Waterway boats

The historic Lock 16 Canal Boat is now open for the summer season.  Delayed opening was due to severe flooding in the area.  New this year is a boxed lunch cruise.  Check out their website for cruise times: www.lasallecanalboat.org
Mission Oak Inn Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast

hiking in Illinois

Want a quiet, peaceful, hiking trail without the crowds of people?  Consider staying at Mission Oak Inn country bed and breakfast just a couple hours from Chicago and other central Illinois cities.  Our hiking trail winds through the woods on our 120 acres or enjoy fishing in the 7 acre lake. 
Mission Oak Inn Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast

Homemade cheesecake recipe

Fudge Truffle Cheesecake is one our guests favorite desserts, which come with each night stay.  Here is the recipe.
Crust:
1/2 box chocolate cake mix with pudding
1/4 cup butter, softened
Filling:
3 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 300°. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cake mix and butter. Press into a 9-inch springform pan. In a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, making sure that they are very smooth. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy with an electric mixer. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Mix in melted chocolate, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Bake at 300° for 55 minutes. The cake will seem under baked in the center, but will continue to cook after you remove it from the oven.
Mission Oak Inn Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast

sweet chili sauce recipes

This is the recipe for the sweet chili sauce that goes with our shrimp and scallops over blue corn grits dinner for two.
Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients:
sweet chili sauce
bacon drippigs
roasted red pepper, chopped
green onion, chopped
dijon mustard
maple balsamic
teriyaki sauce
garlic

Saute onions, garlic, and pepper in bacon grease (briefly, do not burn garlic).  Add remaining ingredients and simmer until warm & thick.

Quantities are not listed so that you can make it in any quantity and spice level
Mission Oak Inn Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast

local theater plays

Are you in the mood to enjoy a local play?  There are a couple of theatre groups closeby.  Henry, Illinois hosts River Valley Players at the St. Mary's Center.  They will be doing 'The Sound of Music' on April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28.  For more information, contact Jane Knapp, 309-364-2705 or Charlotte Balensiefen, 309-364-3563.  Princeton, Illlinois is host to Festival 56 where they do wonderful productions bringing some actors from New York, click here for their website:  http://www.festival56.com/
Mission Oak Inn Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast

shop locally

We like to promote shopping locally as much as possible.  There is a local shop that sells gifts, homemade fudge, and wines from Illinois.  That shop is Julie's Corner Store in nearby Lacon, IL.  Everyone that works in the store does a wonderful job of helping customers find unique items.  They also make all of their fudge, always trying new flavors.  We thank Julie's Corner Store for being a great place to shop local and for doing such a great job for the community.  Check them out at http://www.juliescornerstore.com/
Mission Oak Inn Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast

Hooded Mergansers

The hooded mergansers were right next to the house this morning, diving for food.  They didn't stay in this spot very long.  We see them almost every day.

Mission Oak Inn Central Illinois Bed and Breakfast