Halloween

We don't celebrate Halloween (and I really don't like the premise of 'Trick or Treat', to me it just sounds like a threat) but we do like to make pumpkin lanterns.

I'm having a go at drying the seeds too. 

 

If it works I'll be able to add them to homemade bread.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Here they are ....

not too scary ..... just a bit blurry - sorry.

Pumpkin Festival

Slindon village is known for its annual Pumpkin Festival.  The locals put out scarecrows, mostly made with pumpkin heads.

I particularly like this rabbit even if he isn't sporting a pumpkin head!

 

I believe it started when a local gentleman who grew the pumpkins stored them on the roof of his shed where they were able to dry out and be protected from the weather.  It became very well known and he would make a different pumpkin picture each year.  After the old gentleman passed away, his son carried on the tradition.  This year it's a picture of a laden wheelbarrow.

There were loads of different varieties on sale.

 

This mammoth one was for display only!

We chose a few - a couple to carve into lanterns and a couple to cook with. 

More pictures to follow ....

Camper van

I long for a VW camper van

so my younger daughter made one for me!

For those in the know it is a 1965 EZ, but I expect you can tell that already!

HB2U

Happy Birthday to our lovely younger daughter.

How did the last 11 years go by so quickly?

Her request was a Chocolate Fudge Cake topped with fizzy Haribos.

How could I refuse?

I should have posted this on the 23rd but we've been a bit busy, so here is belated Happy Birthday post for Small x

Glyndebourne

 My brother & his wife had tickets to see La boheme at Glyndebourne, but sadly it clashed with a football match he also had tickets for.

My sister-in-law knows I like a bit of opera and asked if I'd like to go in his place. 

Of course I would!

We had a little picnic in the beautiful grounds beforehand.

The auditorium is new, with a covered area for inclement weather - not that we needed it as the sun shone.

It was a brilliant performance and I loved every minute of it.

I'm glad Brighton were playing at home!

Geese

When we were at the beach last weekend, a flock of geese suddenly appeared.  I think they had been resting on some rocks further along.  They hovered just above the water - their feet and wings just tapping on the surface. 

 

Then they swept down the beach in a long, long line - one after another, following the leader.

They veered round

 

and then organised themselves into a crocodile again and careered off towards the West.

and disappeared from view.

Beach

 Here are some photos from last Sunday.  It was such a beautiful, warm & sunny afternoon, the girls and I couldn't bear to stay in.  My husband and the dog were both exhausted after a busy week on the farm, but we persuaded them to come out with us.

Actually, the dog needed no persuading - as soon as he realised we were getting ready to go out, he sat by the front door, waiting to be invited.  We rarely go to the beach. I suppose we just don't appreciate what's on our doorstep.

I don't think my pictures can capture just how beautiful the beach looked.  The light was fantastic.  It was one of those perfect afternoons.

Jed's ears blowing in the wind.

Know your onions

The allotment is nearly bare now.  There are just a few green tomatoes left on the plants. We'll pick these soon and if they ripen, they will be turned into pasata and if not, made into Green Tomato Chutney.

The Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts are hanging on, although they have suffered terrible slug damage.  I must remember to take my camera so I can show you the lacy patterns the leaves are sporting this Autumn.  Fingers crossed they will produce a crop in time for Christmas.

The onions are all pulled and are drying in my Mum's garage.

Except for this handful I brought home to use in the meantime.

Windfall

A friend asked me if I'd like some apples.

Bramleys to be specific.

"Oh yes please"

Well, I can always use them ...

 

So we've been eating Apple Crumble with an oaty topping:

100g plain flour

50g butter

40g sugar

50g oats

I would show you a picture, but we ate it all!

Still plenty of apples left to cook up and freeze for another day.

Perhaps I could make Apple Muffins and maybe an Apple & Cinnamon Cake?

Then, my Mum said a friend of hers had dropped off a few apples for me, as she knew I did a bit of cooking ....

Don't know what variety - does anyone recognise them?

Truly a windfall!

And here are some more windfalls carefully collected by the girls!