Pittsburgh

A Taste of Italy in the ‘Burgh

/ Jodi / 37 Comments

murante-girls

What a fun evening we had with friends this weekend when we had the privilege of enjoying a private dining experience at Merante’s special upstairs kitchen where “Mamma” Maria and her long-time assistant, Linda, made us feel like family around the Sunday supper table!

  • murante-marie-and-linda

What a unique experience this was!  Merante’s is a quaint Italian gift shop in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where beautiful gifts from pasta bowls and fine ceramics (and even the game of Italy-Opoly) are sold and cooking classes and Italian-themed events are hosted.

My sweet, long-time (Italian!) friend, Mary, found this little gem and invited a group of friends (several months in advance, which is necessary due to its popularity) to bring a few bottles of wine and dine Italiano style (complete with clear plastic covered dining table cloth!).

murante-kitchen-table

Are you ready to see all the amazing food?!
A special thanks to Mary and Jill for sharing their iPhone photos with me to feature here.

I may have forgotten to bring my camera…
my iPhone may have been down to 3% battery…
and I may have been a bit too tipsy on red wine and sweet red sauce to take clear photos, but they were awesome to share!

We arrived at 6 pm and climbed the stairs to the “apartment” above the shop.  We were escorted to the parlor where wine glasses and cork screws awaited our unloading of a “few” bottles of BYOB wine.

merante-wine

An amazing array of appetizers was served…
Seriously enough for a meal, and we could have been done!

There were stuffed mushrooms…

murante-stuffed-mushrooms

and stuffed tomatoes (MY FAVE!).

murante-stuffed-tomatoes

There was succulent shrimp…

murante-shrimp

and there were spicy meatballs.

murante-meatballs

There was a cheesy quiche…

murante-quiche

And the most divine version of Caprese with sweet roasted red peppers and plump mozzarella.

But this was only a teaser of what was to come!

murante-caprese

After a few cheers and intros, we moved into the kitchen where we began with the most amazing bowl of Stracciatella – an Italian soup that is made from a simple but flavorful chicken stock kept at a delicate simmer until  a creamy mixture of eggs, Parmesan cheese and Italian parsley are whisked in to form the “little threads” that take the place of pastina.  Grandma’s polish version was called “Egg Drop” soup.

murante-soup

This may have been my favorite course, if it weren’t for the next, which was the pasta course!  Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is Maria’s handmade ricotta gnocchi gently turned with her creamy, dreamy red sauce and topped with tiny bits of fresh mozzarella and fresh basil.  THIS was absolutely my favorite course!

murante-gnocci

As if we weren’t absolutely full-bellied by now, the main course was served next.  Mary chose the juicy, tender roast tenderloin of pork, which was surrounded by a ring of seasoned roasted root veggies.  My favorite was the fresh beets!

murante-pork-roast-and-roasted-vegetables

And because you get to also pick a vegetable (since cauliflower, beets, butternut squash and green beans are not enough!), we also had rosemary roasted potatoes.

murante-potatoes

In true Italian style, the salad was served next (last before dessert), which is completely opposite of how most American restaurants serve salad first.  And this salad….  OMG…. if I weren’t so full, this may have won for my favorite course!  We had the most amazing Apple, Pecan, and Gorgonzola Romaine Salad with tart dried cranberries drizzled with tangy balsamic vinaigrette – a perfect combination of sweet, salty and crunchy…Yum!

murante-salad

It was then time for dessert.

First, Maria placed an overflowing tray of Italian cookies in the center of the table.

murante-cookies

And, as if that wasn’t enough, a beautiful parfait of chocolate hazelnut gelato, shipped fresh from Italy, was served to each of us with a cup of freshly pressed and sweetened Espresso.

murante-hazelnut-and-chocolate-italian-gelato

I still can’t believe we ate all that food…

I can’t believe how sweet Maria and Linda were…

I can’t believe how reasonable the whole experience was!

And all of the leftovers were packed up in “to go” containers for us to continue to enjoy!

I couldn’t even bring myself to each a cookie that evening, but oh how glorious did the chocolate dipped biscotti taste the next morning with my coffee!

The only thing better than the amazing food was the wonderful fellowship of friends!  If you live in, or are ever planning to travel to the Pittsburgh area, what a treat it is to enjoy this special dining experience at Merante’s!

One day, I will actually get to visit Italy…

Until then, I will visit Maria at Merante’s and experience a little taste of Italy in the “Burgh!”

Cheers and Ciaos,
Jodi

 

 

 

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Carolyn Comes to Mars: Blogger Friends Meet Up

/ Jodi / 31 Comments
brad-and-carolyn-spaceship-mars

Brad and Carolyn, Mars PA Town Square at the Spaceship

One of the joys of blogging is the friendships developed with other bloggers.

Carolyn (aka JoyRoses who writes at Nuggets of Gold) is a friend I “met” about two years ago via the blogging world on WordPress when we both enrolled in Writing101 – a month-long challenge that offered writing prompts and a community of blogging students to encourage each other.

