Exotic Flowers in Boston

Below is a copy of a letter that I sent out to baseball fans that I share cards with every year. Please let let me know if I can put you on the list.

Happy Opening Day,

If you are getting this letter, you know how much I love baseball and especially Opening Day. I did sign the petition to make it a national holiday. Alas, we celebrate things like Columbus Day instead.

My Opening Day tradition of ripping open a pack of baseball cards remains. I love sharing that tradition with you. No gum in these cards, sorry they took that out years ago. They should still infuse the cards with the scent though. That smell sparks nostalgia.

This year, our friend Kenton Jacobs opens a barbecue stand on Yawkey Way at Fenway Park. He makes the best barbecue. Make sure you tell Jake, that Rick at the flower shop told you to stop by !

See you at the ballpark !

Rick

It’s Easter Bunny time!

Who can stand the wait as we’re planning and plotting our to do’s for the upcoming holiday!  What’s at the top of our lists?  Well, our Easter basket necessities of course!  We’ll need the staples such as plastic eggs for the hunt and a pair of bunny ears to be festive for the children but what else should we be on the lookout for in order to make this upcoming April 5^th the best Sunday ever? 

                                               Photo credit: 1061evansville.com

I don’t know about you but creating a fun and different basket for my boys is something that I always look forward to.  Sure they always contain the traditional items of Cadbury eggs, rabbits molded out of chocolate and jellybeans in every shade of the rainbow but I want to add a little individuality to this year’s creations. 

In order to do this, I like to reflect on what makes the holidays treats so appealing for children.  First and foremost, the premium factor is the brilliant colors that we see pouring from the brims of the containers.  The spectacular spectrum brings and automatic positive sensation to the brain causing the feeling of excitement and joy.  Because of this, I love to be sure to make their baskets look like a Crayola crayon set, adding shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue purple, pink and any other tint that I might see. 

The texture of the things I put in the baskets is another important issue when selecting treats.  I like to always have egg shaped items but I also like to mix it up with hand wrapped specialty candies, swirl lollipops and beautifully foiled chocolate morsels.  The interesting combination of the different heights and sizes causes a pleasing presentation instead of a flat looking bulk of candy.  Take a look around your area and try to find a local candy shop or chocolate baker who might sell unique and distinctive options other than the regular supermarket and CVS stock of holiday wares.

                                              Photo credit; Gifttree.com

Don’t be afraid to walk outside the “sweet” realm and incorporate things such as small spring themed stuffed animals, yo-yo’s, customary toys such as paddleballs and jump ropes or little games and puzzles.  One of my son’s has an adoration for books, specifically written and illustrated by Mo Willems so I found and elephant and piggy novelty that I’ll prop up with a copy from his series.  For my older son, I think I’ll make a trail of treats leading to a new basketball, his newest favorite sport this year. 

The point is, never be afraid to try new themes that work for your kids.  Make their Easter as special as they are by utilizing their interest and hobbies within their baskets.  Be as sneaky as you can with candy trails and hiding spots and watch the joy of Easter egg hunting work its magic! 

 Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA 

Easter is a celebration that entails several dimensions and traditions.  For those who observe this holiday, customs include religious rituals, family gatherings and special feastings that bring loved ones together.  For some, the anticipation of dyeing Easter eggs is also part of the excitement, particularly for those who have young children.  Over generations, there have been several strategies and techniques that have been passed down claiming to be the best way to create these festive decorations.  Even the process of readying the eggs has become debatable on whether pricking a whole at each end and blowing out the yolk or otherwise keeping the contents and simply boiling them before crafting.  What to color the eggs with is also a complicated choice because of the extensive products that you can purchase in stores or otherwise making your own dye concoction using kitchen ready ingredients.  Easter egg dyeing is serious business and one can feel overwhelmed when deciding just how to go about it.  After careful research, I’ve found some effective and efficient ways to color your eggs that will leave even the Easter Bunny speechless!

                                      photo credit: Emily Kate Roemer via MarthaStewart.com 

 Although millions of eggs are dyed each year in totality with food coloring, there’s nothing that says you can’t decorate using plain acrylic paints.  Not only will they be bright in color but kids and adults can put their own original touch within design and shading that a store bought brand wont allow you to do.  Patterns of stripes, polka dots and elaborate pictures are just a few of the possibilities when using crafting paints and will also encourage the little artist in you and your family.  One tip to keep in mind, water or oil based paints will not give the desired results that you’re looking for so be sure to have the right variety. 

