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Here's Our Wine Pick for New Year's Eve 2013

This year, our New Year's Eve wine selection is the Paul Bara Grand Rosé from the Champagne region of France. Specifically, this champagne comes from the village of Bouzy and is 100% Grand Cru. 

We bought this bottle a while back at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors. (A special thank you to our longtime friends Peter and David for prodding us to get there for an outstanding selection of sparkling wines.) 

While a very knowledgeable staff member recommended this rosé (after learning of our preference for champagnes with a strong Pinot Noir leaning), it was the Kermit Lynch label on the back of the bottle that sealed the deal. Kermit Lynch is one of our favorite importers.

Here's what the good folks at Kermit Lynch have to say about Paul Bara.

"The village of Bouzy and Champagne Paul Bara are practically synonymous. As the published village historian, Paul is indelibly linked to the lore of his hometown. Many argue that he is their most renowned producer, being one of the rare récoltants-manipulants in a region inundated with the mass-produced wines of the large, corporate champagne houses. These récoltants-manipulants, or R.M.s as they are known, are of the few that still grow their own grapes and make their own wines. Champagne Paul Bara is the quintessential example, where everything is done with a personalized touch."

The technical specs for this wine say it's a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. We can't wait to try it and will share our impression early in the new year.

More about Our Sparkling Resolution       

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

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Persimmons Perk up Winter

A regular supply of fuyu persimmons has been arriving in our Boston Organics orders, and we enjoy the bright color and flavor they bring to the winter fruit scene.

They look wonderful sitting on the kitchen counter or on a tray of cheese and nibbles while they ripen to our favorite degree of tenderness. While some people say you can eat this type of persimmon when it is crunchy like an apple, we prefer it to be a bit softer.

Prep Tip!

I found a trick to prepping them for our fruit tray. If you turn the flower side down (that green you see on top is the remains of the persimmon flower), you can cut the fruit into wedges and simply lift the pieces away from the flower and stem. 

Here's a picture of an American Persimmon Flower from English Wikipedia. This is one fruit that keeps its flower to the very end.

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino and English Wikipedia used under the license granted here.

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Poppy's New Year's Resolutions

Poppy’s number one New Year’s resolution is to try to break her sock habit, but not until after her nap.

She's made a few more resolutions, but most of them seem to involve training us to do what she wants.

She'll Make Us Laugh More!

Laughter is good medicine. While raising a puppy can be a lot of work, we laugh often at Poppy’s antics. I may read her the riot act for stealing my socks, but I have to suppress a giggle when I see how proudly she prances when she captures a pair. 

She has done a great job in 2013 of keeping us well exercised, in touch with our neighbors, and part of our local dog community. And, Poppy intends to keep training us in 2014.

Work Less, Play More, and Lower Stress Levels

There is so much solid research on how petting animals can reduce our stress levels and even our blood pressure. Maybe that’s because we stop doing other things when we take time to cuddle or stroke our cats and dogs. Poppy doesn’t like it if I try to work on my laptop during her special time. She wants my full attention. It’s good for her and good for me. I can see she intends to make this an ongoing goal.

Sunday Dog Thank Yous

Poppy would also like to thank all the dogs who posed and told their stories as Sunday Dogs, this year along with all the people who visited them and said nice things about them. 

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

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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.

Sparkling Wine for New Year's Eve? We Have Suggestions!

Are you on the hunt for a special, sparkling wine for New Year's Eve? We have our selection in our sights, but it may take some shopping around to land a bottle. However, if you're looking for inspiration, we have years of recommendations for you to consider.

 

As our regular readers know, we begin each month with a glass of sparkling wine. Some months it's a cava from Spain for under $10, while other times we treat ourselves to a spectacular grower champagne like the Inflorescence Champagne Blanc de Noirs 2010 in the photo above. That was our New Year's Eve Wine, last year. 

Click over to our wine category and you'll find good wines at all price points that you might consider for this holiday.

We have our favorites like the lovely Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we've been enjoying for years.

