Bountiful Harvest!

Clockwise from top left:  green beans, chokecherries, peas, sugar snap peas.

The furry children are getting SO big!  They look forward to their twice a day
"gravy" (aka water over their kitten food).  They are so used to seeing me twice
a day from when they were babies and had to have their antibiotics morning and night.
There is one mama/aunt here, three bigger babies, and five smaller babies.

This little sweet thing is sooooo FLUFFY!  She is very much so long haired!

The Morning Glory is beginning to reach out!  We had one of these before and it totally took
over.  I think this is so awesome how it is wrapping around the old school desk.
Front:  Stevia plant.

I found this picture tucked away in a drawer and it is now sitting on my desk!
Lake Travis ~ a place we frequented alot while living in Texas!

Processing Veggies

This AMAZING machine called a FOOD SAVER was a gift from Bill, Alicia, and the kids for our wedding back in 2014!  We have used and used and used this thing!  We have three different types of bags which all have a different purpose.  For the more moist foods such as zucchini, carrots, green beans (after they have been blanched), the press and seal bags work well that you use the accessory tool to suck the air out of a special spot in the corner.  Then, for the dryer stuff like peppers, squash, and tomatoes (I don't blanch them) the pre-made bags work or even the roll.  I really like the roll because you can tailor make the bag to fit your product!  Then, you use the actual machine to suck the air out and then it seals the top (and bottom if creating your own bag)!

*Plant * Water * Weed * Pick * Wash * Process * Bag * Label * Freeze * Repeat until Winter *

*ENJOY ALL WINTER!!*

Bunches and bunches of peppers!

And shredded zucchini in roughly 2 cup portions!
Yellow and green make it *c*o*l*o*r*f*u*l*!

*Heath's Birthday Surprise*

This was a great day!  Heath ended up going into work for pea harvest so this worked out great for me because I was able to 'play house' which I love doing and plan my surprise for his birthday!  Right before lunch I heard someone pull into the driveway.  Barb, Heath's mom, hand delivered the cheesecake pan I wanted to borrow!  I was going to meet her at some point throughout the day and she just surprised me and brought it to the house!  BLESSINGS!  As soon as she left, a plane flew over flying really close.  I went outside and grabbed a few pictures because I have never seen one this close to the house before.  I called Barb and we decided it didn't look like it was spraying, so it was probably someone taking aerial house pictures.  That would make sense since they buzzed the house several times.  It was fun!

I had alot of help with my lunch.  The dogs were by my side!  Unconditional love.

Next on the agenda, cheesecake.  I have the special pan, I have the recipe, it's go time!  The cream cheese was set out prior, to come to room temperature, and I had read all the tips and tricks.  Turns out we needed a water bath for the cheesecake....gotta get creative!  The chokecherry juicer machine has a bottom pan just about the right size!  So, genius here, dual-purposed that machine into a roaster for the cheesecake water bath.  Ahhh, relieved to have figured this all out and feeling mighty resourceful, I dropped the cake into the water bath and stuck it in the oven.  Please note the pliers in the picture below...the fit was so "perfect" and fit right down in there (thanks to the help of gravity) that I didn't think about how I would gracefully remove the cake when it was hot.  And now you know the job for the pliers....

All is well that ends well!

Got the new picnic table dressed and ready for this celebration!  Strung some lights and got his gifts wrapped!

Of course none of this would have happened without all my support team!

So, then I waited, I was all set to go!  The jambalaya was all baked and transferred into a great carrying case that would insulate it to keep it warm.  The cheesecake was complete.  I was waiting outside as a surprise and then I realize that he was still going to be a while so I decided to make a scavenger hunt starting at the front door of the house when he walked in.  I put up about 6 or 7 clues leading him to supper behind the barn.  (I think the animals helped show him as well!)

LOL, took a selfie while waiting!

God provided us with a gorgeous evening to *c*e*l*e*b*r*a*t*e*!

Thanks Mama for the gold chargers, they really dressed things up!

I could hear his truck pull in and the dogs went around to greet him.  Shortly thereafter, here Heath came, around the corner!  So fun!  He had found all of the clues and was following them to meet me for our surprise supper celebration!  After we finished a nice supper and he opened his gifts, I told him to head for the hot tub.  I would meet him there.  This is what I brought to him in the hot tub!  YUMMY, if I say so myself!  I will definitely be recruiting that chokecherry juicer pan again as it turned out delicious!!!!

