Autumn greetings in this most magnificent “indian summer” that we are being blessed with. I hope that you are all getting the chance to enjoy the warmth, clarity and beauty of it all?!

Before any more time elapses, I thought that I had better metaphorically put pen to paper and ask who would like to join us for Samhain celebrations? We will be meeting on Sunday the 31st October. It would be perfect if the weather could be as we are enjoying it now, as we plan to hold our ritual in Coed Elernion, a Woodland Trust owned property in Clynnog Fawr, (really more on the outskirts of Trevor) where we have found some lovely atmospheric locations among the trees. We will be gathering, either at 1.30.pm at our home in Dyffryn Nantlle, or else you can go straight to the entrance to the wood for 2 o’clock. (And don’t forget that the clocks are going back that weekend!)

We will be doing something connected to the/our ancestors. Also some deeply introspective work in darkness and simulated burial. It will be a more profound ritual this year, with the emphasis on healing and connection through the earth and our past. We will probably return to our home in Dyffryn Nantlle for our celebratory meal, bonfire and entertainment as darkness overtakes us and the evening begins.

As always, if anyone would like to contribute an activity or reading during ritual, you are greatly welcome to do so… just let me know roughly what you intend to do some time beforehand so that I can co-ordinate and weave everything into a cohesive whole. Similarly, if anyone would like to bring songs, music, readings, poetry, stories, etc for the evening, please do so!

Please do let me know if you are intending to come, as I need to assemble certain items for the ritual, and I need to know just how many I shall be catering for. Also, if you are coming and wish me to send directions as to exactly where we are meeting, let me know. And of course, please bring some edible contributions for the “feast”!

I will probably be sending out another email and posting more on the website a bit nearer the time with any other specific requirements… I’ll just see how it goes!

In the meantime, enjoy this glorious weather and your harvest!

Blessings of endings and completion to you all!

***

INGREDIENTS: (makes 2 pies)

1 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 tblsp cornflour

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 tsp ground gloves

2 cups pumpkin puree (pumpkin pulp boiled down into liquid)

3 eggs, ready beaten

1 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup milk

1 piecrust ready-made and set aside for use

***

DIRECTIONS:

1. Whisk together brown sugar, cornflour, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a bowl.

2. Add pumpkin, eggs, cream and milk –whisk well to combine.

3. Pour filling into piecrust and bake at 375 F for 60-65 minutes. Cover crust with foil after about 30 minutes, if getting brown (which it will do, thanks to the cream).

4. Once done (it shouldn’t be a liquid anymore), let cool completely, at least 2 hours before serving (to let it finish setting). Best served chilled with a bit of whipped cream on top!

NOTE– If you are unlucky as to not possess an American measuring cup, just use a normal tea mug, and stick to the same measurement all the way through.

***

INGREDIENTS:

For cake mixture …

8 oz margarine

8 oz caster sugar

4 eggs, beaten

12 oz flour

1 tsp vanilla essence

for apple middle …

1-2 lbs Apples, cored, peeled, and sliced to reasonably medium-small

for crumble topping …

6 oz melted butter

8 oz self-raising flour

6 oz caster sugar

***

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cream/mix margarine and sugar until fluffy and there are no lumps of margarine. Melt butter in separate pan, careful not to scorch. Beat eggs and vanilla together separately as well.

2. Sift flour and fold into margarine/sugar mixture, then gradually add in eggs. Mix well with wooden spoon until all the batter is creamy and smooth.Pour into a round baking cake tin.

3. Arrange sliced apples on top of batter, covering well.

4. To make crumble–to butter, add flour and sugar, and work together with your fingertips until resembling thick breadcrumbs. Add crumble on top of apples.

5. Sprinkle cinnamon on top, if desired.

6. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 F or Gas Mark 4 for however long necessary. But keep a close watch and make sure crumble top doesn’t burn.