3 days in 1

Today is Husband and I's Wedding Anniversary. (Part 1/ Part 2)



(Before anyone gets all upset, there was a serial killer theme running through the grooms side. Husband was Manson, best man was Clyde of Bonny and Clyde, my brother was Capt Spalding, and a few other mass murders showed up as well)

We have been together 15 years, married 8, actual wedding marriage 1 year.

Today is our 10 year Anniversary here on the Neophyte Homestead

We signed the papers to take it over in the morning, and moved in that afternoon just in time to go trick or treating.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

The boys costumes this year.


Small's should be easy to guess. Only action geeks will be able to guess who Medium is. And Large, history war buffs might be able to decipher (or those that actually grew up with them).

The Neophyte Wedding ~Word Addition/ Part 2

"Chicken and gasoline!"



I was standing by the back porch when I heard my little brother start the show. I think he called Moses Dr. Satan.

(Stole some of these following pictures off of Facebook from others)



Husband went as Charles Manson.

We headed out. Hooter ushered the Mothers to their spot in the circle. Except he took them around the outside of the circle, and not through. And that the circle was not a circle, looked more like a bunch of grown ups gearing up for a game of red rover. My stepfather dressed as the mad hatter, escorted me to my waiting Husband. Husband was all grins, which in turn made me smile. I looked around.

How wonderful that so many people showed up, and dressed up! Hannibal even brought a snack



"Let the congregation be standing." Pastor Mark at least got giggles from Husband and I. The ceremony was wonderful. I hope to get a copy of all Pastor Mark said. He had 5 commandments for us, he had ten "But left the other tablet in the truck." Pastor Mark did his research on Samhain, and all Saint's day. He said we were there for American tradition, Christian tradition, and Scottish. . . . I looked at husband, he's the Scotch. I hear someone behind me, better watch it preacher man, and "Them fightin' words" from another. Pastor Mark smiled, he was being silly. My mother ran around taking photos. Husband say he thought she was heckling . All I heard was Amen's and yes God. But I turned just about everything but Husband and Pastor Mark off. At one point Pastor Mark seemed to be having a problem flipping the pages of his speech, "Tablets stick sometimes" he smiled.

He said we were very unique people. and that most people would think Halloween was a bad choice for a wedding. But as he listed the wonderful things that happen and what is meant by Samhain, he said that in reality, it was a perfect day for a wedding.

Husband grinned like the Cheshire cat through the entire thing. The wind however decided to blow our hair into our faces.

We said our vows.



And had our kiss.



Our friend Jerry taped the entire affair. And Husband threw candy money to the guests.

"Lets get some Mudder Fuuudgin' Chicken!" Captain Spaulding announced (you have to have seen the movie to appreciate it).

The lamb and turkey took it's sweet time being carved and brought out. The rest of the food had gone cold by the time it arrived. The soups were warm though, we had them over the campfire. The Red onion soup was gone quickly. Everyone seemed to have high praise for it.

While waiting for the meats, The Best man poured our wine and we toasted. Then We cut our cake, with a machete.



The wine wasn't too awful. A little spicy, and not as sweet as Husband would have liked.

Hooter caught the garter (which was a she-ninja garter, black with a rose handled knife) and My Bride's maid caught the single white rose that my maid of Honor bound (like my hair) in red twine.

Finally the food arrived, and we ate. That was about all there was to the reception. Most people worked the next day, and none of the two bands that said they were going to play, showed. Little Brian and Confused stayed the longest. We drank mulled hot spiced cider, and hung out around the fire laughing. Telling stories and the such. It was a pleasant evening. The wind was too much to keep the jack o' lanterns aglow however.



And that, it so many words,, was The Neophyte Wedding.

~I realize now that I have a lot of friends with odd names ~

The Neophyte Wedding ~ Word Addition/part 1

Due to some technical difficulties, I have yet to get all the photos from the wedding. I do have a few from my camera, so we will work with those as I tell you want went down.

Husband was nervous. Even Captain Spaulding pointed it out to me later. Husband was yelling at everyone, this is odd for him as he never raises his voice. He even yelled at Large for the car not having gas. Large is 13, it wasn't his fault. Large was confused, but was able to laugh it off later. So Sunday morning was a little rough and tense. To be honest, I am not sure why. We have been together 14 years, and married for 7. I guess the display of it was an issue, not sure what was going on in his head.

My Maid of Honor arrived with my brother (captain Spaulding) Late Friday Evening. Bringing the bouquet she made for me.

