_equal('<label for="my_for">Title</label>', label(:post, :title, nil, :for => "my_for"))
+  end
+
+  def test_label_with_for_attribute_as_string
+    assert_dom_equal('<label for="my_for">Title</label>', label(:post, :title, nil, "for" => "my_for"))
+  end
+
   def test_text_field
     assert_dom_equal(
       '<input id="post_title" name="post[title]" size="30" type="text" value="Hello World" />', text_field("post", "title")
@@ -303,7 +311,7 @@ def test_form_for
       _erbout.concat f.submit('Create post')
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' id='create-post' method='post'>" +
       "<label for='post_title'>Title</label>" +
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
@@ -325,7 +333,7 @@ def test_form_for_with_method
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' id='create-post' method='post'>" +
       "<div style='margin:0;padding:0'><input name='_method' type='hidden' value='put' /></div>" +
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
@@ -346,7 +354,7 @@ def test_form_for_without_object
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' id='create-post' method='post'>" +
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
       "<textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea>" +
@@ -367,7 +375,7 @@ def test_form_for_with_index
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' method='post'>" +
       "<label for=\"post_123_title\">Title</label>" +
       "<input name='post[123][title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_123_title' value='Hello World' />" +
@@ -423,7 +431,7 @@ def test_fields_for
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
       "<textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea>" +
       "<input name='post[secret]' checked='checked' type='checkbox' id='post_secret' value='1' />" +
@@ -494,7 +502,7 @@ def test_fields_for_without_object
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
       "<textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea>" +
       "<input name='post[secret]' checked='checked' type='checkbox' id='post_secret' value='1' />" +
@@ -511,7 +519,7 @@ def test_fields_for_with_only_object
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
       "<textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea>" +
       "<input name='post[secret]' checked='checked' type='checkbox' id='post_secret' value='1' />" +
@@ -532,6 +540,18 @@ def test_fields_for_object_with_bracketed_name
       _erbout
   end
 
+  def test_fields_for_object_with_bracketed_name_and_index
+    _erbout = ''
+    fields_for("author[post]", @post, :index => 1) do |f|
+      _erbout.concat f.label(:title)
+      _erbout.concat f.text_field(:title)
+    end
+
+    assert_dom_equal "<label for=\"author_post_1_title\">Title</label>" +
+      "<input name='author[post][1][title]' size='30' type='text' id='author_post_1_title' value='Hello World' />",
+      _erbout
+  end
+
   def test_form_builder_does_not_have_form_for_method
     assert ! ActionView::Helpers::FormBuilder.instance_methods.include?('form_for')
   end
@@ -548,7 +568,7 @@ def test_form_for_and_fields_for
       end
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' id='create-post' method='post'>" +
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
       "<textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea>" +
@@ -571,7 +591,7 @@ def test_form_for_and_fields_for_with_object
       end
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' id='create-post' method='post'>" +
       "<input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' />" +
       "<textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea>" +
@@ -601,7 +621,7 @@ def test_form_for_with_labelled_builder
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' method='post'>" +
       "<label for='title'>Title:</label> <input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' /><br/>" +
       "<label for='body'>Body:</label> <textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea><br/>" +
@@ -623,7 +643,7 @@ def test_default_form_builder
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
 
-    expected = 
+    expected =
       "<form action='http://www.example.com' method='post'>" +
       "<label for='title'>Title:</label> <input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' /><br/>" +
       "<label for='body'>Body:</label> <textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea><br/>" +
@@ -637,39 +657,39 @@ def test_default_form_builder
   end
 
   def test_default_form_builder_with_active_record_helpers
-     
-    _erbout = '' 
+
+    _erbout = ''
     form_for(:post, @post) do |f|
        _erbout.concat f.error_message_on('author_name')
        _erbout.concat f.error_messages
-    end    
-    
-    expected = %(<form action='http://www.example.com' method='post'>) + 
-               %(<div class='formError'>can't be empty</div>) + 
+    end
+
+    expected = %(<form action='http://www.example.com' method='post'>) +
+               %(<div class='formError'>can't be empty</div>) +
                %(<div class="errorExplanation" id="errorExplanation"><h2>1 error prohibited this post from being saved</h2><p>There were problems with the following fields:</p><ul><li>Author name can't be empty</li></ul></div>) +
                %(</form>)
-    
+
     assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
 
