44. Little House

This little building is actually a house, with people living in it, where they get mail. It is so small in comparison it looks like something out a story book.

43. Forsythia Bushes

I was born in New Jersey, but moved to Massachusetts when I was about three years old. Occasionally, my grandmother would come up to visit. On one such occasion, she took me for a walk around the neighborhood. She pointed out this very bush, and explained it to be called forsythia. They have been one of my favorite signs of spring since.

42. Progress

As locals will know, the downtown crossing area of Boston is going through some big changes. The old Filene's flagship building is currently being demolished. Passing this building, it made me appreciate the strength of the buildings that support us, the messiness of people (inside and out), and the progress we are making in context with our past. I couldn't help but think of the countless families who shopped those very floors, people who bought their families countless outfits, the dresses that ushered them from childhood to adulthood, from bassinets to bridal gowns, all gone. And the optimisim I have that the next building could be even better.

41. A newfound interest in Massachusetts

I traversed to Worcester the other day, and am always in awe of the beauty and versatility of Massachusetts. There is nothing like driving down I-90 through the hills of Central Mass and getting to the ocean in an hour.

40. Social Conscious Cabs

Driving home today I saw a cab with the words "Do Good Often" written just above the headlights across the hood. Today I am thankful for attempts at good karma by others.

39. The best coffee

Dippin' Donuts, located on Main St. in Worcester, MA has the absolute best coffee I have ever had. Right down the stairs from everyone's favorite universidad from where to challenge convention and change the world. I miss Dippin' coffee and everything bagels w/ cream cheese (for around $4 total!), but most of all I miss the awesome people who work there. So, a shout out to the Karapatsas family - much love. (And Happy Easter!)

38. Early Birds

This morning I was woken up at 5 am by birds outside. At first I was frustrated - I'd only slept five hours! Then it occurred to me, I can hear these lovely creatures, and now I can get some school work done before heading into paid work. Its now 7:15, and I've gotten dressed, had breakfast and finished a transcription that has been plaguing me.

I made an audio recording on my phone, but am having trouble posting it. Maybe later today :]

37. Paternalistic Flowers

These flowers, outside my very door, look like a little family.

36.

Perhaps I should rename this blog "I like flowers".

35. Flowering tree

34. Sunset

The last photo from the walk near MOS.

33. The city on the water

This hidden pathway near the Museum of Science gave the most lovely scene.

32. Duck, Duck.... Goose!!!

A lovely animal, standing on a step in the water near the museum of science

31. Wall of clouds

I saw these clouds in Dedham, MA, where they just filled the sky.

30. Unintended flowers

Perhaps UMB planted these spurts of blue and pink amid the daffodils, but they were so out of place in the placement it made me smile as if I were learning some kind of secret.

29. New growth

28. Hidden Veggies

I saw a bluejay today and wanted to photograph that, but photos of living animals are very hard to take from a moving bicycle!

So, today I appreciate being able to sneak veggies into delicious food! Photos and recipe below:

Jessica Seinfeld's Sloppy Joe's (From Deceptively Delicious)

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray


• 1 tbls olive oil


• 1/2 c chopped onion


• 1/2 c chopped celery


• 2 cloves garlic


• 1 lb lean ground turkey or sirloin


• 1/2 c sweet potato puree


• 1/2 c butternut squash puree or red pepper puree


• raw, finely chopped carrots (optional)


• 1/2 c reduced-fat low-sodium beef broth


• 1/4c tomato paste


• 1 tbls Worcestershire sauce


• 1 tsp chili powder, to taste


• 1/2 tsp salt


• 1/8 tsp pepper


• hot dog or hamburger buns

1. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When skillet is hot, add the oil. Add the green ingredients, cook until the onion starts to soften, but not brown. Approx 3-4 min.

2. Add meat (blue ingredient), cook until no longer pink, approx 4-5 min.

3. Add purple items. I use chicken broth, not beef, and skip the chili powder and the carrots. Reduce to low heat to low and cover, and simmer until liquid is reduced by about one half, 15-20 min.

4. Put in buns and serve!

They are so good my 14 year old brother even asks for this meal. How often do you get a 14 year old to ask for a meal with five different vegetables?

EDIT: Super bonus - this meal cost around $2 per person. Inexpensive, reasonably healthy, and tasty; we have hit the trifecta!

27. Ethnic Enclaves

Nothing is as fun as a real ethnic meal. We went for dim sum on Saturday. It was full of families sharing meals, living life, and embracing their culture.

26. Flying Squirrels

Straight up, taxidermy freaks.me.out. Nonetheless, these flying squirrels are pretty bangin'. I saw them at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. For the price, its a nice day. And really, these animals are just plain amazing.

.

25. Uncle Sam

In this fair city of Quincy we have our share of characters. Most notable is Uncle Sam (Rounsville). This billboard is on the corner of Newport and Beale, and is a contest for residents to come up with a new slogan for the city. $500 to the winner. He just warms my heart.

24. The World Waking Up

6:30 in the morning and I've already found beauty! The sunrise is an amazingly warm gold this morning, complete with these guys (below) chattering up a storm. Its starting to feel like spring, finally!

Did you know the chickadee is the state bird of Massachusetts? No lie!

23. Sparkle Motion!

While doing laundry today I saw this amazing minivan covered in rainbow sparkles! People expressing themselves like this always makes me smile.

(Bonus points to anyone who can guess the movie referenced in the title.) (Which I don't even really like, it just seemed too perfect to pass up.)

22. Pensive Public Art

21. Blending the old and the new

The ability to blend both the old and the new of the city brings me great joy, reminds me of the great advances we have made, and that I am entirely temporary. Through such a realization all my tribulations seem minuscule and altruism becomes second nature. Well, almost. :]

Photo taken between the Paulist Center and Park Street Church.

20. Adventureous Children

Taken the other day, at the Frog Pond, this young boy having adventures brought a smile to my face. So fearless and excited for life!

19. Anthropomorphic Amphibians

Today I am thankful and amused by anthropomorphism, and amphibians who appear more relaxed than I. So sweet, so silly, so simple. At the Frog Pond, in the Boston Commons

18. The Angels in the Details

There is a common saying that the devil is in the details. Today, I am thankful for the beauty (or angles, if you will) in the details. The seeming small things that make life that much better and beautiful.

17. Others trying to make a difference.

No photo today (was home sick). Instead, facebook has exposed me to something good for a change; today I am thankful for others who are trying to make a difference.

Carlos Andrés Gómez facebook group "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL -- appreciate who you are. find your majority of one." encourages people to remember "THE SINGLE MOST REVOLUTIONARY THING YOU CAN DO IS RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ARE ENOUGH.", which, although incredibly simple is incredibly powerful.

What would it mean if, for today, for now, we were enough? How could that revoultionize life? And why are we not doing this?

Also,here, for those not on facebook.

The fact that he is making some money off this aside, it is a wonderful thing to think about. (his facebook group goes into some detail on it).

You, too, are enough.

16. Dinners with Friends

Nothing is more refreshing than a three hour long dinner with a good friend.

15. My feet

Today I am thankful for my feet. The strength they give me, the balance they endow me with, the support they provide. They allow me to stay centered and to make positive changes in the world.

14. Moonlight churches

Passing by the Memorial Church at Harvard I saw this sight... it was just so striking I had to capture it.

Also to be thankful for - I got a clear bill of health from the doctor today! No cancer, woot!