Green Stuff in my Backyard

 Hey YOU!

You might or might not know that I am living in a major city on the East Coast ... yeah, lucky me! NOT! I will not name the city, but if you read the name of my blog, you might get the hint!

I am not here to tell you all about the crime, the parking, the noise, the smells or whatever else is wrong with city life, but I am here to tell you all about my little sanctuary in the middle of this concrete jungle ....                                                                           

                                                                 my backyard!!!!

I have a few neighbors who for one or the other reason want to kill every green little leaf that is growing within a mile of their home! WHHHYYYY???? "Well, there are fleas in those bushes" was one reply I received. "The racoons can't hide if I cut all the vines off my fence" was another. Thats when I stopped asking..

Yes, my backyard was just a small slap of concrete with a raggedy bare wire fence (that's just what the previous owner wanted)  No, there is really nothing I could do about the concrete, but my fence isn't bare any longer! Of course my neighbors hate me for letting things grow, but I am loving it!! 

I have butterflies and bees visiting my yard .. I have green all around me! I enjoy the smell of my Lavender, Honeysuckle, Lemon Thyme, Sage and Rosemary. Last year I grew some cucumbers and this year I have Cherry Tomatoes and Jalapenos and hopefully some Honeydew Watermelon later this summer.

bee visit

cucumber baby

moonflower

honeysuckle

jalapeno bloom

lemon thyme

common sage

rosemary

pineapple

baby praying mantis

bee visiting lavender

honeydew watermelon blooms

cherry tomatoes

bumble bee buzz

jalapeno 

aaaaaaaaahhhh... green! 

and last but not least 

my harvest of tomatoes so far

******************************

I know it's too early yet, but I am planning to grow some onions and garlic next year. And most likely I will add more spices too. Any suggestions???

My Pineapple-Coconut Bundtcake Recipe

Hey there! 

It's been a while since I made an appearance here .. but life has been keeping me busy. 

It's summertime and I am trying to stay as cool as possible. But since today was a cooler day (only in the low 80's) I suddenly had the urge to bake a cake. 

This cake I am introducing you to is one of my favorites! The smell and taste always remind me of sunshine and beach .. and with just a few ingredients it is fairly easy to make.

This recipe is for a 12 cup bundt pan!

• For the CAKE 
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
• 1 1/2 cups soft unsalted butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 cup (well drained) crushed pineapple

    For the GLAZE 

    2 tablespoons melted butter

    2 tablespoons pineapple juice reserved from your crushed                                                                     pineapple (room temperature)

                       (+ if you want the glaze thinner)

    1 cup confectioner sugar 

                       (+ if you want the glaze thicker)

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Prepare your 12 cup bundt pan.

2. In a medium bowl mix the flour and the coconut flakes. Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar together with a hand mixer. Add the eggs     one at a time and mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the sour cream, baking       powder and extract. Mix well.

4. Now add half of the flour and coconut flakes to the creamed  mixture and blend               together. Add the remaining flour and coconut and mix until everything is combined.                                                    

5. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for about 60 to 75 minutes or until a          toothpick comes out clean.

    Let your cake cool for about 30 minutes and then invert it onto a plate. Let it cool for        another 30 minutes.

6. Make the glaze by whisking the pineapple juice into the melted butter. Gradually add        the confectioner sugar and continue stirring until it is smooth and thick. Pour or spoon      the glaze on your cake.

   

            (* add more sugar to make the glaze thicker or add more 

                              juice to make it thinner)

                           I hope you enjoy this yummy cake 😋