Gluten Free Tea Party at Home

There are many wonderful places in and around Boston to go for a proper tea. There is tea at The Taj Boston, tea at L’espalier, high tea at Concord’s Colonial Inn just to name a few. If, you are gluten- free then going to tea can be a bit more tricky. On the other hand,…

The New Year Dating Game

NB:  This post is not about relationships between men and women, men and men, women and women.  This is about your relationship with 2015 and the years to come. I recently read a post by Rachel, of hernamesrachel, which changed how I look at the new year a little bit.  I’m not one for resolutions (although…

New Year: Resolution, Revolutions, Evolution, Simple Solution

I’m not one for resolutions or fanfare. I have no list lofty or little. I have quiet goals, but I’m not one for bold statements or fanfare. I don’t have a word for the coming days that will make up 2015. I have no great opinion on the Pantone colour of the year. I just…

Tea at The Taj: Relax and Indulge

This year, winter break is a nice long stretch.  The hustle and bustle of Christmas might have been a lot of fun, but perhaps you’re wiped out from the travel, the shopping, the wrapping, and the reveling.  On Facebook, I read about many friends who had to roll with the punches this Christmas with flu…

2014 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 18,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 7 sold-out performances for that many…

5 Local Hostess Gifts: Drink Local

When I refer to “hostess” I use the broad definition.  What I mean by that is if you are attending a party you bring a hostess gift, and if you are hosting a party you deserve to treat yourself.  We’ve all joined our summer and fall CSAs and some brave souls have also signed up…

Chocolate Hazelnut Spiced Yule Log Cookies (Recipe)

I have always wanted to participate in the Great Food Blogger Cookie swap, but for whatever reason each year it comes and goes and I miss the boat.  This year, I was on the ball, I didn’t think about if I would have time or what I would make, I just signed up and went…

National Maple Syrup Day: Real Syrup in Real Diners

In honour of National Maple Syrup day, I’m celebrating diners and restaurants that serve or offer real maple syrup. I love the Deluxe Town Diner because they serve real maple syrup. I cannot stand the taste of fake syrup, but I get that it is loved by many. Taste is a complex thing and the…

Holiday Help from Stop & Shop: Sponsored Giveaway

Stop & Shop is doing their best to help you prep for your holiday open houses, Christmas dinners and New Year’s Eve parties.  They recently added a Boneless NY Strip Roast to their holiday offerings.  We don’t eat a lot of red meat, because we’re not huge meat eaters in our family, but for special…

Weekend Guide: Santa Brunches & Beyond

Sparklefest is in full swing in Harvard Square. Artisan and craft fairs and holiday pop up shops are popping up rapidly like the bubbles in that New Year’s eve glass of Champagne.   And, the kids might be seeing double, triple and quadruple as Santa finds his way all over town.  This weekend is the weekend…

Slow Down Santa: Holiday Hotel Stays in Boston

This year is coming to a close and Chanukah, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are all fast approaching.  Before we crash full speed into the coming year, I am pulling on the breaks.  Over the last few years, I have learned to appreciate what a night away (it doesn’t have to be far) does for…

Gift Guide: Shopping Local

If you’re sitting by your computer shopping online, there may be someone bringing you a cocktail, and good cheer, but I bet it’s much easier to find by bundling up and skipping out your door to head to some of the local craft fairs, holiday strolls and some of my favorite little boutiques. We use Amazon.com…