Vanilla Icing

Chevy Sonic Sweets Tour

Chevy is up to its old tricks.

I was invited on their 'Chevy Sonic Sweets Tour' which featured the new Chevy Sonic and a few of Pittsburgh's trendy bakeries.  Of course I immediately said yes!  Cool cars and bakeries?  Who could resist?

     

The Chevy Sonic is a small car with a deceptively roomy interior available as a hatchback or a sedan.  There are a lot of built in features such as USB ports and streaming capabilities for many smartphones.  That means no more fumbling around with strange car adapters and weird mounting devices just to listen to your favorite tunes as you drive.  Between that, good gas mileage (26 city/35 hwy), and an inexpensive price this vehicle would be an excellent choice.  I only wish it came in more color choices!  I'd choose a blue over a red or orange any time.

     

Our first stop was Sugar Cafe in Dormont.  I have been anxious to try this bakery for a few months but unfortunately my travels haven't taken me to that part of town.  Now?

I'll happily go out of my way to drive to Dormont to get more of the Lemon Pound Cake.  Sunshine bursting on a plate.  The pound cake was tart and tangy with just a hint of sweetness instead of the cloying other route so many other bakeries take.    The cupcake was solid and the vanilla macaroon had an excellent fluffy buttercream but it was the lemon pound cake that shined.  It was the best thing I ate all day.  

       

Among all of the Sonics availabe to drive was one solitary Chevy Volt.  I overheard Hal of This Man's Kitchen ask if it was available to drive and when he was answered in the affirmative I immediately asked to tag along in this car.  I've never ridden in a hybrid car and I was intrigued.

     

Just look at the consoles!  There were two screens-one behind the steering wheel and one in the center-to help you get the most out of your driving experience.   The Volt is dual powered-by electric AND gas which means you can drive about 35 miles on electricity alone and about 375 miles on a full gas tank.  According to Edmunds, it gets a whopping 93 city and 95 highway mpg.  This would be the perfect type of car for someone who lives in the city like me and doesn't drive very far on an ordinary basis.  I was very disappointed to learn that one must have a driveway or a garage to be able to plug the car in every night to recharge.  I guess snaking extension cords across the street even if it was safe wouldn't be very practical.  

The Volt navigated the twisty turns and steep hills of Pittsburgh as easily as a gasoline powered car. The vehicle also uses the screens on the consoles to show you how you are driving and also how to maximize your driving for the most efficient experience.  It was a little intimidating at first but after only a few miles a driver would easily catch on and be able to enjoy the drive. 

Hal parked the car (on a hill! see?) on a side street in Lawrenceville and we walked the last block to Dozen Bake Shop.

Dozen has recently went through a lot of changes.  When it first opened, it was known solely as a cupcake shop that rapidly expanded and opened several other cupcake shops around the city.  The original owner eventually scaled back and then sold the remaining two Dozens which were the Lawrenceville shop and also the Oakland shop.  Dozen is now known as Dozen Bake Shop and it is a full service bakery and cafe.

A table full of tempting treats waited for us at Dozen Bake Shop.   Of course there were cupcakes but these were a sampling of some of their offerings in mini version.   The pumpkin whoopie pies were a seasonal nod as were the apple 'pop tarts.'  

      

The apple pop tarts were more reminiscent of an apple hand pie than pop tarts and for that I was glad.  I like the substantialness of pie more than a dinky pop tart.  The push pops were a fun idea but startling in the color of the icing.  Disappointingly, the amount of dye required to tint icing those bright colors was so frighteningly large that all that could be tasted was food dye.  

The cafe menu was intriguing and I plan on returning for lunch one day very soon.

And I might be a little envious of their flour stores.  Just a little.

The last stop on the Chevy Sonic Sweets Tour was Gluuteny in Squirrel Hill.  It is a gluten free bakery that has sweet and savory items and also stocks mixes for the individual who would like to do a little home baking.

I was surprised to see all of the mixes available but I thought this was a wonderful idea for all of those who need or choose to eat gluten free.  It helps make at home baking much more accessible. Gluuteny makes and packages all of their mixes and fans of the bakery know they can trust what they are purchasing and not have the unsurety they may experience when trying to choose a mix from a grocery store shelf.