That's when things really started. We butchered the lamb and the turkey without a problem, while Large went to a Library teen Halloween party. I started on some cooking and some last minute house scrub down. I asked Husband to stop and get the table and chairs as well as apples from Brain Wheel. Alas! He didn't. He showed up at home after work on Saturday without any of the much needed items. Sunday became crunch time as we had but a few hours to get everything finished up, as well as do all our regular chores.

Saturday also meant pumpkin carving for us all.





Later that evening one of Husband's client's arrived with another 16 jack o' lanterns. It was our wedding gift. So many more than I thought he would bring us.




My brother and future s-i-l ran around purchasing last minute items. While Husband yelled at everyone and the chickens, and I cooked up a frenzy.

Butternut Squash Soup



The neighbor across the way's son arrived. He was smoking the turkey and lamb for us as our wedding gift. We had picked up some pecan wood from Brain Wheel just for this. As he smoked, we cooked and decorated.



Skippymom had sent a box of goody bags for the kids. This was all that was left in the morning.



Hooter arrived a little after 3pm.



Brain Wheel, who was also going to be an usher, couldn't make it. One of his injuries from that bike vs car accident isn't healing properly (yes 2 years later) and is on forced bed rest. He can not be in his chair for more than 15 minutes at a time. He and his wife were going to come as Ozzy and Sharon.

I instructed Hooter on how things were going to go. I told him how to get people to park and showed him were the circle for the ceremony was to be. He took it all in as anyone named Hooter would do such a thing, as we shall find out later. Meanwhile I took a shower.

My mother arrived and it was time for me to start getting ready. Suddenly my house was full of people! Wait! NO! everyone should be outside so I could get ready. Hooter took Husband out to get his make-up done, so there was no one to usher these people. I think I saw my wedding cake zoom by at one point. Too much chaos was happening, and I was starting to get a bit uncomfortable. My bride's maid arrived with everyone else, and I had little time to say much to her.



Husband's mother says take a good look because you will never see her dress like this again!



I almost forgot, right after Hooter, Foxfire arrived. She is someone I have known for a year and have never met. We play an online RPG together. She drove 5 hours to be here. Dressed as a pirate. Her foster daughter was Snow White. They brought Husband and I a treasure chest with goblets, wine, cow patties and chocolate covered potato chips!



The only regret I have for this night was that I didn't get to spend more time with her and Rat, who I haven't seen in 8 years. She (Rat) is the reason Husband and I are together.

I digress, things were getting a bit too busy for me, and I needed to get ready. I managed to slip away with my mother to get my hair done and my make-up. Wouldn't you believe it, that not I, nor my mother or s-i-l own a hair curler. That threw a loop into the plans. Instead I opted for a more traditional braid look (7 braids). We put demi-dye Chrome in my hair. I glued my slit throat on, and mother started my makeup. She did it a bit lighter this time, more heron sheik than zombie bash.

I hear Husband yelling down the hall at me. His best man finally arrived. It was already after 5pm, he should have arrived around 3pm. I headed out to great him. He and his wife are dressed as Bonnie and Clyde. They looked great! I had to ask where his guitar was. And he looked at me with a blank expression. He forgot all about playing me down the aisle! My head started to hurt. Rarely do we do big events. Rarely do husband and I call ourselves out to be special. So I am not sure what the proper thing to do here. Suddenly the best man asks, "do you have any instruments here?" I happened to have a 20 year old Yamaha key board. He picked Chopin, rather than the Mozart I wanted, but at this point I was no longer picky. He learned to play Funeral March in 5 minutes just by listening to it here

With the Best Man practicing, I was back in the bathroom. Time for the corset. My mother was having a heck of a time lacing it up. "Who did this for you last time?" husband "well he is a better woman then I." I couldn't stop laughing. After a few fumbling minutes I hear my Maid of Honor in the hall. I called out for her to come in.

Do you remember me mentioning that I asked my Maid of honor to dress like Xena?

(she hates this pic, will get one that doesn't look so ticked off at me to post later)

Well she took it a bit too seriously. I am busy sucking it in, holding my breath, waiting for this corset to cinch up when I hear "The door won't open." And "which way, in or out?" and crack, and then turning to see Xena tearing the bathroom door off it's hinges! She opened it the wrong direction. I told her she had to tell husband, because I wasn't going to. She would later, and husband would laugh. I however needed to be tortured a bit into my costume. Then a bit o' blood from my cut throat, and keeping it off my corset and I was good. The preacher was still a no show. As I did my best back bend (a fx blood thing) Husband is standing in the hall out of sight. "Pastor Mark called, he is running late but will be here in time for the ceremony"

Do you laugh here? I mean that was a joke right? There is no ceremony until the preacher man arrives.