Farm Fresh

Have you ever heard of a Watermelon Radish?
That's what this is!  Woah is it bitey!
Red beets in the background.

Lovely farm~fresh meal with Heath and my Daddy! 

Deer steak with peppers and onions, beet top salad with Granny Smith apple,
corn, and cucumbers, roasted potato with rosemary, and chicken broth/onion
fresh green beans from the garden.

Time for a batch of Superhero Muffins from my Run Fast.  Eat Slow. cookbook.

Break #2: Sunday

Lovely, amazing, fresh, tasty breakfast.  Includes old fashioned oats and homemade rhubarb sauce, English Breakfast Tea,
fresh veggies, eggs, avocado, microgreens, and deer.

*ASK*SEEK*KNOCK* (credit Barnes and Noble website)
Bible interpretation from my NIV Study Bible out of Psalm chapter 62.

Kinda of crazy to wake up to a 'day with no plans.'  Very liberating, to say the least!  Since I went to church last night (thinking I'd be on a bike ride today), I was starring at a whole open day.  WOW, what an awesome experience to simply embrace.  Nothing that had to be done, nothing that should have been done, just simply doing and being.  This was very rewarding because I didn't stress trying to run myself ragged and do this and do that.  (Rose texted me this morning to confirmed the trail was closed due to flooding.  3.5" people OVERNIGHT!  Can you believe that?!)  

Every time Heath called and asked what I was doing, I said, "Just relaxing."  When he asked what my plans were, I would reply, "Not sure yet, just whatever."  WHAT, who am I?!  Giving myself the freedom and permission to enjoy life is something that I don't grace myself with very often.  However, this is truly important in my healing processes.  Many of the other people that I have met in my pelvic floor program, are highly Type A personalities with a touch of perfectionism.  I definitely can relate to all, way more than I like to admit.  BUT, the good news is that Jesus died for me and He offers me freedom from the things that hold me in bondage.  Prayer is my lifeline!

Fun note from yesterday....my meter was
super low after my lovely cinnamon roll!
This is a win in my book!

During this lovely Sunday, I enjoyed blogging, reading, cooking, and exploring.  Oh, how I love these things!

Kitchen Mishap - slicing, chopping, dicing fresh veggies!

I enjoyed a snack of Fuji apple, fresh mozzy cheese with
a drizzle of maple syrup.

I eventually got a little inspiration to go for a hike/walk/possible jog.  My body was telling me to stay inside and stay cozy, but my mind was telling me to get out and explore and get moving.  It started out with just getting myself out the door and onto the trail....then the exploring happened followed by a bit of jogging and a bit of hiking.  Found the REC Center that I had heard about and the Zumbro River that every one has been referencing.  FREEDOM to EXPLORE and EXPERIENCE and have an ADVENTURE.  I didn't take many pictures as I wanted this experience to be free from distractions.

Funny to admit this after have just gotten all those fresh fruits and veggies, but I was feeling like exploring yet again in the culinary division.  My host, Kristi, had recommended a Vietnamese restaurant just a couple of blocks away.  I seriously contemplated the idea of spending the money, but having never tried it, I decided to give it a try -- after all, I am on vacation.  Super reasonable, very good, and very similar to Thai food but much lighter.  Great experience.

Great day!  Thank you God!

Day #2: Tuesday

Three physical therapy sessions today with Rose.  They are spaced out evenly -- morning, late morning, and early afternoon, so I decided this morning to pack my lunch since I wasn't quite sure how the day would play out.  In between my morning sessions, I met another lady in my program named Kris.  We shared our stories and encouraged each other while we sat and looked out at the town from the 14th floor perspective.  She is from Minnesota and turns out that she and her hubby own a cabin on Gold Camp Road near Cripple Creek, Colorado where my daddy lives!  Sure is a small world sometimes!

View from the 14th Floor between the Mayo
Clinic and Gonda Buildings

After my picnic and a relaxing read under the tree, it was time to get down to business.  I have been needing to get a new pair of running shoes for quite some time, but shifting between three pair and telling myself that they aren't too bad.  Well, after I told Heath I was having some unexpected knee pain, he insisted that I get a new pair while in Rochester.  Honestly, I still wasn't convinced when I went into the store if I would purchase anything because my race is the weekend after I return home.  Sometimes switching shoes that close to a race can cause some issues however, I know from experience, Heath is always right.  I can choose to make things harder for myself and do it my way or I can try his way first  and be overly thrilled with the results.

