Monday, 16 November 2015

Family Fun, Fairies and Low Carb Fruit Cake

I recently had the pleasure of spending a few days with family. One of my greatest joys is the imagination and pure joy of seeing things through the eyes of a child. The grandchildren love to be outdoors ... playing in the garden walking down a country lane , spending time on the beach ... giving them space and time to let their imaginations run free - I think it even gives adults an opportunity to escape the everyday pressures we all face from time to time!

Through the eye of a child many great games can be played and stories told. Take this simple task of clearing the Autumn leaves ... it was turned into the game, 'Lets help the fairy find her hidden door'. Yes, the garden fairy's door had got hidden! She may have preferred it that way ... but it was all hands on board until it was uncovered once more ...



Now as the Chief Fairy Princess gives her final instructions LOL ...
... if you look very carefully you will see the fairies door



both photo's taken using a mobile phone

Now have you time for a slice of cake, this one is nice

 FRuit cake

 a low carb fruit cake - you can see the recipe here
please don't forget the tea!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a good week

 All the best Jan
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40 comments:

  1. Blogoratti16 November 2015 at 12:48

    Looks like fun times, greetings to you and have a nice week!

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  2. Jo16 November 2015 at 14:29

    It sounds like you've been having lots of fun with the grandchildren. Fruit cake is something we never eat here, none of us are fond of it. We're very strange when it comes to traditional Christmas fayre, we don't have Christmas cake, Christmas pudding or mince pies.

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  3. NCmountainwoman16 November 2015 at 14:58

    Love the photographs of the little ones. Imagination is wonderful and outdoors is more fun than a laptop.

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  4. Martha16 November 2015 at 15:07

    What a wonderful way to spend time! Children remind us to have fun :)

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  5. elaine 16 November 2015 at 15:50

    I used be a dinner lady (playground duty) and it was a wonderful time making up stories for them and making fairy gardens - isn't it a shame that they grow out of all these things.

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  6. Lowcarb team member16 November 2015 at 17:27

    Blogoratti
    It certainly was a fun time ...
    Many thanks for your comment, and I hope you have a good week too!

    All the best Jan

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  7. Lowcarb team member16 November 2015 at 17:29

    Jo
    I love spending time with the grandchildren, they give so much love and special memories.
    I do like a fruit cake at Christmas, and this low carb version does suit.
    I also like to have plenty of fresh fruit available and some nice thick double cream ... this does make an alternative dessert.
    Thanks as always for your comments, and have a good week ahead.

    All the best Jan

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  8. Lowcarb team member16 November 2015 at 17:32

    'NC'
    I do so agree with you. It is good to be outside and away from the computer / games consoles etc. Fresh air is wonderful, and to use ones imagination can also be wonderful.
    Many thanks for your comment, and best wishes for the coming week.

    All the best Jan

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  9. Lowcarb team member16 November 2015 at 17:33

    Martha
    Sometimes it is so good to be a big kid ...
    I do enjoy spending time with the grandchildren, they provide so much love and fun.
    Many thanks for your comment - hope the week ahead is a good one for you.

    All the best Jan

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  10. Lowcarb team member16 November 2015 at 17:38

    Elaine
    My dear mum used to be a dinner lady, and she used to love telling stories to the children she looked after. It is so good to be around children and hearing their laughter and stories. I do enjoy my time with the grandchildren ... love, laughter, affection - such special times.
    Many thanks for your comments - do hope this week will be a good one for you.

    All the best Jan

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  11. The Happy Whisk16 November 2015 at 17:47

    Looks like a great day.

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  12. Lowcarb team member16 November 2015 at 18:01

    Ivy
    It was FUN ...

    Many thanks for your comment - have a great week.

    All the best Jan

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  13. The Happy Whisk16 November 2015 at 21:33

    You have a great and yummy week, too. Cheers.

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  14. Lowcarb team member16 November 2015 at 22:43

    Ivy
    ...just been over and read about your salmon cakes, I love fish!
    Sort of fish related - the grandchildren love to go crabbing - we always have so much fun, special times indeed.
    Take Care my blogging friend ...

    All the best Jan

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  15. Stephanie16 November 2015 at 23:38

    Hi sweet Jan! It's such a joy to visit you after being away on my blogging break. Indeed, it's so nice and much needed to simply get away.

    Thank you ever so much for the beautiful comments on my blog - it's a delight hearing from you. Hugs!

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  16. Draffin Bears16 November 2015 at 23:46

    Hi Jan,

    How wonderful the photos of your sweet grandchildren are, out enjoying the garden and helping with the leaves.
    The fruit cake looks good and reminds me I need to bake the Christmas cake.
    Enjoy the week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  17. Gail17 November 2015 at 00:06

    If we all could keep that innocence and awe...

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  18. TexWisGirl17 November 2015 at 00:25

    aren't they sweet! glad you had family time. :)

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  19. Carla from The River17 November 2015 at 01:26

    Sweet, I just love the photos of your family time!
    I love fruit cake. My grandma made the best fruit cake, I miss it.
    xx oo
    Carla

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  20. Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes17 November 2015 at 01:41

    Looks like a perfect day with the grandkids, topped with a perfect piece of cake! Glad you enjoyed your family time.