Honestly, things got a bit hectic and blurry for a bit. Too much happening, too many people in my house wanting my attention. Suddenly Pastor Mark is in my living room, and I am yelling at Hooter to freakin' usher!

A tease

Moses there is Pastor Mark. He did a great job! Medium took this photo. Will post more when I get them.

Happy Halloween!

hey, I'm getting hitched today, or re-hitched I mean. Great now I have all these horse analogies running through my head.

I hope everyone enjoys their day. Dress up so the bad spirits already think your dead, leave a plate of food under your tree so you deceased loved ones can join your feast, and place out a bowl of cream to keep those pesky fairies appeased.

Husband and I have been here on the Neophyte Homestead for 9 years today.

I guess I have a few things to do before this evening. No worries, lots of pictures for you all.

It's 2 am

Do you all remember our squatter/farm hand? He was over the other day. He hasn't sobered up much, but has to the extent that he is actually remembering and keeping promises. So we are allowing him back around. Even invited him to the wedding which he is excited about.

I digress, we were outside talking the other day and I mentioned that the woman that was going to make my cloak bagged on me. Less than a week left and wasn't sure what I was going to do. He told me that is mother could whip one out, besides she needed something to do. So on Monday I gave him the velvet and the pattern for the cloak. I got it back today. Hear that Kelle? I got my cloak!

My brother and his girlfriend arrived earlier this evening. They are crashed out in their tent right now.

I'm watching Rocky Horror.

We butchered the lamb and turkey this evening. A bunch of people showed up when they heard we were doing it. It's odd that so many people show up here every time we butcher. This time the only thing I had to do was clean the turkey. The men killed every thing and cleaned the lamb. My little brother killed the turkey. It was his first time killing anything on purpose. He got blood all over himself. I don't think we were that messy the first time. Hold on, it wasn't that messy, I recorded it all here on the blog.

I picked up the wine. Had to make a compromise with it. Husband is a sugar junkie. Like things super sweet. I don't. I like mine dry with a hint of sweetness. I found a wine that has chocolate, warm spices and black cherries. I thought that would go well with the fall foods, and be a happy medium between Husband and I's tastes.

Saturday (today or after I wake up) I will hit the farmers market. Need to pick up some things for the wedding that I don't have here.

Decorations

Hooter asked me if we were jumping into the marriage. It seems so soon, he told me. He asked if the boys liked him (Husband) because it was important that they did. How well do I know husband? Am I sure he is the one?

I couldn't breath because of the laughing.

The boys do like Husband (their father) and have been making decorations for the event.

We have some Day of the Dead Skull masks


And some Boot Hill like tombstones.

Hallowe'en Barm Brack

2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 heaping tablespoons butter
1 package yeast
1 cup sugar, divided
1 cup warm milk, divided
1 egg
1 1/4 cups golden raisins
1 cup currants
1/2 cup mixed candied peels
ring, coin, stick, pea, thimble, each individually wrapped in wax paper.

Sift together flour, spices and salt. Pinch your butter. Mix yeast with 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon warm milk (if it doesn't froth you need new yeast) Add remaining sugar to the flour, blending well. Pour remaining milk and the egg into the yeast mix, then combine with the flour mix. Use a wooden spoon to beat it into submission. Dough should be stiff but elastic. Fold in the fruit, the peels and the wrapped trinkets. Cover with a cloth and set aside to double in size. Turn out and divide into two. Place each loaf on a greased sheet pan, cover and let rise 30 minutes.

Bake at 400F for 1 hour. Glaze with 1 tablespoon sugar dissolved in 2 teaspoons boiling water. return to oven for 3 minutes. Turn out on rack to cool.

HOWEVER, Husband is harassing me about making these cups cake rather than a bread. Haven't decided yet, but I might make nut cake instead. will let you know.

Something besides food, kind of

Large finished his mask for Halloween. Can you guess who it is? If so well then. . . dork. No no, I will just tell you that Large loves you, and doesn't think that all adults are lame.

Tomorrow is butchering day. It will be the coolest of the week. Husband will kill things before leaving for work, and leave to dress everything out all by my lonesome.

I have a cold sore, nice.