   end
-  
+
   def test_default_form_builder_no_instance_variable
     post = @post
     @post = nil
-    
-    _erbout = '' 
+
+    _erbout = ''
     form_for(:post, post) do |f|
        _erbout.concat f.error_message_on('author_name')
        _erbout.concat f.error_messages
-    end    
-    
-    expected = %(<form action='http://www.example.com' method='post'>) + 
-               %(<div class='formError'>can't be empty</div>) + 
+    end
+
+    expected = %(<form action='http://www.example.com' method='post'>) +
+               %(<div class='formError'>can't be empty</div>) +
                %(<div class="errorExplanation" id="errorExplanation"><h2>1 error prohibited this post from being saved</h2><p>There were problems with the following fields:</p><ul><li>Author name can't be empty</li></ul></div>) +
                %(</form>)
-    
+
     assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
-    
+
   end
 
   # Perhaps this test should be moved to prototype helper tests.
@@ -683,7 +703,7 @@ def test_remote_form_for_with_labelled_builder
        _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
      end
 
-     expected = 
+     expected =
        %(<form action="http://www.example.com" onsubmit="new Ajax.Request('http://www.example.com', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;" method="post">) +
        "<label for='title'>Title:</label> <input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' /><br/>" +
        "<label for='body'>Body:</label> <textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea><br/>" +
@@ -693,31 +713,31 @@ def test_remote_form_for_with_labelled_builder
 
      assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
   end
-   
+
   def test_fields_for_with_labelled_builder
     _erbout = ''
-    
+
     fields_for(:post, @post, :builder => LabelledFormBuilder) do |f|
       _erbout.concat f.text_field(:title)
       _erbout.concat f.text_area(:body)
       _erbout.concat f.check_box(:secret)
     end
-    
-    expected = 
+
+    expected =
       "<label for='title'>Title:</label> <input name='post[title]' size='30' type='text' id='post_title' value='Hello World' /><br/>" +
       "<label for='body'>Body:</label> <textarea name='post[body]' id='post_body' rows='20' cols='40'>Back to the hill and over it again!</textarea><br/>" +
       "<label for='secret'>Secret:</label> <input name='post[secret]' checked='checked' type='checkbox' id='post_secret' value='1' />" +
       "<input name='post[secret]' type='hidden' value='0' /><br/>"
-    
+
     assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
   end
 
   def test_form_for_with_html_options_adds_options_to_form_tag
     _erbout = ''
-    
+
     form_for(:post, @post, :html => {:id => 'some_form', :class => 'some_class'}) do |f| end
     expected = "<form action=\"http://www.example.com\" class=\"some_class\" id=\"some_form\" method=\"post\"></form>"
-    
+
     assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
   end
 
@@ -793,16 +813,16 @@ def test_form_for_with_existing_object_and_namespace_in_list
     @comment.save
     _erbout = ''
     form_for([:admin, @post, @comment]) {}
-  
+
     expected = %(<form action="#{admin_comment_path(@post, @comment)}" class="edit_comment" id="edit_comment_1" method="post"><div style="margin:0;padding:0"><input name="_method" type="hidden" value="put" /></div></form>)
     assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
   end
-  
+
   def test_form_for_with_new_object_and_namespace_in_list
     @post.new_record = false
     _erbout = ''
     form_for([:admin, @post, @comment]) {}
-  
+
     expected = %(<form action="#{admin_comments_path(@post)}" class="new_comment" id="new_comment" method="post"></form>)
     assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
   end
@@ -819,10 +839,10 @@ def test_form_for_with_existing_object_and_custom_url
   def test_remote_form_for_with_html_options_adds_options_to_form_tag
     self.extend ActionView::Helpers::PrototypeHelper
     _erbout = ''
-    
+
     remote_form_for(:post, @post, :html => {:id => 'some_form', :class => 'some_class'}) do |f| end
     expected = "<form action=\"http://www.example.com\" class=\"some_class\" id=\"some_form\" method=\"post\" onsubmit=\"new Ajax.Request('http://www.example.com', {asynchronous:true, evalScripts:true, parameters:Form.serialize(this)}); return false;\"></form>"
-    
+
     assert_dom_equal expected, _erbout
   end
 
