Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

Put oats into a medium bowl. Pour boiling water and set aside.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs until well-combined. At a lower speed, add the soaked oats then the flour, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix until well-combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30 minutes, or until you can stick in a toothpick and it comes out clean. Set aside to cool but do not remove from pan.

Turn the oven broiler on.

For the topping: In a sauce pan over medium heat, combine the sugars, coconut, walnuts, butter and milk and heat until melted. Stir in vanilla. Pour over cooled cake.

Place cake under broiler about 5 minutes but watch carefully so it does not burn. When sugars bubble it is done. Cool completely; topping will harden when cooled.

Serves 12 to 15.