Healthy Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

It's tzatziki to the Greeks and cacik to the Turks. Either way, the original recipe for this creamy yogurt sauce is rich and delectable but not very heart healthy. This lighter version spares your heart and your waistline but still delivers on taste. The reduced fat recipe relies on garlic, lemon and lots of fresh herbs for robust flavor. The addition of a little low-fat sour cream and reduced fat Feta cheese brings back the creaminess of the original. Enjoy!

The Parker House Inn and Restaurant

1792 Quechee Main St., Quechee VT 05059, 802-295-6077, www.theparkerhouseinn.com

We'd been somewhat disappointed with the atmosphere, service and food of our first dinner in Vermont at the Barnard Inn so we hoped for better on our second night in nearby Quechee. And we were initially impressed with our choice. The Parker House is quaint and romantic and we were nicely greeted and given a comfortable table near the fireplace.

Barnard Inn Restaurant

Rt. 12, Barnard, VT 05031, 802-234-9961, www.barnardinn.com

On our first night in Vermont we took our innkeeper's suggestion and headed to the Barnard Inn for dinner. The more formal dining room was full so we booked a table in their casual tavern room. It was a bit noisy but had a rustic charm and most of the diners appeared to be local..a good sign :)

Simon Pearce - The Mill at Quechee, VT

The Simon Pearce glass blowing factory, showroom and restaurant is built over a stunning waterfall in Quechee, near where we were staying in Woodstock, VT.

Leaf Peeping in Woodstock, VT

The delightful drive north

Breathtaking color

The Village Inn of Woodstock

41 Pleasant St, Woodstock, VT 05091, 802-457-1255, www.villageinnofwoodstock.com

A long planned fall foliage vacation and extensive research on B&B's in southern Vermont led us to The Village Inn of Woodstock. This bed & breakfast had garnered many rave reviews and was located just at the edge of the main street in the chic town of Woodstock. Their web site was very helpful and we booked our stay in room 5, the inn's only 2-room suite. We have to say that we found the fact that the bathroom was a pass-through between the bedroom and the sitting room to be a bit awkward. But otherwise, the room was beautiful, immaculately clean and richly appointed with a wonderfully comfortable king size bed. All possible temperature options were available including heat, air-conditioning, fireplace and screened windows. A small refrigerator in the room was extremely convenient.