Fort at the Port

As mentioned in a previous post, our travel plans for a Canadian rail trip are off this year. Instead, we're taking day trips and getaways (longer day trips) in NH and possibly other New England states for the remainder of 2020. 

Last week's day trip was in-state to a former NH military installation. It's now a state park and overlooks a port. Unlike some other places, no reservation was needed to visit.

View of Portsmouth Harbor from Fort Stark

Fort Stark is a 10-acre former military fortification situated on Jerry’s Point in New Castle, NH on the Southeast corner of New Castle Island. It overlooks the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. The water views were wonderful on the day we visited. The fort views, while impressive for their size and what remains, have expectedly suffered the rages of time and unfortunately vandalism. 

The fort is named in honor of NH native General John Stark, commander of NH forces at the 1777 Battle of Bennington. The state motto is attributed to Stark who, in an 1809 letter to veterans wrote: “Live free or die; death is not the worst of evils."

There were no descriptive signs at the fort remains on this self-guided. Admittedly, I'm not knowledgeable on military terms and history and learned about much of the fort's background from online sources.

Most of the surviving fort was developed in the early 20th century, following the Spanish–American War. There were several earlier fortifications on the site, portions of which survive. The fort, now a state historic site and state park, is open to the public who can view former military batteries, gun emplacements, an 1910 Ordnance Machine Shop (museum) and oil storage house.

Gun mounts at Fort Stark

Early forts were built to protect colonists. Fort Stark's purpose was to defend the harbor of nearby Portsmouth as it increased in importance and the Revolutionary shipbuilding industry expanded. It was one of seven New England forts built to protect Portsmouth Harbor. Three others are in NH: Fort Washington, Fort Constitution and Fort Dearborn (Odiorne Point State Park); and three in ME: Fort Sullivan, Fort McClary and Fort Foster.

The site of the present Fort Stark was first fortified in 1746 as Battery Cumberland. It was rebuilt in 1775 for the American Revolution, but guns were removed to arm other area forts. Later, guns captured at nearby Fort William and Mary were used to rearm the fort. In 1794, a new battery for nine guns was built on the site as part of the First System of U.S. fortifications. Harbor defense became more critical with the establishment of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1800.

In 1898, after the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, emergency batteries were constructed to quickly arm key points based on fears that the Spanish fleet would bombard the U.S. East Coast. The defense concept was to mine the harbors and erect gun batteries. At Fort Stark, these consisted of two 8-inch guns; removed in 1900 to make room for the new batteries at Fort Stark.

Construction on a new fort began in 1901 and was completed in 1905. The new defenses included four batteries. Facilities for controlling an underwater minefield in Portsmouth Harbor were added in 1907-1909. As with other U.S. seacoast forts, Fort Stark was garrisoned by the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps and became part of the Coast Defenses of Portsmouth with Fort Foster and Fort Constitution.

When the U.S. entered WW I some guns at Fort Stark were dismounted and sent to Europe for use on the Western Front on field carriages. These guns were sent to France and returned to the U.S. after the war, but not to Fort Stark. During WW II, the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth were garrisoned by the 22nd Coast Artillery Regiment.

In 1942, a combined Army-Navy Harbor Entrance Control Post (HECP) and Harbor Defense Command Post (HDCP) were built atop the inactive Battery Kirk, disguised as a seaside mansion of that time. 

The design of this facility was unique to Fort Stark and included an SCR-682 radar, a WW II fixed seacoast artillery microwave radar set designed and built by Radiation Laboratory in Cambridge, MA. The SCR-682’s role in the HECP was management of harbor traffic and to identify hostile vessels/aircraft approaching the harbor. 

Fort Stark Harbor Entrance Command Post

In stateside installations, this radar was deployed in support of the HECP at each of the Harbor Defenses to identify and track approaching surface ships and aircraft. HECPs were often disguised as seaside homes or lighthouses. 

Battery Hunter's 12-inch guns remained in service until February 1945. The original Batteries Hays and Lytle were deactivated in 1942. The guns were scrapped and the fort was deactivated in 1948. 

Over the years, remains of the fort have become a favorite of graffiti artists. Wire fencing surrounds most of the structures; however, ring our visit, we watched people climbing over them despite numerous caution signs.

