October 31st.

Hallowe’en, Samhain, The Feast of the Dead, Light Night,  the Eve of All Saints…

Or… In our house… Our wedding anniversary!

Back in 2009, I was working as a teaching assistant and still, as ever, in love with the glorious season of Autumn. So, we planned our wedding to fall on the final Saturday of the October half term holiday; taking just a short while to realise that this also happened to be Halloween! Still. Besides the temptation to bust the nose of a Greenwoods assistant who repeatedly asked if my bridesmaids would be dressed as pumpkins; and the very surreal experience of driving slowly through a crowd of zombies on our wedding night… The date has never been much of an issue. In fact, early on, we really thought we were onto a winner! I mean, not only does it provide the perfect excuse to be out of the house on mischief night; but, (thought the young, childless and pre-ordained fools), it will give us a nice alternative celebration, when we finally have kids of our own.

Yep.. So much possibility!

Until, of course, two years in, Husband starts to work for the church… and wife soon realises that, as the church actually engage with the festivities these days- putting a great deal of planning and preparation into providing alternative celebrations for families- her sacred anniversary date is now a thing of the past!

Add actual, real-life children onto the scene, 

And… Well…

Give up! You may as well just join in!

So.

This year, his first in curacy, Husband is running a Pumpkin Party for the Primary School attached to the church. Which is ideal, really, as I flipping love pumpkins! (I mean, come on, a seasonal vegetable that only appears in Autumn and is actually orange?! What’s not to love?!) What’s more,  for the past couple of years, I’ve taken to carving anniversary pumpkins to mark the occasion… 

Which is also great, really, because this year… Well, this year… there’s a competition! 

Now, I know.

 I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right… it’s a kids’ party… I’m not allowed to win! 

But, you know, as these ones were Toddler’s idea... Maybe I could pass them off as his?!

No?! 

You’re right… I got too carried away…

But I am a little impressed with them, really, I have to say!

So.

Now what to do with 5 hollowed out pumpkins (and a spare!), I hear you ask ?!

Well.

A few years ago, a friend was discussing the potential of the man she is now married to, with another mutual friend. In trying to promote his cause, this mutual friend rather famously assured her, “they’re a good, frugal family, you know… they know how to make a chicken go a long way!” 

Well, all I can say is that if that’s what it takes to be a good spouse, then happy anniversary Husband, you lucky man, you! 

For this wife went aaaaaall the way with a bunch of pumpkins yesterday!

We have….

60 Pumpkin and White Chocolate Cookies (for the party)…

One big batch of Pumpkin Soup (for the parents)…

Two Pumpkin Pies…

One completely made-up round of Pumpkin-Caramel Millionaire Shortbread (because I still, even with a thermometer, can’t make fudge or caramel for toffee!)…

Aaaand a massive batch of dry roasted, cinnamon coated pumpkin seeds (for pregnant women who bake too much)…

Oh, and finally, slow-cooked pumpkin curry for tea! (Recipe below!)…

300g cubed pumpkin, 1 sweet potato, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 parsnip, 2 inches of fresh ginger, a tsp each of cayenne pepper, paprika, turmeric, coriander seeds, 2 tins of chopped tomatoes and a cinnamon stick! (Spicy- serves 2-3)

Now, in the spirit of full disclosure (what else?!), cooking and baking with kids in the mix- our kitchen looks a bit like this-

But a messy kitchen and a frugal cook? Surely that’s marital bliss!

So Happy Anniversay, ever-impressive Husband…

8 years to the day!

I may well leave a lot to be desired, 

But heck- I make a pumpkin go a long way!