Thanksgiving is the beginning of my favorite time of year. The beginning of Christmas music and lights on houses. The beginning of Gingerbread Lattes and edible indulgences. The beginning of traditions as old as I am and nostalgia of years past. The beginning of family gatherings, welcomed snowstorms, and a sense of inevitable magic. The beginning of Christmastime. As hard as it is for me to believe, there are others who actually dread, or are at the very least apathetic to, this time of year. Maybe it's because they cannot afford the luxuries of the holidays. Or because they have nobody to spend them with. Maybe they don't have a home or a family. Maybe they lost their family. Whatever the reason, they just don't look forward to giving thanks and celebrating a time of year that is not so different to them than the other 11 months. This got me to thinking, why is this time of year so drastically different than any other? Some people may believe that this time of year is so prominent because it has been hyped up and commercialized by society. Our culture has definitely influenced the season but I don't think they deserve complete responsibility for this distinguished time of year. Don't get me wrong, I'm just as much of a sucker for Egg Nog, holiday movies, and Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song as the next guy, but I think the popularity of Christmastime is due to something else. It is due to an innate quality that has been around forever. During the season, you are invited to believe in the impossible. Think of all the joy believing in Santa Clause brought you. Sure, you could pass Mr. Kringle off as another one of societies manifestations of the holiday, but regardless of the material possessions he ultimately brought you, believing in St.Nick made an entire month magical. And even as we got older and discovered the unlikeliness of a man able to defy the laws of time and space, we still hold dear those Christmases when we did believe. When you are young, your beliefs are invincible. So, does it seem, is the consequential happiness. Why do we let that slip away with age? Who says we have to stop believing in something even though our logic tells us otherwise. Who says we cannot believe in the impossible? Isn't the whole religious principle based on belief. Belief in something for which you will never know the truth. Belief in something that defies what you can logically make sense of. Belief in, perhaps, the impossible. That being said, I seem to have failed to mention thus far the biggest contributor to this beloved CHRISTmas holiday. Regardless of your religious participation, those who celebrate Christmas are celebrating the birth of a figure who made life possible. A figure who has the potential to bring you so much more than Christmas presents if you just believe. And maybe there will come a day when our beliefs are proven wrong, but at least we'll have the memory of happiness that believing brought us. And, when it really comes down to it, your beliefs are the one thing that is really and truly yours. So you may believe as you wish for as long as you desire. And chances are you'll be a lot more happier at Christmastime and beyond. I realize this is all very easy for me to say as I sit in my cozy bed, drinking my red wine, typing on my personal computer...but I do know what it's like to stop believing for a moment. I know what it's like to have something happen that makes you question everything great you have ever believed in. This is probably the constant state of mind for some. For those without a roof over their head or food in their stomach. Those without family or friends. Those who have lost their job, their money, their health. But, if they choose to accept it, they do have their beliefs. And when you have your beliefs, anything is possible.
"You have everything you need if you just believe."
-Josh Groban, Believe (From the Polar Express)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
October in New England
Whoever said October was Boston's best month knew what he was talking about. The month came and went with only a handful of rainy days and an average temperature of about 60 degrees. The leaves were brilliant. Along the Charles River where I run the trees create a sort of canopy over the path. The bright yellow of the leaves illuminates the sky, making you feel like you're running through a bright, beautiful tunnel of sorts. And the grass was still green, the river smooth and shiny. It's like a painting come to life. But now that October is over I know the beauty of fall is soon to pass. Replacing it an ice cold winter I have been warned about. The lovely season has distracted me from my blog, so allow me to fill you in on the highlights of the month...
The Broncos were undefeated in October. Among the wins was Boston's own Patriots which entitles me to bragging rights for the remainder of the year.
Towards the beginning of the month, I went for a day of apple picking and wine tasting at a little winery/orchard about 45 minutes outside the city. Michael and I drove out to Bolton Massachusetts to Nashoba Valley Winery for a very affordable one-year anniversary date. It being a Saturday in the height of apple picking season, the place was busy but we still managed to do everything we set out to do in just over two hours. They have a good sized orchard with a big variety of apple trees. You get a map and a bag and go pick apples to your hearts desire. All the trees are marked to distinguish the different types of apples, but I realized once in the bag they all looked the same. I don't know which was which but they all tasted good. We then went on a tour of the winery. It was small, all their equipment spread out over four rooms, but obviously very efficient. They have a couple dozen varieties of wine plus beer and spirits. Throughout the tour we tried five different wines, most of which were very sweet. Not my preference in wine but still very flavorful. Apparently, the climate in that area doesn't cater well to growing grapes, so they import their grapes and use the fruit they can grow (pear, apple, peach, berry) as the main ingredient in their wine. Pretty interesting process. I'd like to make my own wine someday :) Nashoba also has a huge lot of open space and picnic tables right outside the winery. You can bring a picnic lunch on a nice day and their cork a bottle of wine for you to enjoy on the premises. Very friendly folks.
