Author: Ed

Sunday Dog, Buster Arrives in Boston!

This Sunday, we couldn’t resist introducing you to Boston’s newest arrival – Buster! We met this affectionate, little guy the other day as he was exploring his new surroundings.

Having said goodbye to L.A. only a few short weeks ago, it’ll obviously take some time to feel comfortable here. Of course, when you’re as friendly and laid-back as Buster, how long could it possibly take?

Our Poppy, who’s still learning her way around the city, wasted no time in pointing Buster toward some of her favorite sniff spots that reveal some of the neighborhood’s unique characteristics – a sort of “terrier terroir!”

At four years old, this amazingly cute Affenpinscher, who we think could’ve given “Banana Joe” (this year’s Best-in-Show at Westminster) a run for his money, is already adapting quite well. Buster has calmly made it through the 4th of July fireworks, found a favorite toy at Fish & Bone, and is looking forward to his first Pawsh grooming.

You’re on your way, Buster!

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

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Words: 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.

July 14, 2013
Weather Underground for Local Boston Weather Resources

When storms are brewing and I need to decide what to wear or what to pack in my day bag, I turn to Weather Underground. They've put the local in local weather by allowing you to choose the weather station you want as your source of information.

My hyperlocal weather on the site comes from the top of MIT's Green Building. I can see it from my home. That is a full weather station on the roof including a radar dome in the photo above. Weather station ID # KMACAMBR9 will give you weather observations from this site.

Here in Boston, there is sometimes a big difference in the weather for the Boston area and the weather for your neighborhood. The airport temperature, surrounded as it is by the ocean, and the temperature in the Back Bay or Allston can be different.

25,000 Weather Stations

Weather Underground has a database of 25,000 weather stations. You can choose one near you at home or away. You can keep track of the weather where family and friends live or while you make plans for an upcoming trip.

Almanac & Historic Data

Once you enter a location, you'll see a tab for Today's Almanac. Here's mine. This gives you perspective as the weather "personalities" hype their latest record-setting something or other.

Wundermap®

Once you set up Weather Underground, you can click over to their Wundermap® and set it up to see the local weather stations in your area on a radar map in real-time. Add the layers you like and that are of concern to you under the current situation.

I use other weather sites as well, but the localization of this one makes it a favorite. As I sense that more and more of the weather reporting on local tv is over-hyped and designed to keep you coming back for more information, I trust those sources less and less and turn to sites like this to do my research and make my determination of how serious a weather situation actually is.

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 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.

July 12, 2013
Weather Underground for Local Boston Weather Resources

When storms are brewing and I need to decide what to wear or what to pack in my day bag, I turn to Weather Underground. They've put the local in local weather by allowing you to choose the weather station you want as your source of information.

My hyperlocal weather on the site comes from the top of MIT's Green Building. I can see it from my home. That is a full weather station on the roof including a radar dome in the photo above. Weather station ID # KMACAMBR9 will give you weather observations from this site.

Here in Boston, there is sometimes a big difference in the weather for the Boston area and the weather for your neighborhood. The airport temperature, surrounded as it is by the ocean, and the temperature in the Back Bay or Allston can be different.

25,000 Weather Stations

Weather Underground has a database of 25,000 weather stations. You can choose one near you at home or away. You can keep track of the weather where family and friends live or while you make plans for an upcoming trip.

Almanac & Historic Data

Once you enter a location, you'll see a tab for Today's Almanac. Here's mine. This gives you perspective as the weather "personalities" hype their latest record-setting something or other.

Wundermap®

Once you set up Weather Underground, you can click over to their Wundermap® and set it up to see the local weather stations in your area on a radar map in real-time. Add the layers you like and that are of concern to you under the current situation.

I use other weather sites as well, but the localization of this one makes it a favorite. As I sense that more and more of the weather reporting on local tv is over-hyped and designed to keep you coming back for more information, I trust those sources less and less and turn to sites like this to do my research and make my determination of how serious a weather situation actually is.

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 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.

July 12, 2013
Marsh Chapel’s Guastavino Arches

Those beautiful, blue tiles that make up the ceiling of the cloisters on either side of Boston University's Marsh Chapel are the work of Rafael Guastavino.