@@ -837,21 +857,21 @@ def comment_path(post, comment)
       "/posts/#{post.id}/comments/#{comment.id}"
     end
     alias_method :post_comment_path, :comment_path
-    
+
     def admin_comments_path(post)
       "/admin/posts/#{post.id}/comments"
     end
     alias_method :admin_post_comments_path, :admin_comments_path
-    
+
     def admin_comment_path(post, comment)
       "/admin/posts/#{post.id}/comments/#{comment.id}"
     end
     alias_method :admin_post_comment_path, :admin_comment_path
-    
+
     def posts_path
       "/posts"
-    end 
-    
+    end
+
     def post_path(post)
       "/posts/#{post.id}"
     end
diff --git a/actionpack/test/template/template_finder_test.rb b/actionpack/test/template/template_finder_test.rb
index a162640de3..3d6baff5fb 100644
--- a/actionpack/test/template/template_finder_test.rb
+++ b/actionpack/test/template/template_finder_test.rb
@@ -21,13 +21,14 @@ def test_should_cache_file_extension_properly
     assert_equal ["builder", "erb", "rhtml", "rjs", "rxml", "mab"].sort,
                  ActionView::TemplateFinder.file_extension_cache[LOAD_PATH_ROOT].values.flatten.uniq.sort
 
-    assert_equal Dir.glob("#{LOAD_PATH_ROOT}/**/*/*.{erb,rjs,rhtml,builder,rxml,mab}").size,
+    assert_equal (Dir.glob("#{LOAD_PATH_ROOT}/**/*/*.{erb,rjs,rhtml,builder,rxml,mab}") |
+                  Dir.glob("#{LOAD_PATH_ROOT}/**.{erb,rjs,rhtml,builder,rxml,mab}")).size,
                  ActionView::TemplateFinder.file_extension_cache[LOAD_PATH_ROOT].keys.size
   end
 
   def test_should_cache_dir_content_properly
     assert ActionView::TemplateFinder.processed_view_paths[LOAD_PATH_ROOT]
-    assert_equal Dir.glob("#{LOAD_PATH_ROOT}/**/*/**").find_all {|f| !File.directory?(f) }.size,
+    assert_equal (Dir.glob("#{LOAD_PATH_ROOT}/**/*/**") | Dir.glob("#{LOAD_PATH_ROOT}/**")).find_all {|f| !File.directory?(f) }.size,
                ActionView::TemplateFinder.processed_view_paths[LOAD_PATH_ROOT].size
   end
 
diff --git a/activerecord/CHANGELOG b/activerecord/CHANGELOG
index 154b282130..f72d8aceaa 100644
--- a/activerecord/CHANGELOG
+++ b/activerecord/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 *SVN*
 
+* Added block-setting of attributes for Base.create like Base.new already has (Adam Meehan) [#39]
+
 * Fixed that pessimistic locking you reference the quoted table name (Josh Susser) [#67]
 
 * Fixed that change_column should be able to use :null => true on a field that formerly had false [Nate Wiger] [#26]
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/association_preload.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/association_preload.rb
index 55c0cdd808..3e7c787dee 100644
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/association_preload.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/association_preload.rb
@@ -59,14 +59,14 @@ def add_preloaded_record_to_collection(parent_records, reflection_name, associat
 
       def set_association_collection_records(id_to_record_map, reflection_name, associated_records, key)
         associated_records.each do |associated_record|
-          mapped_records = id_to_record_map[associated_record[key].to_i]
+          mapped_records = id_to_record_map[associated_record[key].to_s]
           add_preloaded_records_to_collection(mapped_records, reflection_name, associated_record)
         end
       end
 
