BostonZest

Poppy & the Poppies and the July 4th POP, POP, POPS

Hello there Boston Dogs, Duchess Poppy here!

I haven't been in Boston for a July 4th Celebration before, I hear it's going to be noisy. And, I do not like noise! I like things, cool, calm, and quiet. 

From what I have been able to figure out, there will be lots of flashing lights in the sky and big booms going off along the river. I'm planning on staying home, but the older dogs in the hood tell me that it will make my building shake.

I found a bunch of tips Over on PetFinder about preparing for big parties like this. 

Tap your paw or click on the poster for easier reading.

And, just in case you were wondering, dogs and cats are not allowed at the Boston Pops Concert on the Esplanade. Only official, working, or service animals may attend. (But, I don't know why any of us would want to go to this noisy, crowded place. Besides, we would only distract the police dogs who have important work that day.) 

Have a safe and Happy July 4th!

Duchess Poppy Whitehead

P.S. Here's a link to all our Sunday Dogs. I'm in charge of recruiting the talent for these features, so let me know if you want to star some week.

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Words: Duchess Poppy Whitehead (Edited by Ed)
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino   

A Rainy Day Lamentation of Swans...

It has been a rainy month and the swans are lamenting too many days off. Did you know a group of swans is called a lamentation? 

As the Swan Boat site says, "The Swan Boats are open seven days per week, weather permitting. We cannot operate on rainy, windy, or extremely hot days." That means these lovelies have had a few days off this June.

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 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.

"Reading" the Book, "Permanent Present Tense" Three Ways

I always have a few books in my reading pile, on my Kindle, or in my "tonight" audiobook playlist on my iPod. Right now, I have Permanent Present Tense: The Unforgettable Life of the Amnesic Patient, H. M. by Susanne Corkin in all three places.

I "read" books in different ways. We live in a tiny home with books shelved two deep in some case, and others in storage waiting for their turn to come live with us. New books must audition before they find a physical place in our home. 

When I hear or read about a book that I want to read, I go directly to the Boston Public Library catalogue and see if they have a copy. If not and I think it has a wide interest, I'll suggest that they purchase it.

In the case of Permanent Present Tense, I had to wait a bit before it was my turn to read a library copy. Since I have met the author and she played an important role in the life of a dear friend, I had every intention of buying the book. I just had to decide how to buy it – hardcover book, Kindle edition, or audiobook.

In the end, I did all three. I'm reading the library's copy in hardcover. I added the Kindle edition to my library when I want to continue reading the book and forget to bring it with me. And, I purchased the audiobook so that Ed and I can listen to it in the car on our next road trip. 

This doesn't happen often, but this is a fascinating book that I do recommend. Here is a great interview about the book from the radio show Fresh Air. 

Update: July 5, 2013: Here is another great interview on WBUR's Radio Boston.

What's your favorite way to consume new books? 

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: Cover art courtesy of Amazon  

At The Market: Old Friends at Copley Square

Our once or twice-a-week visits to the Copley Square Farmers' Market are a combination of shopping and chatting with old friends. Penny has been shopping at this market for more than twenty years and some of the stands we frequent have been there even longer. During the past few years, Ed has joined this wonderful community.

 

Last week, Ann Starbard of Crystal Brook Farm and Penny chatted between customers and caught up on what's been happening in their city and farm lives. Over the years, Ann has added a great selection of flavors to her goat cheese selections.

Rather than constantly adding more varieties, she tries to suggest matches with current seasonal products from other farms at the market. Last week, she was suggesting her chive cheese with the strawberries that were adding a deep, red pop to the market tables.

We love to offer guests her ginger goat cheese with a fruit platter for snacking or dessert. Last weekend, we enjoyed it spread on an Iggy's baguette with a glass of rosé wine from the South of France.

Ed and Poppy (our Westie puppy) often sit on a bench next to the Cook's Farm and Bakery stand while Penny backtracks through the market to purchase what we spotted on our initial walk around. Simeon Cook welcomes us and supplies Ed with the oatmeal raisin cookies that keep his sweet tooth under control. 

This was a much better maple syrup season than last and Cook's has jugs of Grade B syrup on the stand. Penny loves the deep, rich flavor of Grade B syrup and it's one of the secrets of her meltingly delicious lamb shanks in chipotle sauce recipe.

  

The Word from the Farms

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm said, "Cukes are not far off - cabbage, carrots, peppers, and eggplant too…" "What few plant starts are still making appearances at market will soon be put to rest - so take this opportunity to plant some basil in a window box - or slip some tomatoes in the ground for a late season treat!"

