This past weekend was nice. I dressed up like the son of the “All-Mighty” and Monique was Brooksie. (Mary Louise Brooks) She looked smoking hot. I looked like a 60’s leftover. We went from party to party. Thanks to everyone that took care of us then. I added some pics in the photo section.

I also spent the entire day Saturday making a festive Pumpkin ale, and a huge Barleywine. Sunday my friend Tim hooked me up with the necessary ingredients to make an Apple Butter Cyser. Do a search on it to see what I made. All I can say is brandy? I will add the recipe I made in the fermentation section. Stop by in a year to sample all of them.

One year. A year full of sunshine and sunflowers. October 16th was the one year anniversary of the day that changed my life forever. I met an amazing woman several years ago and she chose to be with me. There is not a moment that passes where I am reminded of how amazing she is to me.

And sometimes, I am reminded of how great of a husband I am.

Yesterday evening we had dinner at home to wind down a weekend of celebrating. I took a crack at making a dish we served at our wedding that I was not able to eat due to my prior dietary restrictions. Chicken Marsala. It was quite nice. Simple comfort food. Great for a cold October day of picking pumpkins. We lit a few candles, poured some Chianti and ate this great meal. We began staring at each other, then it became a recollection of the wedding, then we brought out the album. We talked about how much fun that day was 365 days ago. Tears in our eyes, a bottle later, we began cleaning up. She blew out the remaining candles from the candle holder. I did the dishes. She put the candle holder in the freezer to try and get the remaining candles which had burned all the way down.

An hour later we decided to make home made pumpkin bread from the freshly picked pumpkin. Whole wheat, walnuts, cranberries, and brown sugar. Smelled wonderful. The loaf pan went into the oven, and I cleaned up. She watched a bit of tele. For some reason she decided to continue to remove the last candle from the holder. I asked her not to bother and I would take care of it later using a torch and some ingenuity. I turned by back for 1 minute, and as I walked away I could hear the silverware drawer open and then a could hear a soft squeak. Then it got silent. She said to me a few minutes later; “I think I cut myself. I think it is bad.” I helped her change into some workout clothes and out off her pajamas, and took off for the emergency room.

Three hours and four stitches later, we went home. She was embarrassed. I was relieved that she was ok. Reminding me of how important we are to each other.

Happy Anniversary DLB.

Ingredients:
2 Butternut Squash (med size)
1 White onion chopped
1 Clove Garlic (or shallots, just reduce onions by 1/4)
1/2 Stick butter
1 Quart of Vegetable stock
1 TBSP Finely Chopped Rosemary and or Thyme(yes fresh, duh.)
Salt + Pepper to taste
1/4 Dark Brown Sugar

Wine Suggestion :Toated Head Chardonnay

Preheat oven to 450°

Begin by taking a sharp knife adn slicing both vegetables in half.

Use spoon to scoop out seeds. Discard gooey mess.

Warm butter in microwave and generously brush on halves. Sprinkle sugar on the squash. Place in oven for 45min to 1 hour. Remove when golden and roasted. Honey will darken flesh.

Begin the broth by placing butter in large pot at med heat. as butter melts, palce chopped onions and sautee till translucent. Add garlic. Add in veg boullion and water. Bring to a boil. When mixture is boiling, add squash. Finly chop roasemary and add to soup. Bring to a boil again. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 min to marry flavors. Add salt + pepper to taste.

Use immersion blender to puree the soup to a smoothe consistency. Add more broth if necessary.

Place in large bowls top with sunflower seeds. and eat with crusty bread. Serve with Chardonnay. Call friends.