Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Seven Ways to Make the Most of a Moment - Week 9

Life is made up of many moments.  

Getting the very most out of your life starts with how you use each one. 

Here are this week’s suggestions:
1. Hang on to that booster seat!  Most people don't have enough storage space to keep a high chair after their kids outgrow using it. But, if you own a small portable booster seat that fits onto a chair, it may be worth finding a place to keep it.  We did - and when a family with a toddler came to our house for dinner last night, they appreciated being able to use it. 

I'm glad I kept this little booster seat

2. Change your furnace filters.  Regular replacement of your furnace filters can extend the life of your furnace, reduce your energy bills and circulate cleaner air through your home. I have always wondered how to know when they need to be replaced.  According to The Family Handyman, you should check your filters monthly by pulling them out of the furnace and holding them up to a light.  If the light does not shine through them, they should be replaced.  The Family Handyman website provides clear instructions on how to change them.

3. Freeze overripe bananas for smoothies.  None of my family likes bananas after they have gone soft - which seems to happen a lot.  No problem. I just peel them, break them into several pieces and keep them in the freezer in a zip lock bag.  It is nice to have a supply of frozen bananas to make smoothies with - and they work well in baking too.

Breaking bananas into pieces makes them easier to use after they are frozen.

4. As the weather heats up, remember to protect your pets. Don't forget to provide your animals (dogs, cats, horses, goats, ...) with plenty of water to drink and shade.  

5. I haven't seen a movie in quite a while.  My husband and I were going to rent Philomena last weekend, but we ended up with other things to do.  This movie is based on a true story of a mother searching for the child she was forced to give up for adoption.  Judi Dench plays the mother, and I always enjoy her films.


6. I have a favorite spring-time book.  Have you read From the Ground Up: The story of a First Garden by Amy Stewart?  I've read this amusing memoir several times.  If you are not a gardener, it will inspire you to be one.  If you are a gardener, it will inspire you to be a better one.  I discovered today that in addition to writing well Ms. Stewart also paints ... and she has a blog


7. Even though summer is coming, there are still days when hot soups sounds good.  I recently made a Broccoli Cheddar soup which turned out very well.  Tomorrow I will post the recipe!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup is colorful and tasty.

Have you ever read anything by Amy Stewart?  
Do you recognize the tulips in the top photo? I'm so glad they were not eaten by the deer!



17 comments :

  1. I see the tulips, and I like your place mats.

    I often freeze banabas in summer, and I eat them as they are, though I wait for a few minutes until they soften a little. They taste like sherbet, don't they?

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    1. I've never tried bananas that way - but I will now :)

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  2. We freeze all our leftover bananas too. Every few months my husband takes them out and makes tons of banana bread - which we then freeze again! Last weekend we watched "Delivery Man" with Vince Vaughn. It was actually very charming and not what we expected at all! Your dinner table looks so pretty - love the tulips!

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    1. I haven't seen “Delivery Man” so I appreciate the suggestion - and your compliments Lana! My family likes banana bread too.

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  3. I love broccoli cheddar soup, but I've never tried to make it at home. Can't wait to see the recipe!

    And using ripe bananas in smoothies is one of our favorite ways to use up overripe bananas. We also use them in banana bread for a sweeter bread. :)

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    1. Hi Natalie. I am happy that you found my blog. I enjoyed visiting yours today. I think you will find my soup recipe really easy - and flexible - and hopefully delicious ;) I promise to post it tomorrow.

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  4. Susan,

    Your table is gorgeous, and I absolutely love the splash of color the tulips add. I've got one of those booster seats stashed away too, and we have had similar occasions to use them.

    Ditto on the bananas. We do that too! :) And there's some banana "ice cream" recipes floating around now. I've got one pinned, but haven't made time to try it out yet.

    I'm not much of a movie-watcher, but I did want to see The Book Thief, and one of my older sons rented it from Redbox for me on Mother's Day afternoon. It was fabulous. I actually sat through the whole thing and did not fall asleep either! (Keep moving all the time or fall asleep…) Philomena sounds like a great drama. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.

    The book sounds great too. Putting it on my list.

    I love broccoli cheese soup and am looking forward to your recipe.

    You've got me all inspired now! :)

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    1. Hi Karen - so happy you are inspired by my posts. Thanks so much for the compliments. Glad you reminded me about banana icc cream. I have made Banana Gelato in the past, and it was eaten quickly. I will have to search for that recipe! I'd love it if you'd post one on your blog if you find a good one also though!

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  5. We have a booster seat saved, too. Once in awhile, when I see it taking up valuable closet space I think of getting rid of it. I don't though because of situations you've just described! I always save my bananas for bread, but I'll start freezing them for smoothies now, too. Great tip!

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    1. Thanks for commenting Marie. One of the things I like about using frozen bananas in smoothies is then I rarely need to add any ice cubes.
      I loved your “Dr. Mom” post. “Paper cuts don't require stitches” was only one of the lines that had me laughing! Have a great day!

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    2. Thanks, Susan! Glad you enjoyed it! :)

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  6. All great things. You can also use frozen bananas to make great banana bread. Love your blog Miss Susan :)

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    1. As far as Banana Bread goes Jennifer - you should know! You had just guest posted your recipe on the blog A Lavendar Life when I found your blog - and it is on my list to try! I'm glad I just remembered it - and I'm going to share that link on my Facebook pager right now! Thank you Jennifer! So glad you like my blog

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  7. I'm going to go check out that book. It sounds like a good one. Thanks for the tips!

    Happy Sharefest. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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    1. If you enjoy gardening at all, I think you will love Amy Stewart's book! Happy weekend!

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  8. My husband keeps on top of our furnace filters--though thankfully we should have to use our furnace again for the summer! That brocolli soup looks very tasty...

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  9. Thanks for stopping by Rachel! I hope you enjoy the soup if you make it.

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