Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Banana Bread and Heartstrings


  Can anything pull at your heart more than children?
  
This morning I made sure to stand here.
While taking a walk with my 5 year old last evening, we discussed the route his bus takes every day.  I wait with him every morning on the front porch.  What he didn't know is I stand at the window and watch as his bus circles back by.  It's a melancholy moment for me.  So I said to him, "Do you know mommy watches you ride by on the bus every morning?"  This thrilled him.  He gave me specific instructions to look at the first window on the bus because that's where he sits (as if I didn't know.)  I don't think there will ever be another morning when I'm not standing at the big window with every single shutter open.  I even had breakfast here today.

Normally breakfast is on the go.  But I'm savoring the moments.  You see, I have a 20 year old too.  Yep, you read right. And another child in between who is 12.  The oldest is in college.  She's busy in her own world now, being independent.  The 12 year old still needs me but doesn't want anyone to know it.  He certainly doesn't want me to walk him to the bus although I have waved at him a few times. (I think he liked it but would never admit it.)
There were a few overripe bananas laying around yesterday so I decided to make banana bread.  
This morning I wanted to enjoy it. Nothing fancy, just making the most of the moment.  






EASY BANANA BREAD

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,174,144187-255202,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.
1 1/2 c. self-rising flour
3 bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1/2 stick butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. sugar
Cream together butter, eggs and sugar until smooth. Add bananas and vanilla; beat well. Mix in flour. Bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour or until golden brown.

Posting to Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home


Today is an ordinary day but I'm taking time to be thankful for extraordinary blessings.

47 comments:

Gail said...

Oh Beatrice, what a beautiful post. A sweet reminder of what is really important in life....thanks!

Enjoy your day,
Gail

Julie Harward said...

These are the best things in life aren't they?! I love the feeling of the 5 year old and his mom...very sweet :D

Sarah said...

What a sweet thought. It's so important that we value the small moments in life. They are fleeting, but often bring the sweetest of memories. Love the little heart shaped butter. I made biscuits with my heart cutter for Sunday morning. Have a heartfilled day! ~ Sarah

Crystal said...

Ah. Hope you enjoyed your time. I love sweet moments like that.

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Beautiful photos. Love banana bread. And you are right, you have to savor the time with loved ones.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. I enjoyed reading today's post, and will have to give your banana bread recipe a try!

Sharon Lee Johnson said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment on my mirror. I am pleased to have discovered your blog which I have to say is one of the more elegant blogs that I've come across. I have just joined as a follower. x Sharon

Donnie said...

I remember those times and then the good Lord blesses us with grandchildren so we can enjoy them again.

laxsupermom said...

That's so sweet! My 6yo sits in the second window and I watch for him in the big window, too. People are generally surprised when they hear what a big age gap we have between our boys, but you've got us beat. There's 8yrs between our boys, (but knock on wood) I'm done having babies.

The banana bread looks great! Thanks for sharing.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Lovely thoughts and a beautiful post for today... I wish that I had been there to share the table with you and some conversation.

Bises,
Genie

Anonymous said...

We have so much in common. I really enjoyed your bus story. How cute! Wish they could stay little forever. My 12 year old is the exact same. I gave him a kiss in front of his friends the other day, and he was so embarrassed. LOL! They secretly like it :) My 6 year old can't get enough. Funny how quickly that changes.

Love banana bread! Yum! Enjoy the day! :D

Amy Chalmers said...

I loved reading this post. that was such a sweet story. I have old kids (men-boys) and a 9 yr old SS (stepson) and they are worlds apart...it is nice to have the young ones, isn't it!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

You are very blessed to have such a sweet child. Great breakfast idea!
Mary Ann

★Carol★ said...

You sure know how to make breakfast special! It looks so yummy, right down to the heart-shaped pat of butter!
Happy REDnesday!
Carol

Nita Stacy said...

Yum, banana bread looks good. If Newman took a bus...I'd watch him. That is nice that you are savoring these moments because they go so quickly.

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Those are the moments we need to cling to and hold in our hearts....they all grow up too fast....

Sweet post and a great reminder...

Lou Cinda

At The Picket Fence said...

What a lovely post! There truly is something extraordinary about the "ordinary" moments of life. Especially as you get older and realize that the ordinary is often what we desire the most! :-)
Blessings to you today,
Vanessa

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
Your post made me think of my morning with Savannah walking her up to her classroom. Our routine. Every day of the week. Holding her little hand in mine. Protecting her. Holding on to her for just a little longer. Thanks for tugging at my heart strings this morning with your post.

God bless your day!
Viola

From the Kitchen said...

Ah, banana bread and watching your little son pass by on his way to school--thanks for the memories!

Best,
Bonnie

Nicole Carpenter said...

