Gates, arches, arbors, fences, bridges, stepping stones and paths signal to us that there is something beyond our line of view that is worth exploring. They stand in all their glory silently beckoning visitors to enter and see what surprises await. A space with flowers becomes a place for flowers when it is framed by […]
winter
New England
New England Snow Storm and Late Foliage
I’m a day late in posting the foliage blog this week, but I’ve been playing chicken with the forecast of winter weather. Will it happen, how much will fall, where will it fall, how long will it stay, and will there be a second storm? All questions that have the meteorologists in the region anxious […]
Centuries ago Christmas and winter-holiday celebrations were centered around the rhythms of nature. From the gifts that were exchanged to the wreaths on the doors and the decorations on the tree, everything was either home spun or thoughtfully gathered from the outdoors. The simple joy associated with such traditions and connecting with the beauty of […]
New England
Best 18th-Century Inns: 7 Runners-Up
When you travel many hundreds of miles in search of the best old inns in New England, it’s hard to narrow the list down to only ten. Here’s our list of the seven runners-up. Blue Skye Farm Waldoboro, Maine In this gem of a house, the two-story central stairwell is patterned in a green-and-red pineapple […]
In a region where seasonal work off the land is a staple of life, evergreens yield hundreds of thousands of holiday decorations.
Magazine
Low Tide in the Hills
Down on the coast, they understand the tides. They live by the tides–and not only as a practical matter for seagoing folk, but more subtly, as well. Twice a day, the harbors, bays, and coves fill and empty, fill and empty. The edge of the continent comes close, then pulls back. Down on the coast, […]
New England
Best New England Historic Inns
Escape to a distant time at one of these New England historic inns, where 18th century ambience is preserved with style and comfort.
Photo/Art by Scott & Zoe/Botanical/Getty Images If the holidays mean leaving your houseplant collection alone while you visit your family in far places, water each plant well, move it out of direct sun, encase it loosely in a clear plastic bag with a few air holes punched in it, turn the thermostat down to 60 […]
Magazine
In Search of Whales | Mary’s Farm
Nowhere is the whaling history deeper than on Nantucket, where whalers set sail and didn’t return for years, their ships filled with whale oil.
Magazine
A Visit to Boston’s MFA
Even back in the 1970s when I was a graduate student in Boston, I wasn’t a big fan of the Museum of Fine Arts. I dropped in at the elegant and eccentric little Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum regularly just to smell the gardens in winter and breathe the ancient air, but the MFA struck […]
I realize my posts of late have been entirely apple-centric, but such is the focus of my life these days as I get out to promote my book. I promise that once November rolls around, I’ll turn my eyes to the wider world of food. For now, I want to take you to a very […]
Gardens
Garden and Potting Shed Styles
Garden and potting sheds are as diverse as the people who own and use them. Charming and intriguing, these simple structures seem to beckon us to approach, peek inside and let our imaginations run wild. These small outdoor buildings also serve as a back drop for artists and artists at heart to express their own […]