Happy Samhain!

HettyBetty I’m happy to acknowledge there is a far wider range of cultures, and accept that those celebrating Diwali will want to let off fireworks, but Diwali isn’t celebrated every month of the year, and beside me there are few months when I don’t hear fireworks. I assume they’re to celebrate other special occasions, e.g. birthdays? I don’t have any pets nowadays but feel heart sorry for those who do and whose pets are terrified by the sudden bangs,etc.
I’ve always enjoyed going to see firework displays, usually organised by the Council (Local Authority). But they are always on November 5th itself, and people, with or without pets have forewarning.

grannydarkhair I don't know where you live but round here fireworks are just as likely to be for Diwali as 5th November. Maybe the change you have noticed is due to a wider range of cultures?

We used to bob for apples too, and always had sparklers for Hallowe'en.

tanith

We used to call it ‘tucking apple night’. We’d have a bowl with apples floating to duck for and apples on string hanging from the kitchen airer, hands behind backs we had to catch them in our mouth and take a bite to win sweets. All the kids from the house came up to our flat and the old lady on the ground floor brought us home made toffee apples up.
Happy days.

Exactly so, Tanith. Except that there were no sweeties as prizes for us, we just got to eat the apple. Sometimes we had to catch the apples in the bowl with a fork held in your mouth.

It's years since I've eaten a toffee apple!

We used to call it ‘tucking apple night’. We’d have a bowl with apples floating to duck for and apples on string hanging from the kitchen airer, hands behind backs we had to catch them in our mouth and take a bite to win sweets. All the kids from the house came up to our flat and the old lady on the ground floor brought us home made toffee apples up.
Happy days.

Litterpicker Where did you find a neep that size? I remember my g’dad carving one for me every year when I was wee and they were far bigger (and softer) than any I see nowadays. When and why did they change so much?
I love neep but the only way I can prepare them for eating now is to microwave them for a few minutes first to soften them. Then they get peeled and cooked.
LHD I don’t remember ever ducking for apples. I don’t think anyone did in my local area. My g’dad used to take me guising round all the neighbours on Halloween. I’ve never been a singer, but I was always able to recite a wee poem and tell a couple of jokes. I was the only bairn in my tenement/up my close, and my reward was always lots of sweeties, especially toffees like Penny Dainties.
It’s been very quiet here, none of the local bairns have chapped on my door, and I haven’t seen anyone going about outside either. There have been a few fireworks which is something that only happened on November 5th when I was wee but seems to be unfortunately obligatory on any so called special occasion nowadays.

The turnip (swede) was quite hard work - DH started it off for me and I cheated slightly by slicing a layer off the back 😁 I’m sure your squash will make a lovely soup Callistemon.
I’m not sure I can get my face down into a bowl of water to duck for apples these days * LadyHD* 🤣

I bought a very pretty squash but it's so hard I couldn't cut it.

I might bake it in the oven then make soup.

I made a turnip lantern and a neighbours children called for their treat 🙂

No.
I did eat an apple tonight though.

And no-one has come for the Hallowe'en treats either.

A peaceful Samhain
The start of winter.

🧙‍♀️