       def set_association_single_records(id_to_record_map, reflection_name, associated_records, key)
         associated_records.each do |associated_record|
-          mapped_records = id_to_record_map[associated_record[key].to_i]
+          mapped_records = id_to_record_map[associated_record[key].to_s]
           mapped_records.each do |mapped_record|
             mapped_record.send("set_#{reflection_name}_target", associated_record)
           end
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def construct_id_map(records)
         ids = []
         records.each do |record|
           ids << record.id
-          mapped_records = (id_to_record_map[record.id] ||= [])
+          mapped_records = (id_to_record_map[record.id.to_s] ||= [])
           mapped_records << record
         end
         ids.uniq!
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def preload_has_one_association(records, reflection, preload_options={})
             source = reflection.source_reflection.name
             through_records.first.class.preload_associations(through_records, source)
             through_records.each do |through_record|
-              add_preloaded_record_to_collection(id_to_record_map[through_record[through_primary_key].to_i],
+              add_preloaded_record_to_collection(id_to_record_map[through_record[through_primary_key].to_s],
                                                  reflection.name, through_record.send(source))
             end
           end
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ def preload_has_many_association(records, reflection, preload_options={})
             source = reflection.source_reflection.name
             through_records.first.class.preload_associations(through_records, source)
             through_records.each do |through_record|
-              add_preloaded_records_to_collection(id_to_record_map[through_record[through_primary_key].to_i],
+              add_preloaded_records_to_collection(id_to_record_map[through_record[through_primary_key].to_s],
                                                  reflection.name, through_record.send(source))
             end
           end
@@ -195,18 +195,22 @@ def preload_belongs_to_association(records, reflection, preload_options={})
           records.each do |record|
             if klass = record.send(polymorph_type)
               klass_id = record.send(primary_key_name)
-
-              id_map = klasses_and_ids[klass] ||= {}
-              id_list_for_klass_id = (id_map[klass_id] ||= [])
-              id_list_for_klass_id << record
+              if klass_id
+                id_map = klasses_and_ids[klass] ||= {}
+                id_list_for_klass_id = (id_map[klass_id.to_s] ||= [])
+                id_list_for_klass_id << record
+              end
             end
           end
           klasses_and_ids = klasses_and_ids.to_a
         else
           id_map = {}
           records.each do |record|
-            mapped_records = (id_map[record.send(primary_key_name)] ||= [])
-            mapped_records << record
+            key = record.send(primary_key_name)
+            if key
+              mapped_records = (id_map[key.to_s] ||= [])
+              mapped_records << record
+            end
           end
           klasses_and_ids = [[reflection.klass.name, id_map]]
         end
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/base.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/base.rb
index 63306644fb..4f4ba83a47 100755
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/base.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/base.rb
@@ -603,13 +603,25 @@ def exists?(id_or_conditions)
       # ==== Examples
       #   # Create a single new object
       #   User.create(:first_name => 'Jamie')
+      #
       #   # Create an Array of new objects
       #   User.create([{:first_name => 'Jamie'}, {:first_name => 'Jeremy'}])
-      def create(attributes = nil)
+      #
+      #   # Create a single object and pass it into a block to set other attributes.
+      #   User.create(:first_name => 'Jamie') do |u|
+      #     u.is_admin = false
+      #   end
+      #
+      #   # Creating an Array of new objects using a block, where the block is executed for each object:
+      #   User.create([{:first_name => 'Jamie'}, {:first_name => 'Jeremy'}]) do |u|
+      #     u.is_admin = false
+      #   end 
+      def create(attributes = nil, &block)
         if attributes.is_a?(Array)
-          attributes.collect { |attr| create(attr) }
+          attributes.collect { |attr| create(attr, &block) }
         else
           object = new(attributes)
+          yield(object) if block_given?
           object.save
           object
         end
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/fixtures.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/fixtures.rb
index f5b2e73da9..7d5fd35dae 100755
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/fixtures.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/fixtures.rb
@@ -469,8 +469,8 @@ def self.cached_fixtures(connection, keys_to_fetch = nil)
     fixtures.size > 1 ? fixtures : fixtures.first
   end
 
