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Holiday Spirit in Concord & Lexington

A table of fresh, holiday wreaths at Wilson Farm

There’s nothing like a visit to a beautiful New England town, decorated for the holidays, to give you a dose of holiday spirit. Concord and Lexington fit this bill perfectly and you can get a bit of shopping done at the same time.

We spent the early part of the day in Concord. Our puppy Poppy was with us as we walked around the town stopping to window shop and paying our traditional visits to the Concord Shop to pick up a few kitchen items and to the Concord Cheese Shop for a few delicious things to take home.

It was a nice day, so we ordered cups of a great chili from the Main Streets Market & Cafe and dined al fresco. The chili had big pieces of winter squash – an idea Penny plans to copy – and was delicious! It also came with big pieces of cornbread.

Photo by StevenErat used under creative commons license

Concord is a great place to shop with someone who appreciates quality and is looking for a selection that goes beyond the chains. For example, The Grasshopper Shop on Main Street sells clothing and accessories that are selected to appeal to women of all ages.

A stop at Wilson Farm is always on our list when we’re in the area, so we were off to Lexington after lunch. The greenhouses were filled with red, white, and green, and the smell of pine was in the air.

They had gingerbread houses ready to go or with tubes of frosting to do your own decorating. They even had Holiday Gingerbread Decorating Workshops coming up on Thursday.

And, of course, this working farm is always a beautiful place for us city folk to feel more connected with the land. Ed and Poppy relaxed on a bench overlooking the fields and woods while I shopped for our supper.

We recommend a road trip to Concord and Lexington whenever you feel the need to enjoy the taste of small town life. It can be a wonderful alternative to holiday shopping at the mall or a great daytrip with holiday guests.

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 Cherubino, Grasshopper Shop photo by StevenErat here it is on Flickr.

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

Design a Gingerbread House in CAD, then cut pieces with a laser

Spend an Afternoon in Concord, Massachusetts

Brookline Winter Farmers’ Market in the Arcade Building, Coolidge Corner

What’s Open in Boston on Christmas & MBTA Schedules 2012

5 Reasons to Have Cider on Your Holiday Menu

Tip for Cleaning Hands Stained & Sticky from Holiday Greenery

December 11, 2012
Holiday Spirit in Concord & Lexington

A table of fresh, holiday wreaths at Wilson Farm

There’s nothing like a visit to a beautiful New England town, decorated for the holidays, to give you a dose of holiday spirit. Concord and Lexington fit this bill perfectly and you can get a bit of shopping done at the same time.

We spent the early part of the day in Concord. Our puppy Poppy was with us as we walked around the town stopping to window shop and paying our traditional visits to the Concord Shop to pick up a few kitchen items and to the Concord Cheese Shop for a few delicious things to take home.

It was a nice day, so we ordered cups of a great chili from the Main Streets Market & Cafe and dined al fresco. The chili had big pieces of winter squash – an idea Penny plans to copy – and was delicious! It also came with big pieces of cornbread.

Photo by StevenErat used under creative commons license

Concord is a great place to shop with someone who appreciates quality and is looking for a selection that goes beyond the chains. For example, The Grasshopper Shop on Main Street sells clothing and accessories that are selected to appeal to women of all ages.

A stop at Wilson Farm is always on our list when we’re in the area, so we were off to Lexington after lunch. The greenhouses were filled with red, white, and green, and the smell of pine was in the air.

They had gingerbread houses ready to go or with tubes of frosting to do your own decorating. They even had Holiday Gingerbread Decorating Workshops coming up on Thursday.

And, of course, this working farm is always a beautiful place for us city folk to feel more connected with the land. Ed and Poppy relaxed on a bench overlooking the fields and woods while I shopped for our supper.

We recommend a road trip to Concord and Lexington whenever you feel the need to enjoy the taste of small town life. It can be a wonderful alternative to holiday shopping at the mall or a great daytrip with holiday guests.

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 Cherubino, Grasshopper Shop photo by StevenErat here it is on Flickr.

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

Design a Gingerbread House in CAD, then cut pieces with a laser

Spend an Afternoon in Concord, Massachusetts

Brookline Winter Farmers’ Market in the Arcade Building, Coolidge Corner

What’s Open in Boston on Christmas & MBTA Schedules 2012

5 Reasons to Have Cider on Your Holiday Menu

Tip for Cleaning Hands Stained & Sticky from Holiday Greenery

December 11, 2012
How Much Do You Know about Commonwealth Avenue Mall?

Over the years I've written a lot of articles for print and web publications about the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Most of them have quotes from Margaret Pokorny. She's been my personal tutor and resource on important aspects of our neighborhood like the Mall and the trees that make it such a special place.

