The Birthday Cake Candle

Jackie took an early morning walk around the garden with her camera.

First she produced general frosted garden scenes;

then focussed on various similarly coated leaves;

not forgetting Camellia blooms;

or Nugget in his thermal vest. “Where’s Nugget?” (62)

Late this afternoon we drove to Elizabeth’s house at Pilley where we joined her, Danni, Andy and Ella for the infant’s first birthday celebration. Elizabeth produced an excellent spaghetti Bolognese with fresh salad and garlic bread. This was followed by a most moist carrot birthday cake. Jacki drank Hoegaarden; the rest of us various red wines. Ella abstained.

For the second time today Jackie took all the photographs.

Ella continues to be a great pointer. In the second of these pictures she is clearly aiming for the camera.

She is gaining confidence in furniture walking even though the process gets a bit tight at times;

sometimes she forgets she is meant to hold on.

The one-year old enjoyed opening her cards

and presents;

the wrapping paper bearing various animals was equally attractive to her.

Her birthday cake candle especially delighted both her and her mother,

Danni.

In truth she was past caring when it was time to eat the cake.

75 comments

  1. In some of the photos Ella sports the cutest little monks tonsure 🙂 The assistant photographer is stepping up her game to main photographer – you might have to start doing the garden Derrick………

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  5. Beautiful photos, Jackie. I barely recognized Nugget without his bright chest showing, and with his feathers all puffed up like that.

    Always a treat to see Danni and Ella – beautiful, both of them.

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  7. Happy 1st birthday to the adorable child!
    Frosted leaves are so dainty, and pink frosted Camelia blooms are exquisite – my compliments to Jackie.
    Mr Nugget has taken center stage on the fence.

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  9. Oh, that is so lovely. Another first birthday for your family, another lovely memory for each of them, today and in years to come.

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  10. Happy birthday! 🎊🎂 What a pretty busy day for her with all that presents 🎁😉 and that carrot cake! Yummy 😋
    That Camellia blooms looks magical! ❄️🤩

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  11. That candle was impressive, for sure! And I have to ask — was that sweater that Ella was wearing hand-knit? It surely did look like it to me. If she has someone to knit for her, she’s going to be happy indeed. And if it’s not hand-knit? It’s still a lovely one, and certainly complements her coloring. One year! I hardly can believe it.

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  12. Jackie’s early morning excursions have yielded delicious candies for our eyes. Further down, Ella’s delight at her birthday candle is a sight to behold and savour. Nugget is nearly unrecognisable in his winter vest. Pray, where be Muggle?

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    1. We haven’t seen Muggle for a while – but then we haven’t been down the back drive much. He may be in the garden at the bottom of ours, which is part of his territory. Thanks very much, Uma.

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  14. YAY for Ella! 🙂 Happy Birthday to her! Her delight and curiosity and beautiful face bring smiles to my face! 🙂 I’m glad she enjoyed her special day! That carrot cake does look yummy! 🙂 And what an exciting 1st birthday candle! 🙂

    OH, MY! Jackie’s photos are so wonderful!!!!!!! 🙂 Thank you, Jackie!

    The frost on the plants, leaves, and flowers is like frosting on the cake! Sometimes the frost give an otherworldly and artistic look to whatever it graces! 🙂

    I think Nugget is asking, “Did you bring me a slice of cake?!?!” 😛
    HUGS to all of you!!! 🙂

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  15. Happy first birthday to Ella!

    Old Jack Frost paid you a visit. Jackie’s photos are beautiful! It is hard to spot Nugget in his vest. He must have been cold!

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  19. Jackie’s frosty photos are splendid! She also did an admirable job as the birthday photographer. She perfectly captured the pleasure of a family celebrating a child’s first birthday. (It looks as though you haven’t adopted the recent American tradition of creating a second, garishly-colored cake for the birthday one-year-old to smash to bits and smear all over his or her person?)

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  22. Very cute birthday baby, but I love all the frosted leaves. We’ve had barely any of that this winter, so no good frost shots from me. Sigh…

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  23. I do love all the different greens edged with that delicate frost. A lovely collection of January photographs. I’m still having problems accessing your site, Derrick. Apologies if I am missing some. I do look forward to my daily dose of the New Forest.

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