In 1950, Fort Stark was turned over to the U.S. Navy which used it for harbor defense purposes until 1953. It was used as a reserve training center for a Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit until 1980. The property was deeded to the state of New Hampshire in 1983 and established as the Fort Stark State Historic Site and later a state park.

Fort Stark Museum and Visitor's Center

A small museum in the Visitors' Center includes a single 3-inch gun and military artifacts and information about the 22nd Coastal Artillery headquartered here during WW II. We looked inside the museum briefly from an open door; it's currently closed through 2020, sadly another result of the corona virus pandemic.

Admission is free and the tour is self-guided. The park gate is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day with parking available from 8 am to 8 pm. 

We're planning a future return visit for the water views alone. It's a great place to social distance for an outing. Picnic tables are provided on the fort grounds.

Pandemic Purchases Anyone?

The 2019 Christmas holidays came and went, the New Year started and time came to settle up holiday spending bills and maybe start saving❓

Until early March, the COVID-19 pandemic erupted and shutdowns began — restaurants to retail stores and speciality shops. Online buying became more popular, surging with purchases of essentials and some not-so-essential items too.

Our essentials buying patterns didn't change. We continued grocery shopping with new protocols of social distancing, mask wearing. No need to shop as a planned Sept trip was cancelled and not going anywhere meant nothing new was needed. 

That left time (and money) to buy several completely non-essential items. In my defense, all were good deals and one is no longer in my possession.

Why Buy? Because they were there.
Did I need them? Absolutely not, see above comment.
What did I buy? Continue reading to find out.

Photography is a hobby and while I wasn't planning to buy anything, looking at eBay listings resulted in purchases of 2 Panasonic Lumix digital cameras, both were older, pre-owned models, ranging in age from 7 to 12 years, very far from new. 

Bidding on eBay can get crazy, especially at near-auction end. Many sellers list items as Buy It Now some with a Make Best Offer. That's how I bought the cameras — Best Offer was made  and accepted on both. If a seller accepts a Best Offer, the item is off the market and placed in the buyer's checkout cart. I honored both purchase commitments. 

The black ↓ Lumix DMX-TZ5 (top), new in 2008, was described as a great travel camera with a stabilized big zoom lens in a compact package. This was when a 9.1mp, 10X zoom (28-280mm equivalent) was big news on a small camera. The camera doesn't have manual control over shutter speeds, aperture or focus, but does provide exposure control. 


The silver ↑ Lumix DMC-ZS25 (bottom), new in 2013 has a 16.1 mp, a 20X zoom super zoom (24-480mm equivalent) has both auto and manual exposure control. 

Both included extras. The Lumix DMC-TZ5 included a charger, two original Panasonic batteries, 16MB SD card, small camera case. Its original, new price was over $200, my winning bid, $25 plus shipping. The Lumix DMC-ZS25 came with a charger and three batteries. Its original, new cost was over $300, my winning $39 plus shipping. 

The above view shows both cameras side-by-side with zooms extended. The build quality between them differs in that the older black one is heavier with a metal body.

My third pandemic purchase is the small black item in the photo, a bluetooth speaker seen at a local flea market Seller said it's the last one at $5, adding give me $2, so I did. In the  original package with charging cable, this Onn brand sold at Walmart for $12. 

Savings was $10 on an unplanned purchase that works great. It pairs up quickly with an old iPhone used for podcasts and audio books, and turns off when not in use. I've been using it more often than an Anker bluetooth speaker bought 2 years ago.

UPDATE: The Lumix DMC-ZS25 camera has a new owner in another state. While a good deal, it wasn't needed. Coincidentally, it sold as a Buy It Now within a day of being listed. I'm keeping the DMC-TZ5 which is compact and handy for in-town walk-arounds.

Just Wondering❓Buy any non-essential(s) — Do share; this is a no judgement blog.

Forgot to mention, Grenville bought this → after a lengthy search. It's a pity cherries are no longer available in the local supermarkets; he can always pit olives until next season.

Welcome Autumn 🍁 September is here 🍂

Friday Funnies

There's a song lyric that includes . . . birds do it *
Apparently, cormorants do it too — social distance — although 6 feet may be harder. 

* Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love, also known as "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) or Let's Do It is a popular 1928 song written by Cole Porter and introduced the same year in Porter's first Broadway musical (From) Broadway to Paris by French songstress Irene Bordoni. Porter wrote the musical as a starring vehicle for her. The play ran for 77 performances.