                                      photo credit: MarthaStewart.com

If you’re looking to make some fancy eggs, try using this recipe to create marble eggs quickly and inexpensively.  Take 3 to 4 mugs and add 7 droplets of food coloring.  Add to each container 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.  Fill the rest with water until it is about ¾ full of liquid.  With a spoon, stir the contents to make a spinning whirlpool.  Carefully place the egg on the utensil and gently lower into the moving vessel.  Count to 10 and then remove to allow drying.  For this method, a hard-boiled egg works best because the lightness of an egg that has been hollowed out may crack up against the mug during the dyeing process. 

                                                  Photo Credit; Emily Kate Roemer via MarthaStewart.com

This idea is my favorite so far…  Visit your local hardware store and buy a small canister of chalkboard paint.  Paint the eggs (again, this works best with hard-boiled eggs) and set aside on a paper towel to dry, touching up spots that may smudge in the process.  Find some regular chalk and let your family stencil their eggs anyway that comes to their imaginations. This is a wonderful tactic for small children because if they make a mistake and want to change it, all they have to do is erase and draw again. 

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

Suzie will be coloring eggs this week with her two boys.

Passover is a wonderful Jewish celebration where family and friends gather together to eat, laugh and be with one another.  Beginning and ending from eve to eve starting Friday, April 3^rd to Saturday, April 11^th, preparations are already being made for this holiday where music, food and even flowers are utilized to reflect Passover traditions.  Party planners suggest using color, texture and customary artifacts when planning your Seder table, which includes everything to the table linens to the lighting and settings.  Some even attempt to coordinate the dishes being served to the decorations seen throughout the home to present a “unified” feel to their event.  Floral pieces have customarily always been an integral part of this feast where styles range from sophisticated contemporary to authentic traditional.  Whether you’re looking to duplicate shades of delicacy within your vases or you simply want to accessorize the celebration with perfect blooms, here are some ideas that Boston florists are ready and able to make happen for you this Passover.

                                          Photo Credit: Flower Factor

Selecting varieties that compliment your dinner menus have become a popular way to design the Seder table settings.  Since leavened flour and grains are left out of these recipes, fabulous courses such as Matzo Ball soup, Brisket, haroset and rich cakes for dessert are most popularly made to dine on.  Matching a few types of flowers to these delicious dishes not only enhances their desirability but also compliments the tones of glorious color that they possess.  For example, the rich red tint of a raspberry glaze atop of brisket can be paired well with an arrangement of burgundy roses or ruby red ranunculus. Baby artichokes are also seen quite often where you can request your florist to place real artichoke heads within your centerpieces or you can pick up a few of these veggies at your local supermarket and do this task yourself.  The flourless chocolate cake that is sometimes served at the end of the meal is even more decadent when placed next to a vase of white calla lilies giving the black and white appeal to the feast. 

                                               Photo Credit: Flower Factor

What if you’re not into the matchy matchy look and just want to celebrate the spirit of the season within your flower arrangements?  Well you’re in luck because Passover occurs exactly during the time of year when beautiful harvests of spring flowers are arrive once again.  There is no shortage of exquisite lilies, tulips, hyacinth and sweet peas that are promised to look stunning placed on the table.  You can also arrange clumps of blossoms by color or variety, making a dramatic but fuss free impact on guests as they dine.  Other suggestions are to use single stem bud vases with lily of the valley or create four to five smaller vases around the settings holding vibrant jewel tones such as delphinium, roses or daffodils. 

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

Saint Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching and my son is already becoming excited with the hope that he might be able to catch a Leprechaun, a tradition which he attempts every year.   The fascinations surrounding these miniature faeries of Irish folklore have been cultivated and celebrated for generations.  Due to the magical and mysterious nature of these tiny spirits, they have become the most honored icons for the luckiest holiday of the year!  Children everywhere are plotting their contraptions to snare these mischievous imps in order to find their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.   But is that all to really know about Leprechauns?  This Saint Patrick’s Day, why not give our kids a little history lesson about these mythical men and pass along the fun and fantasy that this Irish folklore celebrates. 

                                         Lucky the Leprechaun

Leprechauns are one of the oldest faeries depicted in Irish literature and date back even before the Celts were introduced between 800 and 400 BC.  They are the direct relatives of the Clurichauns, specifically cousins who although are similar in nature, are known less for mischief and more for destruction that they cause through the night after heavily drinking.  Leprechauns are very small in size and can be compared in height to a matchbox car or child’s action figure.  Attire consists only of a hat, green suit and buckled shoes with the occasional pipe as an accessory.  They are unique in their profession because unlike other Irish faeries, they are the only mythological creatures that are shoemakers.  The reason for this is known through their love of dance and music.  Legend says that the little men are quite talented in the musical realm having been able to master authentic Irish instruments such as the harp, whistle and fiddle.  After enjoying a social gathering of moonshine with friends, Leprechauns would religiously break out into song, playing music and dancing into the wee hours of the night.  Because of this passion, the faeries found it imperative to always have proper shoe ware thus bringing about their analogous trade of cobbles men. 

