An Unexpected Halloween Moment

"I'm a mess 'til I've had my first cup of coffee......"

As usually happens in the 'Burgh Living Household, we had big plans for the weekend, but as also usually happens, we didn't get out the front door until close to 4pm.


This means that a hike in Frick Park, a visit to one of my favorite Pet Stores, dinner, and a trip to Phipps Conservatory would all need to be crammed into a very limited amount of time. Fortunately, Phipps is open on Fridays until 10pm. This was great, because although the whole butterfly thing has never really attracted me (they are still bugs, people), I have always had a fascination with Gargoyles, and I wanted to be sure to see the current exhibit before it goes the way of the Chihuly Glass that I still regret missing.


By the time we traipsed up the walk - it was approaching 8:45 and it was dark, dark, dark. I had my doubts that I would enjoy the full experience, but I was determined. Given my limited schedule and lack of motivation to leave the house on my days off, I figured this was my window of opportunity.

Turns out, this was one of the best things that procrastination has ever rewarded me with. If there was ever an exhibit to go to in the dark at Phipps, especially so close to my favorite holiday, this was it. It was actually a little creepy walking the dimly lit paths, and the tree frogs' chirping almost sounded like a recorded Halloween sound-effect loop. Interestingly, the nice lady in the exhibit told us that it was "date night" for the tree frogs, so they were out in full force, leading me to believe that the soundtrack they were providing was likely a special treat for nighttime visitors.

But this....with the Blair Witch twigs and glowing eyes effect, definitely freaked me out a little.......

Although the Phipps provided me with an unexpected Halloween moment, a more deliberate one is coming up at the Scarehouse on October 5th. Now, I have never been to any kind of haunted house before. Ever. I'm not sure why. I used to looove me some scary movies, but as I've gotten older I have found that I avoid (intentionally?) the circumstances in which "scary" could come into play. I don't know what I think will happen. A mummy will jump out at me and I will launch into full cardiac arrest? That I might find myself in the Bones episode where the skeleton hanging from the rafters is actually real? Who knows. What is a fact is that I will be going to the scariest Tweetup ever. Wanna come? Well, there are two places you can buy tickets to the event. You can visit 'Burgh Baby's blog and follow the links there, or you can join team PittGirl and visit That's Church to buy your tickets. Turns out that the ladies are having a little contest of sorts, and the loser has to face their worst fear. Plus - some great charities are going to benefit from the competition.

So, who did I buy my tickets from? I will never tell. The wrath of one of those two is probably the scariest thing of all.

Boo...........

DOGTOBERFEST!

In the Chandler voice: "COULD there be an event that is any more up my alley?"

Why, no. Which is why I will be manning the CARMAA booth on Saturday from 2-6pm. I'll also be aimlessly wandering through the crowd in doggie-induced bliss taking photos for the 'Burgh Living Facebook page. What, you say? You haven't "liked" the 'Burgh Living page on Facebook yet? It's easy, just click here.

If you are considering adopting a new companion, this is the event to attend. Although you won't be able to take your new best friend home from the event, there will be plenty of adoptable animals there, and more information on how you can offer a new fur-ever home.

Someone is all ready to go.................

Where to Shop.....Animal Nature in Regent Square

After a long (and I mean insanely long - ouch) hike with the pups at Frick park yesterday, two legs and four legs alike needed a drink. The two legs opted to wait til they got home to break open a bottle of wine (to hopefully kill the throbbing in my knees), but the four-legs got a little treat. I recalled not long ago reading in Shady Avenue Magazine about a great pet store behind Rose's Ice Cream in Regent Square. We ventured forth, and I swear I saw the pups eyes light up when we walked into Animal Nature, located at 7610 Forbes Avenue.

We were greeted by Dorothy Parker. Really. That made for a surreal dog-name moment since I was holding Billie Holiday. Also, Dorothy and Billie had a moment themselves, instigated naturally by Lady Day herself. I think it was probably just hashing out who had the cooler name. Dorothy won.

The two-legs behind this mecca of pet-awesomeness are Nina Wolf and Ute Norman. The greeting we received when coming in was just about as warm and welcoming as they get. As someone who feeds her dogs better on occasion than I feed myself, I was awestruck at the incredible lines of high-quality foods carried in their store. Normally, to find such products, you have to go online. No more last minute rush orders in the 'Burgh Living household! One of my favorites was the Addiction line. The dogs will be enjoying Addiction's Fig'licious Venison Feast Dehydrated food, and a Black Forest Rabbit and Blueberry moist dinner over the next few days. I might actually be jealous as I heat up my frozen mac and cheese.

A key word here is "human-grade". While Basie (yes, as in Count) proceeded to get comfortable and tear apart the toy display (she was especially fond of the Road Kill toys, which get the 'Burgh Living stamp of approval for being stuffing-free), the BF and co-owner Ute munched on Grandma Lucy's USDA Organic Oven-Baked Dog Treats. For real. Now, I'm not saying that I'll be snacking on these while catching up on the Tivo, but at least there's a back-up in case we don't have time to get to the grocery store. Hey, it happens.