The song was used in the 1929 English production of Wake Up and Dream. It was the title theme music in the 1933 Hollywood movie, Grand Slam, with Loretta Young and Paul Lukas. The film is not about baseball. In 1960, the song was in the film version of Cole Porter's Can-Can, a star-studded 20th Century Fox Studio's lavish musical that featured Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra, Maurice Chevalier, and Louis Jourdan and was #2 at the box office that year. The song is featured prominently in Woody Allen's 2011 film Midnight in Paris.

In Porter's 1928 publication, opening lines for the chorus carried three derogatory racial references: Chinks, Japs, and Laps. The original lyric was: Chinks do it, Japs do it,

up in Lapland little Laps do it...

These original lines were heard in several early 1928 recordings of the song by the Dorsey Brothers & their Orchestra (featuring vocal by Bing Crosby), Rudy Vallée, Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. Billie Holiday also and Peggy Lee (with the Benny Goodman orchestra) recorded a version in 1941. And, again, a 1944 version by singer and well-known Broadway star Mary Martin (with Ray Sinatra's orchestra) included these lyrics. 

The opening was later changed to the less offensive lyrics: Birds do it, bees do it, Even educated fleas do it, Let's do it, let's fall in love.

An online search came up with nearly 40 artists recordings of the song in addition to those above including: Eartha Kitt, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Della Reese, Nancy Sinatra, Al Hirt, Johnny Hartman, Joan Jett, Diana Ross, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Alanis Morrissette.

And now both you and I know all more about the song's history than before. (You never know when such info could be useful, perhaps in trivia games?)

As if the current pandemic crisis wasn't enough, now more thoughts and prayers to those in Louisiana, Texas and all other places threatened by hurricanes.  Such a pity these rains can't help the state of California in battling disastrous and devastating fires there.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

21st Anniversary Getaway

My recent post about our 21st anniversary (Thanks for all your well wishes) stated that in lieu of our cancelled Canadian rail trail trip, we would be taking getaways both in NH and neighboring New England states, whenever (safely) possible.

There was no better time to start then last week in NH ahen we traveled 90 minutes from Nashua to Wolfeboro, NH, for a 3-day pre-anniversary road trip celebration. 

On an earlier visit last October to America’s oldest summer resort, we toured several local museums — The Wright Museum of WWII, The Libby Museum, and the New Hampshire Boat Museum — all interesting places to revisit one day, not on this getaway. 

We wanted new-to-us experiences that included being outdoors as much as possible without the need to mask-up, and where we could more than adequately social-distance.

So, instead of looking for additional indoor attractions, we opted instead to walk a rail trail and to hike through a nature sanctuary. 

A rainbow on Lake Winnipesaukee, us and The Wolfeboro Inn, our lodgings

We stayed downtown at the Wolfeboro Inn (1812) and didn't have to go far for the rail trail. The 12-mile long Cotton Valley Rail Trail begins at Depot Street in Wolfeboro near

Former Boston & Maine Wolfeboro Station

the picturesque gingerbread train station, which now houses the Chamber of Commerce, and ends at Turntable Park in Wakefield. This is an all season trail that's used in warmer months for walking, running, biking, wildlife viewing and fishing. Colder months activity includes cross country skiing, snow-shoeing and snowmobiling.

The trail links the towns of Wolfeboro, Brookfield, and Wakefield by way of a former railroad right-of-way. It's one of only three trails under state DNCR management (Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) that have intact rails that are used recreationally by local rail car clubs. We didn’t hear (or see) a train on our walk !

Rails along the Cotton Valley Rail Trail

The Cotton Valley Rail Trail has beautiful scenery, especially along two causeways along Lake Wentworth and Crescent Lake. At 3,097 acres, Lake Wentworth is the seventh-largest lake located entirely in NH. The trail goes over trestles, scenic wetlands, beaches, back woods and fields.

Railroad heritage is evident on many sections of the pathway, where cyclists ride narrowly between the track’s standard gauge irons, and cross wooden platforms to get over the old Wolfeboro Railroad track as the path goes on both sides. 