-  def self.cache_fixtures(connection, fixtures)
-    cache_for_connection(connection).update(fixtures.index_by { |f| f.table_name })
+  def self.cache_fixtures(connection, fixtures_map)
+    cache_for_connection(connection).update(fixtures_map)
   end
 
   def self.instantiate_fixtures(object, table_name, fixtures, load_instances = true)
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ def self.create_fixtures(fixtures_directory, table_names, class_names = {})
             end
           end
 
-          cache_fixtures(connection, fixtures)
+          cache_fixtures(connection, fixtures_map)
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb
index 1d12ea8ad7..5ca51c014c 100755
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/validations.rb
@@ -873,11 +873,12 @@ def validates_numericality_of(*attr_names)
 
       # Creates an object just like Base.create but calls save! instead of save
       # so an exception is raised if the record is invalid.
-      def create!(attributes = nil)
+      def create!(attributes = nil, &block)
         if attributes.is_a?(Array)
-          attributes.collect { |attr| create!(attr) }
+          attributes.collect { |attr| create!(attr, &block) }
         else
           object = new(attributes)
+          yield(object) if block_given?
           object.save!
           object
         end
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/eager_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/eager_test.rb
index 1a3017a22c..546ed80894 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/eager_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/eager_test.rb
@@ -11,11 +11,14 @@
 require 'models/pet'
 require 'models/reference'
 require 'models/job'
+require 'models/subscriber'
+require 'models/subscription'
+require 'models/book'
 
 class EagerAssociationTest < ActiveRecord::TestCase
   fixtures :posts, :comments, :authors, :categories, :categories_posts,
             :companies, :accounts, :tags, :taggings, :people, :readers,
-            :owners, :pets, :author_favorites, :jobs, :references
+            :owners, :pets, :author_favorites, :jobs, :references, :subscribers, :subscriptions, :books
 
   def test_loading_with_one_association
     posts = Post.find(:all, :include => :comments)
@@ -220,6 +223,24 @@ def test_eager_load_has_many_through_quotes_table_and_column_names
     assert_no_queries{ assert_equal jobs(:unicyclist, :magician), michael.jobs.sort_by(&:id) }
   end
 
+  def test_eager_load_has_many_with_string_keys
+    subscriptions = subscriptions(:webster_awdr, :webster_rfr)
+    subscriber =Subscriber.find(subscribers(:second).id, :include => :subscriptions)
+    assert_equal subscriptions, subscriber.subscriptions.sort_by(&:id)
+  end
+  
+  def test_eager_load_has_many_through_with_string_keys
+    books = books(:awdr, :rfr)
+    subscriber = Subscriber.find(subscribers(:second).id, :include => :books)
+    assert_equal books, subscriber.books.sort_by(&:id)
+  end
+  
+  def test_eager_load_belongs_to_with_string_keys
+    subscriber = subscribers(:second)
+    subscription = Subscription.find(subscriptions(:webster_awdr).id, :include => :subscriber)
+    assert_equal subscriber, subscription.subscriber
+  end
+
   def test_eager_association_loading_with_explicit_join
     posts = Post.find(:all, :include => :comments, :joins => "INNER JOIN authors ON posts.author_id = authors.id AND authors.name = 'Mary'", :limit => 1, :order => 'author_id')
     assert_equal 1, posts.length
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb
index 93719c710a..e07ec50c46 100755
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb
@@ -251,6 +251,27 @@ def test_create_through_factory
     topic = Topic.create("title" => "New Topic")
     topicReloaded = Topic.find(topic.id)
     assert_equal(topic, topicReloaded)
+  end  
+
+  def test_create_through_factory_with_block
+    topic = Topic.create("title" => "New Topic") do |t|
+      t.author_name = "David"
+    end
+    topicReloaded = Topic.find(topic.id)
+    assert_equal("New Topic", topic.title)
+    assert_equal("David", topic.author_name)
+  end
+
+  def test_create_many_through_factory_with_block
+    topics = Topic.create([ { "title" => "first" }, { "title" => "second" }]) do |t|
+      t.author_name = "David"
+    end
+    assert_equal 2, topics.size
+    topic1, topic2 = Topic.find(topics[0].id), Topic.find(topics[1].id)
+    assert_equal "first", topic1.title
+    assert_equal "David", topic1.author_name
+    assert_equal "second", topic2.title
+    assert_equal "David", topic2.author_name
   end
 