All in all, I would say it was the perfect end to a dream doggie day. Animal Nature is open Mondays from 10am-8pm, Wednesdays through Saturday from 10am-8pm, and Sunday from 12-5pm. Their phone is 412-723-2194. In addition to Dog toys and food, they also carry the same high-quality products for rabbits and cats. Now hurry and go before we buy everything up!

........."What, me? Spoiled?"

Music, Bacon, Crafts, Bloggers, Bacon and Bacon

I've always wanted one of these dishwasher magnets. I view them as the perfect combination of super-cool kitsch and functionality. Lucky for me, some of our Southside friends invited us to WYEP's "Rock On the Block" in Bedford Square, because I Made It Market had set up shop, and Neighborhood Blonde had whipped up several of these adorable little things. This was my first visit to an "I Made It" event, and it made me wish that I had been going a lot earlier. On the other hand, my wallet and the BF are pretty OK with that.

I also had the opportunity to meet another 'Burgh blogger that has a concert photography blog, called HughShowsRedux. Besides the fact that he seems to have some fine, fine taste in music, he took my picture which kinda made me feel like a rock-star.

Oh yeah, and there was a lot of good music going on (Colonizing the Cosmos and Alejandro Escovedo), but I was really distracted by the giant plate of bacon that Harris Grill (one of the local vendors) passed along to me. Mmmmmm bacon.

Podcamp Pittsburgh 5 : Putting the "Social" in Social Networking

In the interest of posting an event BEFORE you have to miss it, allow me to present Podcamp Pittsburgh 5, happening this weekend at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. To prevent you from making a misguided phone call (which as I understand it, has happened), know that this event has absolutely nothing to do with your ipod.

Well, not unless you are really into listening to local podcasts on your ipod, in which case hold onto your headphones because there are all manner of cool 'Burgh peeps talking about their 'casts, and how you can start your own.

Getting the gist? Podcamp is one of the premier "un-conferences"; a laid back learning experience for all things social media. Last year was my first Podcamp, and it took me a full year to digest all of the learning that happened there, so thank goodness it only happens annually, lest I explode. In addition to learning about all things podcast, you can also hear prominent local bloggers speak, learn about how to become a prominent local blogger yourself, and learn the fine art of social media and its myriad of uses; all from those who have taken the plunge into these realms themselves and can speak from experience. Register soon (as I recall, the camp was at max capacity last year) and come on time, so you don't miss the Keynote address from City Councilman Bill Peduto (hey, we've talked about him before!). Have I convinced you? Well, then give a little clickie here to register, and consider being a VIP, as it gives you the opportunity to win some pretty cool prizes. For reals.

I will not be presenting, as I use Podcamp to learn from those who do better than I at what we do, and I am way too afraid of you judging me face to face (I kid - sort of). But, if you are attending, and see some really big hair in the distance and underneath that hair, someone tethered to the wall because her netbook battery is kaput, come say "hi".

The Pittsburgh Public Market is Here!

Okay, I confess I am having a little bit of a love affair with the Strip District lately. So many exciting things are brewing over there that it has been a little hard to resist!

This weekend, it's the official opening of the Pittsburgh Public Market, and the 'Burgh Living Blog (who actually attended the soft opening last weekend), has some stuff to share.

Of course, the first order of business was a bee-line to the booth underneath this sign:
Thanks to Four-Paws, the pups have been enjoying fresh Chicken Jerky all week. The nice man at the booth pointed out that the chicken breast is fresh from Giant Eagle, and he hand slices and dehydrates it himself. It looks like it is probably suitable for human consumption, but from the looks of the dogs when they are eating it, I don't think they're up for sharing.

Of course, the main purpose of my trip to the public market, aside from getting some photos, was to stock up on some locally grown healthy fruits and veggies!

Well, after a little detour to the Fudgie Wudgie booth......

There we go! See, healthy fruit and veggies abound at the public market, all locally grown! The 'Burgh Living Blog picked up some farm fresh milk in a glass bottle, and some delicious grape tomatoes, with the intent of making this tart from 'Burghilicious' blog. The tomatoes were so delectable however, that we ended up snacking on them like candy. The milk is only $1.50, with a $2.00 deposit on the bottle. Bring your bottle back on your next visit, and get a fresh gallon!

We topped off our visit to the Public Market with some lunch from Sito's (positively heavenly vegetarian grape leaves) and fresh squeezed raspberry lemonade from LaScola's Italian Ice.

Finally, I will be very jealous of whoever goes home with this:

Seriously, this weird little frog-prince topiary at the Michael Brothers' Nursery booth received no less that 10 visits from me during the two hours that we were at the market, and he was very close to coming home with us until the BF pointed out that technically this is a plant, and we all know how well I do with those. He is very cute nonetheless and I am sure he will find a home in which someone will actually water him regularly.

For more photos from our visit to the Public Market, click here to visit our facebook page! (and give a little "like" while you are there).