Beautiful Day = PICNIC time!

Then, settled under a nice BIG shade tree.
They have an awful lot of those, it is
quite amazing!

The Running Room was one of the two specialty running stores that I found online during my research.  It was literally right across from from where I picnic-ed.  So, I went in and was greeted by a nice gentleman who was ringing out another customer, so this really nice lady named Kim waited on me.  She watched me walk and did a gait analysis to see what type of support I needed in my shoe.  This is why I love local running stores because they can help you with this kind of thing that you don't even think about.  Kim helped me try on - yep - just about every shoe in the store, in my size!  I really had fun and had it narrowed down to a few but wasn't 100% certain yet.  I didn't really know what was holding me back, but told her that I'd think about it.  Being the wonderful person she is, she said just take a picture of them so you remember which ones you like and even if you don't get them here (she knew I wasn't from here) then you should get new ones because your shoes are super worn down.  Ok, we said our goodbyes and I hustled back to my next/last PT appointment for the day.

Choice #1 = cushy and amazing but white
and will highlight my dirt roads.

Choice #2 = HOKA - cushy and wide toe box
but not as soft as the Brooks marshmallow-
cloud feel.

After my last appointment of the day, I headed for this little park that I pass each day on my walk to the Clinic.  It is really pretty as it sits right next to this old historical home/museum and they have a bunch of benches, tables, and even a fountain.

Sat on a bench to enjoy reading again.
Crazy, I know, but good for me to get
some R&R!

For the Love
By:  Jen Hatmaker about
offering ourselves
G~R~A~C~E!

Water fountain structure in the middle of the park.

Next line of business, explore the bike trail.  Aired up my tires and headed out with intentions on visiting the other local running store called TerraLoco.  I looked up directions on my phone before I headed out in that general direction and jotted down the rest of the directions on the palm of my hand.  It is a really nice paved trail, more for leisurely biking, so I decided to take my time as there were tons of people out and about enjoying the day.  So fun!  I love when people are active outside and doing adventures together!  It makes my heart happy!

I passed some other bikers/runners/walkers here and there and then pulled over and stopped at a crossing sign (every trail is marked with distance and arrow - fantastic).  I knew generally what I was looking for but the bikers I had just passed stopped and asked me if I needed some directions.  I wonder how they knew....LOL!  They were so nice (and retired) that they had me ride with them until I met up to the road that I needed to be on.  It was so fun!  Her name was Sue and her hubby and a friend were all out for an evening ride.  They said that now they are retired, they are never in a hurry -  what a great life lesson!  P.S. Their friend was on a recumbent bike which is awesome!  They ride together for causes which is super cool!  We exchanged email addresses in hopes of connecting to ride some more and parted ways!

I did follow their directions and made it to the running store just as they had suggested.  A nice gentleman helped me as I tried on yet again alot of different shoes after a running gait analysis on a treadmill.  (They even let me bring my bike into the store so I didn't have to watch it!  Other people with similar interests understand the importance of our bikes!)

I had it narrowed down to two shoes, totally different than the others I tried on today - more of a stability shoe which is what I am used to running in, but still not 100% settled.  I asked the nice gentleman if there was a triathlon shop around and he said no but there was bike shop just across the parking lot.  So, of course since I was so close, I had to visit.

Choice #3 = comfy, ok, not stellar but comfy, nice shoe,
ok you get the point.

Choice #4 = soft, good support, great heal cup but boring color.
Note to self - color shouldn't matter, but it helps

The bike show guy's name was Patrick and the only reason I remember that is because the guy I work with at the Cheyenne, Wyoming bike shop's name is Patrick also. He helped me find this small part for my bike I needed and gave it to me and put it on for free. Super nice and helpful! I tried to follow the directions from this nice gentleman at the bike store but must have missed my turn onto the trail/path so I ended up going back the same way I came...well mostly. I made a few extra turns and loops and ended up going all the way around Silver Lake before returning safely to my little Home Sweet Away from Home Home. If I hadn't had made those few extra turns in there, I wouldn't have witnessed this beauty. Thank you Lord for Your perfect timing in our story. Please keep reminding me it's all about Your Timing and not mine.