No one is bothering to RSVP. Only 2 of 50 have. I know more than the 2 are coming, but it would have been nice if they could have told me. Some of the others I am assuming are coming because they tend to just show up. I found out through my mother that my brother and his family aren't coming. Interesting as we all are on Facebook together and they could have easily pointed out that they feared it too cold for the babies and will not be attending. But ~shrug~ tis the way of my family I guess. (I do have a warm house and an intercom system).

My mother came by yesterday. Guess we are talking again, good. She came to decide on how to do my make up. It is a bit much, asked to tone it down a bit. I want to be starlit dead, not Halloween ghoul. But the general quicky looked good. Reminded me of The Corpse Bride.


I am starting to feel a little silly about the whole thing. But we do tend to be a bit silly around here and will feel better about it the morning of.

I'm a little sleepy now.

Pumpkin Bread and Sweet or savory butters

Pumpkin Bread

1 3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 cup melted butter
3/4 cup water
4 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 1/2 cups flour
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins

Mix together the first 4 ingredients. blend in the remaining ingredients. Pour into a greased and floured bread pan and bake 1 hour at 350F.


Faerie Butter

Warning raw egg

4 egg yolks
2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons orange flower water
2 sticks of butter, soften

Beat the sugar and yolks together, blend in the water and butter. Force through a cookie press and serve.


Whipped Herb Butter

2 stick unsalted butter, softened
4-6 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, flowers, seeds
salt and pepper to taste
dry mustard or paprika to taste

Cream butter until fluffy and light. Chop herbs very fine, blend into butter. spoon into wax paper and roll up in 1/2 in diameter. refrigerate and cut into slices.

I will be using thyme, parsley and sage for the potato bread.



By the way, here are some Kitchen Aid coupons available if you are looking for a new mixer.

Bacon and apples bread stuffing

1 lbs bacon, cut cross-ways into 1/4 inch strips
6 medium onion, sliced thin
1 teaspoon salt
2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped fine
3 tab;tablespoon fresh sage cut into thin strips
12 cups dried french bread cubes
1 cup chicken stock
3 large eggs, lightly beaten

cook bacon until brown. drain and reserve 3 tablespoon of bacon grease.

using the same pan over a med-high heat, add onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt (with the bacon fat). cook until onion are golden, stir occasionally, scrape the bottom of pan, 20 minutes. reduce heat to med. cook an additional 5 minutes to a dark golden brown color, be careful not to burn them. add apples and cook another 5 minutes. transfer to large bowl.

stir in the remaining salt, pepper, parsley and sage. add bread cubes.

Whisk together the eggs and stock, pour over the bread cube mix, gently toss.

When ready bake in a 400F oven, cover dish with foil, for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes.

Mushrooms with warm spices/ Curried Chutney

Roast Mushrooms with warm spices


1 lbs white mushroom, if small then halve, quarter medium sized, and into 6ths if large
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

With your oven rack in the lowest position preheat oven to 450f.

In a medium bowl toss together the oil with mushrooms salt and pepper to taste. Arrange on a large low sided roasting pan. Roast for 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms have released their juices and liquid has nearly evaporated.

While roasting, mix together they remaining ingredients, except lemon juice. Sprinkle spices over the roasted mushrooms, flip mushrooms, and continue to sprinkle until evenly covered. Return to oven and roast another 5 minutes until all juices have evaporated. Place mushroom in the bowl that you had mixed your spices in and toss with the lemon juice. Can be served all but cold.


Curried Apple Cranberry Chutney

2 large golden apples, peeled, quartered, cored and cut into medium dice.
1 1/2 cups cranberries, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup onion, minces
1 tablespoon minced crystallized ginger
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
2 medium garlic gloves minced
1 teaspoon zest from 1 small lemon
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a medium sauce pan, bring to boil all the ingredients, cover, reduce heat and simmer. Stirring occasionally. Cook 30 minutes, until apples are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Cool to room temp (can be made and refrigerated up to 2 weeks before serving)

Makes only 2 1/2 cups

Acorn Squash with cinnamon and honey

This is a variation of baked acorn squash.

4 acorns
8 tablespoons honey
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 teaspoons cinnamon
8 pinches of brown sugar.

Halve and seed the squash. add 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of brown sugar to each half of the squash. cover with foil. Bake at 320 F for 1 1/2 hours.

And if this is too boring for you, slice up some apples and add it to the well of the squash while cooking, or some cranberry confetti. Mayhaps a little bread stuffing with sausage and pecans. What is really killer is topping the squash with a walnut coffee cake topping.

