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  • Very Casual Entertaining Is a Very Good Thing!

    Who made having friends over to your place for a meal, an afternoon, or an evening a major event? Was it Martha Stewart who decided that everything in your home must be upgraded to a state of designer perfection before you can entertain? Was it HGTV with House Hunters who turn up their snobby, little noses at any kitchen lacking granite and stainless steel? Was it the Facebook culture of one-upmanship?

    IMG_9615

    We have this kind of setting when we rent a very nice vacation apartment. The rest of the time our home looks lived-in.

    Get Over It!

    Yes there are people who have perfect homes where they hold carefully planned, sit-down dinners and well-managed fundraisers for their favorite charities. However I’ll bet your friends would have more fun sitting on your living room floor playing with your dog and sharing a pulled-together meal of what everyone happened to have in their pantry or refrigerator.

    Times they are a changin’. Kindness, warmth, and friendship are a currency in high demand. Most of us will gladly take those gifts over a house tour of perfection and a competitive meal designed to show off chef-level skills.

    Unspecified-1

    Leading the Way

    One of the newest magazine success stories is Spoonful magazine which subheads itself as “A Guide to Food & Laughter.” Writing for Mother Nature Network, Robin Shreeves describes the publication as, “… inspiration for when people gather in my home and I practice my scruffy hospitality.”

    IMG_2583

    This quick roof deck evening with friends came together with some appetizers and cheese from Trader Joe's and a bottle of wine that was in our wine rack!

    What Is Scruffy Hospitality?

    In a related article, Shreeves quotes the Rev. Jack King who explains, “Scruffy hospitality means you’re not waiting for everything in your house to be in order before you host and serve friends in your home. Scruffy hospitality means you hunger more for good conversation and serving a simple meal of what you have, not what you don’t have. Scruffy hospitality means you’re more interested in quality conversation than the impression your home or lawn makes. If we only share meals with friends when we’re excellent, we aren’t truly sharing life together.”

    IMG_3103

    You can also take a walk together and pick up a lunch. The friends visiting from out of the area wanted lobster rolls, so we all went to Luke's Lobster and brought home a feast.

    What’s more …

    Who cares who hosted the last time? We all remember when growing up there was one house that was a gathering place for most of the kids in the neighborhood. In most families there is one person who does most of the hosting. As long as everyone pitched in with food and helped out, no one seemed to mind.

    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: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

    Related articles
    Simple Spring Supper: Asparagus & Eggs

  • Very Casual Entertaining Is a Very Good Thing!

    Who made having friends over to your place for a meal, an afternoon, or an evening a major event? Was it Martha Stewart who decided that everything in your home must be upgraded to a state of designer perfection before you can entertain? Was it HGTV with House Hunters who turn up their snobby, little noses at any kitchen lacking granite and stainless steel? Was it the Facebook culture of one-upmanship?

    IMG_9615

    We have this kind of setting when we rent a very nice vacation apartment. The rest of the time our home looks lived-in.

    Get Over It!

    Yes there are people who have perfect homes where they hold carefully planned, sit-down dinners and well-managed fundraisers for their favorite charities. However I’ll bet your friends would have more fun sitting on your living room floor playing with your dog and sharing a pulled-together meal of what everyone happened to have in their pantry or refrigerator.

    Times they are a changin’. Kindness, warmth, and friendship are a currency in high demand. Most of us will gladly take those gifts over a house tour of perfection and a competitive meal designed to show off chef-level skills.

    Unspecified-1

    Leading the Way

    One of the newest magazine success stories is Spoonful magazine which subheads itself as “A Guide to Food & Laughter.” Writing for Mother Nature Network, Robin Shreeves describes the publication as, “… inspiration for when people gather in my home and I practice my scruffy hospitality.”

    IMG_2583

    This quick roof deck evening with friends came together with some appetizers and cheese from Trader Joe's and a bottle of wine that was in our wine rack!

    What Is Scruffy Hospitality?

    In a related article, Shreeves quotes the Rev. Jack King who explains, “Scruffy hospitality means you’re not waiting for everything in your house to be in order before you host and serve friends in your home. Scruffy hospitality means you hunger more for good conversation and serving a simple meal of what you have, not what you don’t have. Scruffy hospitality means you’re more interested in quality conversation than the impression your home or lawn makes. If we only share meals with friends when we’re excellent, we aren’t truly sharing life together.”

    IMG_3103

    You can also take a walk together and pick up a lunch. The friends visiting from out of the area wanted lobster rolls, so we all went to Luke's Lobster and brought home a feast.

    What’s more …

    Who cares who hosted the last time? We all remember when growing up there was one house that was a gathering place for most of the kids in the neighborhood. In most families there is one person who does most of the hosting. As long as everyone pitched in with food and helped out, no one seemed to mind.

    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: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her Fresh & Local newspaper columns.)