     

The convenience of their 'grab and go' shelves make stopping in just that much easier.

Breads, bagels, cakes, cookies and more.  Gluuteny has it all.

The brownie had a crisp exterior and a  chewy, deep chocolatey interior.

     

The pumpkin cupcake was a little less 'cake' and a little more 'muffin' in texture.  The pumpkin flavor was bold and the spices used played that up rather than overpowering the pumpkin.  The icing on top was light which was just right for this savory little cake.

Gluuteny is capable of fooling 'gluten eating people' and I think that's pretty darn amazing.

I was sad when the Chevy Sonic Sweets Tour came to an end because it is always such fun cruising around town in cars from the Chevrolet line up and stopping at local eateries in Pittsburgh.   I think we need a Chevy trucks & bbq tour.  What do you think?

I've always wanted to drive a truck.

Edward Marc Chocolatier

Pittsburgh has excellent chocolates.  You just have to know where to look.

Edward Marc Chocolatier is a Pittsburgh based chocolate maker with locations in Pittsburgh's Southside (Inside the fantastic Milkshake Factory), Monroeville, Trafford and even one as far-flung as Washington, D.C.   Their factory is part of their Trafford retail shop and recently I was invited on an All-You-Can-Eat Chocolate Factory Tour.  Oh my!  I said yes right away and I must admit I got ready for the tour by nibbling a piece of chocolate on my way to the chocolate factory.  Just a little priming method.  Ahem!

Edward Marc Chocolatier is located in the old Sherm Edwards Candies building which at first might be a little confusing.  The chocolate company has been owned by the same family since 1914 when Charlie and Orania Sarandou left Greece and decided to make their home in Pittsburgh.  They began making chocolates and selling them informally from a street corner but in barely any time at all the quality of the candy became well known and they quickly opened their first shop on Butler Street in Lawrenceville.  It wasn't until the '70s that they moved to their current location in Trafford.

Each generation of the family has taken the original recipes and kept them exactly the same, but each generation has rebranded the chocolates by updating the name and the packaging.  It's current name of Edward Marc Chocolatier with it's sleek blue packaging and tempting chocolates combined with it's homey, family roots still made by hand in small factory combines the best of both worlds to create exquisite candies.

     

I felt a little like singing 'I've Got a Golden Ticket!' but I spared the crowd and waited excitedly with the crowd lined up happily waiting for the doors to open.  I think all of us were waiting for a Willy Wonka-esque personage to come tumbling out of the door.

     

 We didn't get Willy Wonka and he certainly didn't tumble out of the door, but we did get George Klipka, a local historian who filled us in on the history of Edward Marc Chocolatier.  And better than tumbles was the serenade he gave us as we descended down the stairs and into the white room that smelled of chocolate and apples.

 Everyone was required to wear a hairnet and it caused a lot of embarrassed giggles until we saw teh chocolate.  Then they were rapidly forgotten.  

     

And honestly?  Who can think of anything else when presented with huge slabs of chocoate that are being chiseled off in chunks with a big rubber mallet?  Edward Marc receives its chocolates in 10 pound blocks that come on a 2500 pound pallet of several various single source chocolates. 

     

 They then combine the chocolates in various secret ways to create their signature finished products.

     

 Candy making must be born in the blood.  This little boy belongs to Marc, one of the siblings who own Edward Marc's, and is already a natural at putting apples on sticks for candy apples.    

     

The little boy was happy to eat an apple but I wanted to just lick the nuts, chocolate and caramel off of them.  

 Or.... let's be honest.  I just really want the caramel.  

 The other bloggers and I were given private time to chat with Marc and Dana (the third sibling, Chris, was out of town) about Edward Marc's and ask all of the questions we wanted.  Well, all but one.  I was certain they wouldn't give out their caramel recipe and I didn't have the nerve to ask.  