I absolutely adore your blog!! I will definitely be back to read your future posts!Thank you for stopping by my blog:) Keep in touch! xo

Teresa@magazineyourhome said...

This post was so timely, I have several bananas that are ripe for bread. Thank you for posting the recipe and for visiting my blog today. I'm so glad I found you!

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Great post...I actually got a little teary. Sometimes I miss my kids so much. Enjoy these days. You can never get them back. Oh and your bread looks delicious!

mariondee-designs said...

No long ago I was doing the exact same thing! My youngest is now 13 but still the baby to me. Lovely post and thanks for the recipe.. will definately try it! take care, Maryann

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

Whew! I can certainly relate to the heartstrings today. Oh to have my 22-year-old daughter little again! How much I do love her!!!
Tammy, I agree with the one lady who commented on your "elegant" blog! Maybe that elegance will kick in gear with my blogs some day! LOL! Have a wonderful evening.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Mouth-watering photo!



PAINT MY DAY RED!

A seeker of scarlet, they say,
Is likely to savor the day
If painted in red
Or ruby—instead
Of shades of monotonous grey!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Tug Boats Tinged with Red

Heather said...

This was such a sweet post! Give your 5 year old a hug from me...he sounds like a real cutie! The banana bread looks delicious too!

Joani said...

Such a beautiful post. Thanks for following me and I am following U.
http://mysouthwestramblings.blogspot.com/

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

awwwwww so sweet...Nice to know I am not the only one with the 15yr age gap between kiddies...though my middle child (11yrs) is a fur baby dog named Nardia hehe.

Thank you for sharing this lovely moment with us..and the yummy recipe too.

Blessings Kelsie

Manni said...

Tammy, thats so sweet!!! You're such a good mommy :)
Love the banana bread :)
xoxo
Manni

Pamela said...

This was such a lovely post!!!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Ah, the trials and tribulations of motherhood. I know. Your photos and thoughts are so lovely.
Brenda

Unknown said...

I can smell the banana bread now! How delightful!

Becky K. said...

A beautiful post on so many levels...family, beauty and warmth.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Life's simple pleasures! Nothing better :)

Hanlie Joubert said...

thank you for stopping by my blog :o) you have a beautiful blog and i am happy to follow along! i'm off to bake some banana bread, yours look yummy!
have a wonderful day!
hanlie

La Dolfina said...

Hi Tammmy,
So happy you happened upon my blog today and brought me over here! Now I'm craving banana bread!
Thanks a lot :)
I look forward to following and getting to know you!
xo

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hi Tammy,
I just stopped by from Brenda's at Cozy Little House and wanted to say hello. I still remember standing and watching my children go off to school every day..brings back lots of wonderful memories. Your banana bread looks delicious ...the next time I have bananas I'll give this one a try! I hope you havea wonderful day.
Maura :)

Cindy said...

Oh yes, nobody can pull my heart strings like my children and grands. How sweet that you stand and watch, you are such a good mommy.
Your banana bread looks so yummy, I only have two over ripe bananas, so I can't make it today. Maybe next week.
Hugs, Cindy

Anonymous said...

I can relate. Our daughter is 3 1/2 and even though I give her to God, I really, really, don't want her to grow up! She is our only child. We are hoping for me to be able to home school her. We have been told that where we live, the public school system is "broken". I have been enjoying banana bread recently myself. My husband made 2 banana loaves (luv my husband)and what I find really odd, is that I can take or leave bananas, but prepared that way, yum! yum!.

Barbara said...

What a refreshing and delightful post. Mine are grown and gone but still need me. As I do them. Love that your ordinary day is so filled with love.

Anonymous said...

Just came from Brenda's welcome wagon, beautiful post and banana bread is food for the soul, Lovely pictures.
Rosemary...

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Tammy, I love banana bread and your photos are gorgeous. Love the little heart shaped butter pat. That is so sweet about watching your little on the bus each day. Now I wish I had some ripe bananas. Thanks for joining the party.

Linda said...

Just stopping by via Viola and thought I'd leave a comment. Hope you don't mind.

This post was so sweet and made me think about when I used to watch my kids play on the school playground everyday. I could stand at my kitchen window and see them across the street on the school playground. I loved standing at the window, being able to take a little peak into their world! What great memories! Thank you!

Ann said...

What a great post! I too also have 3 children with as great a gap in ages...the youngest still tugs at my heart daily with his little words of wisdom and love. :o)

Your breakfast looks delicious, too!!
Fondly,
Ann
@
The Tattered Tassel

SLR said...

yum...that all looks so delish!!

Marigene said...

Yummy looking table!

Cindy said...

sigh... nice,...
isn't it funny how the simple things like that are the very best of all

cindy