My parents’ birthdays are only two days apart. Well, I guess technically they are 363 days apart, but it’s easier to say they are two days apart.

Yesterday, I forced my entire family to meet at my parents house yesterday to celebrate.

Throwing an attendance-mandatory birthday party at someone else’s house…aren’t I sweet?

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But in my defense, I did most of the cooking. And loved every second of it. (My nieces and nephew played with Adrienne for hours and it was the best thing ever.)

The theme of the party was fiesta.

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Mostly because my parents just got some new Fiestaware.

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But also because we had fajitas.

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(My brother made that luscious looking bowl of creamy beans over there on the right and I am begging him for the recipe)

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A (Mexican) party in my mouth. I also made the tortillas, and they were out of control delicious. (I made 24 and they were gone in about thirty seconds)

Oh, and of course there was cake. The only cake that is ever made on birthdays at our house. I don’t even like bananas and I adore this cake. It was also gone in about thirty seconds.

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Banana Birthday Cake

PRINT Recipe

  • 1/2 C butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 C sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/4 c mashed ripe bananas (about 2)
  • 2 C flour
  • 1 t baking powder
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1 C buttermilk*
  • 1 t vanilla
  • 1 c chopped walnuts (optional)

*If you don’t have buttermilk (I never do), just squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a measuring cup, then fill the rest with milk and let it sit for a minute or two. Same thing.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs; beat until fluffy. Beat in bananas.

Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Add the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk to the banana mixture. Fold in the vanilla and nuts. Pour into two greased 8-inch round cake pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 – 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan. Frost cake when cool.

Frosting

  • 1/2 C butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 2 C powdered sugar
  • 3 T mashed ripe banana
  • 1 T fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 t vanilla
  • pinch of salt

Thoroughly cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla. Stir in bananas and lemon juice.

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(My niece got to light the candles for the very first time tonight. Big moment.)

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Happy Birthday Mama and Daddy!

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