Somerville, Massachusetts – So we’re hunkered down in the Pink House, getting ready for the holidays, watching the snow fall and dreaming of warmer climes. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a box full of books covering…
Exploring Rostov-on-Don
Rostov-on-Don, Russia – Set along its storied namesake river, Rostov-on-Don is a geographic crossroads, standing at the historical border between Asian and European cultures and acting as a modern gateway between the Northern Caucasus and the Black Sea coast. It’s…
Sochi: Russia’s Black Sea Playground
Sochi, Russia – Prior to its 2014 debut on the world stage, Sochi was celebrated in Russia for its sunny skies and balmy temperatures, which attracted privileged Party members to seaside sanatoria. Even Comrade Stalin had a vacation home near…
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
New York, New York – What’s a weekend in the Big Apple without seeing a Broadway show (besides infinitely more affordable)? Since we splurged on spending Thanksgiving in the city, we decided to splurge all the way, and we got…
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York, New York — Auntie lives on the Upper West Side, just across the street from the American Museum of Natural History. And just across the street from where they inflate the giant balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day…
Takashi Murakami at the MFA
Boston, Mass – We don’t get to the Museum of Fine Arts as much as we used to. But as soon as I learned we could see the whimsical flowers created by Takashi Murakami at the MFA, I knew I…
Mini Dollar Tree
Somerville, Mass – On Saturday mornings, S has started hosting a pop-up Mini Dollar Tree. It all started a few weeks ago, when he got the brilliant idea to sell some pencils and other trinkets he had found around the…
Great White Shark
Boston, Mass – Martha’s Vineyard celebrated the 40th anniversary of Jaws in 2015. But Cape Cod stole the limelight from the island, when real live great white sharks started making regular appearances near beaches from Chatham to Truro. The town…
What the Fluff? Festival
Somerville, Mass – Some places host oyster festivals, wine festivals or even street food festivals. Here in Somerville, we have a fluff festival. What the fluff? That’s right, marshmallow fluff originated right here in Somerville way back in 1917, which make…
Last Hurrah
St Clair Shores, Michigan – Our annual trip to Michigan is always the last hurrah of summer. For two weeks, we escape from the city and bask in the attentions of the grandparents. There’s always a trip to the Henry…