Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Today was a near perfect spring day, meant for relishing the sunshine and celebrating the arrival of cheerful, warmer weather. I drove south to Arnold Arboretum to do both. 

Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, a well regarded figure in Bostonian history, the park was established in 1872 and is a National Historic Landmark, in addition to serving as a research institution and a natural haven for the city of Boston. Entrance is free every day of the year and I learned that they also offer classes and various educational programs to the public.I spent the majority of my time lingering beside the flowering plants in the Bradley Rosaceous Collection (the first photograph above), wishing I had a reason to stay longer. I eagerly look forward to the blossoming of the lilacs-there are nearly 400 of them at the park representing 176 different varieties  A Sunday each year is chosen to honor them (this year, Lilac Sunday is May 12th), which seems like a wonderful thing to do. 

Boston needed a beautiful Saturday like today. I don't think anyone took it for granted. 

A Lady Escapes: A Williamsburg Morning

It will be back to Boston posts soon enough, but I wanted to share a few pictures from the morning I spent in Williamsburg nearly two weekends ago. I took a dear friend who had never been and together we visited a great many places, only some of which are shown here-but what is here is what I love most about that little corner of Brooklyn, so I hope you enjoy. 
1, 2, 3:  Moon River Chattel 
4,5,6: Mast Brothers Chocolate 
7,8: Brooklyn Art Library
9: Depanneur 
10: Roebling Tea Room

A Lady Escapes: The Met and Central Park

A few more pictures from my weekend in NYC: a morning visit to the Met to see the Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity exhibit (it was great! no pictures allowed) followed by an afternoon stroll through Central Park. Wonderful times indeed. 

A Lady Escapes: Ladurée

Now that this week's horrible events have (hopefully) come to an end, I can share something cheerful and light and inconsequential-my little visit to Ladurée in New York last weekend. I went to NYC to see the city's first signs of spring along with a couple of dear friends who are happily ripening into New Yorkers themselves. My slightly fanatic fondness for macarons led me to Ladurée on Madison Ave and a good friend willingly obliged. Everything was truly perfect about this shop-it's calm and inviting pastel color scheme; the ribbons that decorated their packages and the boxes that held their products; and of course-those delectable, adorable macarons waiting for your first taste. We bought a set of six, costing a little over $20. Included in our expensive collection were two varieties of chocolate, a vanilla, a salted caramel, a raspberry as well as a lemon, that just happened to be my favorite. We devoured them slowly and thoughtfully while we awaited the arrival of another friend. They were fantastic and honestly, just a step above the rest.

I've kept the box as a momento-it will look perfect on my future vanity (a vanity which I dream longingly of but make no plans of actually purchasing). It's such a joyful thing to return to these pleasant trivialities after a week of too much seriousness, too much anxiety and too much fear. 

Spring in Boston

I was on my way home from a weekend in NYC when the attacks happened. This week has been more than emotionally difficult, but I've taken to walking through the Common and the Public Garden during lunch for some much needed tranquility. Spring has settled upon us-finally. What a relief.  

Nearby: Appleton Farms

My Ipswich excursion simply had to include a stop at Appleton Farms, one of the oldest operating farms in the country. The land is extensive and perfectly pastoral-dotted with trails and paths for visitors to walk alongside pastures home to grazing livestock.  I parked at the Appleton Farms Grass Rides entrance and slowly made my way towards the farmstead, perhaps a mile and a half away, where the Dairy Store and Visitor's Center are located. The walk was like a step back in time and I couldn't help but fancy myself a farm girl of the past (a remarkably clean one). I sat on this bench in the picture above and had a bit of a picnic, relishing the quiet that I knew would not last long. The Visitor's Center was closed (only open on weekends) but I bought wonderful goat cheese from the Dairy Store and made a point to talk to the cows (they had perfect names) before making my way back to the zipcar. I can't help but imagine that the farm is livelier on the weekends, but the calmness I experienced was decadent and sorely needed.

Nearby: Crane Beach

 Today I drove northeast to Crane Beach, a perfect destination for the nicest day New England has seen since the new year began. Lucky for me, I had the day off and wheels to boot. So off I drove in the mid-morning, with the luxury of the windows down and the ocean on my mind. I had no expectations -I was guided only by a website run by The Trustees of Reservations and an urge to see water (I miss living on an island)-truly anything would have done. But Crane Beach was nothing short of heavenly. The sun and clouds played their equal parts, but I was mesmerized by the sand dunes and comforted by the sea. I virtually had the place to myself-a gift I surely won't expect when I return in the summertime. The estate known as Castle Hill beckoned me on from the distance, but I shall save that for a future trip as well. I could not have been more satisfied. 

Somerville Winter Farmers Market

The Somerville Winter's Market is located in the Armory Building on Highland Ave, which is a pleasant, ten minute walk from Davis Square. My mother was the first to mention its existence to me (practically the first or second week I moved to the area), but I always postponed the visit. However, winter's departure heightened the necessity to see it, so I walked there last Saturday, encouraged by my fellow pedestrians who strode in the same direction. The Armory itself is an imposing building, like a castle and colored in the hue of winter, but strangely out of place. When I entered, I heard the sound of a pianist playing from inside the cafe and a moment later, saw several chickens on display captivating a small audience. Advancing a few steps forward, I was in the main section of the building, filled with vendors selling every kind of food imaginable (perhaps a stretch). Another band played upbeat tunes and the place was appropriately crowded. The market has everything one would expect to see and a bit more as well-like Q's Nuts from down the street. Sadly yet inevitably, the market is coming to an end with its final heyday next week. But I was encouraged by the strong community feel and will most certainly visit often next winter!