Author: Ed

Seafood Feast for Christmas Eve

Lobster photo by Man Pikin. Link in details below.

While you may think of lobster as summer fare, around our house it's a Christmas Eve tradition. Think about it, the reason Maine Lobster is so good is those freezing cold waters that make swimming from Maine’s ocean beaches a shocking experience. This time of year, water temperatures drop throughout our area and lobsters have better flavor.

Our Lobsters will come from James Hook & Company (below) on the Waterfront.

Do you have a traditional Christmas Eve meal? Please share it with us and our readers in the comments or via Twitter.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

For many Italian families, the Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes, or La Vigilia di Natale, is a tradition. And, because preparing this meal at home can be daunting for the cook, it’s a good time to invite guests who will bring a dish or help in the kitchen – especially if your family’s version actually calls for 9, 11, or 13 fishes.

(Update 12.20.12 @ 5:12 pm) Just found this coversation over on Chowhound's Boston Board about other places doing the Feast with some reviews on past feasts. Feast of the Seven Fishes on Chowhound

Get the Salt Cod Early

One element of most traditional Christmas Eve feasts is salt cod or baccalà. This is the one product you need to buy right away. Soaking it, to rehydrate and remove the salt, can be a long process and is best begun at least a couple of days before you plan to use it.

We’ve purchased excellent salt cod from Salumeria Italiana in the North End. Baccalà is one of those products you want to buy from a trusted specialty shop or fishmonger. There's a very wide range of salt cod quality and if this is for a special occasion, why not buy from someone who's made sure you will have the best.

There was a discussion with Boston Chowhounds about a good place to buy salt cod, earlier this year. Lots of good advice there.

Join a Restaurant Feast

For the non-cooks, there are area restaurants serving their versions of the feast this year. Grotto in Beacon Hill has had rave reviews of their special feast menu in past years. Sister restaurant Marliave is also joining in the feasting with their own version.

Other places for fish feasting are Dante in Cambridge, Davio’s in the Theatre District, and Legal Harborside out in the Seaport area. The North End’s Neptune Oyster is doing it tonight (12.20.12) for those who have to be elsewhere on Christmas Eve. For all these places, reservations are recommended.

Upddate 12.20.12 one of our favorite places, Coppa has added a feast and they are doing prixe fixe or a la carte.

Make Up Your Own

You might decide to have your own taylor made seafood feast during the holidays. You can buy and cook your favorite fish or dine out choosing the menu items that appeal to you. Another option is meeting up with friends at a great seafood restaurant like Island Creek Oyster Bar and sharing a bunch of items that appeal to the group. That could help nudge you out of your seafood comfort zone.

The nice thing about menus for this holiday is that they are less prescribed, letting you start your own traditions. Let us know what you decide to create for your own Chistmas eve menu.

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: Lobster photo by Man Pikin. Used under this creative commons license.

Crab photo: © 2012 Penny Cherubino James Hook photo: © 2008 Penny 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.

Related articles

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining in Boston 2012

Christmas in Italy

One fish, two fish: Seven fishes for Christmas

December 20, 2012
The Great Phone Book Dump Is Underway!

For the next few weeks, we'll be looking at piles of phone books as they disintegrate on doorsteps around the city. Another year has passed without a law that would require these businesses to change to an opt-in system. Naturally, the pubishers are fighting this at all levels, even calling phone books free speech.

Large buildings will pay employees to move the material from where it was dumped to the recycling or trash area and then out for curbside pick up. In smaller buildings or those with absentee landlords, the materials will sit through rain, snow, and ice becoming more of an eyesore each day until someone volunteers to trash them.

What will seldom happen is for one of these books to be invited into someone's home and used for something other than paint brush cleaning or craft projects. Perhaps we could get the artists in the city to come and take the phone books away for use as raw material for art projects.

The Boston based Product Stewardship Insititue had taken the lead in working for a solution to this problem. They have a page devoted to what you can do about phone books.

Related Posts:

Phone Book Attack: Here's an Opt-Out Link

Another use for Yellow Pages????

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: © 2011 Penny 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.

Related articles

When Will We Finally See the Death of the Phone Book?

