The holidays are right around the corner, and now's the perfect time to get started thinking about seasonal recipes - particularly those sweet treats that many enjoy around the holiday season, from pies to cakes to cookies and drinks. Whether it's a special Christmas pie or a unique Chanukah dish, we've rounded up a few items for you to try this month as the holidays approach.  Gingerbread Men Ingredients:  1 (3.5 oz.) package cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground …

Each week, Westwood Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. With the holidays right around the corner, now's the perfect time to get started thinking about seasonal recipes - particularly those sweet treats that many enjoy around the holiday season, from pies to cakes to cookies and drinks. Whether it's a special Christmas pie or a unique Chanukah dish, we're wondering what it is you like to make the most around this time of year.  Let your fellow Westwood …

December is officially here, and the holidays are in sight. To celebrate this year, you may look to decorate the inside of your home with a variety of floral arrangements. Or maybe you're just looking to host a company party and want to spruce it up with some plant life.  Good news - we've got a list of venues to help out. Here are five florists in and around Westwood you can turn to when looking to add some vegetation to your home or office. Westwood Gardens Flower Shop: Located right on High Street, Westwood Gardens has been in business for over 40 years, and provides high-end floral …

Each week, Westwood Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. Thanksgiving might be over, but the holidays are right around the corner. And one great way to celebrate the holidays is through a decorative floral arrangement for your home or as a gift to someone you love.  So, for this week's Patch Picks, we're wondering where you go for flowers in the Westwood area. Whether it's for that annual poinsettia display or you've got something more elaborate in mind for…

Each week, Westwood Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. Thanksgiving is coming on Thursday, and many use the holiday to get thinking about the next round of holidays in December.  While some start thinking about their Black Friday plans, others may start looking at different spots to shop for the annual Christmas Tree.  Whether it's a small Christmas Tree farm, or a simple stand that aims to raise money for local causes, we're wondering where you like to …

With only one week left until Thanksgiving Day, now's the time to start getting your meal plans in order.  But coming up with the right recipe for Thanksgiving dinner might be a challenge, and as such, we're using this week's Patch Picks to highlight a few recipes Westwood residents can try this coming holiday.  But rest assured, we'll have more recipes coming over the next week. Below is a sampling of some ideas you can keep in mind moving into Thanksgiving Week. In her most recent post, blogger Robin Wish highlighted two fantastic recipes to try out this Thanksgiving: Cranberry-Orange Sauce…

Each week, Westwood Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and now's the time to start getting your meal plans in order.  But coming up with the right recipe for Thanksgiving dinner might be a challenge, and as such, we're wondering what residents and chefs in Westwood suggest for meal options. Have a special recipe for a glazed turkey? Know of a great side dish you'd like to share? Let your fellow Westwood Patch …

Looking to help out some local non profit groups in Westwood this holiday season but not sure where to start? We're here to help.  From the Westwood Food Pantry to the Westwood Community Chest, there's no shortage of ways to give.  Here's a brief roundup of five groups in town residents can help through the winter months, or at any point during the year: Westwood Community Chest: All through November, patrons of High Street Market in Westwood will be able to donate any amount they wish to help struggling families this winter as part of the WCC's "Fill the Chest" campaign. By putting any …

Each week, Westwood Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. It's not clear if last week's early winter snow storm was a sign of things to come this winter in Westwood, but one thing's for sure - regardless of the impending winter climate, there are still families in need in and around Westwood.  To help, a number of local non profit groups do all they can to help those in need all year round. The winter, though, can be increasingly difficult as temperatures …

Halloween has passed and November is here. That alone means that one of the great holidays of fall is right around the corner - Thanksgiving.  The holiday falls on Nov. 24 this year, and will offer another chance for families to gather, sit down for a wide array of food and give thanks and say blessings.  Not sure how to plan the day yet? Below are a few ideas of how - and where - to prepare for and celebrate the holiday with style in and around Westwood:  Chiara Bistro: Chiara will host a Thanksgiving dinner option from 12:30 to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day; the menu costs $45 for adults and $…

Each week, Westwood Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. While it may be Halloween in Westwood, it's also the end of October. That alone means that one of the great holidays of fall is right around the corner - Thanksgiving.  The holiday falls on Nov. 24 this year, and will offer another chance for families to gather, sit down for a wide array of food and give thanks and say blessings.  But that doesn't mean everyone enjoys celebrating the holiday at home. …

