Nectar

As always, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed this time of year. My gratitude and awe for the wonders in our life springs forth like a rush of emotion and I'm reminded how blessed we are. I'm thankful for the health, the brightness and the beauty my daughters bring to our life; I'm grateful for the love, devotion and support of my husband; I'm so thankful for the friends that have welcomed us with open arms here in our new home - their warmth and kindness still overwhelms me.

As all of you, we've had our shares of highs and lows this year. But above all, we remember how lucky we are to have each other - that clarity helps us wade through any darkness that falls about our shoulders. That love brushes the cobwebs away and allows the sunshine to break through. I hope you are so blessed - and more importantly are mindful of those in your life who love you without question or condition. We all have someone... we may just not see them in the shadows sometimes.

To my friends in America - have a beautiful Thanksgiving. If you need a little last minute inspiration in the kitchen, this post by Heidi has some great recipes and this cranberry sauce is a tradition here. 

And thank you to all of you who have made the first months at CISTHENE more than we could have ever imagined. We've added a few new features including my Obsessions, our Best Sellers and a Goddess Gift Guide.

On a final note before this food-filled holiday week begins, these images are a little peek at Ashley’s new book about handmade gatherings. You can also sneak a peek at the book in this video filmed by Dark Rye. So thankful for not only the opportunity to photograph this beautiful tome to friends and food - but for Ashley's friendship and those that she has brought into our life.

 

Something to get you through the week...

SOUL KITCHEN

Soul Kitchen : Echo And The Bunnymen

One By One : Billy Bragg & Wilco

The Last Time : Cary Ann Hearst

Only You Can Make You Happy : Au Revior Simone

Expectations : Belle & Sebastian

Don't Look Back : Luscious Jackson

Step Into The Light : The Clientele

Honey Honey : Feist

Equlibrium : Blue Foundation

Comes Love : Joni Mitchell

Forever Young : Bob Dylan

These Are The Days : 10,000 Maniacs

There's An End : Holly Golightly

Listen here.

I hope you're not pumpkin’d out. Because I have something for you this week that is rather sinfully delicious. Ashley threw another party for the new book she is writing (and I'm lucky enough to shoot) - a tome to handmade gatherings - and this party was all about the pumpkin. If you've been with me for a while you know how much I love a good bread pudding (like this one and this one) - and this spiked & spiced one just might be my favorite.

Before the recipe... some updates. Things here are good. Den is back home with us after working in Texas for the last six weeks. He made it home just in time for Halloween and the girls were overcome with excitement. Also, Ashley's been adding some fantastic new Small Measures pieces over at Design*Sponge. This one is a current favorite and between that and this new formula we just added to the shop - my impending cold was never able to take hold. And I started swimming again - 5 weeks under my belt at this point. I'd forgotten how it made me feel. Feeling whole right now. After the recipe... a little late, but my Witching Hour playlist from the holiday - though I think I'll be listening to this for some time to come...

BLACK RUM & SPICED PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING

1 loaf of bread (preferably homemade and white)

6 eggs

1/4 c. black rum (we love Kraken)

1 pint heavy cream

1/2 c. sugar

1 T. cinnamon

1/4 t. cloves

1/4 t. ginger

pinch of salt

1 can of pureed pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare a large, deep baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside. Break the loaf of bread into large chunks and toss them into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, rum and sugar until thoroughly combined. In another bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and salt - mix well. Combine the egg mixture with the pumpkin mixture and slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Pour over the bread and using a large spoon (or your hands) gently toss the bread in the mixture ensuring every piece is completely covered. Let sit and soak for 20 minutes. Then pour the soaking bread into your prepared baking dish.                                                                       

While the bread is soaking, prepare the crumble...

SPICED CRUMBLE TOPPING

1+1/4 c. flour

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. sugar

1 1/2 t. cinnamon

3/4 t. ginger

1/2 t. cloves

1/2 t. nutmeg

1/4 t. salt

1 stick of butter (melted)

Combine all in a food processor and aside until the soaked bread has been poured into the baking dish. Once it has, top the bread pudding with the crumble ensuring it's evenly spread out over the pudding. Bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.

I topped ours with a spiked whipped cream:

1 pint of heavy cream

1/4 c. black rum (adjust to your taste)

1 T. sugar

Whisk until soft peaks are formed - ready to serve!

 

And to haunt you...

THE WITCHING HOUR

Am I Evil? : Diamond Head

Bodies : Danzig

Howl : Beware of Darkness

Shank Hill St. : Shovels & Rope

I Can't Hardly Stand It : The Cramps

I Predict A Riot : Kaiser Chiefs

Haunting at 1300 McKinley : The Black Angels

Honky Tonk Horror : The Black Belles

Howlin' For You : The Black Keys

Evil Ways : Black Mountain

Nightcrawlers : Widowspeak

Full Moon : The Black Ghosts

Zombie Eaters : Faith No More

The Ghost Inside : Broken Bells

Straight To Hell : The Clash

Bark At The Moon : Ozzy Osbourne

The Spell : The Black Heart Procession

Ghost Town : Beware Of Darkness

Electric Funeral : Black Sabbath

Blood : Band of Skulls

Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) : Concrete Blonde

Like A Nightmare : Motorhead

The Prowl : Dan Auerbach

Walk At Night : Cults

Black Hearted Love : PJ Harvey & John Parish

Twist of Cain : Danzig

Witchcraft : Wolfmother

Marching Song : Esban and the Witch

Hell of a Season : The Black Keys

The Pendulum : The Ettes

Nail in My Coffin : The Kills

Skulls : Misfits

Shadow's Keeper : Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Flames Go Higher : Eagles of Death Metal

To Walk The Night : Samhain

Listen here.