Not the Package Label to Leave on a City Doorstep…

Citizen complaint of the day: Why are the suburbs dumping their crappy news boxes in Boston?

December 19, 2012
The Great Phone Book Dump Is Underway!

For the next few weeks, we'll be looking at piles of phone books as they disintegrate on doorsteps around the city. Another year has passed without a law that would require these businesses to change to an opt-in system. Naturally, the pubishers are fighting this at all levels, even calling phone books free speech.

Large buildings will pay employees to move the material from where it was dumped to the recycling or trash area and then out for curbside pick up. In smaller buildings or those with absentee landlords, the materials will sit through rain, snow, and ice becoming more of an eyesore each day until someone volunteers to trash them.

What will seldom happen is for one of these books to be invited into someone's home and used for something other than paint brush cleaning or craft projects. Perhaps we could get the artists in the city to come and take the phone books away for use as raw material for art projects.

The Boston based Product Stewardship Insititue had taken the lead in working for a solution to this problem. They have a page devoted to what you can do about phone books.

Related Posts:

Phone Book Attack: Here's an Opt-Out Link

Another use for Yellow Pages????

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: © 2011 Penny 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.

Related articles

When Will We Finally See the Death of the Phone Book?

Not the Package Label to Leave on a City Doorstep…

Citizen complaint of the day: Why are the suburbs dumping their crappy news boxes in Boston?

December 19, 2012
Gift Ideas: 5 Little Kitchen Luxuries We’re Glad We Bought

Think of the things you use all the time in your kitchen but had to think about before buying, because they were little luxuries. We bet there are a few that fall into "things you don't know how you did without."

These items can give you ideas for great gifts for those close to you or something to splurge on with a gift certificate. Please tell us what falls into that group for you in the comments section or on twitter.

For us, here are 5 things that we love and don't regret spending the money on for a single moment. In fact, some of these have saved us money in the long run.

1. Home Espresso Machine

Ours is a Breville Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
that we've had since 2008. Since buying this, we've had our coffee drinks at home most of the time and that's saved us hundreds of dollars we would have spent at coffee shops. We actually bought a reconditioned unit so it cost us much less than a new one. You can look for bargains like this at the Amazon Warehouse Sale.

2. Burr Coffee Grinder

If you are chopping coffee beans with a blade coffee mill, think about saving that for spices and trading up to a burr grinder. We decided on the Capresso 565 Infinity Conical Burr Grinder. You can pay more for a more serious grinder or you can use more human power and buy a hand cranked item. Those are also great to use on the road. One example is the Hario Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder.



3. Good Quality Heavy Pots and Pans

Over the years, we've replaced the thin-walled pans we thought were a great buy when we set up housekeeping, with heavy, substantial pans from Le Creuset and All-Clad. No more burnt, scorched food or pans, and more home cooking which does save cash.



4. Great Wine & Barware Glasses

This is one area where we've gone a bit overboard and have too many great wine glasses for people who live in a small space. We have Riedel wine glasses, Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal glasses and Reed & Barton barware. We both use crystal double old fashioned glasses as our daily water glass and it really gives drinking your water a lift. Anyone want to buy some glassware? One 2013 resolution is to thin our collection.



5. Wedgwood Nantucket Basket Bone China for our everyday dinnerware. You've seen it all over these pages in our food photos. We were tired of replacing our everyday dinnerware every few years because of chips, crazing, and broken dishes. But, since Penny had once sold china for a living, she knew that bone china is vitrified like steel and is highly resistant to these problems.

We invested in a service for 8 about 16 years ago and have only had two or three pieces replaced since then. Since it's all white with no gold, silver, or pattern to damage, it is totally dishwasher safe. And, it looks great on our table. A little luxury with a long life span.

Remember, we'd love to hear what's on your list of the top 5 kitchen luxuries that you don't regret buying. Send us a tweet or post a comment.

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

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.

Related articles

The Secrets To Making a Spectacular Cup of Coffee: The Best Barista Reveals All! – Food News

10 Gifts for Coffee Lovers – Holiday Gift Guide from The Kitchn

Would you spend $40 a pound for a killer cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee?

Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork

Formaggio Kitchen's "Staff Picks" 2012 – Friday Link

December 18, 2012
Gift Ideas: 5 Little Kitchen Luxuries We’re Glad We Bought

Think of the things you use all the time in your kitchen but had to think about before buying, because they were little luxuries. We bet there are a few that fall into "things you don't know how you did without."

These items can give you ideas for great gifts for those close to you or something to splurge on with a gift certificate. Please tell us what falls into that group for you in the comments section or on twitter.

For us, here are 5 things that we love and don't regret spending the money on for a single moment. In fact, some of these have saved us money in the long run.

1. Home Espresso Machine

Ours is a Breville Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
that we've had since 2008. Since buying this, we've had our coffee drinks at home most of the time and that's saved us hundreds of dollars we would have spent at coffee shops. We actually bought a reconditioned unit so it cost us much less than a new one. You can look for bargains like this at the Amazon Warehouse Sale.

2. Burr Coffee Grinder

If you are chopping coffee beans with a blade coffee mill, think about saving that for spices and trading up to a burr grinder. We decided on the Capresso 565 Infinity Conical Burr Grinder. You can pay more for a more serious grinder or you can use more human power and buy a hand cranked item. Those are also great to use on the road. One example is the Hario Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder.



3. Good Quality Heavy Pots and Pans

Over the years, we've replaced the thin-walled pans we thought were a great buy when we set up housekeeping, with heavy, substantial pans from Le Creuset and All-Clad. No more burnt, scorched food or pans, and more home cooking which does save cash.



4. Great Wine & Barware Glasses

This is one area where we've gone a bit overboard and have too many great wine glasses for people who live in a small space. We have Riedel wine glasses, Schott Zwiesel Tritan Crystal glasses and Reed & Barton barware. We both use crystal double old fashioned glasses as our daily water glass and it really gives drinking your water a lift. Anyone want to buy some glassware? One 2013 resolution is to thin our collection.



5. Wedgwood Nantucket Basket Bone China for our everyday dinnerware. You've seen it all over these pages in our food photos. We were tired of replacing our everyday dinnerware every few years because of chips, crazing, and broken dishes. But, since Penny had once sold china for a living, she knew that bone china is vitrified like steel and is highly resistant to these problems.

We invested in a service for 8 about 16 years ago and have only had two or three pieces replaced since then. Since it's all white with no gold, silver, or pattern to damage, it is totally dishwasher safe. And, it looks great on our table. A little luxury with a long life span.

Remember, we'd love to hear what's on your list of the top 5 kitchen luxuries that you don't regret buying. Send us a tweet or post a comment.

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

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.

Related articles

The Secrets To Making a Spectacular Cup of Coffee: The Best Barista Reveals All! – Food News

10 Gifts for Coffee Lovers – Holiday Gift Guide from The Kitchn

Would you spend $40 a pound for a killer cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee?

Surryano Ham from Virginia is Peanut-Fed Berkshire Pork

Formaggio Kitchen's "Staff Picks" 2012 – Friday Link

December 18, 2012
What’s Open in Boston New Year’s Eve and Day & MBTA Schedules 2012 – 2013
This is an outdated post. Click the link below for the latest information:

What's Open in Boston New Year's Eve and Day & MBTA Schedules 2015 – 2016 plus Parking, Trash & More

Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on New Year's Day and the MBTA schedules for New Year's Eve December 31, 2012 and New Year's Day, January 1, 2013.

What's closed? Do I have to feed the parking meters? What about street sweeping? Are the liquor stores and packies open? When do I put out my trash? And, what changes are there to the MBTA schedules? We have the answers for you, all organized in one post!

Some businesses close early on New Year's Eve but with the crowds expected for First Night, others, especially those in the hospitality business, stay open. Call before you leave if you plan to visit a business on the 31st.

Here's what we've learned about January 1st, 2013 – New Year's Day

Restaurants, bars: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Here's a link to our post on restaurants that are open for the celebration: Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2012 and New Years Day in Boston

Convenience stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Supermarkets: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

More after the ad…

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!

Make your own holiday wish come true. Find the gift you really want on Amazon! And, by starting from here, you'll be supporting BostonZest and keeping the information flowing your way.

Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

Boston Trash Collection: The announcement from Public Works from the Recycling & Trash Holiday Collection Schedule:
"Tuesday, January 1 | 7am – Saturday, January 5, 2013 | 5pm

New Years 2013
- Monday December 31st. Regular trash and recycling for all sections of the City.
- Tuesday January 1, 2013. Bay Village Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Lower Roxbury, Mission Hill, North End, South End, and Sections of Back Bay: regular schedule, no delays.
- Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, South Boston, West Roxbury. Regular schedule on Monday, December 31st. Delayed a day on, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
- *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."
MBTA Schedule Changes for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day-

MBTA has full information up on their events page. (If you are coming to this post after the holiday, that page will have changed.)

Here are the important points for New Year's Eve, Monday, December 31, 2012
The Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on a modified weekday schedule

The Siver Line will run on a weekday schedule

The Commuter Rail will run on a modified weekday schedule – the last trains out are listed here

Buses, trackless trolleys, and Express buses will run on a regular weekday schedule

Boats: Charlestown will operate a regular weekday schedule; others a modified weekday schedule

The Ride will operate on a regular weekday schedule with extended hours until 2:30 a.m.
Here are the important points for New Year's Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Silver, Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on Sunday Schedule

Some Commuter Rail lines will run on a Sunday schedule. Fairmount, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham will not operate.

Buses will run on a Sunday schedule with a long list of buses not operating. Check those here.

Boats will not operate

The Ride will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For more information call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TTY 617-222-5146) or visit the MBTA website."
Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © iStockphoto

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.
December 17, 2012
What’s Open in Boston New Year’s Eve and Day & MBTA Schedules 2012 – 2013
This is an outdated post. Click the link below for the latest information:

What's Open in Boston New Year's Eve and Day & MBTA Schedules 2015 – 2016 plus Parking, Trash & More

Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on New Year's Day and the MBTA schedules for New Year's Eve December 31, 2012 and New Year's Day, January 1, 2013.

What's closed? Do I have to feed the parking meters? What about street sweeping? Are the liquor stores and packies open? When do I put out my trash? And, what changes are there to the MBTA schedules? We have the answers for you, all organized in one post!

Some businesses close early on New Year's Eve but with the crowds expected for First Night, others, especially those in the hospitality business, stay open. Call before you leave if you plan to visit a business on the 31st.

Here's what we've learned about January 1st, 2013 – New Year's Day

Restaurants, bars: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Here's a link to our post on restaurants that are open for the celebration: Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2012 and New Years Day in Boston

Convenience stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Supermarkets: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

More after the ad…

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!

Make your own holiday wish come true. Find the gift you really want on Amazon! And, by starting from here, you'll be supporting BostonZest and keeping the information flowing your way.

Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

Boston Trash Collection: The announcement from Public Works from the Recycling & Trash Holiday Collection Schedule:
"Tuesday, January 1 | 7am – Saturday, January 5, 2013 | 5pm

New Years 2013
- Monday December 31st. Regular trash and recycling for all sections of the City.
- Tuesday January 1, 2013. Bay Village Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Lower Roxbury, Mission Hill, North End, South End, and Sections of Back Bay: regular schedule, no delays.
- Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, South Boston, West Roxbury. Regular schedule on Monday, December 31st. Delayed a day on, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
- *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."
MBTA Schedule Changes for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day-

MBTA has full information up on their events page. (If you are coming to this post after the holiday, that page will have changed.)

Here are the important points for New Year's Eve, Monday, December 31, 2012
The Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on a modified weekday schedule

The Siver Line will run on a weekday schedule

The Commuter Rail will run on a modified weekday schedule – the last trains out are listed here

Buses, trackless trolleys, and Express buses will run on a regular weekday schedule

Boats: Charlestown will operate a regular weekday schedule; others a modified weekday schedule

The Ride will operate on a regular weekday schedule with extended hours until 2:30 a.m.
Here are the important points for New Year's Day, Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Silver, Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on Sunday Schedule

Some Commuter Rail lines will run on a Sunday schedule. Fairmount, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham will not operate.

Buses will run on a Sunday schedule with a long list of buses not operating. Check those here.

