BostonZest

Pomelo Season: Readers' Choice

Thanks to BostonZest readers, we remembered to look for pomelos last week. As the BostonZest archives grow and grow, we're letting readers' choices guide us to favorites from the past. If you come across a post you think should get a new spotlight, let us know. 

Here's the beautiful, heavy, lush pomelo we brought home from Whole Foods on River Street in Cambridge. We added a tangerine and lime to give you an idea of the size.

Add a comment to let us know if you spot Pomelos where you shop. Sometimes they can be hard to find.

Here's an even better measure of the size– this one is just 17 inches around. And, this is not the largest one we've had, it's average!

 

Inside is the prettiest pink citrus fruit!

The rind is very thick, and you can break the fruit into lovely pieces that are perfect when mixed with some romaine lettuce, toasted almond slices, and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

To learn more about Pomelos, here are links to those previous posts our readers were viewing...

 River Street Whole Foods has Pomelos

 Florida Pomelos At Costco

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2008-2011 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

What Christmas Traditions Did You Enjoy?

Do you have Christmas Holiday traditions that you enjoy? I realized how much I love to have a wedge of panettone with my first cup of coffee on Christmas morning. 

Traditions can be comforting and sometimes we don't notice that we've created a new tradition, until we think about the little things we like to do on certain holidays. 

This is a month of traditions no matter which of the many December holidays you choose to celebrate and to what degree you indulge in the festivity. Some people go to movies, eat chinese food, make a favorite meal. 

What are your small traditons and personal ways to mark this festive season?

Where do you like to go? 

What do you love to eat?

What events to you enjoy attending?

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

No Chimney? No Problem for Santa!

If you've ever been concerned about being passed over by Santa because your house doesn't have a chimney, relax! We're talking about "the jolly old elf." Gaining access is not a problem! However, being caught in the act during daylight could prove a bit risky.

Then again, he does have a huge list and a limited amount of time, and despite that whole thing about being "lively and quick," getting an early start can't hurt.

But, I have to admit that I've always pictured Santa as being... taller. My mistake! It's all right there in "A Visit from St. Nicholas," aka ("'Twas the Night Before Christmas"), most often attributed to Clement Clarke Moore.

Remember, the "little old driver?" And, "a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer?" Of course! We're just glad to be able to bring you this rare look at the amazing elf in action. 

Oh, and, if you're hoping to catch Santa making his big (or, little) entrance, it might be a good idea to check the balcony, just in case.

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Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 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 that are part of the places and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Bringing Home the Solstice Green

Winter Solstice occurs tomorrow morning at 12:30 AM EST. The shortest day of the year will be followed by the longest night.

This bicyclist was bringing home an evergreen for his holiday celebration. I wonder if he is aware of the early origins of the tradition of bring evergreens indoors for the winter solstice?

Solstice was an important day for the Druids, the Celtic priesthood class. As a part of the celebration of the solstice, they brought evergreens indoors and had a ritual of decorating the trees. Sound familar?

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino 

'59 Plymouth with Holiday Sparkle!

'Twas a week before Christmas, we were out for a walk,

Neighbors we met would stop for a talk.

The shoppers were merry, the windows aglow,

The holiday spirit was really a show.

When what to our wondering eyes should appear,

But this '59 Plymouth they called Belvedere. 

It was pristine, and pretty, and shiny like new,

And on its front bumper some evergreen grew!

A Rock & Roll Holiday Wreath

 

Click on any photo to pop up a larger version!

 

Here's the proud owner. The car was a gift for a special birthday!

 

 

It's never too late to shop for Amazon Gift Cards or Certificates. You can send them by email or print them on your own printer. And, when you shop for them from here, they put some coins in our tip jar.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Make Way for Penguins!

Across Beacon Street from the Public Garden is this holiday gathering of penguins. They are marching across the front yard of a home that always adds some whimsical, seasonal interest to their garden and window boxes.

The ducks in the window boxes must have a closet inside for their ever-changing wardrobe.

We always make a point of stopping to enjoy the witty fun at this address. 

 

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Here's to All Who Trim with Taste!

Here's a thank you toast to all those who spend time and money adding a bit of zest to the holiday scene. Think of the collective work it takes to make the city beautiful for the winter holidays.

If you see an outstanding bit of holiday cheer you'd like to share, add the address and a link to a photo, if you took one, in the comment section. 

For our part, we give an extra tip of the BostonZest cap to those who show restraint and refinement in their decor. We love to see a well arranged window box like this one.

And, with the Garden Club of the Back Bay's Wreath Week coming up, we'll walk the Back Bay and Beacon Hill to admire the incredible work of that crew of volunteer decorators.

Get that last minute order in today, if they are not already sold out. Remember, as they explained here, "You may be able to visit our workshop at The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street, December 5 – 8, and purchase a plain wreath, or a wreath with one of our amazing bows, but we cannot accept orders for fully decorated wreaths once we are at the Church."

Shopping AMAZON from here is a great way to say you appreciate the work we do every day, all year.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.