During the weekend I saw a post from The Garden Club of the Back Bay that said Margaret will present "The Grandest Boulevard: Commonwealth Avenue Mall" at the Boston Public Library, this Thursday at 6 p.m., as part of the BPL's Building Boston Initiative.

From the BPL's Collection (circa 1880 – 1889)

I will be there because I'm not about to miss an opportunity to pick up a few more interesting facts about the park and see some of the visuals in her wonderful collection of materials about the Mall.

If you enjoy the park and would like to learn more about it, I hope you'll come and meet the woman to whom we all owe so much for all she does for the green spaces in the city. Last year the city selected her to be the first recipient of the annual Park Partners Award. She knows her subject and always makes hearing about it a fun experience.

Related Posts: Margaret also starred in our
How to Make a Great Holiday Bow from an Expert! Video.

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:

The Grandest Boulevard: Commonwealth Avenue Mall

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012, 6:00 – 7:30 P.M.

Boston Public Library in Copley Square

Commonwealth Salon

700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino plus a historic image from the Boston Public Library 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.

Related articles

For Sunday Dog Jackson, Life Is Best with a Stick

Picking Your Point of View on the Tower

New Exhibition Opens at the BPL's Norman B. Leventhal Map Center

Savoring the Boston Public Garden Lagoon

What's Open in Boston on Christmas & MBTA Schedules 2012

December 10, 2012
How Much Do You Know about Commonwealth Avenue Mall?

Over the years I've written a lot of articles for print and web publications about the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Most of them have quotes from Margaret Pokorny. She's been my personal tutor and resource on important aspects of our neighborhood like the Mall and the trees that make it such a special place.

During the weekend I saw a post from The Garden Club of the Back Bay that said Margaret will present "The Grandest Boulevard: Commonwealth Avenue Mall" at the Boston Public Library, this Thursday at 6 p.m., as part of the BPL's Building Boston Initiative.

From the BPL's Collection (circa 1880 – 1889)

I will be there because I'm not about to miss an opportunity to pick up a few more interesting facts about the park and see some of the visuals in her wonderful collection of materials about the Mall.

If you enjoy the park and would like to learn more about it, I hope you'll come and meet the woman to whom we all owe so much for all she does for the green spaces in the city. Last year the city selected her to be the first recipient of the annual Park Partners Award. She knows her subject and always makes hearing about it a fun experience.

Related Posts: Margaret also starred in our
How to Make a Great Holiday Bow from an Expert! Video.

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:

The Grandest Boulevard: Commonwealth Avenue Mall

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012, 6:00 – 7:30 P.M.

Boston Public Library in Copley Square

Commonwealth Salon

700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino plus a historic image from the Boston Public Library 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.

Related articles

For Sunday Dog Jackson, Life Is Best with a Stick

Picking Your Point of View on the Tower

New Exhibition Opens at the BPL's Norman B. Leventhal Map Center

Savoring the Boston Public Garden Lagoon

What's Open in Boston on Christmas & MBTA Schedules 2012

December 10, 2012
How Much Do You Know about Commonwealth Avenue Mall?

Over the years I've written a lot of articles for print and web publications about the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Most of them have quotes from Margaret Pokorny. She's been my personal tutor and resource on important aspects of our neighborhood like the Mall and the trees that make it such a special place.

During the weekend I saw a post from The Garden Club of the Back Bay that said Margaret will present "The Grandest Boulevard: Commonwealth Avenue Mall" at the Boston Public Library, this Thursday at 6 p.m., as part of the BPL's Building Boston Initiative.

From the BPL's Collection (circa 1880 – 1889)

I will be there because I'm not about to miss an opportunity to pick up a few more interesting facts about the park and see some of the visuals in her wonderful collection of materials about the Mall.

If you enjoy the park and would like to learn more about it, I hope you'll come and meet the woman to whom we all owe so much for all she does for the green spaces in the city. Last year the city selected her to be the first recipient of the annual Park Partners Award. She knows her subject and always makes hearing about it a fun experience.

Related Posts: Margaret also starred in our
How to Make a Great Holiday Bow from an Expert! Video.

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:

The Grandest Boulevard: Commonwealth Avenue Mall

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012, 6:00 – 7:30 P.M.

Boston Public Library in Copley Square

Commonwealth Salon

700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 (map)

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino plus a historic image from the Boston Public Library 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.

Related articles

For Sunday Dog Jackson, Life Is Best with a Stick

Picking Your Point of View on the Tower

New Exhibition Opens at the BPL's Norman B. Leventhal Map Center

Savoring the Boston Public Garden Lagoon

What's Open in Boston on Christmas & MBTA Schedules 2012

December 10, 2012
Sunday Dog, Mack – an OEB that Loves to Snuggle!