Boats will not operate

The Ride will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For more information call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TTY 617-222-5146) or visit the MBTA website."
Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © iStockphoto

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.
December 17, 2012
“Life is a Toy” for Our Sunday Dogs and Cat

This week, we have two Sunday Dogs and one Sunday Cat coming your way with a special request.

Our own little girl Poppy has put on her best "Please, Please, Please!" face for this post. She was playing with some scraps of paper the other day and Ed laughed about how easily she was entertained, "Life is a toy!" he said. He is right.

Happy, healthy dogs and cats do think that life is a toy and they have great fun playing with their people and other creatures. So, Duchess Poppy is asking that you take some of the money you would spend on dog toys as holiday gifts and give a little to the people who help animals less fortunate than she happens to be.

That's Toto the Tornado Kitten under the Christmas tree. He's made a career of fundraising for the Animal Rescue League of Boston. They saved his life and found a perfect home for him. We wrote about Toto last summer.

We met Toby at an MSPCA event this year. Now tell me, can you resist those eyes and his request that you support his favorite animal welfare cause?

You may have your own favorite animal charity. Perhaps it's the rescue group or shelter that brought a wonderful companion into your life. We have a lot of friends who support Greyhound rescue groups. Over the years, we've been helped by a great non-profit called WestieMed when we've had rescued Westies in our care. We think of them when we have occasions to give a donation.

Here are the direct links to the donations pages of three options.

WestieMed

The MSPCA

ARLBoston

We will be giving in the names of our three girls – two gone but not forgotten, Sassy and Maggie Mae – and our dear, little puppy Poppy!

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: © 2012 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.

Related articles

Sunday Dog, Zoe – the Cutest "Morkie" We've Ever Met!

Sunday Dog, Ruby – Just Call Her "Perfect"

Sunday Dog, Mack – an OEB that Loves to Snuggle!

"Norman" Aces Sunday Dog Audition!

A Sunday Dog Alert on 911 Emergency Calls

December 16, 2012
“Life is a Toy” for Our Sunday Dogs and Cat

This week, we have two Sunday Dogs and one Sunday Cat coming your way with a special request.

Our own little girl Poppy has put on her best "Please, Please, Please!" face for this post. She was playing with some scraps of paper the other day and Ed laughed about how easily she was entertained, "Life is a toy!" he said. He is right.

Happy, healthy dogs and cats do think that life is a toy and they have great fun playing with their people and other creatures. So, Duchess Poppy is asking that you take some of the money you would spend on dog toys as holiday gifts and give a little to the people who help animals less fortunate than she happens to be.

That's Toto the Tornado Kitten under the Christmas tree. He's made a career of fundraising for the Animal Rescue League of Boston. They saved his life and found a perfect home for him. We wrote about Toto last summer.

We met Toby at an MSPCA event this year. Now tell me, can you resist those eyes and his request that you support his favorite animal welfare cause?

You may have your own favorite animal charity. Perhaps it's the rescue group or shelter that brought a wonderful companion into your life. We have a lot of friends who support Greyhound rescue groups. Over the years, we've been helped by a great non-profit called WestieMed when we've had rescued Westies in our care. We think of them when we have occasions to give a donation.

Here are the direct links to the donations pages of three options.

WestieMed

The MSPCA

ARLBoston

We will be giving in the names of our three girls – two gone but not forgotten, Sassy and Maggie Mae – and our dear, little puppy Poppy!

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: © 2012 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.

Related articles

Sunday Dog, Zoe – the Cutest "Morkie" We've Ever Met!

Sunday Dog, Ruby – Just Call Her "Perfect"

Sunday Dog, Mack – an OEB that Loves to Snuggle!

"Norman" Aces Sunday Dog Audition!

A Sunday Dog Alert on 911 Emergency Calls

December 16, 2012
City Sidewalks, Pretty Sidewalks, Dressed in Holiday Style…

This is the season to walk the sidewalks of Commonwealth Avenue in the Back Bay and admire the beautiful holiday decorations. This doorway is on the Arlington to Berkeley Block.

If you happen to be near here on December 20th from 5-6pm, you may hear the Back Bay Bell Ringers performing at the entrance to the Commonwealth Avenue Mall on Arlington Street.

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: © 2012 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.

December 15, 2012