The path undergoes terrain changes including dirt, gravel, on the track, wide, narrow and along the track. It provides walking access to a couple of Wolfeboro museums — the Wright Museum of WWII and the New Hampshire Boat Museum — which can be walked to off the trail. 

We didn't spot any non-human wildlife on our rail trail walk, but there were plenty of wildflowers as evidenced in these images ↓ which include clover, thistle, vetch, ox-eye daisy, sumac and goldenrod. (Admittedly I don't know the names of all, some of these may be incorrect.)

Wildflowers along the Cotton Valley Rail Trail, Wolfeboro, NH

Vintage Boston & Maine, Wolfeboro, NH Station

A brief RR history: In 1872, the Eastern Railroad opened a branch line from Sanbornville to Wolfeboro to transport freight and passengers to Lake Winnipesaukee. The Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) purchased the line in 1892 and ran it until 1936. This line originally reached Dockside where passengers boarded the MV Mount Washington and other boats to go to inns and hotels around the lake. Before the auto was in use, school children rode the train like they ride a school bus now. Wolfeboro had six stations on the seven mile portion that lies within the township. There was a “flag” stop on the Wentworth Causeway. Islanders would leave their boats nearby, flag down the train and ride to town. In 1972, The Wolfeboro Railroad, a group of investors, bought the line to restore freight and passenger service. Freight service never took off, but the train ran as a tourist attraction until finally closing in 1986 after which the state of NH acquired the corridor. 

Our second nature adventure took us to The Loon Center in Moultonborough, NH, a 30-minute drive from Wolfeboro. 

The Loon Center, Moultonborough, NH

The Loon Center is located on the grounds of the 200-acre Frederick and Paula Anna Markus Wildlife Sanctuary in Moultonborough, NH. Built in 1973, it serves as a base for state-wide research, management, and educational activities of the NH Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) created in 1975 in response to a declining loon population.

Loon and chick, photo by Kittie Wilson

What are loons? They are aquatic birds, loons (North America) or divers (UK/Ireland), that are the size of a large duck or small goose and distinguished by a unique call. Males and females have identical plumage, patterned black-and-white in summer; males are usually larger. Loons are excellent swimmers and use their feet to propel themselves above and under water. Their feet are located far back on the body making it difficult to walk on land, which they avoid, except when nesting or injured. 

Because loons are a threatened species, the LPC monitors lakes and ponds. Its efforts include nest site protection, exhibits and presentations, statewide efforts to reduce loon deaths from lead poisoning, and rescues of injured or sick loons.

Did you know? lead poisoning from ingested lead fishing sinkers and lead-headed jigs is the largest cause of adult loon mortality in NH. Since 1989, lead poisoning from lead fishing tackle has accounted for 42% of loon deaths statewide. Lead tackle can no longer be sold or purchased in NH. In 2018, LPC partnered with New Hampshire Fish and Game to conduct a first-in-the-nation lead tackle buyback program to remove lead tackle from active use. It provides a financial incentive to encourage anglers to switch to non-lead tackle. Since 2018, over 14,800 lead sinkers and jigs have been collected and recycled. NH’s loon population has more than tripled in 27 years and The Loon Center is being expanded to allow continuance of this work. 

Markus Wildlife Sanctuary Trail Map

Lucky for us, our visit to The Loon Center came days before the center was closing indefinitely for renovations to provide more work and lab space for biologists and the addition of a field operations center with housing for field biologists and veterinary interns plus maintenance and storage of boats, trailers and field equipment.

The Markus Wildlife Sanctuary consists of upland forests, marshes, ponds, clear-running streams and over 5,000 feet of undeveloped shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee. It's one of the largest remaining areas of natural shoreline on the lake. The sanctuary is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including loons. 

Two walking trails wind their way through the Sanctuary and are open year-round from dawn to dusk. We walked both the Loon Nest Trail (1-1/2 mi.) and the Forest Trail (1/4 mi.) during our afternoon visit.

Only foot travel is allowed on the trails— no bikes, horses or motorized vehicles, no hunting, fishing, camping or swimming. The trails were described as country walking with sturdy shoes or boots recommended. We were glad to be wearing trail shoes. Sneakers would have this a difficult and uncomfortable hike. Regretfully, we forgot hiking poles at home. These would have come in handy in many spots (maybe next time).

