I don't remember where or when we got this blender. It may have been a hand-me-down from a grandparent or parent downsizing. I may have purchased it; if so, I'll guarantee it was for less than five dollars at a thrift store or rummage sale, and long enough ago to be lost in memory. It's an off-white Hamilton Beach 14-Speed.
Summer is awesome for fruit, so I've been on a smoothie kick. I buy quite a bit of the "quick sale" fruit-overripe bananas, etc-then bring it home and chunk it up and freeze it. Some combination of those, a little fresh, some yogurt and juice, and a handful of greens from the garden share (which will otherwise never be eaten and become expensive compost) go into the blender and I get breakfast. Usually enough "breakfast" to sip on into the afternoon, since my kids turn up their noses at the greens.
Lately, the poor blender has been struggling more and more with the frozen chunks; this morning, it bogged down under the waxy kohlrabi greens and I soon noticed the tell-tale scent of hot electrical motor. I gave the poor thing a rest, and we'll see if it recovers, or if its time to consider buying a new countertop appliance. Who am I kidding? I have a trip into the Cities planned. They have lots of thrift stores...