                                      Boston's Most Famous Leprechaun 

Now here’s the part that your kids are going to want to hear about…

Leprechauns are the trickiest and sneakiest figures of any folklore in the world and have to this day, never been caught by any human.  Each sprite has gathered an opulent assortment of riches that are said to be valued so precious, that the gods have granted them powers to protect it.  Commonly hidden in the countryside of Ireland, a Leprechaun has the capability if trapped to grant his captor three wishes although more of the time he will vanish before your eyes into thin air.  Places to be careful to look are underneath hollowed logs or trees where they have made their home.  If you do happen to catch yourself a Leprechaun, be weary when he begins to scream, tantrum and cry.  You might think its because you have found his gold but really, he’s thankful that you haven’t found the other squandered treasures that are hidden close by! 

New Years Eve dinner is one of the most anticipated meals of the year where dishes are slaved over to ensure a tasty feast for all who sit at their holiday table.   Including delicious sides of mashed potatoes, squash, green beans and more, guests look forward to the eclectic presentation of food served for this celebration.  Although cuisine varies from plate to plate, the main course usually includes a roast that can be prepared in several different ways depending on the host prefers.  While different seasonings, glazes and even oven temperatures will vary, there is a simple recipe for those who new to cooking their very first New Years Eve dinner.  While we might be anxious about the pressure to perform perfection, I assure you there’s an easy way to make sure your roast will turn out scrumptiously.  Follow these steps and you too will have a New Years Eve dinner with a main course fit for a king! 

Ingredients

Roast

1 Garlic Clove

Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Yellow Onion                                                        

2 Stalks of Celery Baby Carrots

Red Potatoes (Quartered)

Ken’s Italian Dressing

2 Leaves of Sage

Rosemary

Parsley

Salt                                                                                              photo credit: Seriouseats.com

White Pepper

Preheat oven at 325 degrees and place the roast face up in a roasting pan.  With a knife, slice 1inch slits on the surface of the meat making sure to spread the cuts at least 1 ½ inches apart from one another.   On a cutting board, thinly slice the garlic clove to produce at least 7 separate pieces.  Insert one garlic slice into each whole pressing the seasoning down deep.  Lightly dust the surface with salt, pepper and parsley, afterwards spreading the cream of mushroom soup over the top of the roast, which will sink into the meat and create a wonderful taste while cooking.  Then slice the yellow onion into ringlets and place over the glazed mixture.  Place the two sprigs of Sage delicately across the top, which will not only add to the unbelievable flavor but will also enhance the presentation of the dish.  On the bottom of the dish at the top and bottom of the roast, add the baby carrots and quartered red potatoes.  Sprinkle the veggies with a dash of salt, pepper and rosemary herbs and drizzle the Italian dressing on top.  Toss the vegetables together making sure that all of the ingredients are fully covered with the marinade.  Place the celery stalks on each side of the roast now completing a box around the meat.  Place in the oven for 2 hours and you have yourself a dynamite meal to serve  for New Years Eve dinner!

 and what could be better on New Years Day than a pot roast patty melt ? 

photo credit: cassiecraves.blogspot.com

Suzie Canale

Westwood, MA

Suzie's New Year's tradition is writing her and her family resolutions and sending themm out to sea as a message in a bottle.

Take out of pizza and most popularly, Chinese food is found on many tables the night before Christmas but there is one special festivity that promises a more interesting appeal than cheesy dough and fried rice.  The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a time honored tradition celebrated by millions of families the eve before Santa arrives and is celebrated the most by Roman Catholics, Southern Italians and Italian American families.  Translated originally as, “La Vigilia” the custom calls for the eating of seven different fish dishes although sometimes expanding to nine.  The fish is often cooked and fried in oil and has a surrounding of several different possible reasons why this came to pass.  One theory says that the number #7 is the most repeated number in the bible while other philosophers claim that it represents the seven hills, which circle Rome.  The importance of the dish made from fish is tied to both the Catholics placing importance to eliminating meat and dairy on the eve of any holiday.  The significance of participating in this festivity is both correlated to the religious aspect as well as the belief that all those who engage in the Feast of the Seven Fishes will have good health and fortune for the year to come. 

                                   photo credit:http://blog.turners-seafood.com/ 

Generations of recipes for this custom can include any type of fish but most commonly includes cod, specifically the serving, baccala (salted cod) and smelt.  Other popular platters serve delicacies of lobster, clams, eel, mussels, squid, scallops and shrimp.  Often there are helpings of vegetables and pasta but there is a strict restriction from beef, chicken and eggs.  Kale preparations are also seen quite often amongst the sides.  Variations are abundant, so don’t be afraid to substitute the cod for something you favor more.  Salmon, tuna, swordfish and sardines are perfectly acceptable replacements that might be more pleasing to your guest’s palettes.  Another terrific bonus for celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes is that homemade wine is a strong part of this tradition, although any wine is acceptable.