Rocks and roots on Markus Sanctuary  Trail,

We weren't here early enough to catch sight of the Sanctuary’s nesting loons (late May-early June). We also managed non-sighting of waterfowl, woodland birds, deer, otter, or beaver. The only sightings were animal tracks in some mud flats, and no sightings of moose or bears, probably a very good thing.

Start of Markus Wildlife Sanctuary Loon Nest Trail

The Loon Nest Trail walk started relatively and deceptively easy. It was strewn with wood chips scattered along the path. Also, the start of the trail included a series of wooden walkways which were not connected but dispersed randomly over low-lying areas. 

Boardwalks on Markus Wildlife Sanctuary Loon Nest Trail

Further along the trail, we saw how hiking shoes were needed as the trail progressively became rockier, more root-filled, and somewhat challenging. We had a lot of time alone to experience nature's beauty and solitude. Until we headed back to The Loon Center, we didn't see another hiker(s). Trees along the trail were marked with yellow blazes, with was a good thing even if finding them wasn't always that easy.

Markus Wildlife Sanctuary trail blaze marker

We spotted many granite glacial erratics along the trail and, in some spots saw granite boulders split in half. Glacial erratics are stone and rocks transported by a glacier and left behind when it melted, and so called "Erratics" from Latin errare (to wander). These deposited rocks can differ from sizes and types of rock native to the area. Erratics can be carried for hundreds of miles, ranging in size from small rocks to large boulders. 

Glacial erratics on Markus Wildlife Sanctuary Trail

According to the trail brochure, the sanctuary included various wildflowers and wild blueberries, but the only vegetation we spotted were trees, ferns and moss on large boulders. The trail had numerous stopping resting points with granite benches where we enjoyed views of Lake Winnipesaukee. 

Lake Winnipesaukee viewed from Markus Wildlife Sanctuary Trail

The day we visited was fairly warm. Walking through the sanctuary, then visiting The Loon Center to view a film about loons was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. We were free to walk outdoors without masks and were definitely social-distanced from anyone. 

Not finished with outdoor activities during our stay, we played miniature golf. And, as it was a celebration, we treated ourselves a couple of times. We shared a banana split and an order of the Wolfeboro Tavern Potato Chip Appetizer (house fried chips, melted Swiss and Cheddar cheese, corned beef, Thousand Island dressing) — not both on the same day.

We shared these anniversary treats

A bonus to this road trip was a first time lunch time meet-up, Thursday at the Wolfeboro Inn with fellow blogger Erika (BioArt Girl). It was a great way to end our 21st anniversary celebration (even if we traveled ahead of the actual date).

Our (year-long) celebration will definitely continue with future road trips. We already have a couple of in-state day trips planned.

21 Years on the 21st

Anniversaries are special dates, no matter what year is being celebrated.
But, there's only 31 times when this will occur for some couples — It's happened for us🥂.

Today, August 21, we celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary💜. 

A collage of at-home selfies in Nashua, NH since shutdown

Masked up selfies as well

Originally, we were planning to make this year a very special celebration by combining it (belatedly) with our 20th anniversary. In late January, we booked a rail trip on the Rocky Mountaineer across the Canadian Rockies, which included airline travel to and from Canada. Initial deposit was paid in February with final payment due in June. Our travel was set to start on Sept 17.Then, the virus pandemic erupted and final payment was extended to July as the Canadian border was closed (ironically) until August 21. About the same time, the RM train announced that it was ceasing all 2020 travel operations. 

While offered rail and airline vouchers to reschedule in spring at no additional (higher) costs, we opted to request a full deposit refund (a 3-part process for airlines, insurance and train). Only hitch was that the RM rail company was issuing vouchers for future travel as were the airlines (the flights had not yet been cancelled). However, late last week Canada once again extended the border closing to Sept 21.

As odd as it sounds that extended border closure was the best anniversary gift we could have received. Our flights were cancelled by the airlines, which means we stand a better chance of a full refund vs. future travel vouchers. We're still pursuing the train deposit and insurance refunds through the AAA travel agency.

Just wondering? anyone else have travel plans cancelled and, if so, any alternatives?

While disappointed at our hoped-for travel plans going south nowhere, we have alternate plans. We will be taking some in-state (NH) day trips and longer road trips. This may extend further into other New England states (VT, ME, MA) depending on restrictions. 

