Sunday, November 29, 2009

Hope Grows

I am thrilled to let you know The Cancer Garden of Hope, a permanent living memorial to all those who have been touched by any form of cancer, will be planted on Boston’s City Hall Plaza in the Spring of 2010.

This handicapped accessible healing garden will be designed by Cog Design with flowers, trees and places to sit.  It will feature 3,000 engraved 4” x 8” brick pavers and 8” x 8” marble plaques with personal messages.   Bricks can be purchased for $100 each while plaques are $1,000 each. A duplicate brick with a felt backing and easel can be ordered for an additional $75.  Identical plaques with felt backs and stands are also available for an additional $500. These replica bricks and plaques make lovely holiday gifts for friends and loved ones to cherish.

Hope in Bloom is pleased to be part of this initiative and will receive half of any order (less the cost of each brick and plaque) placed through our link or if Hope in Bloom is selected on The Cancer Garden of Hope site or on your order form, if paying by check. The balance covers upkeep for The Cancer Garden of Hope.

Susan Zuker and her two sons, Jonathan and Matthew, are the driving force behind The Cancer Garden of Hope.  They are also the people responsible for the Conquer Cancer license plates, which became a reality after Susan lost her husband, Michael, and the boys lost their Dad to lung cancer.


Be imaginative, witty, humorous or sentimental. Whatever your style, I hope you will join me in honoring a relative or friend with an everlasting tribute.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Write This Way


Sharon High School Photography Club


A handwritten note never goes out of style yet how many of us take the time to put pen to paper? We text. We email. We call. Why communicate any other way?  Because a handwritten message often becomes a treasured keepsake. And, if the paper it’s written on is as lovely as the sentiments it contains, all the more likely it will be tucked away for years.  What if John and Abigail Adams or Napoleon and Josephine had computers? Even Carrie Bradshaw read to Mr. Big from a book of famous love letters. Can you imagine a bundle of love e-mails kept for posterity?

The beautiful photo note cards created by the 34 members of the Sharon (MA) High School Photography Club beg to record our thoughts. These works of art, shot by 14 to 17 year olds, are mounted on high quality stationery.  Subjects range from local sites to exotic ports of call.    

Use the cards to correspond with that special someone; for invitations, thank you notes, for gifts or frame them. One hundred percent of sales are donated to Hope in Bloom to fund gardens.

President John F. Kennedy once said:  “One person can make a difference and every person should try.”  These teenagers have proven how right he was.  To date, they have raised $2,000 for Hope in Bloom.

Students will sell their cards ($3 each) with matching envelopes at Starbucks, 95 Washington Street (Cobb’s Corner), Canton, MA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

Friday, November 27
Saturday, December 5, 12 & 19

A selection of cards is also available on line

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Four Bitchin' Babes Delivered


The Babes in Action

WCVB-TV newswomen Kelley Tuthill and Susan Wornick started the laugh filled afternoon with a hilarious warm up. Who knew they could be so funny? Then, the Babes took to the stage and rocked the packed house. Hope in Bloom extends a special thank you to Kimm DelGizzi, Dale Gudejko and Annie Blackington; their team and everyone who attended.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Putting the Garden To Bed


Leo Keeps A Watchful Eye
We had an unusually warm couple of days in the Northeast, and I took full advantage of them. Leo was by my side to supervise.


Now is the time to cover roses with a thick 6"-12" blanket of soil. When the ground freezes, add a layer of shredded leaves or bark mulch for insulation. If using bark mulch, do not let it touch the canes.

After the first hard frost and leaves blacken, it’s time to dig the dahlias. Cut all but a couple of inches of stem, shake off the dirt and set the tubers out in a cool place to dry for a few days. Then pack them in containers, cover with peat moss, seal and label. Place them in a dry spot with a temperature range of 40-50°. Check periodically during the winter. If it’s too warm, they will shrivel or too cold, they will freeze.

A Seasonal Favorite

This easy make ahead cranberry relish has nothing in common with what comes out of a can. It should not be restricted to turkey day. Spoon some onto a piece of toast or a muffin; tuck it into a sandwich, serve it with fish or the way I like it best, over vanilla ice cream. It can be refrigerated for at least 2 weeks.

Cranberry, Apricot & Ginger Relish

12 ounces cranberries (1 bag)
3/4 cup sugar
½ cup orange juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/3 cup chopped apricots
1/3 cup crystallized ginger, chopped
Freshly squeezed lemon juice, optional


Pour cranberries into a colander and remove any soft or discolored ones. Transfer cranberries to a heavy two-quart saucepan. Add sugar, orange juice and lemon zest.


Place pan over medium heat. Simmer, stirring often until cranberries start to pop, 5-10 minutes. Do not overcook.

Remove pan from heat. Stir in apricots and ginger. Set aside to cool. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight. Taste. If too sweet, add few teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Relish will keep for up to 2 weeks, if it lasts that long.


Makes about 3 cups