Money was tight this month, so I cooked in a lot, which as you know is fine by me. I did try a tapas restaurant called Tasca in Brighton, MA which was referred to me by a friend. They have a slew of various tapas, or small plates, which it seems they are known for. Two to three tapas is plenty to fill you up, and at about $6 a plate, it's pretty reasonable for an amazing dinner. Tapas restaurants are fun too because all the food tends to come out at different times and depending on the crowd you go with everyone usually ends up sharing so you get to try a bunch of different menu items. And at Tasca you definitely want to try everything. Among the tapas at our tables were spinach quiche, baked brie with an apple and raisin chutney, patatas bravas (potatoes with a tomato sauce), petite filet minon, pasta with seafood and a white wine butter sauce, shrimp with garlic, and tortilla Espanola (potato omelet). They also have a mailing list you can join to receive their weekly specials which includes $5 bottles of wine and 3 course meal options for $16. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...
We also tried a couple restaurants in Cambridge which were also very impressive. Ole, a Mexican place right down the street, had unique Mexican fare and very good margaritas. A little pricey, but worth returning too. And another restaurant in Harvard Square which I cannot even remember the name of, but the food was notable. Again slightly expensive but they serve up everything to meatloaf to pizza to hamburgers to seafood. And the atmosphere was very cozy. They have thick hardwood tables and cushioned chairs. Every table is a little bit different and they space them out well so it feels a little more intimate. Now if only I could remember the name...
I think that's it for October highlights. It was a beautiful month and I was almost glad to be unemployed to enjoy my first New England fall. But November brings with it my new job, shorter days, and oh yes, that freezing cold weather...I'll keep you posted.
The Broncos were undefeated in October. Among the wins was Boston's own Patriots which entitles me to bragging rights for the remainder of the year.
Towards the beginning of the month, I went for a day of apple picking and wine tasting at a little winery/orchard about 45 minutes outside the city. Michael and I drove out to Bolton Massachusetts to Nashoba Valley Winery for a very affordable one-year anniversary date. It being a Saturday in the height of apple picking season, the place was busy but we still managed to do everything we set out to do in just over two hours. They have a good sized orchard with a big variety of apple trees. You get a map and a bag and go pick apples to your hearts desire. All the trees are marked to distinguish the different types of apples, but I realized once in the bag they all looked the same. I don't know which was which but they all tasted good. We then went on a tour of the winery. It was small, all their equipment spread out over four rooms, but obviously very efficient. They have a couple dozen varieties of wine plus beer and spirits. Throughout the tour we tried five different wines, most of which were very sweet. Not my preference in wine but still very flavorful. Apparently, the climate in that area doesn't cater well to growing grapes, so they import their grapes and use the fruit they can grow (pear, apple, peach, berry) as the main ingredient in their wine. Pretty interesting process. I'd like to make my own wine someday :) Nashoba also has a huge lot of open space and picnic tables right outside the winery. You can bring a picnic lunch on a nice day and their cork a bottle of wine for you to enjoy on the premises. Very friendly folks.
Money was tight this month, so I cooked in a lot, which as you know is fine by me. I did try a tapas restaurant called Tasca in Brighton, MA which was referred to me by a friend. They have a slew of various tapas, or small plates, which it seems they are known for. Two to three tapas is plenty to fill you up, and at about $6 a plate, it's pretty reasonable for an amazing dinner. Tapas restaurants are fun too because all the food tends to come out at different times and depending on the crowd you go with everyone usually ends up sharing so you get to try a bunch of different menu items. And at Tasca you definitely want to try everything. Among the tapas at our tables were spinach quiche, baked brie with an apple and raisin chutney, patatas bravas (potatoes with a tomato sauce), petite filet minon, pasta with seafood and a white wine butter sauce, shrimp with garlic, and tortilla Espanola (potato omelet). They also have a mailing list you can join to receive their weekly specials which includes $5 bottles of wine and 3 course meal options for $16. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it...
We also tried a couple restaurants in Cambridge which were also very impressive. Ole, a Mexican place right down the street, had unique Mexican fare and very good margaritas. A little pricey, but worth returning too. And another restaurant in Harvard Square which I cannot even remember the name of, but the food was notable. Again slightly expensive but they serve up everything to meatloaf to pizza to hamburgers to seafood. And the atmosphere was very cozy. They have thick hardwood tables and cushioned chairs. Every table is a little bit different and they space them out well so it feels a little more intimate. Now if only I could remember the name...
I think that's it for October highlights. It was a beautiful month and I was almost glad to be unemployed to enjoy my first New England fall. But November brings with it my new job, shorter days, and oh yes, that freezing cold weather...I'll keep you posted.
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