Well… yesterday Carolyn came to Mars to meet in person.  What a joy it was to give her a real hug, take her (and chauffeur/hubby, Brad) to get their photo taken in Mars at the spaceship, and get them souvenir Mars T-shirts to wear on the unseasonably warm and sunny October Sunday.

Charlie was equally excited to meet Carolyn (and Brad)!  He could hardly contain himself and kept jumping up on their laps wanting to give them kisses.

charlie-and-carolyn-and-brad

Charlie welcoming Carolyn and Brad to Mars

Carolyn and Brad had never visited Pittsburgh either, so a brief tour was in order including a trip up the Monongahela Incline to get a bird’s eye view of our beautiful city.

monongahela-incline

Monongahela Incline, Pittsburgh, PA

While waiting in line, we met two friendly gents who came all the way from Germany to see a Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots football game.  For real!  What fun we had chatting with them.  And of course, we had to get a picture, so our kind hubbies took photos of us with Tom and Nils the day before Tom’s 32nd birthday as they celebrated a lifelong friendship, and we all celebrated life and new friendships.

tom-jodi-nils-carolyn

Tom, Jodi, Nils, Carolyn – Grandview Avenue Mt Washington overlooking Pittsburgh

Of course I made cookies for our guests, but I was a bit stumped to learn last minute that between the two of them – I had to consider gluten free and vegetarian.  Yikes!   Thank goodness I had one amazing gluten-free cookie recipe in my repertoire, and thankfully my Kicked Up Chewy Peanut Butter Cinnamon Chip Cookies were a hit.

While in town, Carolyn’s hubby mentioned a restaurant a friend recommended – The Church Brew Works.  It is a fun place where the owners actually converted an old Catholic Church into a restaurant/micro-brewery, so we decided to take them there.    The most breathtaking element of the amazing atmosphere and architecture of this restaurant/brewpub is the position of the brew house on the altar.  Because the altar was built as a centerpiece of the church, the steel and copper tanks gleaming in the celestial blue backdrop are nothing less than captivating.  We had an amazing meal that delighted  everyone’s dietary needs.

brad-and-carolyn-church-brew-works

Brad and Carolyn at the Altar at The Church Brew Works

It was a lovely day, and a lovely meet-up of blogging friends.  And of course I sent them home with some extra cookies for the ride.

Thanks for the visit Carolyn and Brad.  We will remember it fondly and cherish the moments!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Pittsburgh Rainbow Cityscape

/ Jodi / 59 Comments
Pittsburgh CityScape Watercolor

Pittsburgh Rainbow Semi-Abstract Cityscape 9 x11 Arches Hot Press CBT WV QG

Today is the last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth, and I am proud to say I was able to post an original watercolor every day this month.  To celebrate the last day, I’ve been itching to do a semi-abstract cityscape, so here is my version of the Pittsburgh Skyline in a rainbow of Cobalt Teal Blue, Winsor Violet and Quinacridone Gold.

I have lived in the Pittsburgh, PA area my entire life.  Though I have moved from suburb to suburb growing up and then after getting married, I have always loved this beautiful, “most-livable” city.

We live in the “country,” but it is only a 30-minute drive to all the wonderful things our city has to offer for arts, entertainment, business, restaurants, sports, rivers, and shopping.

In fact, that is just where we went yesterday to look for bridal gowns, and oh what fun we had!  Well, we actually passed through town and went to the “South Hills,” but it was a successful venture, and Liz said “Yes!” to the most beautiful dress!  I gasped, then I cried.

I feel so fortunate that both of my boys have found such wonderful young ladies to share their lives with.

Want a sneak peak of the dress????!!

Liz said yes to the dress

You didn’t think I’d actually show you, did you?  But it is under there and in the hands of the beautiful, glowing bride-to-be!  A big thanks to Chelsea and Greg and the wonderful folks at Anne Gregory for the Bride for such an amazing experience, we didn’t have to go anywhere else!  More time for toasting champagne and celebrating with  Liz and her sisters and mom!

Happy Sunday, and happy last day of #WorldWatercolorMonth!  I hope you’ve had as much fun as me.  (Or maybe you are as relieved as my son Nick that it is over!)  Whichever the case, thanks for spending it with me here at lifeinbetween!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Reflections from the River

/ Jodi / 60 Comments
Kiskiminetas River lifeinbetween.me

Kiskiminetas River, Pittsburgh, PA

Reflections from the River

Still water grows stagnant…
keep moving.

Enjoy the journey…
it’s not always about the destination.

A single rock thrown…
can cause a ripple effect far beyond its initial target.

Sometimes what is reflected back from us…
is bigger and better than we are – so shine on.

It is hard work to traverse against the current…
but it is possible, and it is often worth it.

Hubby and I took a little boat ride Friday evening down the Kiskiminetas River – a peaceful little body of water that flows into the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh, PA.   With the sweet scent of honeysuckle still in my nose, I’ve been reflecting on the many lessons we can learn from the river.  Nature has so much to teach us if only we take the time to listen.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Pure

Blue Ball: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 57 Comments

Charlie blue ball

Woohoo!  It’s Ball Season!