    Related articles
    Simple Spring Supper: Asparagus & Eggs

  • Fog Makes a Great Backdrop for the Soldiers and Sailors Monument

    IMG_2503 copy

    "Truth is the torch that gleams through the fog without dispelling it." Claude Adrien Helvétius

    About Photo Tales & Quotes: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Photo Tales & Quotes is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.
    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: © 2017 Penny Cherubino  

  • Fog Makes a Great Backdrop for the Soldiers and Sailors Monument

    IMG_2503 copy

    "Truth is the torch that gleams through the fog without dispelling it." Claude Adrien Helvétius

    About Photo Tales & Quotes: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Photo Tales & Quotes is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.
    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: © 2017 Penny Cherubino  

  • Prong or Choke Collars Now Illegal in Some Places

    Recently Toronto enacted a few new laws that canine guardians will want to know about should you be traveling there with your dog. 

    • "No person shall use a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device at any time on a dog" (this does not apply to martingale collars)
    • "… no person shall keep an animal tethered where a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device forms part of the tether.
    • "No person shall tether an animal unsupervised for longer than one hour."

    IMG_2396

    Here's our pal Marley in a nice, wide martingale collar. These are designed for dogs who could pull out of a collar because they have a narrow head. She is also very well trained and walks politely beside us. In this photo, she's watching a squirrel. 

    Cheers for Toronto!

    They are not alone in this action. If you plan to travel this summer with your dog, you should check to see if something still allowed in this area is illegal where you are visiting.

    PINCH_COLLAR_Featured-624x406

    What You May Not Know About Choke/Prong Collars

    Think about your dog’s anatomy and important body parts that are just under the skin on their neck. W. Jean Dodds, DVM, one of the leading experts on thyroid disease in dogs says, “The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ just in front of the larynx and trachea, and the mandibular salivary glands are found on the side of the face just below the ears. Thus, they can be easily injured by trauma and sudden pressure forces (like could occur from the slip ring and chain of metal collar, and a metal prong or hard braided leather collar). A harness or ‘gentle leader’ type collar is preferred these days, especially for strong dogs that like to pull and lunge out when on a standard collar and leash.”

    Naturally, your leash should be short, strong, and always attached to the dog when you are not in a legal, off-leash recreation space. Since the training goal is to have your dog walk quietly by your side, there is no reason to use dangerous extendable leashes. We avoid walking near anyone who uses one since we’ve seen the damage they can do to dogs and people. Dogs on these devices are uncontrolled and unpredictable.

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

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino except choke collar which is courtesy of Positively.com

    Related articles
    My Little Sunday Dog …
    A Sunday Beach Dog Playing on the Tidal Flats

  • Prong or Choke Collars Now Illegal in Some Places

    Recently Toronto enacted a few new laws that canine guardians will want to know about should you be traveling there with your dog. 

    • "No person shall use a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device at any time on a dog" (this does not apply to martingale collars)
    • "… no person shall keep an animal tethered where a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or any similar device forms part of the tether.
    • "No person shall tether an animal unsupervised for longer than one hour."

    IMG_2396

    Here's our pal Marley in a nice, wide martingale collar. These are designed for dogs who could pull out of a collar because they have a narrow head. She is also very well trained and walks politely beside us. In this photo, she's watching a squirrel. 

    Cheers for Toronto!

    They are not alone in this action. If you plan to travel this summer with your dog, you should check to see if something still allowed in this area is illegal where you are visiting.

    PINCH_COLLAR_Featured-624x406

    What You May Not Know About Choke/Prong Collars

    Think about your dog’s anatomy and important body parts that are just under the skin on their neck. W. Jean Dodds, DVM, one of the leading experts on thyroid disease in dogs says, “The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ just in front of the larynx and trachea, and the mandibular salivary glands are found on the side of the face just below the ears. Thus, they can be easily injured by trauma and sudden pressure forces (like could occur from the slip ring and chain of metal collar, and a metal prong or hard braided leather collar). A harness or ‘gentle leader’ type collar is preferred these days, especially for strong dogs that like to pull and lunge out when on a standard collar and leash.”

    Naturally, your leash should be short, strong, and always attached to the dog when you are not in a legal, off-leash recreation space. Since the training goal is to have your dog walk quietly by your side, there is no reason to use dangerous extendable leashes. We avoid walking near anyone who uses one since we’ve seen the damage they can do to dogs and people. Dogs on these devices are uncontrolled and unpredictable.

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

    Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino except choke collar which is courtesy of Positively.com

    Related articles
    My Little Sunday Dog …
    A Sunday Beach Dog Playing on the Tidal Flats

  • Go on a Good Food Hunt with Edible Boston’s Spring 2017 Issue

    Forget the Easter Eggs that are already on store shelves! Hunt down this edition of Edible Boston. It's full of the people, places, flavors, recipes, and products that you will want to add to your shopping list or make for dinner. 