Autumn 🍁🍂 in New England is a great time of year to celebrate everything.

Celebrate 🍾 everyday — The best is yet to come !

(The "best is yet to come" is associated with Frank Sinatra, who recorded it on the 1964 album, It Might as Well Be Swing, with Count Basie under the direction of Quincy Jones.)

More Good Eats at Home

Way back in late May I did an at home food cooking post. Since we've continued to be mostly at home and still cooking, it was past time for an update.

Our windowsill herbs

In Nashua, NH, restaurants re-opened for outdoor dining in May. By July, they could have indoor dining, which is very helpful on rainy days when folks would not be outdoors. Social distance guidelines apply  and servers remain masked outdoors and indoors. Customers mask up when dining or entering and using the facilities. Some local eateries have also added planters with flowers and there's even several trees growing on Main St.

We have supported local restaurants on a weekly basis either for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Prices have been a bit higher because of increased food costs, but that's also been the case when grocery shopping.

Some formerly baked treats

Mostly, we've eating at home with one BIG exception — no baking, zilch, none has been done the past several weeks. This is very different from several months ago when banana bread made weekly (wasn't everyone doing this?) along with artisan bread. Also homemade cinnamon buns (they really were so good). Part of our self-imposed baking ban is part of a joint effort to loss weight. However, sometime in the future, a loaf of fresh bread and homemade pasta may be on the home dining menu.

We gave up on baked goods, but not entirely on pie and that's what's pictured below — this zucchini pie has ingredients of zucchini, eggs, Bisquick, cheese (cheddar and Romano), vegetable oil, salt and pepper and seasonings of your choice. Everything gets mixed together in one bowl. Leftover zucchini pieces were added on top with fresh parsley. This a very easy recipe and we enjoyed it with a side salad for dinner, then with toast for breakfast.

Zucchini pie (oven ready, baked and served)

None of our home meals have been very complicated. Cooking is one thing, but clean-up is less fun, and the easier and quicker the better. One-pan/pot meals are huge favorites. (Did I mention we both dislike cleanup?)

Homemade marinara sauce & zucchini lasagna

We like lasagna, but cutting out bread and pasta meant finding another recipe, and that's where zucchini came in again. Grenville used a mandolin to slice thin planks, which were then salted to remove some of the moisture. Despite this step, the lasagna was still more liquid than when made with past, but still delicious made with homemade marinara sauce.

Clockwise: Pork chili on cauliflower rice, pork chili omelette, shrimp on cauliflower rice & zucchini noodles

Seafood, chicken and pork are served more often than beef in our home. The top two pork meals were pork chili, made from a leftover pork roast with added beans and chopped tomatoes and spices, then served over cauliflower rice. Next to it is a breakfast pork chili frittata. Two shrimp meals were served over cauliflower rice and then over zucchini noodles (called zoodles). We're happy that summer squash is readily available at the Nashua farmers' market and in a grocery store, which sells local produce.

Cauliflower Tots (forks down from us)

Cauliflower has replaced rice for most meals in our dinner menus. It's also an easy side dish when roasted. Homemade roasted cauliflower tots ↑ got 2 forks down from both of us. Tater Tots have nothing to worry about in our opinion.

Homemade basil pesto

Pesto is a classic sauce made from basil, pine nuts, oil, garlic and Parmesan cheese. In supermarkets it's usually in either the condiments or sauces section. But, many store-bought ones contain cashews, walnuts and not the traditional (and costly) pine nuts. Pesto is delicious, but very high in fat, when compared to a marinara sauce, made from tomatoes, garlic, onion, and seasonings (oregano, basil and marjoram). On the plus side it has a lot of antioxidants. We use it on cooked vegetables, like (surprise) zucchini but not every day. For watching calories, marinara is better than pesto. Alfredo sauce won't win a health contest, but is a go-to for a creamy addition to a dish.

Veggie egg bake

Veggies, eggs and cheese play a big role in our dinner plans. It's also been a great way to use peppers, onions and zucchini in an egg bake and leftovers means a nite or morning or no cooking needed! 

None of our home meals have been complicated. Simple ones are favorites here. Cooking is one thing, but clean-up is less fun, and the easier and quicker the better. 

This post excludes recipes or links. There's endless variations available online. In some cases, I've combined several recipes.

Sorry if any of these food photos made you hungry.