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Where Would You Find This Bracket? Play Attention to Detail
Let's play Attention to Detail! We give you a close-up clue and you have to figure out where you've seen it around Boston.

Today's clue is a bracket. Wikipedia explains that in architecture a bracket is, "… a structural or decorative member. It can be made of wood, stone, plaster, metal, or other mediums. It projects from a wall, usually to carry weight and sometimes to … strengthen an angle."

Here are some hints about this one:
- You'll find it in the Fenway
- It is at a major intersection
- The building looks very much like it did when it was built in 1904.
- The aroma of great pizza may be in the air nearby.
Ready? Click through or scroll down past this great book about Boston for the answer.

(more…)
June 15, 2017
The Canteen for Wonderful Take Out (or Eat In) Options in Provincetown

We had a bunch of excellent meals from The Canteen on our last trip to Provincetown. We highly recommend this wonderful spot if you are visiting our special place by the sea.

One of the best pieces of news we heard before arriving in town was that The Canteen was open year-round. They're open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and they deliver! "What more could you ask?" you say. "Great food," we say and they deliver on that wish as well.

It was rather cold on our visit, so we really appreciated the rotating list of wonderful soups they offered. The one above is a spring minestrone.

We had to try it, since we had just finished one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns about minestrone and had ended it with information about a spring version! This one was rich and lovely.

We told you about their great lobster rolls and fabulous clam chowder the first time we reported on this gem by the sea.

Another favorite was a soup with greens and chicken meatballs.

Of course we had sandwiches too. The Cod Bánh Mì was a big hit with us. Since we were not always on the same eating schedule, they were gracious about preparing a deconstructed version of Ed's favorite pulled pork sandwich that we could reconstruct when he was ready to enjoy it.

There are a few seats out front and a larger seating area in the rear. Like many outside eating places in Provincetown, The Canteen is dog friendly. So if you're day-tripping with a furry pal, grab a seat and send one of your group inside with your order for great food. You'll get a number and the staff will find you when it's ready.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

June 14, 2017
The Canteen for Wonderful Take Out (or Eat In) Options in Provincetown

We had a bunch of excellent meals from The Canteen on our last trip to Provincetown. We highly recommend this wonderful spot if you are visiting our special place by the sea.

One of the best pieces of news we heard before arriving in town was that The Canteen was open year-round. They're open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and they deliver! "What more could you ask?" you say. "Great food," we say and they deliver on that wish as well.

It was rather cold on our visit, so we really appreciated the rotating list of wonderful soups they offered. The one above is a spring minestrone.

We had to try it, since we had just finished one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns about minestrone and had ended it with information about a spring version! This one was rich and lovely.

We told you about their great lobster rolls and fabulous clam chowder the first time we reported on this gem by the sea.

Another favorite was a soup with greens and chicken meatballs.

Of course we had sandwiches too. The Cod Bánh Mì was a big hit with us. Since we were not always on the same eating schedule, they were gracious about preparing a deconstructed version of Ed's favorite pulled pork sandwich that we could reconstruct when he was ready to enjoy it.

There are a few seats out front and a larger seating area in the rear. Like many outside eating places in Provincetown, The Canteen is dog friendly. So if you're day-tripping with a furry pal, grab a seat and send one of your group inside with your order for great food. You'll get a number and the staff will find you when it's ready.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

June 14, 2017
T-Shirt Weather for Dogs, Too!
Summer is t-shirt time around here. Not only for us humans, but also for our Westie Poppy.

We have told you about how we use a t-shirt as an extra layer of warmth in winter. This time of year, we use it as a way to keep Poppy cleaner and drier on wet and muddy days.

How dirty does a doggie t-shirt get?

This dirty!

We always say it is easier to clean the dog t-shirt than the dog. So, while we will dip her feet and wash down her legs after a messy walk, we just hang the messy t-shirt to dry over the tub.

Ed has come up with a great solution to brush and shake all that gunk off the shirt without making a mess around the house. He puts it into a plastic shopping bag for clean up. Once the loose sand and dirt is off, it can go into the wash for a final cleaning.

