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Just In Case the Snow Melted Yesterday Before You Saw It …

We took a walk and collected some photos for you.

We both love this Himalayan Birch tree in the Public Garden. This scene actually looks wintry.

But a change of perspective that included the White Willows shows the changeling nature of this season's weather.

On the sunny side of the Back Bay streets, the White Magnolias are ready to burst into bloom and we even found one of the Pink ones with blossoms opening.

Flower arrangements planted to welcome Spring had a bit of snow frosting.

We took this one at the start of our walk and the snow was gone by the time we returned. Now let's hope we can all get back to enjoying time sitting on park benches and maybe even dining outdoors.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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March 22, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Where to Dine in Boston on Easter, March 27, 2016

Those in the know already have reservations for Easter brunch and dinner. This is one of the big days for dining out, and popular restaurants will fill their tables for Sunday, March 27, 2016, quickly.

First up, the list of places that organize information about Easter reservations and special offerings:

Open Table seems to have the most complete information, and you can click right through to make reservations. They also give you some idea of prices and special menus. And you'll find a few places that are offering their regular menus as well.

Boston Chefs has a list of offerings from their member chefs and restaurants.

Gayot lists favorite Easter brunches at places like Henrietta's Table in Cambridge.

Next, places we picked from these lists (we'll add more as we learn about particular offerings):

Erbaluce invites you to join them for an Easter Feast.

Bistro du Midi says, "For brunch we are only serving a three course prix fixe menu with 5 options per course for $55 pp. For dinner, join us for our a la carte menu and early spring specials." We say, you can plan a walk through the Public Garden after your meal.

Craigie on Main is offering both an Easter Prix Fixe menu and special additions to their regular menu for Passover.

To meet up with family who don't want to come into the city, consider AKA Bistro in Lincoln. We're happy to see that they're offering their regular brunch menu in addition to some Easter specials. The nearby deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the perfect place to walk off your brunch and take Easter photos.

Another good suburban/urban meeting place is La Morra in Brookline. They are serving a $38 prix fixe menu.

Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when some people would try to book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can cause the restaurant to turn away other potential customers and makes the venues require a deposit to hold a place.

One thing we would look for, if we were dining out on a holiday, is a place that is offering its regular menu for the day. That's always a plus for us. We're not fans of special menus.

If you know of places where the regular menu will be served, let us know. If it's a place we can recommend, we'll add it to our list. And we'll add updates and links to this post as we find them. Check back here or follow us on Twitter to learn about updates!

Opting Out of Easter

If this holiday stuff is really not part of your life, this is a great day to go ethnic. Chinatown will be wide open and filled with great menu options. Your neighborhood Indian, Korean, Chinese, or Persian restaurant will be happy to feed you. And most BBQ and Pizza places do not have Easter menus.

Sign-up for the comment feed or follow us on Twitter for a notice if we add updates to this page.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: from iStockphoto.com

March 18, 2016
Update on the Esplanade Parcourse

A few years ago we told you about the Shiny New Parcourse on the Esplanade. Recently, we were out shooting photos for an assignment and as we passed the parcourse, we decided to take a look at how it's doing seven years later.

We're happy to report the equipment seems to be in good shape and getting use by a wide range of fitness buffs.

After watching a series of younger people using the facility, we were happy to see two older women arrive, choose an open space, and hang up a jacket like they were regulars.

They proceeded with a routine of stretching and flexing that would certainly improve their physical well-being.

This parcourse is located on the Esplanade Boston side between the BU and Mass Ave Bridges, near the Sherborn Street pedestrian crossover. This map will put you near the spot. (map)

You can't beat the view you'll have if you enjoy a workout here. It's one of the best Boston skyline vistas.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf

March 17, 2016
Update on the Esplanade Parcourse

A few years ago we told you about the Shiny New Parcourse on the Esplanade. Recently, we were out shooting photos for an assignment and as we passed the parcourse, we decided to take a look at how it's doing seven years later.

We're happy to report the equipment seems to be in good shape and getting use by a wide range of fitness buffs.

After watching a series of younger people using the facility, we were happy to see two older women arrive, choose an open space, and hang up a jacket like they were regulars.

They proceeded with a routine of stretching and flexing that would certainly improve their physical well-being.

This parcourse is located on the Esplanade Boston side between the BU and Mass Ave Bridges, near the Sherborn Street pedestrian crossover. This map will put you near the spot. (map)

You can't beat the view you'll have if you enjoy a workout here. It's one of the best Boston skyline vistas.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf

March 17, 2016
Enjoy a Zeppole This Weekend! March 19th Is Zeppole Day

We have been zeppole fans for years and love to keep trying all the different versions made by local bakeries.

This particular zeppole smiled up at Penny from the display case at Antoine's Pastry Shop in Newton.

