Jul
19
2010
When my husband and I became serious about buying our first home, we soon discovered that homes in our price range were far from the homes of our dreams. Since I was interested in showing and raising collies, a good-sized lot in a town that allowed a kennel license was a priority.
A friend of ours suggested we look in Pelham, New Hampshire – just over the Massachusetts’ line. We were to become part of the migration of Massachusetts residents moving over the border, where homes were more affordable. The market was hot in the “starter home’”segment and we were outbid on several houses. Then our agent, a wise woman, took us to an ugly duckling of a house in a pleasant, older subdivision. It was a sad-looking, dark brown Cape Cod-style house, with holes cut into the walls, a turquoise kitchen, a stove which had once caught on fire, and a plywood floor in the kitchen with old glue on top. Very dirty and very tired. However, it was also on about an acre of land. The agent told us that if we just painted and papered, we could easily change the look of the house and it would be a good place to build equity.
She was right, although it wasn’t quick and it wasn’t easy. Thankfully, my husband was very handy as we did most of the work ourselves. I loved seeing the results of our efforts as we turned our house into a cozy home.
After four years, comfortably settled in, I began to get itchy to look at houses again.
Stay tuned……
Jul
12
2010
Nothing says “Sea Coast” quite like a lighthouse, and the North Shore is fortunate to have a variety scattered around the region – some of them easily accessible to the public.
Visit the Salem Maritime Park, where you can stroll along Derby Wharf to the Derby Wharf Lighthouse at it’s end. You’ll pass the replica tall ship, “Friendship” on your way.
Beverly’s Hospital Point Lighthouse is home to the commander of the U.S. Coast Guard First District. The lighthouse is closed to the public save for a few days a year, but it can be seen by driving to the end of Bayview Avenue. This year, tours will be conducted on August 1, August 2, September 18, and September 26.
The Marblehead Lighthouse can be accessed from Chandler Hovey Park on Marblehead Neck. It’s a beautiful spot to relax, take in the views and ocean breezes, and have a picnic.
Though Gloucester’s Eastern Point Lighthouse is not open to the public, you are welcome to walk the breakwater where you’ll get excellent views of the light. It’s worth going for the walk along the breakwater alone. Don’t let the “private road” signs deter you, the public is allowed to drive to the lighthouse, where there is parking.
The storied Twin Lights of Thacher Island, located off Rockport, can be reached by the Thacher Island launch. Details here.
Fort Pickering Lighthouse sits at the entrance to Salem Harbor on Winter Island. The park is open all year, though there is a parking fee in the summer for non-Salem residents.
Other lighthouses, such as Annisquam Light and Ten Pound Island Light in Gloucester are best seen by boat
Grab your camera and go!
Tags: beverly, gloucester, Lighthouses, M, MA, Marblehead, north shore, Rockport, salem, Sea Coast | 
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Comments (0) Jul
7
2010
Well, there’s no way I can claim this post has anything to do with the North Shore; but it does have to do with things you use in a home – so that counts, right? I couldn’t help myself. I love these two things so much, I had to share.
“Zip-It” is an 18″ piece of plastic with barbs along it’s length. Since getting one of these, I no longer need to use any of those toxic chemical drain cleaners. Works unbelievably well. Warning: It’s a little disgusting dragging out the masses of hair and gunk it dislodges. Ace Hardware advertises it for $3.99.
Dog and cat owners rejoice. My second must-have household “tool” is called “Ticked-Off“, a little plastic spoon-shaped device with a small slit, which bills itself as “the world’s simplest tick remover.” I concur. No more tweezers and hot match heads and no more leaving tick parts in my dog or cat to get infected. This thing works like a charm. I bought it at my Vet’s, but I believe it’s available at most pet stores. Retails for about $10.00.
There you have it. Cheap, fast, easy, reliable, no toxic chemicals; what more could you ask?
Jul
1
2010
July 4th is upon us, which marks the unofficial kick-off of summer.
If you’re looking for fireworks on the North Shore this July 4th, you’ll find plenty – even with budget cuts. Beverly won’t have any, as they save theirs for the end of Homecoming on August 8th. Here’s the schedule:
Danvers Saturday, July 3 9:30 pm Festivities start at 4 pm
Salem Sunday, July 4 9:15 pm Festivities start at 4 pm
Beverly/West Beach Sunday, July 5 9:00 pm Festivities start at 5 pm Must buy a ticket
Marblehead Sunday, July 4 9:00 pm Harbor illumination at 8:45 Part of Weekend Arts Festival
Swampscott & Lynn Saturday, July 5 9:00 pm Concert begins at 7 pm
Gloucester Saturday, July 3 10:00 pm Gloucester Harbor
Manchester-By-The-Sea Saturday, July 3 9:30 pm Singing Beach
Many of these venues will have afternoon and evening entertainment, so get there early if you want to have a spot. Might be a good day to spend on the beach before heading to see the fireworks.
Drive safe, be safe, and have a happy 4th of July!
Jun
29
2010
Ellen Boisvert of North Shore-based Scott Oil, has notified me that an extension to the Massachusetts Oil Line Upgrade law, Chapter 453, has been passed by the House and Senate Conference Committee. This ammendment applies only to the homeowner compliance deadline, which has been extended from July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011. For more information about the new regulation, see my blog post of May 8th, “New Massachusetts Law Regarding Oil Tanks”, as well as this article from the Massachusetts Oilheat Council.
