A Special Angel Star is 1 today

The Lovely family of Jenny, David, Esther and William are holidaying with us at Coombe Mill this week. This was to be the happy birthday for their beautiful baby Matilda Mae. Tragically Matilda Mae is with the family only in spirit today on what should be her 1st birthday. I feel privileged to have Jennie and the family here in the peace and tranquillity of Coombe Mill at this difficult time and delighted to have seen some of the joy the twins have experienced on their holiday. I hope what we offer at Coombe Mill has made this week a little easier for Jennie and David. Unable to find the words, I have put together a video of a few holiday moments I have captured for them this week:

David and Jennie for you:

Love and best wishes to the family today here at Coombe Mill as they celebrate the birthday of their shining Star Matilda Mae.  

There is going to be an auction to raise money for The Lullaby Trust in Matilda's name and memory. For details please follow at Edspire and  Ghostwritermummy. The auction will be running from the 11th-20th May. 

It is some time since I have linked up to The Gallery by the Lovely Tara Cain from Sticky Fingers, however when I spotted the theme was Expressions I couldn't resist joining in. Every week on the farm as we take a new group of children round on the morning tractor ride to help feed and care for the animals their faces are a picture. These are a few expressions captured here this week.

Why not pop over and see what other lovely expressions there are this week.

Super Sweet Blogging Award

 

 

I have been tagged by the super friendly tweeting Kat who blogs at Kat Sighs in the sweetest award. Kat must know I have a passion for all things sugary.

 

 

Here I have the chance to indulge in all my favourite sweet treats and share them with you in one post. Time to push the calories to one side; well they don't count for an award do they? Mr Dentist look away now, you might not like what follows! Ready steady, let's get sweet!   

 

1. Cookies or Cake?

 

 

A tough call as a good cookie beats a poor cake, but if both are to my indulgent taste then I go for the cake. With a family of 8 I make all our biscuits and cakes. I'm sure it works out cheaper, but just as important I enjoy making them, the children love to help and I sell quite a few in our holiday shop too. It is fair to say not a day passes where I am not baking cakes or biscuits of some description. I always have a sneaky taste of everything with my bucket of fresh coffee mid morning. This is my moment for me in the day!

 

 

 

2. Chocolate or Vanilla?

 

Another impossible choice for me as I adore both. When it comes to creme brulee, ice cream or yogurt and biscuits I'll more likely opt for vanilla, but on cakes, souffles and hot puddings I just can't resist the aroma of rich chocolate. I almost forgot my Mother in Law's famous chocolate brownies too which are divine! Clear? I think that may have been a bit of a politicians answer! 

 

 

3. What is your favourite sweet treat?

 

This kind of changes, but at the moment I am totally taken with my homemade baklava. They look so complicated yet are so easy to make. I'm really rather proud of the way they turned out. 

 

 

 

 

On those occasions when the kids have wiped me out of all things homemade, I'll break off a chunk of good quality dark chocolate from a hidden location I hope the children have not yet discovered! 

 

 

4. When do you crave sweet things the most?

 

 

I can be so good all day, except a little treat with my morning coffee. But if I am up blogging late at night then a sweet treat keeps me going. Blogging about food is of course the worst, this post is already responsible for a large chunk of chocolate brownie; just as well I declared up front that the calories are not included on an award *reaches for a second chunk*.

 

 

 

5. If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be?

 

My sweet  nickname would have to be: "Decadent Farm Bake Fi"!

 

Linking my collage up with Social Pix and Fun Photo Fun 

 

  

 

I would like to pass this awesome award on to these lovely bloggers and find out their sweet fancies!

 

Liska the supportive New Mum on Line

 

Laura from Yummy Mummy Flabby Tummy who I know shares my passion for cake

 

Stuart from Daddy 4 Pigs who I have just discovered on twitter 

Valentine's Day Reflections

This is a special day for Farmer Nick and me, 18 years ago today he proposed to me. I never would have believed when I said "Yes" and burst into tears that I would be reflecting back on that day happily from our holiday farm in Cornwall with our 6 boisterous wonderful children. I still have the card he handed me back then. We were on our way for a holiday of a lifetime to New Zealand and had stopped at Bangkok to refuel, when he produced the card. I had not bothered as he assured me we were flying the other way round the world and crossed the date line missing the 14th. We did leave on 13th and arrive on the 15th so I didn't think to question this!

It would have been a pretty miserable holiday if I had said no! As it happens I was beginning to wonder if he would ever ask, we had been together 3 years by then and I had long since made up my mind! Needless to say it was a holiday I will never forget and a country I hope to revisit one day. Is romance dead? This was quite out of character for Nick as my Valentine's presents since then have invariably had a plug attached and belong in the kitchen (no not the bedroom!). I have a large farmhouse kitchen but there is barely an inch of space remaining or a gadget I don't possess!

Counting my Blessings

When I look around the blogging community at some of the recent heartache I remind myself how lucky I am to be mussing over my latest kitchen gadget with the man of my dreams and healthy lively children. I have been so proud to be part of the blogging community in support of those in need when disaster strikes someone dear. Such an amazing outpouring of support, love, poems and beautifully written tributes I have read. It is something I find hard to express, but that doesn't mean I haven't felt with all my heart the pain for these people I have never had the privilege to meet. Today of all days I am thinking of Jennie from Edspire who has lost dear Matilida Mae so recently,  Multiple Daddy who lost the lovable Multiple Mummy so tragically and Tamsyn who is fighting to bring her husband back to a life he can appreciate and the many like them who are unknown to me but for whom Valentine's day will be a struggle with what might have been.

Life is a rich circle and while some would rather by pass today others may be starting on a new journey of love and hope, just as Nick and I were all those years ago and for them I feel excited.

A bit of Fun from the Farm

Out on the farm this is a happy time of year, the animals are partnered up and spring new born's are eagerly anticipated. I couldn't resist a bit of fun in caption form to mark the day. Something light hearted to make you smile, whatever your take on the day.

 Boyo the Bore is loving his holiday with our Dotty

A little domestic going on here?

Sorting out your priorities is very important.....

Hopefully in the family way....

Saucy Geese

I think Clio may be out staying her welcome!

 Seeking a private spot on the farm....

A case of the Cart before the Horse!

Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones from

Fiona, Farmer Nick and the Children x

If you have a post about Valentine's Day, what it means to you, special things you have made or given or just a rant about not enjoying it please join the blog hop and share.