BostonZest

Sunday Dog, Ollie’s Favorite 4-Letter Word …

When you’re a 5-month-old puppy like Ollie and still trying to make sense of your world, the simplest 4-letter words can mean the most – like “PLAY!”



And, while coaxing a human to get down on all fours can be fun, there’s nothing quite like mixing it up with someone who’s already at your level and even the same age. Well, as it happens, we know someone who fits that exact description.

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                        Click on any thumbnail above to open that photo in this window.

Our Poppy met Ollie in Provincetown this past week and the two became instant play pals. As you can see by clicking through the images above, they had a lot of fun and always seemed to play fair.



This handsome French Bulldog is a Vermont boy who’s growing fast and loving life. He also seems to love the camera – this guy’s a natural.

Thanks for all the play time, Ollie! Oh, and Poppy wants to know when you’ll be in Ptown again. 

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. It doesn't cost you any more but Amazon puts a few coins in our tip jar and we appreciate your support. 




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.

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Sunset Cruise Harbor Views

Sunset Cruise Harbor Views

We've been trying to fit as many experiences as possible into our new puppy's early life in Boston. Last week, we tested her sea legs with a Sunset Cruise around Boston Harbor. Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome (more on that later). Meanwhile, here are a couple of photos Ed took that evening.

The schedule over at Boston Harbor Cruises is reduced this time of year but there are a few opportunites to get out and enjoy our beautiful city from the water. Their Historic, USS Constitution, and Weekend Brunch cruises are still running. 

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list? Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon. And here's the newest camera on our wish list, The Nikon D600!

 

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 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.

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Massachusetts' Own: Upton Tea Is Our Friday link

Ice tea in summer, hot tea in winter, but the best possible tea all the time is what I want from a tea vendor and that is what you can have from Upton Tea in Holliston, MA. 

 

I tried them when I was looking for a new source for Moroccan Mint tea. They came through with a fresh, lively version of my favorite tea. The catalog that arrived in my mailbox recently also provided me with lots of interesting, high quality tea related products. What's more, the catalog and site offer expert information about tea, products, history of tea, and tips for making the most of high quality tea and herbal infusions.

They say, "Upton Tea Imports was founded in 1989 with the objective of providing the North American tea drinker with the finest teas available. We purchase teas from reputable brokers and estates worldwide, dealing only with sources who are capable of providing top quality teas. We sell directly to the consumer, thus ensuring the freshest product and fairest pricing."

We say, it's great when you can support a local business and get the best quality while you do it.

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list? Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screengrab: from Upton Tea   

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.

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An Italian Take on Pumpkin and Squash

One of the best things about fall is the arrival of winter squash and pumpkins at farmers' markets. I often just roast these with a selection of root vegetables. Here's a post on that preparation.

I pulled a few of my cookbooks down from the shelves to see how different food cultures use pumpkin and squash. As long-keeping vegetables in times before refrigeration and freezing, they were popular with cooks from many nationalites. Today, we'll think Italian but watch for upcoming posts on other cultures.

Two traditional Italian uses that we're seeing more of on restaurant menus is a filling for squash ravioli and the main flavor element in a pumpkin risotto.

Not all pumpkins are orange. These are blue pumpkins.

But, in an Italian home, Nonna might also slow roast a whole pumpkin filled with cheese, bread, onions, mushrooms, or other savory items from the larder. It's a great way to use up leftovers!

This type of preparation can be served as a filling and flavorful main course when you are cooking for a vegetarian. And the variations used to stuff it can be adapted to other dietary restrictions.

Zucca is squash in Italian and Zucca alla Veneta is made by frying pumpkin slices and then dressing them with a seasoned vinegar. Zucca Dorata is breaded and fried pumpkin served as an appetizer. Sometimes mozzarella cheese is added for a melting finish. (Think eggplant parmesan!)

Mostarda di Zucca is a pumpkin preserve that can be served with cured meats. I’ll bet it would also be great on a cheese tray.

Of course, some cultures have their own member of the squash family that they call pumpkin. So be sure to check if our pumpkin is the best substitute and if the pumpkin you are buying is grown for eating or just for show.

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list? Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2010 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 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.

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Does this Mushroom Want to Chat or Attack?

Each fall, a bracket fungus or tree mushroom appears on a certain tree along our usual dog walk, and we have the fun of watching it take shape and grow.

This year, its shape takes on a different perspective depending on how you approach it. It could be a fancy sock puppet chatting away.

Or, it could be waiting to make a sneak attack!

Any mycologists out there who can tell us more about this type of mushroom? The underside is white with a textured surface. Is it an artist's conk? All we could come up with is that it's probably a bracket fungus with scales.

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list? Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

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.

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Another Trick from My Favorite, Little Cooking Pot

Have you ever had ravioli float out of the water when you're trying to cook them? I've been using this trick with that great little Kuhn Rikon Multi-Pot.  

 

I use the basket that comes with the pot to hold down the ravioli. A wooden skewer or chopstick through the rungs lets me set it at just the right height to keep the pasta off the bottom but in the boiling water. Sometimes one raviolo will attempt to sneak up the side of the basket but I push that little devil right back down.

We did a post about the 4th burner pot last year! Since then, some of our friends have added one of these to their kitchen collection and have been raving just like I do. 

I bought my Kuhn Rikon 4th Burner Multi-Pot from Amazon, where you can read a bunch of great reviews and get even more ideas for using it. 

 

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 2012 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 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.

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What's Open on Columbus Day 2012 In Boston and MBTA Schedule Changes

Here's a run-down of what's open and closed in Boston on Columbus Day and changes to MBTA schedules for October 8, 2012.

Update: Here's the link to the 2015 version of this information.

What's Open & Closed in Boston on Columbus Day  2015 Plus Trash, Parking, MBTA Schedules & More.

 

We've also added information on parking, street sweeping, traffic alerts, road closures, parades, and trash collection.

This is one of those holidays when, for a lot of people, it's "business as usual." Even the stock market is open.

We publish these reminders before each holiday to help our readers make their holiday plans.

There's a statue of Columbus in Louisburg Square

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open

City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with most Banks closed. But, each year more banks decide to keep a few branches open. Check with your own bank. 

Stock market: Open as are international markets.

Boston Parking: City website says, "Free parking at all city meters. All other rules apply.

Street Sweeping: City website says, "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect."

Boston Trash Collection: From this page on the city site.

"Monday, October 8 | 7am – Saturday, October 13, 2012 | 5pm

Delay trash and recycling pickup 1 day only if you live in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.

*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

Traffic Alerts/Road closures: More will be added as we are made aware of them.

• Columbus Day Parade - Sunday October 7th in East Boston here are the details that we could find.
• BAA Half Marathon - Sunday October 7th from White Stadium in Franklin Park. Here's the official site for that event.
• DCR Memorial Drive Road Closure Western Ave to Mt Auburn Street - Sunday October 7th. Here's the link.
• Tufts 10 K - Monday October 8th - Road closures in the Back Bay and Cambridge. Here's the site for details.

MBTA Columbus Day Schedules 2012

The MBTA has announced schedules for Columbus Day, Monday, October 8, 2012. The service schedules vary from Saturday, to modified Saturday, and regular weekday, to modified weekday. Full Details Here!

For additional information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at (617) 222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146, or visit them at: www.mbta.com.

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.