It’s not everyday we get to meet an Olde English Bulldogge (OEB) let alone a nine month old named Mack who just loves to snuggle! It seems that it’s really nothing unusual for this breed that was developed as a “re-creation” of the Bulldog found in 19th century England.

Besides being described as courageous and loyal, OEBs are friendly, loving, and as Mack’s person put it, “He’s such a moosh. He’s cuddly and wiggles his butt all the time, he usually backs into you.”

Mack (because his family says, “He looks just like a Mack Truck”) is tough on toys! His favorites are the ones made of rubber, especially balls. This athletic, energetic pup just loves to play and, by the looks of it, seems to have some special moves!

This youngster is a fast learner and was quick to show us his list of tricks including "rollover" and a very convincing "high five!"

Does all of this play make Mack tired? Of course it does! In fact, he gets so sleepy that you “have to drag him out of bed after 12 hours of sleep at night.” He likes to sleep “under the bed, that’s his spot.”

Mack, who spent his early puppyhood in Houston, has just moved to Boston and “is loving the city!” He didn’t like being out in the Texas heat, but now can’t wait to go for a walk. And, we also have to believe that our weather is a whole lot better for anyone who just loves to snuggle!

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: © 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.

December 9, 2012
Sunday Dog, Mack – an OEB that Loves to Snuggle!

It’s not everyday we get to meet an Olde English Bulldogge (OEB) let alone a nine month old named Mack who just loves to snuggle! It seems that it’s really nothing unusual for this breed that was developed as a “re-creation” of the Bulldog found in 19th century England.

Besides being described as courageous and loyal, OEBs are friendly, loving, and as Mack’s person put it, “He’s such a moosh. He’s cuddly and wiggles his butt all the time, he usually backs into you.”

Mack (because his family says, “He looks just like a Mack Truck”) is tough on toys! His favorites are the ones made of rubber, especially balls. This athletic, energetic pup just loves to play and, by the looks of it, seems to have some special moves!

This youngster is a fast learner and was quick to show us his list of tricks including "rollover" and a very convincing "high five!"

Does all of this play make Mack tired? Of course it does! In fact, he gets so sleepy that you “have to drag him out of bed after 12 hours of sleep at night.” He likes to sleep “under the bed, that’s his spot.”

Mack, who spent his early puppyhood in Houston, has just moved to Boston and “is loving the city!” He didn’t like being out in the Texas heat, but now can’t wait to go for a walk. And, we also have to believe that our weather is a whole lot better for anyone who just loves to snuggle!

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: © 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.

December 9, 2012
Sunday Dog, Mack – an OEB that Loves to Snuggle!

It’s not everyday we get to meet an Olde English Bulldogge (OEB) let alone a nine month old named Mack who just loves to snuggle! It seems that it’s really nothing unusual for this breed that was developed as a “re-creation” of the Bulldog found in 19th century England.

Besides being described as courageous and loyal, OEBs are friendly, loving, and as Mack’s person put it, “He’s such a moosh. He’s cuddly and wiggles his butt all the time, he usually backs into you.”

Mack (because his family says, “He looks just like a Mack Truck”) is tough on toys! His favorites are the ones made of rubber, especially balls. This athletic, energetic pup just loves to play and, by the looks of it, seems to have some special moves!

This youngster is a fast learner and was quick to show us his list of tricks including "rollover" and a very convincing "high five!"

Does all of this play make Mack tired? Of course it does! In fact, he gets so sleepy that you “have to drag him out of bed after 12 hours of sleep at night.” He likes to sleep “under the bed, that’s his spot.”

Mack, who spent his early puppyhood in Houston, has just moved to Boston and “is loving the city!” He didn’t like being out in the Texas heat, but now can’t wait to go for a walk. And, we also have to believe that our weather is a whole lot better for anyone who just loves to snuggle!

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: © 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.

December 9, 2012
Picking Your Point of View on the Tower

As you walk through historic neighborhoods, look at buildings from many vantage points. Ed took this photo of the First Church in Boston tower from a different point of view than most of our photos of this building.

I like the way his shot highlights the colors of the stonework and the softly curving angles of the corners.

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: ©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.

Related articles

Leaves and Angles

Savoring the Boston Public Garden Lagoon

The Fenway Studios Door – Before and After!

Greenway Labyrinth Has Peaceful Place Potential

December 8, 2012
Picking Your Point of View on the Tower

As you walk through historic neighborhoods, look at buildings from many vantage points. Ed took this photo of the First Church in Boston tower from a different point of view than most of our photos of this building.

I like the way his shot highlights the colors of the stonework and the softly curving angles of the corners.

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: ©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.

Related articles

Leaves and Angles

Savoring the Boston Public Garden Lagoon

The Fenway Studios Door – Before and After!

Greenway Labyrinth Has Peaceful Place Potential

December 8, 2012