Some Pack a Suitcase...We take our Home

Enjoyed our weekend at Lake Byllesby Regional Park "camping" with wonderful friends. I don't think that I can technically call it "camping" as we just moved our home...no packing, planning, shopping required. 

Lake Byllesby is located 45 minutes north of Rochester on the shores of the lake created by the damming of the Cannon River. As you can see, our view for the weekend...spectacular! 

We took our bikes on the quiet roads around the park that took us by some beautiful scenery....

 ....and lead us to the Cannon Valley Winery...twice!

Meal making was easy when you have your complete kitchen and pantry with you...And really nice when you convince Doug to be the "Chef Extraordinaire" for the evening! 

Even with a little rain, the weekend was far from a "wash out". Thanks to our friend's screened tent, we were able to stay dry and stay up late into the night playing competitive games that Doug tried desperately to win. Attu, our resident cute dog for the weekend, made sure everyone followed the rules.

 Wonderful weekend reaffirmed to us that home is wherever the "Hesh" the friends and the coffee pot are!

Rhubarb Season!

Seems strange, but since we sold our house, and I no longer have access to abundant rhubarb from the backyard...I CRAVE RHUBARB!

Imagine my joy when the neighbor of a friend of mine gave me a large bag of luscious Canada Red Rhubarb! Time to find some "RV-friendly" rhubarb recipes...ie: easy to make and the ingredients are usually in my RV pantry. 

Nutty Rhubarb Muffins (or Coffee Cake) 3/4 c. brown sugar 1/2 c. milk 1/3 c. oil 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 2 c. flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 c. diced rhubarb 1/2 c. nuts Topping: 1/4 c. brown sugar 1/4 c. chopped nuts 1/2 tsp. cinnamon Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl mix sugar, milk, oil, egg and vanilla. In medium bowl mix flour, baking soda and salt. Stir sugar mixture into flour mixture and blend until evenly moistened. Stir in rhubarb and nuts. Spoon into well greased and floured muffin tin. Stir together the topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly over each muffin. Bake about 20 minutes or until center springs back when touched. Makes one dozen. My convection oven doesn't fit a big muffin pan, so I put the batter in my Pampered Chef Deep Dish Pie Pan and baked it for 60 minutes. As the recipe title suggests, it is delicious with Doug's coffee. Veggie scrambled eggs completed this tasty brunch meal! Easy Rhubarb Strawberry Jam 5 cups chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb 2 cups white sugar 1 lb chopped strawberries 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored Jell-O In a large saucepan or stockpot, stir together the fresh rhubarb and sugar. Cover, and let stand overnight in frig. Bring the rhubarb and sugar to a boil over medium heat. Add the chopped strawberries. Boil, stirring constantly, for 12 minutes or until the fruit is soft. Remove from heat, and stir in dry gelatin mix. Transfer to sterile jars, and refrigerate or freeze Delicious on homemade bread, crackers, or vanilla ice cream! Looking forward to sharing these treats with our friends this weekend as we head up to Lake Byllesby Regional Park near Cannon Falls. No need to pack as all our belongings are always with us! I would love to hear what special treats you are planning on making or enjoying this weekend. Have a great Memorial Day!

No lawn to mow...

....so let's enjoy a beautiful day on the bike paths of Rochester!

Starting at the park by the Douglas Trail and 55th Street, we enjoyed a 30 mile loop on the bike paths through Rochester. The crab apple trees lined the pathways with their spectacular burst of color!

Families of geese and humans were out enjoying the first 80+ degree spring day in Minnesota.

Rochester's skyline with the Mayo Clinic that welcome thousands of visitors each year.

Oh, happy day...the Farmer's Market is open for the season, but only until noon...need to start out a bit earlier next week!

We will have to settle for some not as healthy vegetation...beer hops at Brother's Bar and Grill. Their Buffalo Chicken Wrap fueled the rest of our ride.

Mission accomplished...the sea of bluebells are in full bloom along the Mayowood trail!

The Mayowood bridge over the dam recently reopened providing a shady and peaceful rest stop.

Resting by the river or mowing the lawn...we know what Doug would choose. We hope you too can take time to enjoy all the beauty around you!