EGGS BACONNAISE

We are attempting to improve our cholesterol and triglycerides numbers through a change in diet. Our plan is to eat as close to "Keto" as we can get and see what future lipid numbers tell us. Today Mary made "Eggs Baconnaise" from the excellent KETO recipe book entitled The Real Meal Revolution.

First the bacon is cooked and then removed from the frying pan and the asparagus added.

Just before the asparagus is done the bacon is added to finish cooking and add more fat. Also a splash of lemon and a few dollops of garlic go on the asparagus. While I keep an eye on this Mary is busy preparing poached eggs and making the baconnaise sauce which is: butter, bacon grease, eggs, Dijon mustard, lemon, salt and pepper.

When it all finally arrives on your plate it is full of flavour, and mouth watering delicious. Once you've tried it you will want it every morning; it's that good.

Of course a table isn't properly set unless you have a bouquet of flowers. These came from Mary's garden and added a rainbow of colour to our breakfast meal.

We will eat KETO for the next three months and then I'll report on my triglyceride numbers.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

TIME IN ALGONQUIN

Got home this morning about 10 after a few beautiful days in Algonquin Park. The weather was perfect, the bugs were bad.

Our campsite was right on the water and when the breeze was blowing it was perfect for sitting outside.

Algonquin Park offers a rustic camping experience along with hot showers and lots of guided hiking trails.

Our friends Cathy and Paul were just a few campsites away and we spent a lot of time inside their dining shelter away from the bugs. Paul always had a story to share.

The day doesn't start until Mary finishes her coffee. Of course drinking coffee while wearing a full body bug shirt adds a little challenge to the whole experience. She did just fine.

Paul and I did manage to get some canoeing in. Algonquin Park is notorious for its canoe routes. Our days of portaging into the interior are over, but canoeing from our campsite is still enjoyable.

We even had a Loon pop up just off of Paul's shoulder. Loons are very awkward on land but in the water they can swim for long distances underwater catching fish.

Happy to be back without tipping the canoe and to enjoy a delicious pasta lunch prepared by Mary and Cathy. This was the first meal prepared by Cathy in her "instant pot" and she was impressed at how easy it all came together. Did I mention delicious?

Thanks for a wonderful few days in the Park. Hope to do it again soon.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for keeping an eye on us.

DIDN'T TAKE LONG

Once the turtles were finished laying eggs it did't take long for these guys to show up.

With his keen sense of smell he was soon digging into the nest of eggs.

If you click to enlarge this photo you will see an eggs just under his nose.

Soon we had broken eggs strewn about while he continued to dig for more. Guess whenever he finds food he doesn't worry about calories; just consumes all he can find.

Whenever we stepped out he would run and hide but kept an eye on us only to return once the coast was clear.

Those big old turtles we saw laying eggs were the lucky ones when so few eggs even get a chance to hatch. It's all part of the food chain as we've seen turtles catch baby ducks swimming on our pond.

TURTLES ARE BUSY

June is the time of year our turtles leave the pond in search of a suitable sandy place to lay their eggs.

The soil on the south side of the house seems to be their preferred location. They will spend the day digging several decoy holes in hopes the raccoons don't find the true nest of eggs.

It's a long arduous hike up through the vegetation to get to our place, but every year they make the trek and every year we enjoy the show. This year it is much later than usual and I blame it on our cold wet spring that just stayed and stayed this year.

Hope you are outside enjoying your own views of nature.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

BREAKFAST BY ART

I've been researching the "Keto" and "Banting" way of eating and purchased The Real Meal Revolution to better understand this whole LCHF approach to healthy living. This really isn't a new approach to eating as it was advocated by William Banting back in 1862 after he lost weight on a Low Carb diet. He was so impressed that he went and self-published the first "diet" booklet calling it: Letter of Corpulence, Addressed to the Public.

This morning I chose the  Kale with Chorizo and Eggs for breakfast. It was delicious, nutritious and should hold us until at least 4 pm when we will have an early supper of Haddock and cauliflower also from the same book.