    17218345_1640179672677663_2177726107856577295_o

    In her Letter from the Editor, managing editor Sarah Blackburn hits a welcome note when she writes, "Put your feet up, turn off the news and read about ice cream, bagels, a beer-making farm and a lesson in historical cooking at a living museum."

    She continues to encourage us not only to "Eat Local," but also to join the Edible team and use the hashtag #EatLocalMA on social media. 

    IMG_7373-COLLAGE

    We have Post-It notes marking pages with articles on making cheese at home, celebrating spring with a picnic, and recipes for using those wonderful first greens of spring.

    Read with Shopping List in Hand

    As much as we think we may know about the local food scene, our preview copy is already dog-eared to return to articles and advertisements for local food suppliers. We've learned to read this publication with my shopping list in hand. 

     

    Support the Talented Edible Boston Team

    First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

    May we suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on facebook and, in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

    And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Covershot & photos: Courtesy of Edible Boston

    Related articles
    Sunday Cat Sophia Says, "Let me in Whee-ooh …"
    Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!
    Get Ready for Your First Visit to the Boston Public Market
    Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

  • Go on a Good Food Hunt with Edible Boston’s Spring 2017 Issue

    Forget the Easter Eggs that are already on store shelves! Hunt down this edition of Edible Boston. It's full of the people, places, flavors, recipes, and products that you will want to add to your shopping list or make for dinner. 

    17218345_1640179672677663_2177726107856577295_o

    In her Letter from the Editor, managing editor Sarah Blackburn hits a welcome note when she writes, "Put your feet up, turn off the news and read about ice cream, bagels, a beer-making farm and a lesson in historical cooking at a living museum."

    She continues to encourage us not only to "Eat Local," but also to join the Edible team and use the hashtag #EatLocalMA on social media. 

    IMG_7373-COLLAGE

    We have Post-It notes marking pages with articles on making cheese at home, celebrating spring with a picnic, and recipes for using those wonderful first greens of spring.

    Read with Shopping List in Hand

    As much as we think we may know about the local food scene, our preview copy is already dog-eared to return to articles and advertisements for local food suppliers. We've learned to read this publication with my shopping list in hand. 

     

    Support the Talented Edible Boston Team

    First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

    May we suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on facebook and, in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

    And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Covershot & photos: Courtesy of Edible Boston

    Related articles
    Sunday Cat Sophia Says, "Let me in Whee-ooh …"
    Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!
    Get Ready for Your First Visit to the Boston Public Market
    Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

  • Keep Watch on Our Public Art – John Glover Sword Repair

    Last week Penny noticed John Glover's sword moving in the wind. 

    IMG_2388.CR2

    Using a camera to take a closer look, we could see that the sword was slipping from its hilt. We sent the photo to the person at the Friends of the Public Garden who could check it and arrange a repair if needed. (Here is the contact page.)

    Of course, this contact only works for the three parks where the sculpture is in the care of this organization. For artwork in other parts of the city, you should report your concerns to Boston 311.

    IMG_2409.CR2

    Thanks to the many people who have donated to the Henry Lee Conservation Fund through the Friends. The public art on the Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall have a very dedicated Collections Manager in Sara Hutt. 

    She had the conservators from Daedalus, Inc. out working on a repair quickly. Here they were assessing the damage, photographing it, and checking in with other members of the team to decide how to approach the restoration.

    IMG_2414.CR2

    And, here is the restored sword in its proper position.

    Related Post:

    Celebrate Patriot John Glover on His Birthday

     

    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: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Who Are the Men Depicted in These Profiles on Boston's Statue of Alexander Hamilton? – BostonZest
    Boston Common Off-Leash Area on the Move! – BostonZest
    A Weekend for Reflection – BostonZest

  • Keep Watch on Our Public Art – John Glover Sword Repair

    Last week Penny noticed John Glover's sword moving in the wind. 

    IMG_2388.CR2

    Using a camera to take a closer look, we could see that the sword was slipping from its hilt. We sent the photo to the person at the Friends of the Public Garden who could check it and arrange a repair if needed. (Here is the contact page.)

    Of course, this contact only works for the three parks where the sculpture is in the care of this organization. For artwork in other parts of the city, you should report your concerns to Boston 311.

    IMG_2409.CR2

    Thanks to the many people who have donated to the Henry Lee Conservation Fund through the Friends. The public art on the Boston Common, Boston Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall have a very dedicated Collections Manager in Sara Hutt. 

    She had the conservators from Daedalus, Inc. out working on a repair quickly. Here they were assessing the damage, photographing it, and checking in with other members of the team to decide how to approach the restoration.

    IMG_2414.CR2

    And, here is the restored sword in its proper position.

    Related Post:

    Celebrate Patriot John Glover on His Birthday

     

    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: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Who Are the Men Depicted in These Profiles on Boston's Statue of Alexander Hamilton? – BostonZest
    Boston Common Off-Leash Area on the Move! – BostonZest
    A Weekend for Reflection – BostonZest