Today I do not have my camera with me - & just when I see two different species of parrot flying amongst my trees, & a huge flock of white cockatoos flying overhead as I drove home earlier.  You'll have to actually read instead of just looking, for a change.

Last night I was out, as I was the night before.  I've never seen so many energetic people in their 50s, dancing the night away!  Perhaps couples get a new lease on life once their children leave home?!  I'm too self-conscious to just jiggle, twist, & turn to music in public - & besides, I don't need to be the centre of attention nor a figure of fun - just imagine all of me jiggling!  I do like old time dancing (ballroom, but not formal), you know, waltzes etc.  I learnt as a child & as a single young adult too, for fun.  I love watching Latin American dancing.

It's my birthday in a week.  I want a hummingbird cake.  My sister in law had one for her wedding cake, & it was scrumptious!  I hope this recipe, which I found online, will be as delicious as hers was:

Hummingbird Cake

 

A moist & delicious dessert cake.

 

Serves as many as want to indulge

 

Degree of difficulty: Low

 

Preparation Time: 15 mins

 

Cooking Time: 1 hour

 

You need:
HUMMINGBIRD CAKE
1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon bi-carb. soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
2 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil (or extra light olive oil)
1 cup mashed banana
450g can crushed pineapple in syrup, drained

PASSIONFRUIT FROSTING:
100g Philly cream cheese
100g softened butter
1 cup icing sugar mixture
1 tablespoon passionfruit pulp

 

Method:
Preheat oven to moderate....(I use 170C F/F gas oven).
Grease a deep, 19cm square cake tin and line base with baking paper.
Sift flour, soda and spices into a large bowl and stir in sugar and coconut.
Combine lightly beaten eggs and vegetable oil and add to dry ingredients.
Then add mashed banana and drained pineapple.
When well combined, spread mixture into cake tin and bake in moderate oven for about 1 hour.
Let cake stand for a few minutes before turning out onto rack to cool.
When cold, top with the yummy passionfruit frosting.

I suppose it's a bit like a carrot cake, except much better!

For my birthday, I would like perfume, because at the moment I'm scraping by on Clarins Tranquility & Chanel #5 samples.  I like Paris Baby Doll* & Gucci Envy Me**, among others.  Actually, for my main birthday present I would like two timber sun loungers, with wheels & drinks trays & cushions.  Winter is the only time it's cool enough here to work on my tan! 

Did you enjoy my ramble? 

*"The sweet, pink-tinted floral bouquet is youthful and carefree, perfect for springtime in Paris--wear Baby Doll with a cheerful attitude..." & "a fruity floral fragrance for women, this is the Peter Pan of the fragrance world, for the woman who refuses to grow up." & "Like a frothy pink tutu, Baby Doll exudes joy and laughter… share the giggles.."

**"Envy me was created for the woman who demands attention. This dazzling blend of sensual peony, jasmine..." & "Gucci Envy Me is the scent of a woman who follows her impulses and enjoys..."