Naturally Mary was delighted that I was actually preparing a full meal, in the kitchen and she was impressed at how tasty it was. It was also a delight to simply step outside and pick all the kale necessary for this very savoury meal. I'm sure we will have it again soon.

QUILT WORKSHOP

This week Mary is attending a three day quilt workshop with friends.

The ladies share several cottages and have a work room right down by the lake for their sewing.

The cottages are rustic, clean and roomy and most ladies have their own separate bedroom. Yea!!

Lots of natural light and easy trails down to the water.

The cottages are located on a point of land where this river empties into the lake. This is such a beautiful natural setting located in the Haliburton Highlands, Ontario, Canada.

It was a perfect day for a leisurely drive and since I wasn't in a rush I decided to take my time, cruise just above the speed limit and see what mileage my truck would produce. My first truck years ago average 8 mpg.

As you can see, by the time I reached Bancroft my average fuel consumption was 7.4 L/100  km which converts to about 38 mpg.  Truly amazing and my truck is just a standard six cylinder Honda, not a hybrid or all electric machine. So this new truck will travel almost five times further on a gallon of fuel and I had the  AC on which my first truck didn't have.

Almost home.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

TOO MANY YEARS

It's been almost 18 years since we last touched base with Keith and Sabina. I taught with Keith before I retired and they moved to Ottawa shortly after.

Fortunately Sabina is on Facebook and we connected and made plans to get together last weekend while at the quilt show in Ottawa.

Keith slow cooked the steaks to perfection and we enjoyed the meal and the opportunity to get caught up on each other's news.  Plans were made for future get-togethers without waiting another 18 years.

Friendships don't fade through the years they just get rekindled whenever we get together.

Oscar Wild wrote:

"Ultimately the bond of all companionship, whether in marriage or in friendship, is conversation."

We had some good conversations last weekend.

OTTAWA BYWARD MARKET

Drove in to Ottawa early this morning to take in the ByWard Market. It was raining and overcast, not the best of days. Took this shot of the parliament as I drove past.

The ByWard market is just around the corner from parliament hill. It was started by Colonel By back in 1826. The vendors were just setting up and there were few customers waiting to buy so I didn't stay long.

This store looked tempting but it was a little early for sweets.

The area is pocketed with little courtyards and unique restaurants, perfect for a warm sunny day stroll

I was back home in just over an hour. Time for breakfast and some more exploring after I drop Mary off at the quilt show.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

NATIONAL QUILT SHOW OTTAWA

We are camped in Ottawa so Mary can attend the national Quilt show this weekend. Last night it rained, and rained and then rained some more but we were fine, cozy and warm inside.

One feature on our new truck is the backup camera. It's a nice feature to have when maneuvering in such tight campgrounds.

Can't start the day with her morning cup of coffee.

We are about to leave for the show. I only get internet connection at the camp office, so reports may be less frequent.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

CLEANING the TRAILER

Tomorrow we head to Ottawa where Mary will help with the National Quilt show this weekend. Since it is sunny and warm this morning we thought it was perfect for cleaning out the trailer.

The first job was to clean the awning with a mild bleach to remove the mold.

Next Mary gave it a thorough rinse and now it's drying in the sun.

Still looks brand new. We plan to put a lot of miles on this trailer this summer, with trips to Algonquin Park, Halifax Nova Scotia, and Florida all in the planning stages. Of course we are taking Owen camping so that will be more fun days sitting around the campfire or paddling across the lake.

Safe travels everyone and I'll post again once we get settle in Ottawa.

MAYNOOTH FARMERS' MARKET

If you know me you know I love community BBQs, Fall Fairs, and Farmers' Markets. Yesterday we headed north to Maynooth which hosts a small Saturday market of local artisans and food producers.

Although small it has something for everyone: baked goods, garden vegetables, crafts, furniture; all local.

Don't they look tasty.

Mary inspecting some craft supplies for Owen.

Like I said, a wide variety.

Check out your local market, you may be surprised at what's available and the folks selling are the friendliest around.