Life's Blessings

1. Good friends - who support and cheer you through the ups and downs of life; through thick and thin; in sickness and in health; for richer for poorer.
2. A sharp frosty start to the day, bright blue sky and warm sunshine which beckoned me to partake of lunch out in the garden. A mug of coffee, toast and marmite with a small nugget of cheese and a home grown apple. Serenaded by a young robin.
3. The smell of rich dark heavily fruited and brandy soaked Christmas cake baking in a slow, slow oven. This recipe is very similar to my old family recipe. I like a moist fruit cake so add a glass of brandy to the mix before it is cooked. I'll still feed it with more brandy over the next few weeks. Do use SR flour instead of plain - I think it makes for a lighter cake and use dark brown soft sugar, the spices and the black treacle - they will all enhance that deeply rich flavour and make it far more special than an 'ordinary' rich fruit cake.