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  21. DeniseinVA17 November 2015 at 01:44

    A child's imagination is a wonderful thing. So important to have family time and to turn a chore into a fun game is a gift. Sweet children you have there Jan. Thank you for the recipe link.

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  22. Debbie17 November 2015 at 03:31

    Sweet images of the grands, it's wonderful that they enjoy playing outdoors!! I recently had an outdoor scavenge hunt with my great nieces, pin cones, leaves, twigs, you would never believe how much fun they had!!

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  23. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:40

    Stephanie
    Many thanks for visiting and leaving your comments.
    Hope you enjoyed the family fun with the fairies and fruit cake!
    Glad to hear you are feeling refreshed after your blogging break.

    Take Care and ...

    All the best Jan

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  24. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:43

    Carolyn
    I think we were visiting each others blogs at the same time LOL!
    Many thanks for your kind comments, I love spending time with the grandchildren ... and yes Christmas gets nearer and nearer - and I still have quite a bit to do.
    Hope your week goes well.

    All the best Jan

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  25. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:44

    Gail
    Yes to see things through the eyes of children is sometimes quite magical ...

    Many thanks for your comments both here and on other posts - hope your week goes well.

    All the best Jan

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  26. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:46

    'Tex'
    It is just great to take time out with the family ...
    Many thanks for your comment

    All the best Jan

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  27. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:48

    Carla
    Fruit cake always reminds me of my dear Gran and her wonderful fruit cakes, and my dear mum used to make delicious cakes too ... many happy memories.
    I love spending time with family because today's fun is tomorrows precious memory.

    Hope your week is proving to be a good one.

    All the best Jan

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  28. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:49

    Amy
    You've got that so right - it was perfect!

    Many thanks for your comment

    All the best Jan

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  29. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:53

    Denise
    Many thanks for your lovely comments.
    I think it is so important for children to use their imaginations, and enjoy play and fun time away from the TV or games consoles etc.
    These two love being in the garden and helping, and I think it is good to encourage an interest in nature and its many gifts it gives us.

    Happy Tuesday Wishes ... well it is Tuesday as I type this!

    All the best Jan

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  30. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 17:56

    Debbie
    Your scavenger hunt sounds like great fun ... yes, anything like this the children and those slightly older enjoy! It is so good to be outside...

    Hope the week has started well for you,
    Take Care

    All the best Jan

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  31. chris c17 November 2015 at 19:10

    I should send my neighbour's grandson round with his pedal John Deere tractor and trailer. Actually I might employ him myself, I suspect after tonight my back passage will be blocked with leaves.

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  32. Lowcarb team member17 November 2015 at 19:15

    Chris
    A pedal tractor may have come in handy ...
    The wind is certainly howling at the moment - out this afternoon and it was blowing strongly, we also had quite a bit of rain. Storm Barney is letting us know he's here!!!
    Hope you don't get any damage with the winds forecast.

    All the best Jan

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  33. Kim 18 November 2015 at 03:23

    There's nothing like the magic of fairies in the garden, Jan! I still remember hunting for them in my own grandmother's garden. Magical!

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  34. Lowcarb team member18 November 2015 at 11:04

    Kim
    Many thanks for your comment.
    Yes, it is magical ... and I too fondly remember doing the same in my Gran's garden and then my parents too - it was also a great introduction to flowers, their names etc because the garden fairy may be seen hiding behind them!
    Hope this week is going well for you.

    All the best Jan

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  35. Lisa18 November 2015 at 20:10

    I bet the children had great fun and a job was probably done in double quick time which is certainly a bonus. Being outside can really blow the cobwebs away at this time of year.
    Now tea and cake sound like a good combination at any time but they do taste better when they are a reward for a job well done.
    Lisa x

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  36. Lowcarb team member18 November 2015 at 22:54

    Lisa
    Yes, the children did have fun ... and I think if we can make any job fun, it goes easier and quicker. It is good to be outside, although the past couple of days it has been very windy indeed and the cobwebs were truly blown away.
    I just like to sit down and relax with a cup of tea after a job well done ... should I happen to have some low carb fruit cake handy then that is a bonus!

    Many thanks for your comments.

    All the best Jan

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  37. chris c19 November 2015 at 19:27

    The wind blew my butt off. My water butt that is. No other damage, but a friend who is (mainly) a fencing contractor has been run off his feet repairing stuff. An ill wind blows some people good . . .

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  38. Lowcarb team member21 November 2015 at 18:07

    Chris
    It certainly has been very windy of late - glad you haven't had too much damage.

    Thanks as always for your comment

    All the best Jan

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  39. The Happy Whisk22 November 2015 at 04:51

    We went crabbing all the time as kids. Then gramps would cook them and we'd pick the meat out and put some in the bowl and lots in our bellies. There's just nothing like it. I'll have to ask hubby where they crab around here. I would love that fresh stuff again.

    Hope you're having a great weekend.

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  40. Lowcarb team member22 November 2015 at 23:13

    Ivy
    Your crabbing as kids sounds great fun ... and you got to eat the crab meat when it was so fresh ... lovely!
    Hope you can find a good place to go crabbing near you - please keep us posted!

    I've had a very good weekend, thanks you ... but it has been a lot colder here Brrr !!!

    All the best Jan

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