Happy New Years' Eve

This is who I'm kissing at midnight!

George's Island

This is Fort Warren on George's Island. More on the history of George's Island is HERE.

Playing Games

Well I might get in trouble for this post (Sarah doesn't care for football and I'm not sure how Whitney feels about it) but since I'd wager that most people in Boston and many around the nation were also watching this game tonight, I thought I'd post a picture of it. On my tv. It's not my proudest moment as a photographer but hey, it's history, right?

Milk Bottles and Children's Museums...

I had two options for this post - a picture of the sign for the Children's Museum in Boston, or a picture of the Hood milk bottle that stands outside of the museum. Clearly I went with the milk bottle, and that's because I've associated it with the Children's Museum since I was a little kid. In my opinion it's an iconic part of Boston (it houses an ice cream stand, by the way). The Museum itself is also a ton of fun - for kids and adults alike. My favorite is the bubble room...what's yours?

Christmas Light Overkill?

Here is a daytime (well, dusk) shot of a house that's located on the Jamaicaway here in Boston. It's become pretty well known in the area for its extravagant lighting display (Christmas Vacation anyone?). I don't know how I feel about such a display - I feel like it must be a nuisance to the neighbors, but it's nothing if not festive! If you drive through the area at night you can't miss it (trust me)!

*This shot also taken by my brother Danny - who's birthday is today. Happy Birthday Dan!

The Emerald Necklace

Here's a shot of Olmsted Park, which forms part of what is known as the "Emerald Necklace". The Necklace was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. and is made up of six parks, including both the Arboretum and Franklin Park. This website has a handy interactive map so you can get a better idea of where everything is. If you ever visit Boston (or if you live here and haven't done so), please visit these parks. Whether it's during the very green and flower filled summer months, or during the snow covered winter months, the parks are gorgeous and a stone's throw from several T stops!

Christmas, Christmas Time is Here....

Merry Christmas everyone!

Holiday Rush

Shot from the Jamaicaway (by my brother Danny - thanks Dan!) on our way to mom and dad's for Christmas Eve dinner. We had mild weather in Boston today, considering all the snow we've gotten over the past couple of weeks. The sunset was really soft and calming tonight - you can see the sun glistening off the Hancock Tower way in the background there, and in the corner you can see the traffic as other people also headed home early tonight. I'm in my jammies, ready and waiting for Santa. Hope you've all been good this year!

The Endicott Estate

The Endicott Estate is a big mansion on a lot of land (it looks like a big front yard in the picture, but trust me, it's even bigger than it seems), smack in the middle of Dedham, MA (about twenty minutes outside of Boston). I wish I could give you more historical information but it seems that their site is password protected so here's what I do know:

1)We used to drive by it all the time on the way to and from my grandparents' and I remember always thinking it was so beautiful, particularly with all the Christmas lights up.

2)They do host weddings and other types of events, so if you're planning something be sure to check them out - we were interested in booking it for our wedding but they were in the midst of renovations at the time we would have needed it.

Harbor Islands

These are some of the Boston Harbor Islands, and if you look to the top of the photo you can make out Logan Airport as well.

Click to enlarge!

First Day of Winter

We got more snow Thursday, and the result is that everything has this beautiful cover of fresh white snow again! I love this picture - it amazes me how much softer everything looks with a blanket of snow. Here's a shot of the same thing, with less snow. I'm leaving this weekend for warmer weather (only 10 degrees warmer, but 40 degrees is way better than 30!), so everyone cross your fingers that the winter weather doesn't strike again while I'm trying to fly back next weekend!!!

Snow (hey oh)

It's been snowing all day today - going on about 15 hours now. Every time I looked at the weather online throughout the day, they had added another inch to the forecast. This morning it said 1-3, by the time I left work they were saying 4-6! We've had quite a few mild winters in a row, so all the snow this year is causing quite a fuss.

Artists' Lofts

The Walter Baker Lofts are across the street from my building. The building was originally the administration building for the chocolate factory, and now has eight (I think) lofts designated as work/living space by the city. Tenants must be certified by the city as artists.

Only a hippopotamus will do!

Someone had painted over the graffiti on this old railway bridge, and it didn't last long - someone came along and used the shape of the grey paint to create new graffiti!

All is calm, all is bright

Throughout the holidays, Downtown Crossing has a lot going on. There's a petting zoo on the weekends (I don't know what exactly there is to pet and how impressive it is, but I've seen the signs), and there's musical entertainment throughout the week. Whit has already shown you the New Liberty Jazz Band, and I enjoyed these strolling carolers during my lunch break one day last week.

Miss Daisy

Down the street from my house there's a great garden center - Cedar Grove Gardens. It smells deliciously of Christmas trees right now, and they've got all kinds of beautiful plants and wreaths and also do cut flower arrangements. There's also a store with heaps of beautiful gifts, where you might just come across Miss Daisy! The first time I was in, Miss Daisy followed me through almost the entire store soliciting pets. When I was in yesterday, I almost missed her curled up and blending in with this blanket.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

We went for a walk through the Neponset River Reservation to scope out the pretty snowiness.

