Author: Ed

Would You Love Taking Care of Roses?
Did you know there are roses in Boston just waiting for you to volunteer some time to deadhead, prune, and care for them?

One thing people miss when they move from the suburbs to the city is gardening. Yes, some folks have a small front or back yard garden area, but others find themselves without plants to tend.

Community gardens are one answer if you have lots of time to tend a plot of land. However, there are alternatives for those who would enjoy an occasional garden chore in the company of other rose lovers.

The Boston Public Garden Rose Brigade

The Friends of the Public Garden has a group of volunteers called the Rose Brigade that has cared for the four rose beds for decades. Click on the link to learn how to join this group on a one time or regular basis.

Kelleher Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens
Here, it's the Emerald Necklace Conservancy that organizes the volunteers. You can join them deadheading and pruning roses and weeding the rose beds and borders on Tuesdays. Details are at this link.

If you know of other opportunities for the occasional gardener, please share in the comments below. It doesn't have to be a rose garden, some folks might like to grow tomatoes or tend hostas!

What do you know about Amazon Prime? We use it and love it. You pay once a year for free 2-day shipping delivery charges. Amazon throws in access to instant streaming movies and TV shows and they let you borrow a free ebook each month. They will even give you a one month free trial. Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Join Amazon Prime – Watch Over 40,000 Movies

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
October 21, 2013
Sunday Dog Gracie Says, “Watch Out for those Brown Trucks!”

Gracie is a very beautiful 2 ½ year old who’s always on the lookout for those brown trucks – that shall not be named. You know, the ones that do such a great job of delivering packages all around the city.

To hear her tell it, some of those boxes can be pretty scary. So, Gracie doesn’t take any chances and barks at any delivery person in a brown uniform. But don’t get the wrong idea. Our Sunday Dog is very friendly.

And, from what we’ve heard, Gracie is also quite the little cuddler! Her favorite spot to sleep is right on her person’s neck.

Oh, and before you ask, we don’t know how Gracie got those stunning highlights in her coat, but we suspect the color is totally natural. See you around, girl!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

October 20, 2013
Sunday Dog Gracie Says, “Watch Out for those Brown Trucks!”

Gracie is a very beautiful 2 ½ year old who’s always on the lookout for those brown trucks – that shall not be named. You know, the ones that do such a great job of delivering packages all around the city.

To hear her tell it, some of those boxes can be pretty scary. So, Gracie doesn’t take any chances and barks at any delivery person in a brown uniform. But don’t get the wrong idea. Our Sunday Dog is very friendly.

And, from what we’ve heard, Gracie is also quite the little cuddler! Her favorite spot to sleep is right on her person’s neck.

Oh, and before you ask, we don’t know how Gracie got those stunning highlights in her coat, but we suspect the color is totally natural. See you around, girl!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

October 20, 2013
Great Heron by The Myth Makers and Convergence – Last Two Weeks!

The Christian Science Plaza has been a sculpture gallery all summer hosting Convergence, an exhibit by Boston sculptors May 1st to October 31st, 2013. If you haven't visited yet, you only have two weeks to see these works.

Ed waited for a few seconds of calm on the reflecting pool to capture his image of the Great Heron by the team The Myth Makers.

Comments on blog like the one linked to above are often ignored, but Penny tends to read them and was pleased to find one from Lynn Schweikart, author of Peaceful Places Boston. Lynn shared a moment of delightful serendipity when she visited.

"Was admiring this striking sculpture yesterday, and was surprised to hear bird song emanating from it. "How clever!" I thought. "I wonder how the sculptors did that!" Then I noticed that a mockingbird had taken up residence on one of the saplings that make up the head–and was singing away!"

Thanks for sharing your experience Lynn. In addition to recommending a visit to the exhibit, we highly recommend Lynn's book

For those who read us from other parts of the country, the publisher has some peaceful books for other cities.