Some of you love baseball.
My family cheers for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

We love football too – if it is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Right now – our Pittsburgh Penguins are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs,
and though they use a puck instead of a ball, it is still very exciting.

There is also basketball, softball, tennis, golf, volleyball, soccer, wiffle ball, ping pong, bowling, pool, and probably a million other ball games,

but my favorite ball game
(if you don’t count eating meatballs) 

is Blue Ball!

My mom brought out the bucket of blue balls the other day, and boy oh boy did we have fun!

It’s a simple game, but such a BLAST!

Here is how you play it.

Step 1:  Mom throws the ball in the grass.

Step 2:  I run and get it, and then I run back.

Step 3:  Now here is the FUN part….

Sometimes I bring the blue ball back to Mom,
but other times…..  I ZOOOOOOOM right by her and trick her!

Sometimes I bring it to her and drop it….  but (get ready for this!) right when she goes to pick it up,
I grab it first!

And then – (are you ready for this one?)
other times I bring it back – but don’t let go of it, and I make her beg for it.
Sometimes Mom pretends to cry – – –  like I can’t see a fake a mile away!

Other times I let her yank at it for a while and I ferociously (fake of course – but she doesn’t know!) GROWL!

Blue Ball is most fun when you play it by varying up the way you play Step 3 every time.

Isn’t that a great game?!

Hope you have some fun playing whatever kind of ball you like this weekend!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: https://lifeinbetween.me/.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

 

 

The Rusty Old Bridge in Watercolor

/ Jodi / 62 Comments
rusty old bridge watercolor original matted

The Rusty Old Bridge and Fisherman Original Watercolor, Pittsburgh, PA

I did another watercolor painting this past weekend of a photo I shared recently.

I am challenged with this big of a piece and so many details.  The painting is 8 x 10, and I did it on Arches Hot Press, which I rather love for it’s fluidity.  So fun to experiment with different types of paper.

I think the fisherman really stands out in the painting more so than in the photo.

It was a challenge.  I completed it.  I will continue trying!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Is Anything Better?

/ Jodi / 44 Comments

highland park water fountain

Is anything better

than a walk to the park
on a sunny Saturday Spring afternoon?

Little brother and big sister
sharing the joy.

The fountain is finally on,
the tire swing is out.

—-

Every day may not be good,
but there is something good
in every day.

Look for the good –
and Cherish the Moments!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Rusty Old Bridge

/ Jodi / 54 Comments

Rusty old bridge

The Rusty Old Bridge

Your shiny metal has weathered to shades of orange and brown
like skin that has worked and played and laughed in the sun.

Your concrete pillars are beginning to crack under pressure
like wrinkles of worry from the stress of supporting such a heavy load.

You connected two sides – one with the other
as if you had open and outstretched arms.

And now,
though your original purpose is abandoned,

you still serve,
but in subtler ways.

a shady spot for respite from the heat
or a lazy day of fishing.

It’s time to rest Rusty Old Bridge.
You’ve earned this time.

Enjoy it
while I admire you.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Day Part Deux

/ Jodi / 69 Comments

old red boat watercolor 10x12

If you caught yesterday’s post: “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay,” you MIGHT recognize this old red boat.

I couldn’t resist doing it in watercolor.

But alas my attempts at recreating it – TWICE – last evening – fell short of what I had in mind….

One last try I thought….

So I flipped the 10×12 sheet of Arches over and slapped on some paint with abandon this time – not even trying to exactly recreate, but just having fun splashing and creating a “feeling,” presuming I would never post this one.

But then….

I kinda liked it.

It’s not a Monet or a Matisse, but it’s a “Jodi,”

and for now, that’s okay.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay

/ Jodi / 56 Comments

old boat at three rivers rowing association youth boathouse pittsburgh pa

Sittin’ on the dock of the bay
watching the……

geese and birds and fishermen and rowers,
cars and bikers and joggers and walkers.
Soaking up the early Spring sunshine after a fun little field trip day with hubby on Saturday.

We stopped by the Three Rivers Rowing Association Youth Boathouse in Pittsburgh.

As I snapped photos, I was drawn to this beat up ole’ beauty that sat alone
amidst all the sleek and shiny new sweep and sculling boats.

It’s beauty caught my eye the most.

Kind of like people.

Youth is sleek and shiny and new and beautiful,
but the real beauty that more often catches my attention
is the kind that emanates from the wrinkles on the face of the older woman
who has spent decades loving and smiling and laughing
with her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

or the rough and calloused, knotty, sun-spotted hands of an old man
who worked hard all his life to support his family.
Hands with map-like veins protruding as if telling a story of the places he’d gone and the things he’d done.
Hands that hurt, yet gently stroke his wife’s cheek, guide his children’s path, and cradle his grandchildren.

Yep – sittin’ on the dock of the….. river….
wasting time?
Maybe not.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Photo submission for the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge:  Half-Light:  Share a photo inspired by a poem, verse, song lyric or story.  Also in loving memory of “Poops” Pap McKinney, who we remember lovingly today on his birthday.