                                 photo credit: elizabethstreet.com

If you’re looking to start this wonderful custom on Christmas Eve, try Lemon Garlic Marinated Shrimp, which is both quick and healthy.  Grill or sauté 1½ pounds of shrimp however you usually prepare the shellfish.  Heat a skillet and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 4 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic.  Add a ½ cup of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper and a ½ cup of fresh chopped parsley.  Mixed together well and pour over the cooked shrimp.  Place in refrigerator to chill until its time to serve. 

           Suzie Canale, Union Oyster House in Boston, 2014

Suzie can be found on Christmas Eve at her home in Westwood wrapping presents.  

There’s nothing like snowfall, a roaring fire and a great holiday flick to cozy up to during the Christmas season.  Being one of the largest topics played out on screen, holiday movies rank as some of the highest watched movies through November and December.  Why do you ask are they so popular?  Many of us need a little pick me up during this time of year because there is sometimes added pressure to complete tasks such as cooking, shopping, decorating and yes- family get-togethers which can also cause us to feel overwhelmed and anxious.  We need that burst of laughter or sentimental teardrop that is experienced while watching Christmas movies because they give us comfort and enhance a further enjoyment of the holiday.  I certainly have my favorites and the list is long!  Here is my top five with a small introduction about each to help select the perfect Christmas movie just right for you!

The Family Stone (2005)

This is definitely one movie that I look forward to watching every year because of the all-star cast and witty mix of comedic drama.   New Englanders will fall in love with the beautiful cinematography as well as the heart felt writing that pours throughout the story that includes disagreements between siblings and misled expectations for romantic partners.  Starring Diane Keaton, Sara Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Luke Wilson, Dermot Mulroney and Craig T Nelson, a family reunion gets sticky when the eldest brother brings home his uptight fiancée to his wacky childhood home.  Trouble begins when the special guest just can’t seem to fit in which leads to couple swapping over the holiday weekend.  Sure to make you giggle and cry, The Family Stone is reflective of the common misunderstandings, mishaps and quirky relationships that most households possess during the celebration of the Christmas season.

Fred Claus (2007)

Funny, hilarious and a laugh out loud film, Fred Claus is both a comedic and sweet film about the pains of being the older brother to one of the most famous men in the world, Santa Claus!  Moviegoers will take a ride with Fred Claus to the North Pole where he must step up and save Christmas from extermination from the evil efficiency expert determined to end the holiday for good.   Starring Vince Vaughn, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti, Kathy Bates and Kevin Spacey, the hysterical combination of Vaughn’s dark humor (you’ll love him dancing to Elvis on top of tables) with the festive glee of Santa’s elves is brilliant and succeeds in presenting the lesson that family is the strongest unit of all.

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation (1989)

It’s a classic and if you haven’t seen it, you have to!  Following along in the beloved ways of the Griswold’s, this time Clark (played by the infamous Chevy Chase) is determined to make it the best Christmas to date by digging deep into customary traditions and creating the zaniest craziest celebration ever.  Accompanied by a cast including Juliette Lewis, Beverly D’Angelo and Johnny Galecki, the Griswold’s welcome their extended family of grandparents, great aunts, uncles and cousins to experience over cooked turkeys, gas explosions, fire fried trees and even the kidnapping of Clark’s boss over a bogus Christmas bonus.  The laughs are endless in this classic Christmas comedy where you learn that family is everything to the Griswold’s.

Jingle All the Way (1996)

So you’ve seen Arnold Schwarzenegger play action hero before but I promise you, the actor puts a whole new spin on the character.   In this fun loving comedy about a business man to busy to spend time with his family,  he makes the ultimate mistake by forgetting to buy the only present his son wants, a Turbo Man doll.  Taking you through a hilarious journey where he fights a mailman (played by Sinbad) through malls, radio stations and a holiday parade in the middle of the city, he finally figures out in the end that his son really just wanted to spend time with his hero, his dad. 

Deck The Halls (2006)

If you love lights, then you will love this flick about two neighbors in a heated competition for who can put on the best Christmas display on the block!  Led by Danny Devito, Mathew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth, the jokes start reeling when a new family moves into town and decides to shake things up from the usual low-key traditional décor to a wild holiday spectacle.  Attempting to have their home seen from outer space, the tension grows when situations arise between the two families as electricity is stolen, blinding light shows start occurring in the middle of the night and egos are bruised.  This story is not only incredibly funny but sends a sweet message to viewers about the true meaning of Christmas.

  Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA 

Suzie is a huge movie buff. She will be sure to watch these movies and more with her husband.