Ever since the Boston Public Library exhibition, "Palaces for the People: Guastavino and America’s Great Public Spaces” educated us about the masterful work of this brilliant man, we have enjoyed seeing his work in other spaces.

On our last visit, the arches framed a bride waiting to walk down the chapel's aisle. The area around the chapel is a lovely place to take a break, enjoy a picnic, or enjoy the details of the architecture.

Here's more on Guastavino and his work from our earlier post.

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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

July 11, 2013
Marsh Chapel’s Guastavino Arches

Those beautiful, blue tiles that make up the ceiling of the cloisters on either side of Boston University's Marsh Chapel are the work of Rafael Guastavino.

Ever since the Boston Public Library exhibition, "Palaces for the People: Guastavino and America’s Great Public Spaces” educated us about the masterful work of this brilliant man, we have enjoyed seeing his work in other spaces.

On our last visit, the arches framed a bride waiting to walk down the chapel's aisle. The area around the chapel is a lovely place to take a break, enjoy a picnic, or enjoy the details of the architecture.

Here's more on Guastavino and his work from our earlier post.

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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

July 11, 2013
At The Market: Berries & Corn!

It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area.

The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

“The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!"

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

In Season, Right Now!

You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

Coming Soon!

Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports.

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.

July 10, 2013
At The Market: Berries & Corn!

It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area.

The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

“The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!"

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

In Season, Right Now!

You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

Coming Soon!

Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports.

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.

July 10, 2013
Home Made Summer by Yvette Van Boven: Cookbook Recommendation
Somehow the cookbook, Home Made Summer
by Yvette van Boven keeps popping up to the top of my mind and my books to review pile.

I was invited to events surrounding this book by my friends at KitchenWares and Jacqueline Church. Unfortunately, I couldn't make any of them, but I was able to sneak in a lunch with Jacqueline and she presented me with a copy of this tantilizing book. Scanning it on the way home, I was so engrossed that I almost sat through my station on the subway and had to hustle myself off the train.

Last In, First Out

As always with new books, I spent some time reading it that evening and put it in my "read and possibly review" pile. Then, raves for the book started arriving in my social media feeds and I would pull it out again to check out a recipe or look at a larger version of a photo. The photography by Yvette's husband, Oof Verschuren, is fabulous and one more reason to get the book.

Here are a few of the pieces that had me pulling out Home Made Summer and dropping it back on the top of the pile.
- Tammy Donroe over on one of my favorite food blogs, Food on the Food, featured the book and then her version of Yvette's Summertime Crab Cakes.
- That inpired Jacqueline to create a virtual pot luck, "It’s a Summer Solstice Party – Homemade Summer Style," using posts about the book from all over. This was a fun idea!
- Next, I came upon theKitchn's review.
- Then, I found praise for the dessert recipes on Serious Eats.
Before long, I found myself moving Home Made Summer into today's spot in our editorial calendar. I want our readers to have the opportunity to use this book for the rest of the season. Flip through it when you make out your list for the farmers' market and pick it up again when you come home with your seasonal treasures. That's what I've been doing!

This is more than a cookbook. It has the feel of a travel journal through a summer in Europe. It has the warmth of a handwritten letter from a friend. The recipes are honed to include exactly what is needed to deliver the delights of the season without overwhelming the ingredients meant to shine.

The feeling that you have a friend in the kitchen with you tempts you to try your hand at making: "Home Made" Goat's Milk Ricotta, Negroni Fig Pops, or those wonderful preserved lemons on the cover.

I'm seeing figs around town this week so here's a recipe to try.

Negroni Fig Ice Pops
For 4 to 6 Ice Pops

½ cup plus 2 tbsp (150 ml) red vermouth
2 ½ tbsp (40 ml) gin
½ cup (125 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
3 fresh figs
1/3 cup (75 ml) golden syrup or clover honey
- Put everything in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- Pour through a sieve into a bowl with a spout and then pour into 4 to 6 ice pop molds.
- Place in the freezer and push wooden sticks in after 2 hours.
- Freeze for at least another 4 hours, but ideally for 1 day.
- Run the ice pops under hot running water for 3 seconds to unmold them.
What else is on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Cover Art: Courtesy of the Yevette Van Boven

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.
July 9, 2013
Home Made Summer by Yvette Van Boven: Cookbook Recommendation
Somehow the cookbook, Home Made Summer
by Yvette van Boven keeps popping up to the top of my mind and my books to review pile.