   def test_update
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/fixtures_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/fixtures_test.rb
index 182f4f0f0b..2787b9a39d 100755
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/fixtures_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/fixtures_test.rb
@@ -96,6 +96,10 @@ def test_inserts_with_pre_and_suffix
 
       second_row = ActiveRecord::Base.connection.select_one("SELECT * FROM prefix_topics_suffix WHERE author_name = 'Mary'")
       assert_nil(second_row["author_email_address"])
+
+      # This checks for a caching problem which causes a bug in the fixtures 
+      # class-level configuration helper.
+      assert_not_nil topics, "Fixture data inserted, but fixture objects not returned from create"
     ensure
       # Restore prefix/suffix to its previous values
       ActiveRecord::Base.table_name_prefix = old_prefix
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/validations_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/validations_test.rb
index ca36ad3581..e3ca8660ac 100755
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/validations_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/validations_test.rb
@@ -133,6 +133,22 @@ def test_exception_on_create_bang_many
       Reply.create!([ { "title" => "OK" }, { "title" => "Wrong Create" }])
     end
   end
+  
+  def test_exception_on_create_bang_with_block
+    assert_raises(ActiveRecord::RecordInvalid) do
+      Reply.create!({ "title" => "OK" }) do |r|
+        r.content = nil
+      end
+    end
+  end
+  
+  def test_exception_on_create_bang_many_with_block
+    assert_raises(ActiveRecord::RecordInvalid) do
+      Reply.create!([{ "title" => "OK" }, { "title" => "Wrong Create" }]) do |r|
+        r.content = nil
+      end
+    end
+  end
 
   def test_scoped_create_without_attributes
     Reply.with_scope(:create => {}) do
diff --git a/activerecord/test/models/subscriber.rb b/activerecord/test/models/subscriber.rb
index 51335a8f20..5b78014e6f 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/models/subscriber.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/models/subscriber.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 class Subscriber < ActiveRecord::Base
   set_primary_key 'nick'
+  has_many :subscriptions
+  has_many :books, :through => :subscriptions
 end
 
 class SpecialSubscriber < Subscriber
diff --git a/activerecord/test/schema/schema.rb b/activerecord/test/schema/schema.rb
index e22b78749c..818237f076 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/schema/schema.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/schema/schema.rb
@@ -349,6 +349,11 @@ def create_table(*args, &block)
   end
   add_index :subscribers, :nick, :unique => true
 
+  create_table :subscriptions, :force => true do |t|
+    t.string :subscriber_id
+    t.integer :book_id
+  end
+
   create_table :tasks, :force => true do |t|
     t.datetime :starting
     t.datetime :ending
diff --git a/activesupport/lib/active_support/dependencies.rb b/activesupport/lib/active_support/dependencies.rb
index 64b2248e28..70b34c90e8 100644
--- a/activesupport/lib/active_support/dependencies.rb
+++ b/activesupport/lib/active_support/dependencies.rb
@@ -423,10 +423,12 @@ def remove_constant(const) #:nodoc:
 
 protected
   def log_call(*args)
-    arg_str = args.collect(&:inspect) * ', '
-    /in `([a-z_\?\!]+)'/ =~ caller(1).first
-    selector = $1 || '<unknown>'
-    log "called #{selector}(#{arg_str})"
+    if defined?(RAILS_DEFAULT_LOGGER) && RAILS_DEFAULT_LOGGER && log_activity
+      arg_str = args.collect(&:inspect) * ', '
+      /in `([a-z_\?\!]+)'/ =~ caller(1).first
+      selector = $1 || '<unknown>'
+      log "called #{selector}(#{arg_str})"
+    end
   end
 
   def log(msg)