A Sunny Weekend: Patio Lunch, Bike Ride, and Sand Volleyball

Good afternoon, friends! Another biochemistry exam is behind me. Even though I felt well prepared, I don’t think I nailed every question — but it’s over now, and that feels good. After a bit of flash card studying, I enjoyed a relaxing weekend and I hope you did, too.

The weather was gorgeous yesterday, so Matt and I decided to eat lunch on the patio. We had a lovely meal until carpenter bees decided to join us. They’ve been showing up on and off for the last week despite the cool snap earlier. Matt is not bothered by most creatures, but he is genuinely terrified of bees — one flew by his head and he jumped a mile. We retreated indoors after that. Any tips for getting rid of carpenter bees are welcome!

Lunch was still delicious. I made big salads topped with chickpeas, kidney beans, chopped basil (it adds so much flavor!), fresh tomato, and green pepper. For the dressing I used a simple homemade vinaigrette: extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. The combination was bright, filling, and easy to put together for an outdoor meal.

We shared some grapes right from the bowl and paired them with crackers topped with a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese — simple, communal snacks that make patio dining fun.

After lunch we met up with our friend Tim for a bike ride. His wife Lindsey couldn’t join because she was on a night shift for her medical residency, so it was just the three of us. Matt and I geared up and hit the country roads, enjoying wide open fields and fresh air.

We passed fields dotted with vivid yellow flowers — so striking against the blue sky. I wasn’t sure whether they were rapeseed or another wildflower, but they made the ride feel like a postcard. The scenery through farm country was peaceful and restorative.

We covered about 16 miles in the sunshine, stopping occasionally to take in the view and snap a few photos. Near the end of the ride Matt and Tim paused for a quick portrait, looking refreshed and ready for the last stretch.

We treated ourselves to ice cream from Maple View Farm afterward — a perfect end to the bike ride. I changed out of my sneakers and shorts and headed to my next activity: intramural sand volleyball. It was a blast to get back into a team sport outdoors. Sand volleyball replaced our previous Walleyball tradition, and the energy was great even if our team was still finding its rhythm.

We didn’t win — we got thoroughly beat — but by the last set we were improving and having fun. That’s what intramurals are all about: being active, laughing with friends, and enjoying the outdoors. Here are a few snapshots from the game.

Win or lose, spending the day outside with friends is my favorite way to recharge. Today it warmed up to around 85 degrees, and I’m off to play tennis with Lindsey later — more outdoor fun. Have a great night, everyone!