Champ

10 scallions, chopped
1 1/2 cups milk
3 1/2 cups hot mashed potatoes
4 tablespoons butter
minced chives

Cook the scallions in the milk along with a healthy pinch or two of chives. Drain, reserving milk. Stir together the scallions and potatoes, beat in enough of the milk to make it smooth. Salt and pepper to taste. Melt the butter and make a well in the center of the potato mix. Pour the butter in well. When serving, dip the potato mix into the butter.

The Peacher Man

Remember Pastor Mike? The one that had taught me how to make soap? Husband asked him if he would do our wedding ceremony, unfortunately Pastor Mike says he is only a preacher man, he doesn't do weddings. Then he offered up the youth pastor at his church, Pastor Mark.

We asked Mike a month ago, and just got Mark's card 1 week ago. I called on Monday and set up an appointment. I was a little worried, with only 2 weeks left before the big to do, and it being Halloween and all I was concerned he wouldn't do it. We have a ordained biker lined up if that was the case.

Last night Husband and I met with Pastor Mark. He set up a movie for the boys to watch as we went to his office to talk. He asked us some questioned, gleaning a bit of info about us. Then talked about the wedding. He reiterated over and over that it was about us, not about family or guests. Which I know he was trying to make us feel better about a few things going on with our lives, and I appreciate that.

Pastor Mark seemed excited about the whole thing. He told us several times that he has only done very formal church weddings, never something so informal. He told us that normally he reads a long passage from the bible about how the husband should treat the wife, but he says it seems like he is always lecturing people and would forgo that little speech. I told him he should give the speech to husband anyway. Husband said that the fact that we have been together longer than most people meant he was doing something right.

We had to explain homesteading to him. He had not heard that term and wanted to put us in the naturalist green group. I explained that we were salt not green and the differences. Husband explained we were not survivalists or hippies (that cracked him up. Just looking at us you could tell he said) Pastor Mark was raised Mennonite, so he seemed to understand what a homesteader was.

Pastor Mike forgot to tell Mark that this was a masquerade ball. I tensed a bit because I thought he had that info. But Pastor Mark suddenly announce he would dress up like a hooker! That got husband rolling. I suggested Beetlejuice.




Pastor Mark waved the hooker suggestion off, claiming he was jesting, but he would dress up in costume after all. That is much more than I had hoped for. Preacher man is going in costume.

I was impressed with Pastor Mark, he seems to be truly looking forward to the wedding. He loves the informality of it, the traditional (old old school) Irish part of it. He says he will keep it short and fun, as what seems to be called for.

I am so relieved.

I have also planned a very traditional breaking of bread before dinner. He seemed to have never heard this being done before. He is right, it isn't an American tradition but many cultures do it. He seemed interested in it and has agreed to participate in it. My wedding might not be a glamorous white American wedding, but it is close to what I would call my dream wedding.

Beets with Cloves and another dish called Braised Spinach

Beets with Cloves and Cinnamon

1 lbs small beets
salted water to cover
dash of cloves
dash of cinnamon
1/4 cup butter salt and pepper to taste

Wash and cut the stalks off the beets, keep on the skins. Drop into boiling salted water and cook until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

When skins peel off easily they are done.

Peel and discoard skins. Place into a sauce pan and toss with the spices and butter over a low heat for about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.


Braised Spinach

2 lbs fresh spinach
salted water for parboiling
3 tablespoons chicken broth (or you can use the same amount of olive oil)
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch of ginger and allspice
(if using chicken broth, and pinch of minced fresh parsley and fennel)

Parboil spinach in large pot with salted water for 4 minutes, drain, and press out extra water with your hands. Then chop. Place into a small sauce pan with broth (oil) and spices (herbs). over a very low heat, stir once then leave to cook for 15 minutes. (or place into a slow over for 20 minutes. )


You are lucky to get a post from me. Having some major computer issues. I get about 10 minutes of pc time before it freaks out. Have ran all the virus and malware programs, tried system restore and check disk. still having issues. sigh

Most of the recipes you will see for the wedding are traditional Samhain fare. Or Harvest festival items. And remember to write your love letters in beet juice. The object of your affection will find you irresistible then.

The Smoked Meats

I am not the one smoking the lamb nor the turkey, and am a little freaked out about it. Neighbor across the ways son is doing it. He has this huge smoker that he goes around to businesses with. He offered to smoke the meats, and Husband agreed. But now there is mention of cutting the turkey in half to fit in with all the other meats. Um. . . NO!

How dry does he want this meat to be? I will not allow it t be hacked up. Told Husband that I will roast the thing myself. I can't do dry turkey. We will see what has been decided.