More T-shirt Tips!
- There are t-shirts for dogs. The black one in the photos is a 16 inch size that fits our 17 pound Westie perfectly.
- We have also used t-shirts made for small humans on our dogs. A pony tail tie will work to fit the shirt to the pup's waist.
- Rolling up the sleeves and tacking them with a stitch will make sure your dogs doesn't trip over or get caught-up in a long sleeve.
- We highly recommend a pre-soak in a product like Nature's Miracle, if a shirt smells doggie.
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 Cherubino

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June 11, 2017
T-Shirt Weather for Dogs, Too!
Summer is t-shirt time around here. Not only for us humans, but also for our Westie Poppy.

We have told you about how we use a t-shirt as an extra layer of warmth in winter. This time of year, we use it as a way to keep Poppy cleaner and drier on wet and muddy days.

How dirty does a doggie t-shirt get?

This dirty!

We always say it is easier to clean the dog t-shirt than the dog. So, while we will dip her feet and wash down her legs after a messy walk, we just hang the messy t-shirt to dry over the tub.

Ed has come up with a great solution to brush and shake all that gunk off the shirt without making a mess around the house. He puts it into a plastic shopping bag for clean up. Once the loose sand and dirt is off, it can go into the wash for a final cleaning.

More T-shirt Tips!
- There are t-shirts for dogs. The black one in the photos is a 16 inch size that fits our 17 pound Westie perfectly.
- We have also used t-shirts made for small humans on our dogs. A pony tail tie will work to fit the shirt to the pup's waist.
- Rolling up the sleeves and tacking them with a stitch will make sure your dogs doesn't trip over or get caught-up in a long sleeve.
- We highly recommend a pre-soak in a product like Nature's Miracle, if a shirt smells doggie.
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 Cherubino

Related articles

A Sunday Beach Dog Playing on the Tidal Flats

My Little Sunday Dog …
June 11, 2017
WBUR’s Magic Pill Podcast Has Helped Me Become Healthier: Friday Link Update

Last October we linked to WBUR and its inspiring podcast, The Magic PilI, which also marked a long distance reconnection with one of my favorite doctors, Eddie Phillips, MD.

Since that report (here's a link to it), I have only missed my morning walk on one day, when I had a nasty cold and felt it would be better to stay in and rest so I would miss fewer days.

I also added an Apple Watch to my motivational tools and that has helped me keep excellent records on my progress. I have continued a steady, healthy weight loss trend; dropped another medication I was taking; and increased my fitness levels.

In case some of you don't go back to the original story or decide to pass it on to someone you know who might need help in improving their overall health, I'll repeat this important message now.

Here is a link to the Podcast Pilot. It's a great introduction and I hope it will lead you to take one episode daily (your daily dose of get-up-and-go) for the next twenty-one days and see if you, like me, find yourself still on the move nine months from now.

I hope WBUR will add more episodes of this inspiring program. Anytime I feel that I'm about to slip off my training routine, I'll go back and listen to the 21 existing episodes again. But I would love to have this team offer some sort of Magic Pill continuing education and inspiration.

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

Please read our disclosure policy. Since we have mentioned the Apple Watch and linked to it on Amazon, we want readers to know that we do have funds invested in both Apple and Amazon stock.

June 9, 2017
WBUR’s Magic Pill Podcast Has Helped Me Become Healthier: Friday Link Update

Last October we linked to WBUR and its inspiring podcast, The Magic PilI, which also marked a long distance reconnection with one of my favorite doctors, Eddie Phillips, MD.

Since that report (here's a link to it), I have only missed my morning walk on one day, when I had a nasty cold and felt it would be better to stay in and rest so I would miss fewer days.

I also added an Apple Watch to my motivational tools and that has helped me keep excellent records on my progress. I have continued a steady, healthy weight loss trend; dropped another medication I was taking; and increased my fitness levels.

In case some of you don't go back to the original story or decide to pass it on to someone you know who might need help in improving their overall health, I'll repeat this important message now.

Here is a link to the Podcast Pilot. It's a great introduction and I hope it will lead you to take one episode daily (your daily dose of get-up-and-go) for the next twenty-one days and see if you, like me, find yourself still on the move nine months from now.