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Here's another one from the storm yesterday. This is the tree outside 100 Federal - the Bank of America building.

Snow Freezing Fog

We got our first storm of the winter today - 11.2 inches reported in Dorchester, which is the south end of the city. The snow started around 1:00, and I took this picture around 6:00 and there were at 6-8 inches by then. This is the intersection outside my building - you can see the top of a small hill that cars were struggling up. Some people had given up and abandoned their cars half off the side of the hill.

I walked the .75 miles home from the T instead of taking the bus (traffic was B-A-D bad everywhere, and I made it home faster than the bus anyway!). I saw at least half a dozen abandoned vehicles, and I also got to see the awesomest thing: A woman was sitting in a disabled car in the middle of the road with her hazards on, and a gentleman walked up to her window and knocked on it. When she rolled down the window, he asked if she was okay and made sure that she had a cell phone to make any calls she needed to make. He asked her again if she needed anything, and was still chatting with her as I walked out of earshot.

Oh! And the title for this post? That was the description on Weather Underground for most of the afternoon. Also interesting: we got more snow today that we got all of last winter - and our first snow last winter didn't even come until the end of January!

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland

This guy was greeting visitors outside of the SoWa Holiday Market last weekend.

Fairy Lights

Here's a shot of all the trees lit up with fairy lights along the middle of Commonwealth Avenue. For those of you unfamiliar with the term fairy lights, many countries use it to refer to white Christmas lights.

Hockey Fans Hit the Ice

I didn't realize that it's been cold enough for the Boston Public Gardens' pond to be frozen enough for ice hockey! I photographed these brave souls hitting the ice this past Friday (I know, I know, I've been slow to actually post it online!).

Bostonia

Sorry for the delay in posting, folks! This time of year tends to get a little crazy and we've fallen behind on posting. The above picture is a wintry shot of the Boston Gardens.

Frog Pond's Icy Treat

The Zamboni smoothed the ice on the Frog Pond in the Boston Common yesterday while hoards of children waited patiently on the sidelines. I've never skated on an outdoor pond...perhaps if I'd had the opportunity to try it as a child, it wouldn't seem so nerve-wracking now as an adult!

The New Liberty Jazz Band

The New Liberty Jazz Band was jamming away in dowtown crossing at lunchtime today. They attracted a large and varied audience including some traditionally dressed carolers.

District 8

These are the guys from the District 8 (E18, L6) firehouse directing their driver into a parking space in Peabody Square. Normally the garage door would be open and they'd back it in, but I took this picture the day of the Peabody Square tree lighting, so they had the garage filled with snacks and warm beverages for the holiday party after the tree lighting!

Wang Theater: Part Dos

Here's another one from the Wang Theater - this is the ceiling in the foyer (lobby?).

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This is one of the Baker Chocolate Factory Apartments buildings, along the Neponset River. The flag is always there, but the lights are a new (and pretty) addition. If that little bridge wasn't fenced off, I'd try to find a way to put lights on the tree that's growing out of the bridge supports. Also, note the ice on the left hand side of the river there...it's already proving to be a MUCH colder winter than it was last year. This time last year it was 50 degrees out and we've been lingering in the 20s for a while now.

Stay Inside

Folks, it is a very windy, very cold, very icy day here in Boston, so here's a picture to make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. That's my cat Barley, who is a complete and total pain in the butt, but is so cute that you always forget what a jerk he was and fall in love with him all over again.

Today there was snow, sleet, rain, and lots and lots of wind, so I kept my mittens on and my hands in my pockets, which makes it hard for taking photos! ;)

All Saints' Church

All Saints' Episcopal Church sits just a block from the Ashmont T Station, in Peabody Square. The church was founded in 1867 to serve Church of England members who were working the Old Colony Railroad. In 1872, a wood frame structure was built on this property. Over time, the church's population grew, and soon members were standing outside windows and on the porch during services. In 1892, the cornerstone was laid for a church designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram, and funded by Colonel Oliver Peabody. The church was the first designed by Ralph Adams Cram, and started a trend in American church design. And of course, the church was built using granite from nearby Quincy!

ETA: Just looked at this and realized that the picture isn't showing up - I will fix when I get home tonight! Please let me know if there's a problem viewing the picture - I think it's fixed now!

Zakim Bridge

In honor of today's daily photo theme being bridges, we thought we'd post a photo of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge. Lenny Zakim was an American religious and civil rights leader, and since he was known for "building bridges" between Boston's racial and ethnic communities it seemed only natural that an actual bridge be named after him. The bridge opened to traffic in 2003 and since that was before I lived here, I asked Sarah if she had any local knowledge of it...

"The first winter after it opened they discovered the flaw in the design—snow/ice froze on the suspension wires and then when it got warm and started to melt, chunks came crashing down on to cars. I can't remember details, but I remember there being a few accidents. I don't know if the chunks actually broke windshields or damaged the cars themselves, but it scared the bejesus out of people when big chunks of melting ice crashed onto their cars and caused accidents that way even if there was no damage."