Have no clue on the seasoning he uses. I did tell him however it needs to be mild as the sauce are clean and there will be no gravy to smother anything. No to dry, and no to obscene seasonings. AM I being too picky? I hope so.

Husband freaked me out. I am getting over the flu, and at the peak of it, Husband woke me and said something about butcher this Thursday. I asked him why. He said it has to age a bit. I said not that long. "But your to do is this weekend." Now see me jump out of bed, fighting nausea and painful joint and skin. See the sweat of not only the fever but overwhelming panic glisten on my brow. See me utilize modern technology to access the calendar on my cell phone. "2 weeks my dear." He looked at me and said "well that makes me feel better. Was getting stressed about it only being a week out."

The Soups

Red Onion Soup

4 tbsp butter
2 med. onions very thinly sliced
1 tbsp flour
½ cup Sherry cooking wine
1 quart beef broth

Brown onions with butter in a sauce pan. Sprinkle with flour. Cover then simmer for 20 minutes. Stirring once in awhile. Pour in the wine. While that's simmering, heat up the broth. add to onions and boil the mix slowly for 5 minutes. (this makes 2 1/2 pints. can be double or tripled easily)


Butternut Squash Soup

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 med. onion
2 tablespoons dry sherry
2 1/2 lbs butternut squash halved and seeded, peeled and cubed
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 teaspoon salt
ground white pepper
pinch freshly grated ginger
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon, mint, chive or parsley


In a large saucepan, heat butter over a medium high heat. Saute onions until a golden color, takes about 5 minutes. Toss in the squash and add sherry. cook and stir until sherry evaporates, 30 seconds.

Stir in the stock, salt, pepper to taste and ginger. Cover and cook 15 minutes until squash is soft.

Ladle the mix into a food processor add milk and puree until smooth. Return to saucepan and cook over a low heat until warmed through. Add more milk to thin if you feel it is too thick.

Can be refrigerated for 3 days before reheating and serving. Garnish with minced herbs.

The Neophyte Wedding Menu

Red Onion Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

smoked lamb

smoked turkey

Beets with cloves and cinnamon

Braised Spinach

Champ

Acorn Squash with cinnamon and honey

Roast Mushrooms with warm spices

Curried apple and cranberry chutney

Bacon and apples bread stuffing

Pumpkin bread

Potato bread

Faerie Butter

Whipped herb butter

Hallowe'en Barm Brack

Mulled Cider

Irish Coffee

blueberry sauce

cherry sauce

mint sauce

General Wedding Update

Talk about a little stressed out! 2 weeks until the big day and my corset doesn't fit. Apparently Japanese sizes run a whole lot smaller than American sizes, go figure, huh? so here's the plan. I will wear pasties and go as a murdered stripper. That will work. Or throw on a blouse and go as a clubbing cowgirl. I think the first choice will be a crowd pleaser though. Or I can try and find a decent looking cheap corset at a local porn store. Maybe pick up a maid of honor gift while there. ha!

I went and got my boots that I liked. Something I can wear on the bike as well. Which I did the other day. and melted a bit of the boots sole. I was not happy with husband, as he was giggling about it. It isn't so bad as to be real noticeable, nor mess with my walking. But the point is, it happened. Husband says there is a hot spot were my boot had been pushed up against that heats his leg up as well. He plans on putting on a small heat shield over that spot. Speaking of riding, we had gone out on Friday morning. My car was in the shop and ready to be picked up. As we were riding, the clutch cable broke. There was little trouble riding on the highway with it, but as soon as we had to get onto the main roads we had to slam into gears. That hurt. I held onto the sissy bar, yanking my shoulder out of it's socket. But as we had gone over one of the over passes, I saw a car flipped on it's side. A little slamming around isn't as bad as what happened to those poor people.

I ordered smaller plastic versions of Husband and I's wedding goblets for the wedding party, as well as some dessert plates, napkins and plastic Halloween cups. They were out of matching dinner plates, so I am on the hunt for something today, as well as plastic tableware. We are eating outside, I really don't want anything fancy and I don't have enough silverware for the party.

Medium changed his mind about what he wanted to be, so had to pick up some glue on devil horns for him. Picked up some wound makeup for my costume, and looked about for body parts and other things that I might pick up the day before the wedding as everything will be cheaper at that time.

I have yet to hear back from the woman that said she would make my cloak and am real nervous about that.

I finally got the number of the youth minister and will call him Monday. If he can't do it, Hooter has a biker Preacher that will do it for $50. Maybe he has an interesting road name as well.