Peaceful Places: Boston: 121 Tranquil Sites in the City and Beyond

Peaceful Places: Chicago: 119 Tranquil Sites in the Windy City and Beyond

Peaceful Places: San Francisco: 100+ Tranquil Sites in The City and the Greater Bay Area

Peaceful Places: Los Angeles: 100+ Sites for Tranquility Across the City of Angels

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: ©2013 Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

October 18, 2013
Great Heron by The Myth Makers and Convergence – Last Two Weeks!

The Christian Science Plaza has been a sculpture gallery all summer hosting Convergence, an exhibit by Boston sculptors May 1st to October 31st, 2013. If you haven't visited yet, you only have two weeks to see these works.

Ed waited for a few seconds of calm on the reflecting pool to capture his image of the Great Heron by the team The Myth Makers.

Comments on blog like the one linked to above are often ignored, but Penny tends to read them and was pleased to find one from Lynn Schweikart, author of Peaceful Places Boston. Lynn shared a moment of delightful serendipity when she visited.

"Was admiring this striking sculpture yesterday, and was surprised to hear bird song emanating from it. "How clever!" I thought. "I wonder how the sculptors did that!" Then I noticed that a mockingbird had taken up residence on one of the saplings that make up the head–and was singing away!"

Thanks for sharing your experience Lynn. In addition to recommending a visit to the exhibit, we highly recommend Lynn's book

For those who read us from other parts of the country, the publisher has some peaceful books for other cities.

Peaceful Places: Boston: 121 Tranquil Sites in the City and Beyond

Peaceful Places: Chicago: 119 Tranquil Sites in the Windy City and Beyond

Peaceful Places: San Francisco: 100+ Tranquil Sites in The City and the Greater Bay Area

Peaceful Places: Los Angeles: 100+ Sites for Tranquility Across the City of Angels

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: ©2013 Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

October 18, 2013
At The Market: Seta’s Cafe from Market to Brick and Mortar
Seta's Mediterranean Foods has quickly become a favorite with many farmers' market customers during the past few years. Now, she has opened Seta's Cafe at 271 Belmont Street in Belmont (map), and we want to wish her great success!

In a recent update on her facebook page, she announced, "If you happen to drive by and the mums are out- we are open for business." She has some lovely pots of mums she's placing outside the door when the cafe is open.

The menu will include the favorite items fans have taken home from the markets and those items will also be available for take out at the cafe. And, with the cafe it will be easier for Chef Seta to make a new batch when she sells out!

We were happy to see her Spinach Boreg better known around here as fabulous Seta Spinach Pie.

The cafe will also let her spread her wings and expand the options she can offer for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or brunch.

If you would like to learn more about this talented woman and add reasons why you should get to Belmont soon, read Edible Boston's article about her, Seta's Rules to Cook By. They cover it in greater depth, but on her about page Seta explains:
- "Use no more than five ingredients to make a dish
- Buy from local farmers
- Eat/cook within season"
Sounds like a woman who grew her business at farmers' markets to us!

Seta, may all our readers find your new place and enjoy your food as much as we do! Congratulations on reaching this new phase of your business.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Top photo courtesy of Seta's Cafe, © 2011-2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
October 17, 2013
At The Market: Seta’s Cafe from Market to Brick and Mortar
Seta's Mediterranean Foods has quickly become a favorite with many farmers' market customers during the past few years. Now, she has opened Seta's Cafe at 271 Belmont Street in Belmont (map), and we want to wish her great success!

In a recent update on her facebook page, she announced, "If you happen to drive by and the mums are out- we are open for business." She has some lovely pots of mums she's placing outside the door when the cafe is open.

The menu will include the favorite items fans have taken home from the markets and those items will also be available for take out at the cafe. And, with the cafe it will be easier for Chef Seta to make a new batch when she sells out!

We were happy to see her Spinach Boreg better known around here as fabulous Seta Spinach Pie.

