Sunday, January 1, 2012
Although it's Sunday, many restaurants and bars will be open for New Year's Day brunch.
Welcome to 2012! While many of you may be taking a lazy day after a long night of celebrating, some may be out and about with ambition for the New Year. If you're one of those ambitious types, here's a list of what will be open and closed today. Remember: With New Year's Day on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed tomorrow. City government offices, post offices and libraries will be closed.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Everything you need to know if you're traveling on the MBTA this weekend.
The following information was provided by an announcement on the MBTA website. FREE SERVICE AFTER 8 P.M. The MBTA is providing extra transit services throughout the First Night festivities and will be offering FREE service after 8:00 p.m. Extra MBTA Police will patrol the system to assist with crowd control and safety. Note: The MBTA says these are the last Commuter Rail trains to operate on New Year's Eve and there will not be any alternative services available. Customers must arrive prior to departure time. OUTBOUND FROM NORTH STATION Fitchburg Line: 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Departure to Fitchburg Haverhill Line: 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Departure to Haverhill Lowell Line: 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Departure to Lowell …
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
My favorite is pulled pork tacos.
It's that time of year, when the chilly winter temps make me pull out my Crock Pot at least once a week to cook up a warm meal while I go about my day. I especially like doing so on New Year's eve, when I want to be spending time with friends instead of slaving in the kitchen. This year I'll be making a new favorite recipe of mine: pulled pork tacos with a delicious orange marmalade sauce and cabbage slaw. I found the recipe, by Sandra Lee, on the Food Network website, and have made the tacos twice now. (Note: you probably don't need as much of the slaw as the recipe suggests.) What do you wow your family and friends with on New Year's eve? Share your favorite recipes in our comments section below. Ingredients Directions Place the onions …
Monday, December 26, 2011
In many countries, it's a natural extension of the Christmas holiday. Here's a look at what it's all about.
We don't celebrate Boxing Day here, but I've always wished we did. More years than not, I've been scheduled to work on Dec. 26, and little else can put an abrupt end to holiday festivities and cheer like working the next day. And it's also a day for which I have some very fond memories. Many years ago, I did a work abroad program in college and was in England during the holidays. I spent Christmas and Boxing Day with a friend and his family and it truly was a natural extension of Christmas--a two-day celebration of the holiday. We ate, we laughed, we hiked, we ate more--in short, we were merry. So today, in honor of our friends to the north, across the sea, and down under, we offer some facts and trivia about what this day means in other …
Now that Christmas is over...what do you do with the tree?
Although you may have the Christmas tree up for another week or so, keep in mind that there is a limited window for curbside tree recycling in Newton. The city will collect Christmas trees on regular curbside pickup days Jan. 2-13. Residents are asked to place their undecorated trees on the curb during their normal trash/recycling time. The city asks that all decorations and ornaments be removed from the trees. Also, trees in bags will not be accepted. If you miss the Christmas tree collection, you will have to dispose of the tree on your own. Otherwise, you could wait until city yard waste pickup resumes in the spring and prepare the tree according to the yard waste pickup guidelines. If you're feeling even greener, check out these …
Dec. 26 is National Candy Cane Day.
It's National Candy Cane Day, which seems fitting given that you likely have a surplus lying around at this point in the holiday season. We visited the National Confectioners Association website to gather the questions and answers for a quiz dedicated to the striped peppermint candy synonymous with the season. The quiz is available as a PDF so it's easy to print off and share with friends or family gathered at your house for the holidays. Or just test your knowledge below: Candy Cane Quiz 1. Legend places the origin of the candy cane in the: A. 1900s B. 1800s C. 1700s D. 1600s 2. According to legend, candy canes began as a means of: A. Rewarding shepherds for successfully guarding a flock. B. Bartering for the Christmas ham. C. Keeping …
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The holiday season is a good time to reflect.
The holidays always make me look back at the last year and wonder where it went. I remember being a kid, and how a few days, or a few weeks seemed to last forever. A school year? Eternity. It doesn't seem like that long ago that we were buried under the snow of last winter's weekly storms. But here we are, at Christmastime again. I've been thinking lately what I'm thankful for, and I have a lot to be thankful for this year. My first niece was born healthy and happy in May. I live in a cozy home on a dirt road. Puppy teeth do eventually fall out (that's my dog, Rudy in the photo at right). I'm getting to see many loved ones this holiday season. What about you? Share what you're thankful for in the comments section.
With it being Christmas and a Sunday, most businesses will be closed today.
Since Christmas falls on a Sunday, by Massachusetts law the holiday will be observed on Monday. Today, full restrictions apply. Most businesses must be closed, but there are some limited exemptions. On Monday, the usual holiday rules apply other than liquor stores, which will be allowed to open after the state legislature decided on an exception for the day. Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill on Dec. 20.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
With the Christmas holiday, the MBTA will make some changes to its usual schedule.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Saturday, December 24, 2011
The following information was provided by an announcement made on the MBTA website: • Blue, Orange, Green, and Red line trains, buses, and trackless trolleys will operate on a regular Sunday schedule. • Commuter Rail trains will operate on a regular Sunday schedule except the Mount Wachusett Ski Trains to and from Fitchburg, which will not operate. Framingham/Worcester Sunday schedule. • Inner Harbor Ferry service from Charlestown and Long Wharf will not operate. • Hingham, Quincy, and Hull commuter boat service will not operate. • THE RIDE Service will operate on a modified holiday schedule. • Blue, Orange, Green, and Red line trains, buses, and trackless trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule. • Commuter rail trains will operate …
From material goods to good cheer.
I can think of a few favorite gifts I've received over the years — the mouse slippers my nana knit, my first CD player, a neon yellow and purple snow suit. As I've gotten older, I've also come to enjoy the giving aspect of the holidays, more so than the receiving. This time of year I try to remember to give to those besides famiily and friends, be it donations to charities or supporting local causes. I'm also doing so on Dec. 27 in Sudbury, where The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive. What better to give than the gift of life, as they say? Tell us in the comment section below what favorite gifts you've given or gotten, be it material items or holiday cheer.
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8:24 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
recently a friend got me into baked brie with sliced grannny smith apples and pears instead of crackers, so good... more ›