I was invited to events surrounding this book by my friends at KitchenWares and Jacqueline Church. Unfortunately, I couldn't make any of them, but I was able to sneak in a lunch with Jacqueline and she presented me with a copy of this tantilizing book. Scanning it on the way home, I was so engrossed that I almost sat through my station on the subway and had to hustle myself off the train.

Last In, First Out

As always with new books, I spent some time reading it that evening and put it in my "read and possibly review" pile. Then, raves for the book started arriving in my social media feeds and I would pull it out again to check out a recipe or look at a larger version of a photo. The photography by Yvette's husband, Oof Verschuren, is fabulous and one more reason to get the book.

Here are a few of the pieces that had me pulling out Home Made Summer and dropping it back on the top of the pile.
- Tammy Donroe over on one of my favorite food blogs, Food on the Food, featured the book and then her version of Yvette's Summertime Crab Cakes.
- That inpired Jacqueline to create a virtual pot luck, "It’s a Summer Solstice Party – Homemade Summer Style," using posts about the book from all over. This was a fun idea!
- Next, I came upon theKitchn's review.
- Then, I found praise for the dessert recipes on Serious Eats.
Before long, I found myself moving Home Made Summer into today's spot in our editorial calendar. I want our readers to have the opportunity to use this book for the rest of the season. Flip through it when you make out your list for the farmers' market and pick it up again when you come home with your seasonal treasures. That's what I've been doing!

This is more than a cookbook. It has the feel of a travel journal through a summer in Europe. It has the warmth of a handwritten letter from a friend. The recipes are honed to include exactly what is needed to deliver the delights of the season without overwhelming the ingredients meant to shine.

The feeling that you have a friend in the kitchen with you tempts you to try your hand at making: "Home Made" Goat's Milk Ricotta, Negroni Fig Pops, or those wonderful preserved lemons on the cover.

I'm seeing figs around town this week so here's a recipe to try.

Negroni Fig Ice Pops
For 4 to 6 Ice Pops

½ cup plus 2 tbsp (150 ml) red vermouth
2 ½ tbsp (40 ml) gin
½ cup (125 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
3 fresh figs
1/3 cup (75 ml) golden syrup or clover honey
- Put everything in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- Pour through a sieve into a bowl with a spout and then pour into 4 to 6 ice pop molds.
- Place in the freezer and push wooden sticks in after 2 hours.
- Freeze for at least another 4 hours, but ideally for 1 day.
- Run the ice pops under hot running water for 3 seconds to unmold them.
What else is on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Cover Art: Courtesy of the Yevette Van Boven

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.
July 9, 2013
Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive: Then and Now

Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Reservation are a perfect destination when you want to grab a Zipcar and spend an hour or two at the shore. We like to go on weekdays when the crowds are moderate and we can relax and enjoy the views back to Boston and out to sea.

Just like in days of old, we pull into one of the angled spaces that line the beachside. (This postcard is from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

The state undertook the creation of this park in 1899 and opened it to the public on May 30, 1908. It was part of the historic Metropolitan Parks System designed to preserve open and natural spaces for Boston area residents.

A Quick Beach Escape

We sit on the seawall and "people watch." (We are not allowed on the beach in summer because we take our dog with us.) We join the constant stream of locals walking the wide 2.3 mile seaside walkway.

And, we have lunch at one of the seasonal beach restaurants across from the beach. The photo above is from Tony's Clam Shop. If the wait for a table on the patio is long, we'll order our meal to go and take it back to the seawall or if we're lucky, dine on a shaded bench.

Here's another postcard view of the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht clubs.

While it is very busy in summer, you'll find people drawn to this place all year long in good weather and on downright nasty days when surf pounds the seawall.

It's just 8.5 miles from downtown Boston. Without a traffic jam, you can be there in 20 minutes. And, if you are willing to walk a bit, it is only a mile from the Wollaston station on the MBTA Red line.

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: © 2013 Ed Cherubino with postcards from the Boston Public Library and a private collection.

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.

July 8, 2013