I hope WBUR will add more episodes of this inspiring program. Anytime I feel that I'm about to slip off my training routine, I'll go back and listen to the 21 existing episodes again. But I would love to have this team offer some sort of Magic Pill continuing education and inspiration.

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

Please read our disclosure policy. Since we have mentioned the Apple Watch and linked to it on Amazon, we want readers to know that we do have funds invested in both Apple and Amazon stock.

June 9, 2017
Three Exhibitions to Visit at the Museum of Fine Arts: Matisse, Cunningham, and Revival Jewelry

One of the best things about being a member of the Museum of Fine Arts is the ability to stop in often and see some of the featured topics or exhibitions (large and small) as they call them. We included three on a recent visit.

The major event of the summer is "Matisse in the Studio." It was interesting to see the collection of objects he used as inspiration for his work. It was also great to see more of his sculpture. Unfortunately our time viewing this collection was spoiled by a disruptive visitor, so we did hurry through.

This chair and the shadows it cast fascinated Penny.

She couldn't resist creating her own artwork from Matisse's studio inspiration object.

We were ready for a quiet break and Matisse inspired lunch at Bravo. We enjoyed duck liver paté, a dish of mushroom pasta, and sipped an excellent Rosé from Provence. It was a meal, we think, Matisse might have enjoyed.

After lunch, we visited "Imogen Cunningham: In Focus" in the Herb Ritts gallery. We love the fact that the MFA is paying attention to great photography.

The hit of the day for both of us was the outstanding design and craftsmanship in the "Past Is Present: Revival Jewelry" collection. Be sure to pay very close attention to the micromosaic items in the cases. It could be easy to miss the fact that these images are made up of hundreds of tiny, tiny bits of material.

While you have a bit more time to see the other exhibitions, Imogen Cunningham: In Focus ends June 18th.

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June 8, 2017
Three Exhibitions to Visit at the Museum of Fine Arts: Matisse, Cunningham, and Revival Jewelry

One of the best things about being a member of the Museum of Fine Arts is the ability to stop in often and see some of the featured topics or exhibitions (large and small) as they call them. We included three on a recent visit.

The major event of the summer is "Matisse in the Studio." It was interesting to see the collection of objects he used as inspiration for his work. It was also great to see more of his sculpture. Unfortunately our time viewing this collection was spoiled by a disruptive visitor, so we did hurry through.

This chair and the shadows it cast fascinated Penny.

She couldn't resist creating her own artwork from Matisse's studio inspiration object.

We were ready for a quiet break and Matisse inspired lunch at Bravo. We enjoyed duck liver paté, a dish of mushroom pasta, and sipped an excellent Rosé from Provence. It was a meal, we think, Matisse might have enjoyed.

After lunch, we visited "Imogen Cunningham: In Focus" in the Herb Ritts gallery. We love the fact that the MFA is paying attention to great photography.

The hit of the day for both of us was the outstanding design and craftsmanship in the "Past Is Present: Revival Jewelry" collection. Be sure to pay very close attention to the micromosaic items in the cases. It could be easy to miss the fact that these images are made up of hundreds of tiny, tiny bits of material.

While you have a bit more time to see the other exhibitions, Imogen Cunningham: In Focus ends June 18th.

Related articles

Back When Harvard's Weld Boathouse Was Drafted as a Navy Training Facility…

Welcome Luke's Lobster to Boston

June 8, 2017
Julia Child Said You Should Make “… Good Food From Fresh Ingredients.”

“You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces – just good food from fresh ingredients.” Julia Child

This plate of fresh goodness only required a little scrubbing, slicing, and seasoning to become a supper for two on Sunday evening. With a plate of good bread off to the side, we were both happy.

That meal began with a basket full of fresh organic produce from the Copley Farmers Market. For information on area farmers markets, we have a post we're keeping updated.

Boston Area Spring-to-Fall Farmers Market Opening Dates

On Monday we added some of those goodies to a beautiful gazpacho. We try to shop with care – buy what we can use up while it's at its best, reduce the amount of food we waste, and get the best value out of our food dollars.

We think Julia would approve of our food philosophy.

Related Post:

Garnish Gazpacho with Avocado Like Panificio Does!

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

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June 7, 2017