Minnesota

Marvelous Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Mishawa, Minocqua, Manitowash Waters, Minnesota!
In case you haven’t guessed, I took a trip to Minnesota last week-end.
The last time I was in Minnesota was a lot of years ago We would go way up North to Lake Winnebagoshish near the Canadian border.
We’d pack the car with coolers (full of food and drink), fishing gear, warm and cool clothes, and the Scrabble game. No, we didn’t forget the kids..
Most of those years we had a Ford wagon, light blue with the wood on the doors. We left about midnight so the kids would sleep most of the way. They would have their pillows and blankets. "I call the way back," one would say. "I call the back seat," from another. By the time the last one got the floor, we were on our way.
The sun would just be coming up as we went over the bridge that took us from Wisconsin to Minnesota. They were the most beautiful sunrises. We were all together. It was a happy time.
This week-end was a happy time, too, although much different. Grand-daughter Paige and I traveled north to visit her mom, dad, and brother, Sam.
I am not a traveler, but I have visited daughter Kelly and family in their many moves over the years. Those trips have taken me to Indiana, Illinois, Arizona, Idaho, and now Minnesota. May this be their last move until they come to the lake.
Paige has settled in Chicago until she moves lakeside. She picked me up, and we were on our way.
The North Woods eluded us this time. Victoria, Minnesota, was our destination. (One of those little towns around Minneapolis.)
Their home is on a large pond, next to a lake. With over 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, they almost have to live by a lake.
We went on a little tour of nice homes, and lovely lakes. We only have 9,990 yet to see.
It was the kind of relaxing time a gramma enjoys. I read a whole book in one day, sitting on the deck, looking at the pond.
Kelly saw a huge bird dip down into the water and fly by with a big fish in his beak. The frogs were croaking at night. There were birds and fish and ducks, and geese. No people.
Except the ones that mean the most to me. For me, they are the best part of Minnesota.

I told Paige not to blink. Before you know it these days will be over and we will be on our way home. She agreed.
It was true. The time just flew, as it always does. (The older you get, the faster it flies, right?)
I will miss my Minnesota family until the next time. But I was glad to be going south, crossing the bridge, into Wonderful Wisconsin. My home. Where I belong.
During my visit, I did absolutely no cooking. Actually, I did absolutely nothing. I could get used to being so spoiled. It doesn’t last forever. And routine is nice, even if it means dirty dishes.
I admit I haven’t tried this recipe yet. It sounds so good. I don’t see how it can fail. Again, a good one to make ahead, and have ready for company, expected or not.
B.L.T. Rolls
you will need:
four burrito size tortillas
16 slices, crisp crumbled bacon
8 oz vegetable cream cheese, room temperature
2/3 pound Canadian bacon slices, cooked
3 large plum tomatoes, sliced
1 avocado, sliced and dipped in lemon juice
16-20 spinach leaves
spread each tortilla with the cream cheese
put spinach leaves over 2/3 cream cheese, leaving bottom 1/3 with just cream cheese
Top spinach with Canadian bacon, tomatoes, avocado and crumbled bacon. On that order
Beginning with the end with cream cheese only, roll the tortilla into a tight roll.
Cut into 1 inch thick slices for appetizers or in half for meals.
Enjoy! I will this week-end.
P.S. If anyone has a favorite recipe to share, with maybe a comment or two, I would love it. Just send it to the newspaper. Or email, www.cambridgenews@verizon.net