farmers market

Vegetarianism:Fad or Freedom

Vegetarianism:Fad or Freedom

I recently adopted vegetarianism as an experiment before my recent cruise across the Atlantic to Europe and it is here to stay for me. What sparked my desire was not necessarily the healthy lifestyle, although that is important to me, the aspect of cruelty to animals....

Pasta and Pepper Primavera

Pasta and Pepper Primavera

This recipe was in the Better Homes and Gardens Low Calorie 2015 Edition. I like it for a great vegetarian primavera option because it includes beans/legumes in the ingredients. When you are eating vegetarian you have to watch out for the automatic increase in carbs...

Amsterdam Holland

Amsterdam Holland

Amsterdam was a surprise. I have to admit that I had done little or no research about where we were going before we left. It was a surprise on many levels. First, it was very busy with bicycles and people. Second, the buildings engulfed each block, one after another...

Bruges Belgium

Bruges Belgium

Bruges History The name Bruges was probably derives from the Old Dutch for "bridge" and was pronounced by our native guide as Brooj. In the 15th century, Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy, set up court in Bruges attracting a number of artists, bankers, and other...

The Gardens of France

The Gardens of France

Jardin Botanique de Vauville This was my favorite garden, or Jardin. It was created in 1947 by a man who loves plants and gardens. He wanted a garden of exotic plants but the climate of Normandy is very windy and plants have a difficult time growing. So, he began...

Paris France

Paris in springtime. We experienced rain, sun and wind during our visit here. The Paris of the past must be different than the Paris of current day, or maybe my expectation was different. I had envisioned a quaint little city and small intimate streets with flower...

Portland UK and Salisbury

Portland UK and Salisbury

Our ship docked in Portland UK and we took a tour bus to see Stonehenge and Salisbury. Stonehenge Stonehenge is considered a prehistoric monument. I learned that henge is actually a term for the mound that surrounds the stones. It is in the middle of a dense complex...

Cork Ireland

Cork Ireland

Cork Ireland is about 20km from Cobh, where we were docked. We took a nice bus ride there with our tour guide Michael. The roads to Cork were very narrow, bairly containing the girth of our tour bus, and the hillsides were covered in beautiful green. The climate in...

Cobh Ireland

Cobh Ireland

Cobh has the only port in Ireland capable of docking a Cruise ship. Cork Ireland was the port the Titanic disembarked from on its final voyage. Titanic White Star Line was determined that no expense would be spared in the construction of Titanic. It took 3 years for...