I live in the city.  I don't have a big yard.  It's big enough for the city I guess but it's not big.  It's ok though.  I can deal with it.  What's funny though is that even though the yard is so small, I feel such satisfaction at cutting the grass.  There is something energizing about it for me.  I love seeing all the plants crowding over into the grass space and the grass being cut and even.  I really can't explain why it's so comforting and energizing.  What's even more puzzling is how much the stupid little rectangle of green behind my house that holds my garden/shed/bike/toys/trees/tire-swing/bbq/etc brings me peace and joy.  And not just to me.  To my kids and their friends who love to play in the stupid rectangle, spraying each other, chasing each other, swinging on the tire swing, probably bugging the hell out of our neighbours.  Even though I can still here traffic and the noise from the houses all around me, it's still a sanctuary.  Somehow, the wind blowing through the trees is much louder in the back yard.  The bird are talking to each other much more loudly in the back than in the front.  The grass is greener in the back.  The wine tastes better and the rest is deeper.


I have been thoroughly enjoying, savouring even, each warm moment so far this season.  I'm watching the raspberry patch grow by the day and my poor little rhubarb patch underneath is getting lost in the growth.  I'm contemplating moving it but for now it will stay.  It hasn't stopped the rhubarb, I don't know if anything could stop rhubarb from growing.  It certainly hasn't stopped us from enjoying it either.
First I made these...
Then I made this...
And now this...


Truth be told it's the same recipe for both the muffins and the loaf.  We all preferred the loaf.  I adapted a little but the basics are exactly the same.  I'm still on the hunt for some exciting rhubarb recipes so if you know of any please pass them along.  In the meantime I wait peacefully and contemplatively in my backyard.... for strawberry season.  ;-)


Rhubarb Streusel Loaf
makes one large loaf

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
find recipe here...
pour batter into lined loaf pan (use parchment or something) instead of muffin tins.
Bake for about 40 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.
Cool before removing from pan.
Slice.
Eat.