The cafe will also let her spread her wings and expand the options she can offer for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or brunch.

If you would like to learn more about this talented woman and add reasons why you should get to Belmont soon, read Edible Boston's article about her, Seta's Rules to Cook By. They cover it in greater depth, but on her about page Seta explains:
- "Use no more than five ingredients to make a dish
- Buy from local farmers
- Eat/cook within season"
Sounds like a woman who grew her business at farmers' markets to us!

Seta, may all our readers find your new place and enjoy your food as much as we do! Congratulations on reaching this new phase of your business.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Top photo courtesy of Seta's Cafe, © 2011-2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.
October 17, 2013
Best Bite: Patata Dolce Pierogi at Coppa Enoteca

Patata Dolce Pierogi at Coppa are sweet potato, taleggio & cippolini stuffed pierogi sautéed until golden and al dente then served with more onion, cheese, chives, and roasted Brussels sprouts. Thank goodness our server warned us there were only three orders left.

We told him to grab one for us but we soon wished we had snagged at least two of the three. This best bite was so good we would have ordered a second round if they had one available.

We love the tradition of serving caramelized onions with pierogi, but of course Coppa took it to another level with the selection of ingredients. This dish has inspired us!

After reading a lot of reviews and watching videos, Penny ordered this pierogi tray
and we'll be experimenting with it to make our own fillings and combos. Naturally, we'll report any success stories.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

October 16, 2013
Best Bite: Patata Dolce Pierogi at Coppa Enoteca

Patata Dolce Pierogi at Coppa are sweet potato, taleggio & cippolini stuffed pierogi sautéed until golden and al dente then served with more onion, cheese, chives, and roasted Brussels sprouts. Thank goodness our server warned us there were only three orders left.

We told him to grab one for us but we soon wished we had snagged at least two of the three. This best bite was so good we would have ordered a second round if they had one available.

We love the tradition of serving caramelized onions with pierogi, but of course Coppa took it to another level with the selection of ingredients. This dish has inspired us!

After reading a lot of reviews and watching videos, Penny ordered this pierogi tray
and we'll be experimenting with it to make our own fillings and combos. Naturally, we'll report any success stories.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

October 16, 2013
Charlie Cards, Pass It On…

These are the two extra, empty Charlie Cards that I carry with me as I travel on the MBTA. I've noticed how elusive Charlie Cards have become so I picked up some extra ones. Now, when an MBTA attendant tells someone, "We actually don't have Charlie Cards at this location," I have a solution.

I can hand over one of these with a request that the passenger pass on the kindness to someone else by picking up an extra card when they are at a station where the cards are available. I write, "Pass it on… " with a Sharpie so I won't give out my loaded card by mistake. It may also encourage the recipient to pay it forward.

If you can find an attendant, they are supposed to have Charlie Cards at these locations. I have found the booth between the westbound tracks at Park Street usually has them. But note the hours, 7 am – 7 pm. For some locations, the hours are shorter.

This post was inspired by a conversation over on Universal Hub. At the 5th comment down, the conversation changes to Charlie Cards. I shared my solution there but figured I should pass it on to the BostonZest community as well.

Even if you're not going to use a Charlie Card all that often, you should have one in your card collection because each year there is a book full of discounts you can have for flashing your Charlie Card. Those discounts are particularly good for visitors since they included attractions and museums.

Our household also has a guest card that we mail to friends coming into Boston or let them use while they are here. If they can't find a card at the airport or train station, we have them covered. We started it off with $5 and our guests have kept it filled for us. That one is marked with "Guest Card" on the front.

What do you know about Amazon Prime? We use it and love it. You pay once a year for free 2-day shipping delivery charges. Amazon throws in access to instant streaming movies and TV shows and they let you borrow a free ebook each month. They will even give you a one month free trial. Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Join Amazon Prime – Watch Over 40,000 Movies

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

October 15, 2013