Jumble

Here's a huge jumble of photos from the last few weeks. There's also been enormous amounts of landscaping, painting and general organising going on but photos of the kids are much nicer. Photos of all the other stuff to follow.

I cut some alliums from the garden, baked a sugar free apricot cake and my youngest daughter is getting very excited about a certain Wizard of Oz birthday party.

There's been a lot of red cape wearing and the kids have really enjoyed a pot of Hamas beads (we've never done them before).

And then there was some sort of expedition going on outside which I just had to rush out and take photos of....

Easter holidays Part 1

We've had two lots of friends staying with their kids over the Easter weekend. Plenty of fun, games (turns out the minimum age for rounders is definitely over 8 and lizards can be preserved in jars of olive oil....don't ask) and of course we had a big egg hunt. However, I was so busy with catering and general child watching (we were out numbered 7 to 6) that I forgot to take any photos. You will just have to trust me, it was a riot.

Now it's school Easter holidays for us here in France. The first week has consisted of :

taking off and processing 20lbs of honey from the big hive.

Toad rescue

After a good hour of being observed in a tuppaware box the children released him by the pond.

We've had some beautiful weather.

Outside No.2 & No.3

The girls getting messy in the garden planting out the broad beans.

And Ambrose has decided Easter bonnets can be worn after the big weekend. Infact, he likes it so much he has worn it to bed a couple of times.

1950s Bonbons tin

I love this tin. I bought it at a local brocante over the weekend. It's huge and I only paid a euro for it!

Random photo mosaic

We're jamming.......

Strawberry jam-ming infact. The supermarket had big wooden crates of Spanish strawberries for 3 euros each and I bought the last two on the shelves. And voila!

(Action shot)

Also I quickly whipped up this absolutely delicious Coconut and Raspberry traybake.

Find the recipe here. So delicious and quite fruity too plus it could be easily adapted for other in season fruit.

And finally just because he is so darn cute........

More rainbows...

A little bit more rainbow knitting I've just finished in the form of a baby hat. It's to go with a Little Bird set for a friends gorgeous new baby.

And here's a plate of Bordelaise cannelle I made. We like them drenched in the neighbours Cognac for a boozy dessert served with ice cream. 

Bon Dimanche 

A special cake

It was my birthday yesterday. I was throughly spoilt by everyone including a very lovely friend who surprised me with this amazing cake. Such a thoughtful thing to do and it was so delicious!