Minnesota Sunset with the Canadian Geese

Minnesota Sunset with the Canadian Geese

Mayo Bound

We made it to Rochester safe and sound!  My Air B&B host has been phenomenal and had this whimsical bungalow all ready for me upon our arrival.  It's perfect and a true answer to prayer.  I wanted something safe, comfortable, quiet, and within walking distance to the Clinic.  BLESSED!  My host actually doesn't live on the property but rents out both the upper and lower levels of this cute home.  I am on the second floor in a quiet neighborhood, within 1 mile to the Clinic!  She even works there and has helped me with so many things from cool things to do/see to yoga and healthy grocery store options.  It's wonderful!  I look forward to meeting her!

That's Mayo Clinic in the background.
The one you always read about on Google!!

Dad and I unloaded the car (not much other than a Yeti and some clothes).  We left my bike in the car, in the garage.  Yes, this place even comes with free, covered parking right next to the home.  Good news is that Heath reminded me that I must have room for my Mama upon my return as she will be flying in to drive home with me.  Turns out a ginormous Yeti cooler and a bike and clothes and shoes don't all fit into a Neon AND allow the front seat to be open and have the appropriate space for another persons suitcase and belongings.  SOOOO....I'll be sending the Yeti home with Dad!

The trip has finally arrived!  Been praying about this for
a long time!  Thank you, Lord!

After we got all unpacked and settled in, we decided to walk the route to Mayo so that tomorrow morning would be smooth sailing.  We used the phone map to get us there and it was a lovely walk.  The only part I didn't like was on the main drag, so tomorrow we shall meander through the neighborhoods to avoid that section of the route.

Next order of business = FOOOOOD!  One of my favorite things!  We had been recommended Forager's as one of the best restaurants in town by my host.  WOW, totally a good choice and super cute!  It was quite a bit windy so we ate inside which was decorated really cute.  They also have an outdoor seating area that is secluded and covered in flowers and cute things!

Flower planters out front.

I was so overwhelmed by all the wonderful homemade/fresh/local/amazing-sounding choices of what I would call, "my kind of food" had me thinking that I'd have to return to try more things on their menu.  Being here for two weeks, I could probably work that into my schedule.  ;)  I had the Caprese salad and Dad had the Forager Skillet.  For those of you that don't know what a Caprese salad is (as I really didn't either), it is a bunch of lovely tomatoes sliced served with their house pulled mozzarella cheese served with a balsamic vinegar reduction and basil microgreens.  It's the perfect light summer dish!  Dad's was served in a cast iron skillet with fingerling potatoes, bacon, cheddar cheese baked to  gooey goodness and stuck to the pan, with onions, peppers, eggs, and smoked gouda.  Yep, amazing!  Bummer that I didn't take a picture, but I can assure you just thinking about it is making me hungry!

Tucked in for a good night's rest before beginning treatment in the morning.

*Fun*Fresh*Healthy*

*Salad Ideas*

Cheeses

You can use goat cheese - unique taste, but something different
Feta - a #1 favorite in my book
Parmesan - freshly grated (with freshly ground pepper)

Toppings - chop, chop, chop...you can't go wrong here, add anything you like!

Granola
COLOR - grilled veggies, colorful peppers, carrots - crunch
Celery, leeks, green onion, onion - flavor
Frozen blueberries, berries, corn - flavor and texture
Flax seed
Chia seed
Wheat germ
Apples, oranges cut into small pieces - sweet and juicy

Protein

Any type of nut (that might be on *SALE*) macadamia nuts, walnuts, pecans - crunch
Meat/protein - leftover from previous night
Shredded chicken, beef, deer, fish, duck, goose, whatever is in the freezer!

Dressings - get creative!

Plain
Peach vinegar
White strawberry vinegar
Freshly cracked pepper
Pesto (especially good with arugula)

Lettuce Varieties - be adventurous and try something new, you never know what will be your new favorite!

Arugula
Spinach
Spring Mixed Greens
Iceberg - mainly for crunch

Miscellaneous

Throw on a wrap or piece of bread for some carbs
Toss in some oats

Just remember to have fun with it!  It's a healthy creation that should taste good and be something you enjoy making and eating!  Be creative and have fun!  :)