A turnip lantern, the old way

Before pumpkins took over, Irish children carved turnips for Samhain. Big knobbly swedes, hollowed out with a spoon and a great deal of muttering, a face cut in to frighten off anything wandering the roads that night.

So this year I did it the old way. It took ninety minutes, two blisters and most of my patience. The result looks like a potato that has seen things. I adore him.

He's on the stone step by the front door with a tealight in a little jar, nothing near him that can catch, and I'll blow him out before bed. The barmbrack is cooling in the kitchen with a ring baked in, so someone in this house is getting engaged this year, or at least a fright at the dentist.