BostonZest

Meet One Strange Little Flower...

This flower caught our eye on a recent trip to Provincetown. We've since learned that it's called a Cape Daisy, Spoon Daisy, or Pink Whirl. This one seemed more purple than pink and exploring the individual clusters of flowers on the plant was fun.

This cluster was interlaced.

These show the stages of the blossoms.

And, they all had glorious color at their centers. The bees were sure to find the right spot on this flower.

Trying to decide what flowers to plant next season? Here are a few good books on the topic.

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.

Sunday “Beach” Dogs Know When It’s “Show Time!”

And, “Show Time” begins at dawn for these rechargeable retrievers. Two performances a day! Free Admission! (popcorn not included). The best part? Front Row Seats!

During a brief escape to P-Town, last week, we took in several award-worthy performances by these two relentless retrievers doing what comes naturally to their breeds– Retrieving!



Watching from our beachfront digs, we marveled at their stage director’s consistent and repeated ball tosses. While these guys never seemed to tire, I was actually beginning to feel winded.



How many calories could a person burn just watching this workout? Someone must have done a study.



The only moments of pause (no pun intended) came as this drenched duo proudly strolled to shore with prize in mouth for a sunrise session curtain call (the applause was deafening).

The “Low Tide” matinee was no less entertaining, if only a bit drier, which ultimately meant more speed. Splashing and romping on the beach, in the harbor, or on the tidal flats, our Sunday "beach" dogs never disappointed. And, we thoroughly enjoyed the show.

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

Time to think about what your dog will wear to all the Halloween events that pop up around the city. Amazon has a great selection of Halloween costumes for dogs to give you some ideas.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 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 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.

Autumn Color, one way or another....

There's more than one way to add autumn color to the Provincetown scene. In front of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) was this bright sculpure titled "I Was Once a Forest" by Frank Vasello. And, PAAM is our Friday link today! 

 

If you're planning a fall foray to the Outer Cape, add this fine art stop to your itinerary. Right now, the hours are, "October - May noon to 5 pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday also open by appointment."

PAAM's Mission is: "The objects and purposes of this association shall be to promote and cultivate the practice and appreciation of all branches of the fine arts, to assemble and maintain in the town of Provincetown and environs a collection of works of art of merit, to hold exhibitions, and by forums, concerts and similar activities to promote education of the public in the arts and social intercourse between artists and laymen. To these ends it shall operate strictly within its charter as a nonprofit, educational, artistic and cultural organization."

Provincetown in still a community of artists and PAAM is the artistic heartbeat of the town. Admission is just $7 and is free for PAAM members and on Friday evenings. The sculpture garden surrounding the museum is always open and always free.

Need some new music for a new season? Amazon has 16 million songs and some of them are free!

Details:

Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) 

460 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657-2415 (map)

(508) 487-1750

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.

PB Boulangerie In Wellfleet Is Worth the Trip

PB Boulangerie Bistro is one of those places you should stop everytime you happen to cross its path. It's even a place you should go a few miles out of your way to get some extraordinary French bakery items, like perfect croissants.

As with any coastal business, check the hours before you begin your trip. They reduce their hours in the off-season. The big advantage of going this time of year is that you won't have to wait in the long lines that form during the height of summer. 

Ed, who will usually take any opportunity to enjoy some good preserves, said this croissant was so good he wanted to savor the flavor without any additions.

On our way back from Provincetown, we stopped and filled a big shopping bag with a baguette, a farmer's loaf, and a multi-grain loaf, wonderful chococlate chunk and bike trail cookies.

And, a few treats from this exceptional source make a great "thank you" for anyone who watered your plants, took in your mail, or is just a great friend.

Can't get to Wellfleet? How about doing some French baking at home. Here's a selection of books that share the secrets of great French baking.

Details:

‪PB Boulangerie Bistro

15 Lecount Hollow Road‬, ‪South Wellfleet, MA 02663‬‪ (Map & Reviews)

(508) 349-1600

www.‬‪pbboulangeriebistro.com‬‎

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.

Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar

Is a trip to the tip of Cape Cod part of your Columbus Day Plans? If so, schedule a stop at Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar before they close for the season after that Monday holiday. 

We pulled in for lunch on the way to Provincetown and enjoyed a clam double-header– chowder & fried big bellies!

Like all good clam shacks, you first should try their fried clams straight-up to get the full-flavor with no saucy distractions. We thought we detected a hit of heat in their batter which is fine with us. They deliver a nice crisp crust with fresh-from-the-sea clam taste.

Penny found she liked a dash of their horseradishy good cocktail sauce on some of her lunch. But, these clams were good enough to stand on their own. Thanks to the Cape Cod Chowhounds who convinced us to stop passing by this Route 6 destination. 

You'll find Arnold's in many of the road food guides! 

Details:

 Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar (Warning- you get music when you click on their site)

3580 Route 6, Eastham, MA 02642 

508.255.2575 

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 October!

We’re clanging flutes in a toast to October, wishing for a month of many surprises– all good.

Twelve times for all of 2010 we’re ringing-in all the firsts, including 10/1, with a glass of bubbles– our Sparkling Resolution!  

 
 
 
This time we’re opening another bottle of Louis Bouillot Rosé. We discovered it while in Provincetown, last month and couldn’t wait to repeat the experience. Yes, it’s French, but it’s not Champagne. Say, Crémant. Produced just like Champagne, only in other areas of France, mostly.

 
   

“The view from above, just before cork-launch.”

 
This crémant is from the Burgundy region and is mostly pinot noir, no surprise there. It’s not overly fruited, but has a pleasing balance with a dry structure. The K&L Wine Merchants site calls it a “....charming rosé, subtle and delightful.”

Crémant, this one in particular, is a nice transitional sparkling wine– somewhere between a serious bottle of champagne and an entry-level sparkler.

Now is the time the to enjoy the value in these wines, before the rest of the world discovers them and the price bubbles up.

To a “Sparkling” October! Salute!


Related Posts:
Learn more about our Sparkling Resolution.    

For more about the wines we’re enjoying, click here.   

Toasting a New Decade with Sparkling Wines on New Year’s Eve

Celebrating the Start of Summer at La Voile   

 

We've discovered great value in the wine glasses from Schott Zwiesel. The ad below will take you to a page that gives you options for their most popular glasses.

Details:
Louis Bouillot Rosé Tasting Notes   

 Louis Bouillot Rosé    

Crémant Explained   

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino, Ed Cherubino

  

Harpo & Maude: “A Ball Clinic”

 

This week’s Sunday Dogs, Harpo and Maude have mastered the ball-playing aspect of life. In fact, these Bedlington Terriers are so good, they insisted on demonstrating their skills in lieu of compensation for agreeing to appear today.

Harpo’s the talker of the two, except when he’s concentrating. Let’s listen and learn.

“Pick a wide open spot on a smooth sand beach– preferably at low tide– just after sun up. Then, with all your willpower, stare directly at the ball. Don’t get distracted. Hold the pose until...”

 
“...a trusted (and well-trained) friend picks it up and prepares to p-l-a-y. It’s always best to have a person who’s experienced. Someone who can really get some distance on a toss– like this!”

 
“It may look like I’m going all-out, but it’s only about 3/4 speed, even though all fours are off the ground. Although we both love the beach, one inevitable downside is a wet (read that “sandy”) ball. My tosser and I have a deal. She rinses...”

 
“...and it’s my job to squ-e-e-ze that soppy, water-logged ball until it floats again, for those ocean retrieval runs.”

   
“Ok, we’re done here. You’ve got the basics. I’ll be around, if you need any remedial work. Right now, I so ... have to ... fo-cus.”


Cast:
11-year-old Maude directed
5-year-old Harpo played himself

Setting:
Provincetown Harbor

Link:
More about the Bedlington Terrier


Related Posts:
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino and Harpo
Photography: © 2010 Penny Cherubino