pumpkin and garlic bread

Pumpkins

have just finished, well almost, a marathon pumpkin cook. It wasn't such a big one but it has taken some using!
we don't really have a tradition of decorating Pumpkins as they do in the U.S.A but there are lots of recipes to use them,

First up was Pumpkin and Garlic bread............
!2oz bread flour.
1oz yeast.
1 tsp. Salt
a Quantity of Pureed Pumpkin.( about a cup full)
2 Tablspoon Honey
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Warm water......but be carefull with the amount because of all the other liquids.
Knead and bake as usual but when you take them out of the oven quickly dip them in....

Garlic Sauce..
1-3 cloves garlic crushed
olive oil or melted butter/ or both
dried sage
Parmesan cheese (optional)
pinch of salt

Next up was mrs Beetons Pumpkin Preserve.

thickly slice some Pumpkin so that it looks like tinned peaches.
Layer in a dish, alternating with sugar, a sprinkle of powdered Ginger and lemon juice.
leave overnight
put in a large sauce pan and slowly cook until pumpkin is tender.
Put Pumpkin pieces into a jar.
Boil the remaining syrup until thickish and pour over the pumpkin..

Pumpkin soup was next
Chopped Pumpkin
chopped Onion
chopped potatoes
bunch of chopped herbs
usual condiments
garlic
cook until everything is tender
Blitz with a liquidiser and add a drop of milk or cream

I aim to make jam with whats left but thats another story!

Boston

Had a lovely day out in Boston with our friends Alan and vicky. We went to our usual cafe for lunch and it was delicious, Steak and Guiness pudding with all the trimmings, followed by ginger sponge and custard. ( they only had one treacle sponge left!)
Because we don't have any shops where we live, I am like somebody let loose and I bought a couple of pairs of trousers and two jumpers.
Today it is freezing cold and I think it's a sign of things to come. we must get away for the winter but as yet we are unable to decide where to go.
No eggs being laid. I keep threatening them with stretched necks but to no avail!
lifes pretty boring. Sheila x

flowers

Winter is fast approaching and these are the last flowers to appear. they make a very welcome splash of colour.
We have just had visitors. they have been to Northern Cyprus to revisit the places our friend went to when he was in the army. They have had glorious weather and lovely food. I am so jealous!

marks

Look at the grab marks where the cockerels are treading her. Poor thing!

I have sobbed almost all day. how wonderful that the chilean miners are nearly all brought to the surface.

cockerels

Here are the two cockerels. One of them has to go but which one?
note Ed the duck and friend.

Elderberry cordial

First tasting, and very nice too!