Surprises come in every size package!

Autumnal delights - perfect for foraging. Credit: Me!

It's been an interesting week! My daugther, H, arrived on the doorstep from Oz one evening. Just dropping in for a visit before heading back to complete an East Coast road trip. Gobsmacked!!! Didn't have a clue she had even left her farm job.. or, could book a flight without my help! A wonderful surprise 😊

So glad she's home, as this time of year is our time. We carve pumpkins, make soup and pumpkin pie. We prepare for the trick or treaters and hope that no one will come so we can eat the treats! Then, next week is bonfire night - traditionally a barbeque in the darkness, the garden lit by tealights, and fun and games writing our names with sparklers. In the background, the neighbours fireworks blast above the rooftops. It truly is a magical time. In some ways I'm glad she's here now rather than Christmas... well, if I have a choice...

So today we bought pumpkins, that sit here ready for carving and emptying. Two plump, but always a bit skwiffy, fruits. Who can resist a less than perfectly round pumpkin if you want to make funnily scary faces?!

While H takes a jet lagged nap, I have just rustle up her favourite carrot and parsnip soup using the stock I made from yesterday's roast chicken bones. Onion, parsnip, orange pepper, carrot and a small potato diced and cooked for 5 mins before adding stock and seasoning. Simple. Cook until all the vegetables are soft, then blend.

While I'm cooking the beautiful sunshine that was breaking through the trees on our woodland walk today with our very good friend S, disappeared behind the clouds and heavy rain took it's place. A perfect soup moment! 👍

In the oven I have started to bake (on a low temperature: 80°C fan) the chestnuts that R and I collected from Tunstall forest, Suffolk. After soaking them in water and a splash of vinegar (my father in law says this helps to soften the shells) I have drained and pricked them. They will bake on low for about an hour before I check one. Full details to come... it's a bit of an experiment.

Oh, btw, I must mention that my in laws have read recently that you shouldn't eat raw chestnuts. My father in law doesn't agree, having eaten them by the sack load as a child, when the boys went out foraging as soon as the prickly cases dropped from the trees. He's still with us, but do take care to investigate this before you eat them raw. I myself have eaten them raw, having been given them by my husband, who likewise ate them as a boy. Neither of us have had any repercussions, but I need you to know.

So, let's see what our packages bring, other than delight and smiles. Watch this space...

Happy Halloween Prep!

Deb x