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
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.
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.
Friday, December 23, 2011
We gathered some facts about this holiday celebrated the world over.
You’re no doubt aware of what Christmas traditionally looks like when it rolls around each Dec. 25. But how much do you know about its religious significance, its history as a holiday or the background of some of its famous traditions? We collected some facts about Christmas and its associated traditions. Look through the list – you might be surprised what you learn. 1. Christmas Day was established as a day to commemorate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the foundational leader of the Christian faith. (History.com) 2. Though Christmas is celebrated in mid-winter, “some evidence suggests that his [Jesus’] birth may have occurred in the spring.” In particular, the biblical account of the birth tells of shepherds herding sheep, which was …
Spending time with friends and family? Volunteering?
Christmas is coming, and while it's not a holiday everyone celebrates, at Patch we're wondering how you'll spend the day, and what your family traditions are. I know some people who volunteer at a church or soup kitchen to serve meals to those in need. I have other friends traveling near and far to spend time with friends or family. I'll be spending time with my grandmother this weekend, a special treat not only because she is my last living grandparent, but because at 92, she's sharp as a tack and has great stories to share. What will you do to celebrate the holiday? Vote in our poll, or add your own answer in our comment section below.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
I finished mine earlier this week. What about you?
For me, doing my holiday shopping for family and close friends begins with a lot of mental preparation. I much prefer knowing what I'm going to get someone before going to the stores, rather than going shopping and hoping something strikes my fancy. I finished up the last of my holiday shopping earlier this week. Though that's not quite true. I won't see one member of my family until about a week after Christmas, so I plan on hitting an after-Christmas sale to get his present. I'm now at the point where I have gifts stacked on my desk, and it's time to wrap them up. I enjoy the wrapping process as well, a skill I learned from my mother. She still makes the best bows, but I can copy her technique pretty well. The giving part is the best, in…
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Events marking the eight-day holiday will occur in Newton, and try some traditional dishes.
Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C., begins today at sundown, and lasts eight days. A number of events have been planned in next door Newton. For more details see the piece on Newton Patch. To get into the spirit of the holiday, try some of these Hanukkah recipes for potato latkes, challah and beef brisket. Know of any Hanukkah celebrations in Watertown, let us know in the comment section below.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The ubiquity of Christmas music.
Are you sick of hearing Christmas music yet? Once Thanksgiving is over, it's played everywhere. I know that a lot of people love this music and it helps get them in the Christmas spirit. But for many others, hearing the same songs ad nauseam gets quite tiring, annoying, maddening. I was in Stop & Shop the Saturday after Thanksgiving when suddenly the sound of "sleigh bells" permeated my consciousness. I immediately tried to ignore it. I haven't been shopping much this holiday season, but when I was in Filene's Basement in the Arsenal Mall last week, Christmas tunes were playing nonstop. Fortunately, I am often able to tune out much of the musical background noise in a store. Retail stores are the worst offenders in going overboard with …
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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 ›