What better way to celebrate the autumn months in Westwood than to see some of the incredible foliage that comes about in the trees around town?  Fall foliage is a quintessential characteristic of autumn in New England, and Westwood is loaded with great areas to catch the views.  Whether you have a select spot in or around Westwood that you enjoy going to the most, or if you take the family on a road-side tour of the best area, here are some great spots around to catch the ever-changing color of the leaves.  Hale Reservation: This one might seem pretty obvious, but regardless, Hale is the …

Each week, Westwood Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more in our feature called Patch Picks. Autumn is in the air, and what better way to celebrate fall in New England than to see some of the incredible foliage that comes about in the trees.  Whether you have a select spot in or around Westwood that you enjoy going to the most, or if you take the family on a road-side tour of the best area, we're looking to map out the best spots around to catch the ever-changing color of the leaves.  Where …

With Halloween right around the corner, we figured we'd use this week's Patch Picks to highlight some spooky ghost stories from around the Westwood area.  The Westwood Historical Society did not have any immediate information from Westwood this week in terms of ghostly legends or stories.  But that doesn't mean Westwood is safe from ghouls or goblins. Right around the corner lies a historical tale about what has famously been referred to as The Dover Demon.  The story begins on a night in April 1977, right across the road in Dover, where three teenagers saw the demon, describing it as a …

With Halloween right around the corner, this is the time of year when everything becomes a little spookier. The early sunsets cast eerie shades and shadows on the thinning trees. The cold air begins to chill your bones at night. And all the grandiose homes of generations past seem more intimidating in the late night hours. Have you ever had a creepy experience you just couldn't explain, or hear the story of someone else who has? Do you have any haunting stories about the town of Westwood, or some of the historic landmarks therein? Here at Westwood Patch, we want to help you get into the …

October is nearly half over, which means fall is now in full. It also means Halloween is nearly here. And what better way to acknowledge the autumn months than to hit the pumpkin patches and find that one pumpkin that's perfect for your family. Whether you’re in the mood to decorate for the harvest or you want to carve one into a jack-o-lantern, or even if you're looking to stock up on ingredients for your favorite pumpkin recipe, there are plenty of places in the area that are offering the autumn squash. PumpkinFest 2011: Taking place this Saturday at the First Parish of Westwood, this …

Fall is here and pumpkins abound! Whether you’re in the mood to decorate for the harvest or you want to carve one into a jack-o-lantern, there are plenty of places in the area that are offering the autumn squash. But where is the best place to go? We want to hear where you go to get your pumpkins. Let us know by email or by commenting in the section below. We’ll feature the best choices in this week’s Patch Picks.

With fall-like temperatures creeping into the area and leaves around us changing color every day, your neighbors might already miss the dog days of summer. To help add some spice to the colder termperatures, we thought we'd use this week's Patch Picks to highlight a handful of surrounding restaurants in the nearby area.  North of the Border Mexican Grill: Located nearby on Washington Street in West Roxbury, this eatery offers everything from traditional to unexpected menu items. Eager patrons can find deep-fried chicharrones, tostones and burritos to choose from. Jalapenos Grill: If you're …

With fall-like temperatures creeping into the area and leaves around us changing color every day, your neighbors might already miss the dog days of summer. If they’re looking to add a bit more spice to their life, maybe you can help. On Thursday, Patch Picks will be featuring the best Mexican restaurants in the area, but we need your guidance as to what the best ones are. We want to know who has the tastiest chimichangas, who makes the best margaritas and who offers the most authentic south of the border experience. Tell us your favorite in the comment section below or by emailing mattp@patch…

It's officially Autumn in Westwood, and that means a season filled with some of the best-cooked foods of the year. But you don't need to wait until Thanksgiving or the holidays for a great fall meal or desert. As the temperatures drop, October (which begins Saturday, by the way) is as good a time as any to try some new recipes. For this week's Patch Picks, we're highlighting some great recipes to try this season. And don't be shy - if you've got your own recipe you'd like to share, please do so in the comments section below! Turkey and Sweet Potato Soup Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter 1 …