ComFest--Offramp Stage

(everything you need to enjoy ComFest)

(can you have too much fun?)

(Brainbow)

Garden Update

Week in Review

On Tuesday night, the day before the next CSA box, another last minute spinach dilemma was solved by making a quiche. I have yet another pound to dispose of from the current box and I'm running out of ideas. Any suggestions?


I also had a bunch of kale to dispose of so cooked it down and then used these weird ropey things (pictured above) called garlic scapes, some of the fresh oregano, and a can of tomatoes to make a pasta sauce. If more kale comes in the next box I don't know what I'm going to do with it.


Mom and Jim stopped by for a visit Friday afternoon. Jim wanted a penguins shirt so we took them down to the Strip on Saturday morning for breakfast at Enrico's and did some street shopping.


Janice and family stopped by on their way home for a quick overnight visit. Mr. Moustache was game to play with the kids, but Jackie was much more timid.


Somehow Kristina convinced Jackie that she was not too scary. We slept 4 guests in our house on Saturday night, a new record!


Classic Mr M captured by Daniel, a budding photographer.

Day 6

Today was sunny, warm, and beautiful--a perfect afternoon to watch the Pirates lose at home, or paddle around in a plastic tub on the river. I chose the latter. :)

Venture Outdoors organized a kayak tour of the downtown section of the Allegheny river in cooperation with Kayak Pittsburgh. This trip was a little more special than usual because it was led by one of the city council members and various other players in city organizations having to do with riverfront development and advocacy. At stops along the way we got to hear some history of the riverfront and about ongoing cleanup and development efforts to make the river a more pleasant place to recreate.

Along the way I saw lots of interesting graffiti under the bridges, adorable groups of ducklings and goslings, and a couple of turtles sunning themselves on fallen branches along the water's edge. The downtown views from the water are really spectacular. Next time I'll bring the camera along in the boat.

Days 3, 4, 5

The week has been fairly uneventful, with the exception of watching the Penguins win the Stanley Cup last night. Today I set off on some adventures.

I started with a morning of shopping in the Strip district, which is historically a wholesale marketplace that now has a lot of retail open to the public. I had a very sweet breakfast of croissant-chocolate bread pudding at Enrico's Bakery and Cafe (pictured above), then progressed through the grungy but charming shops on Penn Ave. More pictures and details are here.


After regrouping at home, I set off on a group walk with Venture Outdoors at Hartwood Acres. The extensive wooded and open grounds surrounding the mansion are a haven to walkers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. It was a beautiful afternoon to enjoy the outdoors. More pictures and details here.

Day 2

Just watched the Guy Ritchie film Revolver, which is making my head hurt. This movie seems to be all about Jake Green escaping the imprisonment of his ego, and after thinking about it awhile I'm pretty sure it's also about shooting as many people as possible, and confusing the crap out of the viewer with regard to the other character's motives.

Oh, and the cherry pie was delish!

Abandonment: Day 1

What do you do with two pounds of mature spinach leaves the day before your next CSA box is due to arrive? Blanch, cook in butter and stock, then add a lot of cheese (and more butter):



(Dave left me for several days of grading AP CS exams, so I feel free to spend hours preparing lactose-intensive meals.)



The strawberries are coming in like crazy now. Several are just rotting on the ground before I can find time to pick them. Tonight's harvest went well with white wine while catching up on the first installment of the Colbert Report in Baghdad (to witness Stephen's head shaving), followed by watching the Pens win game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final (a far too exciting 3rd period).

C-bus Arts Fest and Friends

Had a whirlwind weekend visiting Jen in Columbus. She took me to a lot of events and hardly let me sleep. It was all worth it to meet all her great friends and hear some good music.

Highlights include:

Friday night, seeing Jen's friend sing with the Boki Quartet at Giorgio Italian restaurant.

Getting our hair styled and toenails painted Saturday afternoon at the Aveda Institue so we could look our best for the Columbus Arts Festival reception, dining on the Barcelona patio, and finishing off the evening with a concert by The Receiver at Skully's.