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Are we having any fun yet? By the time you read this Memorial Day will be past and we will be into June. I know summer doesn’t officially start until June 21st, but Memorial Day is considered to be the unofficial start of summer by many, including me. I know the kids aren’t out of school yet but it is finally safe to put out the flowering annuals and tropical plants, so it looks like summer. Any gardener that didn’t wait until the end of May this year probably has some frostbitten annuals to show for their impatience. I know because I have two frostbitten sweet potato vines from the frost the third weekend of May. I missed the frost warning probably because the weather forecast said warm on Saturday and Sunday. I thought they would be safe in the warm spot in the corner of the patio. This southwest facing protected spot has its own microclimate that is much warmer that the rest of the yard. But the frost still got in. Live and learn. Micro climates do make a big difference in bloom times. This was strikingly illustrated by the azaleas, lilacs and dogwoods that were in bloom on Beacon Hill for the annual secret gardens tour the week following Mother’s Day. While the azaleas, lilacs and dogwoods on my Georgetown lot were barely budding, the ones on Beacon Hill were in full bloom. The difference in climate may be due in part to the proximity to water, Boston Harbor and the Charles River surround Beacon Hill. I think the greater factor is probably the protection of the brick buildings that surround these small gardens. All of the gardens are tucked in the backyards between tall rows of homes, or in small courtyards that are equally protected. The brick walls absorb the heat of the day and radiate it all night to keep the plants much warmer than if they were out in the open and exposed to cool winds. I suspect those two hundred year old home are not insulated very effectively and lots of heat escapes keeping the gardens warmer all through the cooler seasons, then giving them a head start in the spring. The walking tour was enjoyable. It was crowded in the morning with one very long line to get in to see three gardens that backed up to each other between homes on Louisberg Square and West Cedar Street. As a consolation there was a classical trio playing on the sidewalk outside the entrance. There were no lines to speak of in the afternoon and we got to see everything. Twelve ‘secret’ backyard gardens for which you needed to by a ticket and several courtyard gardens that were visible from the sidewalk. Back home in my backyard, I finally got to install a new garden that had been delayed two years due to recurring back problems. I’m fine now. Thank you to all my NER friends who ask when they see me at region events. I’m using the yard work as physical therapy and being very careful. It took me a while to accept my physical limitations but I’ve adjusted now. I’ve come to understand that just because you can lift that cement planter doesn’t mean you should! Now I do everything “in half”. I work in the yard only half days; fill the yard cart and small bucket only half way. It takes more trips to get the job done but it increases my chances of still standing tomorrow. It seems to be working so far. Stuff it getting done and I’m still vertical. Another favorite pastime of mine, besides gardening and driving fast (only in a Porsche on a racetrack of course) is eating good food in nice restaurants. I’m not a gourmet cook by any means. I’m strictly a homestyle cook. So when I go out to dinner I really appreciate the talent and creativity that it take to produce a fine meal. Discovering a restaurant that serves great food and sharing it with friends is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an evening. Here’s my latest find, the Village Restaurant in Essex, MA. I ‘found’ this one in the April Nor’easter! I don’t know what prompted them to advertise in our newsletter. I can’t remember ever seeing an ad for a restaurant in the Nor’easter before. When Mike saw the ad he suggested we it give it a try. We did and the food was great. The menu is large, specializing in seafood, with a long list of daily specials. The prices are reasonable, most in the $13 to $18 range though some specials may have been more. I highly recommend the Shrimp Scampi appetizer. It was the best we’ve ever had. Since this is one of our favorite dishes, we’ve had it many times, so that’s a rave review. It was perfectly cooked with freshest ingredients and served with crusty grilled bread. We will definitely order that again. I’ve never written a restaurant review before, but I’ve read quite a few. I guess I should mention the atmosphere, which is country club-ish, dark woods and traditional. There are comfy booths all around the perimeter of the main dining room, which is lined with large windows on two walls. Further back the bar looks dark though we didn’t go in. The entry and reception area proudly display awards and reviews from local and national publications such as Gourmet and Saveur magazines. They must be consistently good since they’ve been voted the north shore’s best seafood restaurant by the Essex County Newspapers reader’s poll eleven years in a row! So if you live in the area or are planning to visit this summer keep this find in mind. |
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