Author Archives: anniegraves1

Rudy’s Resolutions for 2014

Posted on January 6, 2014 by anniegraves1

By and large, Rudy would rather skirt the issue of New Year’s resolutions. “Resolutions were made to be broken,” he has asserted more than once, while lifting his leg over forbidden turf. That said, here are a few thoughts he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in A Desk with a View | 8 Comments

Rudy at The Scene of the Crime

Posted on December 23, 2013 by anniegraves1

“It’s purely circumstantial,” Rudy informed me. “I’ve been watching The Good Wife, and I know what it takes to convict.” His brown eyes widened and for a split second I entertained the notion of innocence. Then I took another look … Continue reading →

Posted in A Desk with a View | 5 Comments

Rudy on Norman Rockwell’s Christmas in Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Posted on December 16, 2013 by anniegraves1

It’s best to just jump right in. Everything has changed, which became abundantly clear as we prepared to head off to the 24th Annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas festivities, December 6-8. Subtitled “A Norman Rockwell Holiday,” the weekend-long event culminates … Continue reading →

Blooming Inspiration at the Boston Flower Show

Posted on March 18, 2013 by anniegraves1

Just when we’re desperate enough, a concentrated dose of spring comes breezing our way at the annual Boston Flower & Garden Show, down by the city’s seaport. Yesterday’s heady blast of blossoms, color, and horticultural imagination is timed to remind … Continue reading →

Posted in A Desk with a View, Home, Travel | Tagged Boston, Boston Flower & Garden Show, Chicken coop, Floristry, Garden, Home, New England destinations, New England spring, New England travel, Water garden | 2 Comments

The Enfant Terrible of Retail

Posted on November 26, 2012 by anniegraves1

It’s been longer than intended, but let’s jump right in. In the interest of drama, here’s my own personal best (worst) recent encounter with a cranky storeowner, and if you’ve got a similar story of your own, I’d love to … Continue reading →

Posted in A Desk with a View, Travel | Tagged Boston, Greek, New England, Northshore, Seaside towns | 5 Comments

Pearls at Newburyport

Posted on September 13, 2012 by anniegraves1

Hard to believe that Newburyport was a hardscrabble port town with a seedy waterfront scant decades ago. The polished little brick burg gleams like a pearl in an oyster shell, begging to be plucked. Much ado can be made of the … Continue reading →

Posted in A Desk with a View, Travel | Tagged New England destinations, New England travel, Newburyport, Newburyport Massachusetts | 5 Comments

Key West in New England

Posted on July 18, 2012 by anniegraves1

A couple of things spring to mind when I think of Key West—tiny roosters crowing at dawn, sun-soaked colors, and a kicked-back breeziness that goes much deeper than Jimmy Buffet. Because before Buffet, there was Hemingway. Ernest loved it down … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged Cape Cod, Cape Cod tourism, Cape Cod travel, Crazy Burger, Duval Street, Florida, Freeman Street, Jimmy Buffett, Key West, Massachusetts, Napi's Restaurant, Narragansett, Narragansett Bay, New England, NH tourism, NH travel, Portsmouth, Provincetown, Rhode Island, Rhode Island tourism, Rhode Island travel, The Friendly Toast | 3 Comments

Peaks Island Escape

Posted on July 10, 2012 by anniegraves1

Adjectives ensue on the ferry ride to Peaks Island from Portland, Maine. Frothy, brilliant, sparkling, sea-salty. Everything a quick 20-minute ferry ride should be. The boat docks at Forest City Landing, where Casco Bay ferries have been unloading since the … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged Casco Bay, Ferry, Maine, Maine tourism, Maine travel, Peaks Island Maine, Portland Maine | 4 Comments

Best Farmers’ Market in New England?

Posted on June 28, 2012 by anniegraves1

For a little taste of southern France in northern New England, the Burlington Farmers’ Market on Saturday is the ne plus ultra. Translation: fairly unbeatable. Vendors crowd Burlington’s City Hall Park and spill onto Saint Paul Street, which is closed … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged Burlington Farmers' Market, Farmers Markets, Food, France, Lake Champlain, New England, Vermont | 3 Comments

The Largest Freshwater Lake…

Posted on June 18, 2012 by anniegraves1

…in the East holds a scattering of islands strung together like fish on a line, generously strewn with some of the prettiest farms and fields in New England. The Lake Champlain Islands rise out of the mist like Atlantean remnants, … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged Alburgh, Champlain Islands, Grand Isle, Isle La Motte, Lake Champlain, New England, North Hero, South Hero, Vermont, Vermont tourism, Yankee magazine | 7 Comments