Jack-O-Lanterns, Pumpkin Soup and Pink Hair

So I was looking over my soup blog and realized I hadn't blogged anything over the month of October. I guess that's a testiment to how busy I've been.
G and I were offered a new job (we come as a team), that entailed moving to a new home. We spent pretty much every waking minute in October, cleaning, packing and sorting (keep that, throw that, store this, give that), while trying to maintain a proper working schedule at the same time.

I love my micro apartment now that we've managed to squeeze in and expunge the previous tenants smell (chain smoked colt cigars) through the heavy use of incense, sweet grasses, and essence oils. We painted and had new carpets laid as well. (A yummy combo of chocolat and sage)

I had a great Halloween, I carved three pumpkins, I got to dress up AND hand out candy to all the little kids. I had scary music playing from the side walk, a really cool black and purple spider and scary Bats hanging around. A young friend helped me decorate and I was pleased to rely on her imagination. We had garbage bag ghosts, hanging from nooses, spider webbing everywhere with baby spiders climbing up the walls!

I was dressed as an anime bat woman, with a cotton candy pink wig.

During Dia de Muertos my mom and I devised a recipe for pumpkin soup, long distance.

Here it is...

I used a slow cooker, but you can use a big pot with a tight fitting lid.

x1 blender, hand mixer or equivalent
x3 pumpkins (x2 med, x1 sm)
x1 med yam
x1 ltr of 1/2 and 1/2 (use to preferred consistancy)
*nutmeg
*cinnamon
*cloves
*ginger
*brown sugar

• Slow cook till the pumpkin pulp (stringy stuff) gets all mushy like and the yams become soft.
• Set aside and let cool.
• Scoop out half at a time and puree in a blender.
• *Add your spices to taste.

Mom's tip If you over spice this batch you can always
compensate for it in the next batch by using less.

• Once you are satisfied with the spices, pour your pouree into your pot/cooker, and begin to bring to a boil.
• Just before the boil breaks the surface, begin to slowly add your cream. Continue adding until you reach the colour and consistency you prefer.
• Let your soup come to a boil, adjusting by spice or cream as you go.

you can serve with a dallop of sour, or whip cream, or a sprig of mint, or even cold, like a gaspacho.

-cb-

PS. According to Ayurvedic Yoga, this recipe can be used as medicine to
balance the dosha called Vata. This means good for ending
symptoms of restlessness, insomnia, headaches (among other things) and promoting
wellness (in general).