Better to take care of this sooner rather than later.
Jun
24
2010
Rosanne Palazola, Interior Designer with tuttle&co shares her ideas for unique centerpieces for the summer table. Enjoy! 
“Sunshine! Warm Weather! The grass is growing. The flowers are blooming. Our gardens are planted. But our homes still bear the last remnants of winter.
We don’t wear heavy sweaters in the summer….neither should your home! Change out those heavy, dark winter throw pillows and replace them with light colored, floral or geometric shapes. If your curtains are made of a heavy material, replace them with cotton, linen or sheer fabric. You can even do the same for the bedspreads and duvets. Lighten up the fabrics and the room will feel cooler.
Bring the outside in! But do it with a twist! Instead of the usual cut flowers for centerpieces, make a planter using herbs! We all love the look and fragrance of cut flowers, but a pot of herbs will do that and more! Chives have beautiful lavender colored flowers. Basil grows tall and bushy and has a wonderful aroma. Parsley looks beautiful when planted in an urn or ceramic pot. The curling stems from a garlic plant give a quirky, contemporary look. (See photo) The best part is, not only will they look good on your table, you can cut off pieces to use in your cooking. Keep the plants in a sunny spot most of the time and place them on your table when you want to dress it up. Take a sniff….take a snip! And enjoy the summer!”
Rosanne is a trusted partner, helping ready my clients’ homes for sale, and has also provided design assistance to me in my own home. She can be reached at (978) 744-4446 or RosannePalazola@gmail.com. She is currently readying her blog for the world. Stay tuned…..
Jun
16
2010
This Saturday, June 19th, from 10-4, the popular Beverly Arts Fest takes place in Downtown Beverly. Something for everyone at this free outdoor festival.
This year, a new event is being spearheaded by Colleen Michaels, Writing Center Director, Montserrat College of Art. She explains:
“Arts Fest Beverly is proud to announce a new feature to its celebration of art and culture. This year, The Writers Studio on Cabot Street, hosted by Montserrat College of Art, will feature events throughout the day to support and celebrate the writing community in Beverly. With events scheduled every hour for children and adults, there’s something for everyone.
Come enjoy short plays by a Beverly playwright. Sign up for a memoir writing workshop. See and hear what happens when video and poetry collide. Catch readings and book signings by local authors. Share your voice in the open mic. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to listen, a prompt to kick start your next writing project, or just a chance to get to know the writers in your neighborhood – the Writers Studio on Cabot Street is open and waiting for you!”
See the full schedule here.
Jun
15
2010
A little story. Mike & I stopped for lunch at the 99 Restaurant in Salem on Sunday. We left & got into our Subaru w
agon, and when Mike put the key in the ignition – the car horn started blaring. Since we weren’t aware we had a security system, we frantically searched for a way to shut it off. The key wouldn’t work in the ignition. We locked & unlocked the doors, got out and went back in. No luck. The car continued to blast its warning. This went on for about 5 minutes. I was getting ready to call a service station and noticed a bag in the back with sneakers. I kept asking Mike if he had bought new sneakers and he, somewhat annoyed, kept assuring me he hadn’t. When I pulled the sneakers out – they were a size 9. Not his size. If you haven’t guessed already – yup, we were in the wrong car. We sheepishly got out, got into the correct car and drove quickly away. Had a good laugh over it.
May
27
2010
Well, from the perspective of the North Shore marketplace, here are some good reasons you should buy a home now:
While Boston appears flat, according to the Case-Shiller price index, there is much speculation that the market has hit bottom here.
Read the full S&P/Case-Shiller release.
Home sales were up in April.
Home prices rose in April.
Nationally, new home construction permits were up in April.
Interest rates have fallen to below 5% and according to an article in Realtor Magazine:
“Borrowers eager to lock in a very low-rate mortgage should apply in the next day or two, says Bankrate.com mortgage analyst Holden Lewis.
Rates haven’t been this low since the 1950s, he says, adding that rates are unlikely to fall further.
“You can float, but that’s not a smart strategy. It’s like asking for another card when you have 19 in blackjack. Stand and take your chances,” he advises.”
Source: Bankrate.com (5/26/10)
Do you think it’s a good time to buy? Write in and share your thoughts.
May
24
2010
No matter the size of your garden - a patch, a pot, a window box, an acre – May is the month for planting on 
the North Shore. The area nurseries are chock-full of tempting plants and the weather has been delightfully cooperative. This weekend, I visited Corliss Brothers in Ipswich and picked up tomato, pepper, basil, and lettuce plants, as well as a basket of petunias, some bean and spinach seeds, and a bale of salt hay. I was having a grand time wandering among the flowers, shrubs, and trees, envisioning them planted in my landscape – while my husband waited in line with our purchases. There are many great garden centers on the North Shore. Others I frequent are Northeast Nursery in Peabody, Wolf Hill in Ipswich (which is holding “Date Night” on Thursdays & Fridays), and Ward’s Greenhouse in Beverly for hanging and bedding plants.
Of course, this is only a partial list of all of the great places you can find healthy and happy plants for your garden. What are your favorites? Write in and tell us.
Happy gardening!
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