There are currently 128 City Daily Photo blogs participating in today's Theme Day:

Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand

Sox Fan with a Death Wish

This photo obviously wasn't taken in Boston but I thought the Boston folk would appreciate it. Pictured above is my fiancé Ed sporting a Red Sox World Series Champions shirt while standing in front of a Yankees merchandise store in New York City. He's brave but not stupid, hence the coat over the top of the shirt. ;-)

Just Pretty

This is the window at Winston Flowers on Federal Street. They always have beautiful windows, but I especially love the current one.

Wang Theater

We went to see Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Wang Center tonight. This is the ceiling in the theater.

The Wang Center was built in 1925 as The Metropolitan Theater by the same architect that designed the Colonial and Wilbur Theaters in Boston, and the Copley Plaza hotel. The Met was renamed in 1962, becoming The Music Hall and became the home of the Boston Ballet. As time went by, the theater became outdated, and in 1980 it was converted to a non-profit organization. Two years later, thanks to a donation from Dr. An Wang, the Music Hall became The Wang Center and restoration began. You can see from the photo above that the restoration was successful - the theater is beautiful!

Boston's Finest

I saw these guys hanging out in downtown crossing last day on my lunch break. Just a block down the street, there were piles of horse poop in the middle of the street and about a million teenagers walking by pointing it and yelling "Ewwww, disgusting!".

101 Federal

I love the details on 101 Federal, and now that I've moved offices I've got an even better view of it. And I can peek in their windows and make sure that guy down there is hard at work! ;) Look in the second window from the left - see those streaks across it? That's SNOW from our first snow last week!

I have no idea what's in 101 Federal, but there is a nice entryway (shared with 75 Federal) with a Starbucks, a cobbler, Bush's (environmentally friendly) Dry Cleaners, and a convenience store.

Back Bay Station

I've always wondered why the Back Bay T Stop is covered in purple tile - I can't think of another station that has such a random color scheme.

On a side note - I want to send a huge thanks out to Willy from Bromfield Camera in Downtown Crossing. He was very patient with me while I drooled over the Nikon D40x they had in the store, and then super helpful later in the day when I went back to actually buy one. I love it, and hopefully soon I'll figure out exactly how to use it on more than just the auto settings! If you're ever in Boston and in need of help with camera gear, the guys at Bromfield are very knowledgeable and super nice!

Peabody Square Tree Lighting

Today was the Peabody Square Tree Lighting. The decorations on the tree were made by the children at Dot Art, and Santa arrived by trolley. There was hot cocoa and hot cider, and a ladder for the kids to hang ornaments on the tree.

(I've got loads more photos, so if you're from the area and would like to see them, email bostondailyphoto@gmail.com and I can send you all of them.)

Quiet Day

We took the T to a friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, and it way quieter than usual!

Happy Thanksgiving!

All Strung Up!

Yesterday I walked down the middle of Commonwealth Ave. and watched the trees being strung with lights. The lights signal the beginning of the holiday season...as does Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Kung Fu Monks

The boyfriend and I saw the Shaolin Warriors perform at the Orpheum Theater this past Saturday. Very random, but totally cool. The show was a little more theatrical than I had hoped for, but I didn't really expect to be seeing challenge matches and actual fighting. Seriously though, what better way to spend a Saturday night thatn watching a bunch of Buddhist Monks doing kick-ass kung fu? I can't think of one!

The inspiration behind us going was the book American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch, by Matthew Polly. We both tore through the book when we read it, and I'm pretty certain that just about anyone will enjoy reading it!

A Fall Celebration

Someone celebrates fall with an arrangement displayed on their front stoop on Marlborough Street.

A Striking Sunset

I actually took this picture two weeks ago, but wasn't able to download it to my computer until now. This is a view out of the bus window at the Mass Pike toll, at the beginning of our trip to New York City.

Chillingly Colorful

As the leaves on the trees diminish in numbers, the temperature continues to drop. There's definitely a chill in the air and predictions of snow in the coming week. Brrrrrr!

Christmas is here...

...even though Thanksgiving hasn't even come yet! Here's the Boylston St entrance to the Prudential Center all dressed up.

The Lenox

When The Lenox was built in 1900 by the owner of New York's Waldorf-Astoria, it was the tallest building in the city of Boston. Now it sits in the shadows of the Prudential Center,
and has been named by Boston magazine the best place to spot a celebrity for the second year in a row.

Dueling Pianos

On Monday night I went to the Museum of Fine Arts to attend a piano concert performed by BdB duo, a pair of women from Spain. It was extra interesting because there were two pianists performing together at separate pianos. I went not knowing anything about the music, but I actually liked it quite a bit. I'd also never really been to a professional piano concert, and it was interesting to see the very stark set up on stage, and to note the fact that the performers wore ball gowns (they each changed during intermission) throughout. I highly recommend catching them if they happen to come through your city (your local Spanish Consulate could provide that kind of information).