To us, Bollinger makes the quintessential Champagne – toasty, yeasty, and delightful. So, as we go off to find our bottle of holiday cheer, we'll leave you with the words of Lily Bollinger who said of Champagne:

"I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty." 

Cheers!

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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.

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What's Open in Boston New Year's Eve and Day & MBTA Schedules 2013 - 2014

 

This is an outdated post. Click the link below for the latest information:

What's Open in Boston New Year's Eve and Day & MBTA Schedules 2015 - 2016 plus Parking, Trash & More

 

Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on New Year's Day and the MBTA schedules for New Year's Eve December 31, 2013 and New Year's Day, January 1, 2014.

Update: 1.1.14

From the CIty of Boston website

What's closed? Do I have to feed the parking meters? What about street sweeping? Are the liquor stores and packies open? When do I put out my trash? And, what changes are there to the MBTA schedules? We have the answers for you, all organized in one post!

Some businesses close early on New Year's Eve but with the crowds expected for First Night, others, especially those in the hospitality business, stay open. Call before you leave if you plan to visit a business on the 31st.

Here's what we've learned about January 1st, 2014 - New Year's Day

Restaurants, bars: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Here's a link to our post on restaurants that are open for the celebration: Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2013 and New Years Day in Boston

Convenience stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Supermarkets: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

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.

More after the ad...

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Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

Boston Trash Collection: The announcement from Public Works from the Recycling & Trash Holiday Collection Schedule:

New Years Trash Collection

Monday, December 30, 2013, 6am – Saturday, January 4, 2014, 5pm

• "Monday and Tuesday December 30th and 31st: Regular trash and recycling for all sections of the City.
• Bay Village Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Lower Roxbury, Mission Hill, North End, South End, and Sections of Back Bay: regular schedule, no delays.
• Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, South Boston, West Roxbury: Delayed a day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
• *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

MBTA Schedule Changes for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day-

MBTA has full information up on their events page. (If you are coming to this post after the holiday, that page will have changed.)

 

Here are the important points for New Year's Eve, Tuesday, December 31, 2013

• The Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on a modified weekday schedule
• The Siver Line will run on a weekday schedule
• The Commuter Rail will run on a modified weekday schedule - the last trains out are listed here
• Buses, trackless trolleys, and Express buses will run on a regular weekday schedule 
• Boats: Charlestown will operate a regular weekday schedule; others a modified weekday schedule
• The Ride will operate on a regular weekday schedule with extended hours until 2:30 a.m.

 

Here are the important points for New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2014

• The Silver, Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on Sunday Schedule
• Some Commuter Rail lines will run on a Sunday schedule. Fairmount, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham will not operate.
• Buses will run on a Sunday schedule with a long list of buses not operating. Check those here.
• Boats will not operate
• The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.

For more information call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TTY 617-222-5146) or visit the MBTA website."

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © iStockphoto 

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.

Christmas Cheer to All from BostonZest

Wishing you the happiest of holidays with a beautiful wreath designed by the Garden Club of the Back Bay volunteers. 

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: © 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.

Blogs as a New Form of "Grandma's Cookbook"

It's that time of year, when we all become nostalgic for the foods that are a part of our childhood holiday memories. If you're like me, you have a file of fading, stained, but treasured recipes from your past. 

 

Earlier this year, I ran across a very interesting online comment from the author of Taste the Rainbow. She explained that her blog was a way of "...passing down years of recipes to my family." 

It's a great idea. In the past, I've turned to sites that have traditional versions of recipes in order to recreate the flavors of some of my favorite Rhode Island foods like clam cakes & chowder, clear clam chowder, or journey cakes.

I have some recipe books that were created by family and friends that did the same thing a decade ago. I want to make more of those foods I remember from another time. And, I'll try to resist making too many changes to "improve them." 

Do you or your family use a blog to collect and share family recipes? Or, have you found a blog that does a great job of sharing the food that you remember from your part of the country or culture? If you do, send us an email and some of those could become BostonZest Friday Links in 2014.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a holiday 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.

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