Marshall's Farm tweeted, "Sweet Peas started last week and hopefully Green Beans are right behind them."

In Season, Right Now!

Foppema's Farm/Keown Orchards had the first cabbage we've seen this season. Time to make some cole slaw! They also have some of the best tasting honey we've had from any farm. It's our choice for our daily dose of local honey for allergy relief.

Micro-Greens were at both the Atlas stand from Old Friends Farm and at Silverbook Farm. 

Eggs, meat, and fish are always in-season and available at more markets.

We also saw: strawberries, tatsoi, cut herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil, and dill), hakurei turnips, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic scrapes, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, scallions, kolrabi, rhubarb, bok choi, chard, small onions with green tops, snap peas, sweet peas, herbs, hot house tomatoes, and honey. 

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Strawberries! Enjoy them now. Some farms lost a portion of their crops due to the rain in June. 

Coming Soon!

Blueberries and early raspberries – Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton Orchards hopes to have ripe berries around the Fourth of July. 

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 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.

Clear Plastic Bags for Big Events Like July 4th

In this age of heightened security people attending large events, like July 4th on the Esplanade, are asked to bring personal belongings in approved clear, plastic bags. While this original post is from a few years ago we have updated it in July 2017 for what's available from Amazon that should work.

Naturally, we can't speak for the authorities but as long as they can clearly see what's inside and it fits all the other requirements, (for example: no backpacks) these items might work. We're just using common sense and hoping the people at the checkpoints will do the same.

The EastSport Large, Clear Tote Bag (pictured at the top) looks ideal. It gets good reviews on Amazon and the shoulder strap and pocket make it perfect for walking into an event. It zips shut to help keep your stuff dry if it rains, and it looks like it would stand up next to you easily.

This Large, Clear Lunch Bag would work if you're going to bring just a couple of things with you.

Skip the ones with any design, other than handles or trim, and tuck a clear, plastic garbage bag inside in case things get really wet.

And, as we discovered as we explored this option, there are other places that require clear plastic for security checks before you enter restricted areas but do allow transparent backpacks like the one above.

 

Amazon has other choices and if you order quickly, you might be able to get one in time for July 4th. Or, order it now and be ready for future events.

If you know where neighbors could buy a clear tote like this locally, please add a comment. Some readers may not find this in time to get one for the 4th.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Birthday or Wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of Amazon

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Wednesday Lunch, Food Trucks at Belvidere Street

We love great choices and right now, on Wednesdays from 11 am to 3 pm, you can line up for Bon Me, Boston's Baddest Burger & Sandwich Co., or Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese on Belvidere Street near the intersection of Huntington Avenue. (map)

Here are a set of recent menus with Bon Me at the top, Roxy on the right, and Boston's Baddest Burger on the left. (Click on the collage for a larger view.)

Belvidere Street has become one of our favorite food truck locations. First, there's a regular roster of great rolling kitchens moving in and out of the three parking spaces near the Christian Science fountain. With three trucks on hand, you have lots of choices and it's easy to gather a group of friends and make a lot of them happy.

And, this setting also offers lots of seating for diners and is a prime spot for people watching. You can choose shade or sun and the wind may bring a cooling mist from the Christian Science fountain. The big bonus is that the entire area is signed as "No Smoking!"

Choice is a wonderful thing! What are you doing for lunch tomorrow?

Click here for all our Food Truck/Street Food coverage.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Birthday or Wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 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.

Related articles

Recent Food Truck Deliciousness

Greenway Open Market 2013

Close Your Windows & Hold Your Nose, Boston's Stink Trees Are in Bloom

That rotting, herbal scent in the Boston air is coming from the many, many Ailanthus altissima that have self seeded and invaded the yards and alleys around the city. When I put the search term stink tree into Google, my top hit is for Wikipedia's Ailanthus altissima entry so I'm not the only one with a nose that is sensitive to this summer bloomer.

It's appropriate that the seed droppings have outlined the manholes for Boston Sewer – these trees deliver the kind of smell that seems to belong with those words. Back Bay alleyways are wearing a coat of chartreuse and overhead the female trees are in full bloom.

If your allergies act up for the next couple of weeks, you may be sensitive to this pollen. Make sure you give your hands, face, and hair a wipe down after a walk through the yellow-green snow. And, if your pup is carrying some green dust home, give him or her a dip in some cool water to make sure the pollen clinging to a furry coat is not spread all over the house.

Back in 2008, I wrote a newspaper feature story on these trees and adapted it for BostonZest, here's a link.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Birthday or Wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 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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