Easter morning Hubby and I went out to breakfast and I ate 3.5 crisp slices of bacon, above, plus one sausage (for which I traded a half slice of bacon). I had a turkey burger for lunch and pork tacos for dinner so I covered a lot of ground.

If I learned anything about giving up meat for Lent, it is that I really like to eat meat, I am very lucky to be able to eat it everyday, and that I can save a lot of money going vegetarian.

We ate breakfast at Alphie’s, a low-key diner in Goleta, which is about 10 minutes north of Santa Barbara. Alphie’s offered friendly service, good food, and a pleasant setting. Plus, TASTY homemade biscuits.

Every other Sunday Alphie’s has live jazz starting at 10:30 a.m. We did not stay long enough to hear music as we had Easter eggs to dye with my nephews, who had as much fun dying their fingers as their eggs. Many of them ended up a greenish-brown color. The eggs, I mean!

Visit Alphie’s at 5725 Hollister Ave in Goleta.  805-683-1202.