Antoine's makes a lovely example of the pastry with a light, crisp shell, abundant filling …

… and a nice dollop of cherries on the top.

A big thank you to our friend Vinnie for introducing us to this shop!

Here are our "Zeppole Posts" from other year's pastry celebrations.

This post from 2015 tells you a bit about the history of zeppole and a different style that we enjoyed during our years in Rhode Island.

Zeppole from Modern Pastry

It's Zeppole Season!

March for Zeppole di San Giuseppe! features Maria's Pastry Shop in the North End.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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March 16, 2016
Enjoy a Zeppole This Weekend! March 19th Is Zeppole Day

We have been zeppole fans for years and love to keep trying all the different versions made by local bakeries.

This particular zeppole smiled up at Penny from the display case at Antoine's Pastry Shop in Newton.

Antoine's makes a lovely example of the pastry with a light, crisp shell, abundant filling …

… and a nice dollop of cherries on the top.

A big thank you to our friend Vinnie for introducing us to this shop!

Here are our "Zeppole Posts" from other year's pastry celebrations.

This post from 2015 tells you a bit about the history of zeppole and a different style that we enjoyed during our years in Rhode Island.

Zeppole from Modern Pastry

It's Zeppole Season!

March for Zeppole di San Giuseppe! features Maria's Pastry Shop in the North End.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

March 19th Is Zeppole Day!

A Weekend of Irish Whiskey and Zeppole!

March 16, 2016
Of Dalmatians & Other Historic Firehouse Dogs

On a walk this week, a Dalmatian trotting along ahead of us set off a conversation about the dog breeds that were once abundant in our neighborhood and now are rare.

Leslie Jones photograph of a Dalmatian as fire chief.

We all think of Dalmatian's as firehouse dogs, but their work began in Dalmatia (a region in what is today Croatia) where they guarded the borders. Wikipedia goes on to outline all the other tasks this working breed has performed.

"The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. Dalmatians have a strong hunting instinct and are an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin. In sporting, they have been used as bird dogs, trail hounds, retrievers, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. Their dramatic markings and intelligence have made them successful circus dogs throughout the years. Dalmatians are perhaps best known for their role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. Since Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires.^[39] Dalmatians are often considered to make good watchdogs, and they may have been useful to fire brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were kept in the firehouse as deterrence to theft.^[39]"

Dalmatians were not the only dogs to serve as firehouse mascots. Leslie Jones titled the photo above as, "Dog responds to every alarm, Braintree."

This one, photographer Jones noted as, "Dog goes to every fire, Braintree." Both are from 1928.

Here's a photo of one of our current Dalmatian neighbors. His name is Cy Young and he's a year old and very friendly.

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: ©2016 Penny Cherubino, Leslie Jones photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

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March 13, 2016
Of Dalmatians & Other Historic Firehouse Dogs

On a walk this week, a Dalmatian trotting along ahead of us set off a conversation about the dog breeds that were once abundant in our neighborhood and now are rare.

Leslie Jones photograph of a Dalmatian as fire chief.

We all think of Dalmatian's as firehouse dogs, but their work began in Dalmatia (a region in what is today Croatia) where they guarded the borders. Wikipedia goes on to outline all the other tasks this working breed has performed.

"The roles of this ancient breed are as varied as their reputed ancestors. They were used as dogs of war, guarding the borders of Dalmatia. To this day, the breed retains a high guarding instinct; although friendly and loyal to those the dog knows and trusts, it is often aloof with strangers and unknown dogs. Dalmatians have a strong hunting instinct and are an excellent exterminator of rats and vermin. In sporting, they have been used as bird dogs, trail hounds, retrievers, or in packs for boar or stag hunting. Their dramatic markings and intelligence have made them successful circus dogs throughout the years. Dalmatians are perhaps best known for their role as fire-fighting apparatus escorts and firehouse mascots. Since Dalmatians and horses are very compatible, the dogs were easily trained to run in front of the carriages to help clear a path and quickly guide the horses and firefighters to the fires.^[39] Dalmatians are often considered to make good watchdogs, and they may have been useful to fire brigades as guard dogs to protect a firehouse and its equipment. Fire engines used to be drawn by fast and powerful horses, a tempting target for thieves, so Dalmatians were kept in the firehouse as deterrence to theft.^[39]"

Dalmatians were not the only dogs to serve as firehouse mascots. Leslie Jones titled the photo above as, "Dog responds to every alarm, Braintree."

This one, photographer Jones noted as, "Dog goes to every fire, Braintree." Both are from 1928.

Here's a photo of one of our current Dalmatian neighbors. His name is Cy Young and he's a year old and very friendly.

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: ©2016 Penny Cherubino, Leslie Jones photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

Related articles

Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

The Dogs of the Boston Public Library Collections

Messing About in Boats, 1939 Style

March 13, 2016