      

Marc and Dana told us about some of the expansion plans locally and nationally that Edward Marc Chocolatier is working on.  A local grocer's, Giant Eagle in Bridgeville, will be carrying the chocolates along with the downtown Pittsburgh's Saks.  Saks in Palm Beach, New York and DC will also be selling their chocolates for the holidays as well.  A grocery chain in Texas will be carrying their pretzel bites soon as well.

Marc and Dana also mentioned a new candy that is in the final stages of development that will be available soon.  'Pie Pops' are pie flavored truffles on lollipop sticks that will come in various pie flavors such as banana cream pie, oreo pie, and coconut cream pie.  They plan on having five different flavors to begin.  I say, 'Move over cake pops...pie is always better!'

     

Long white tables held dish after dish of tantalizing chocolates to try.  For those old enough to remember penny candy stores-- Remember going in to the store with a handful of change and trying to decide just which candies to buy and how difficult it was?  The spread of candies Edward Marc Chocolates had to sample was just like that.  I knew that I couldn't possibly have room to try one of each and I had to make careful decisions about which ones to try.  

How did I decide?  First, I looked at everything.  When there was the same candy in milk or dark chocolate, I selected only one version to try, alternating if I was trying the dark or milk.  And if I was trying a pretzel or a piece of bark I took the smallest piece.  Other than that?  I'm proud to say I tried every other type.   Perhaps I shouldn't boast about that (and I shall certainly suck in my tummy next time you see me!) but I like to think that I've had 'training on food tours' and I'll sample everything. Except tongue.  But that's another story.  This one is about candy and I loved it all.

 Especially the caramel.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I wanted to channel my inner Lucy & Ethel when I saw these.

                 

Each one is meticulously salted by hand and days later I'm still not sure how so many get finished. One for the box, one for me.  One for the box, two for me.  My obvious gluttony should be evident enough to ensure that I never get hired by a candy company.  That's probably best for everyone.

 

And lest you think, I've not given ample time to white chocolate let me assure you.  I did.  I adore good white chocolate and I one two three of these.

There was only one 'bad' part of this entire tour.  Afterwards, I became obsessed with the need for a Red Velvet Milkshake because normally I visit the Edward Marc Chocolatier that is inside The Milkshake Factory and I always have both-a piece of chocolate and a shake because I like to spoil myself like that.  It's possible that I may have driven down and got a milkshake later that very evening.

Maybe.  Shhh!

Return to Veggies

                                                                Veggie Pizza

In August, I challenged myself to eat vegetarian  and I went two entire weeks which isn't really that long but it was enough time to realize that eating vegetarian made me feel very different.  Different, in a very good way.  I felt lighter, which might sound a little silly, but I mean I felt like I had more bounce in my step and more energy.  I didn't feel weighed down, not even after eating a big meal. Gone was the heavy, slightly bloated feeling that I often experienced eating something as simple as a hamburger on the grill and corn on the cob.  And the oddest thing?  I didn't even realize I was feeling like that until I wasn't feeling it anymore.

                                               Pistachio Stuffed Mushrooms

Then, just two weeks after eating vegetarian, I abruptly stopped and returned to my former ways.  I told myself it that it was necessary because I was going to Columbus in a few weeks for a food blogger tour.  It seemed a good idea to be 'used' to consuming meat before embarking on a culinary tour where there would be many delicious things to eat.  I'm glad that I decided to eat meat while in Columbus because there were so many wonderful things to try like Thurn's Meats, tacos and pork belly.

However, back at home, I started to notice that after certain meals that 'heavy, bloated feeling' was present again and it began to bother me.  I tried to ignore it but it persisted in nagging me.  After much thought, I've decided to pick back up with my 'Vegetarian Challenge' and see where it takes me.

                                                         Fresh fruit & veggies

I don't expect to ever be a hard and fast vegetarian.  The other day, I was at a restaurant where the owner and chef were sending out all manner of things for Rick and I to try.  The one dish had chunks of chicken sprinkled on the top.  I didn't turn away from the dish but I did push the chicken to one side for Rick to eat.    It seems as though a more dedicated vegetarian might not touch any food that meat has touched but that's not me.   Right now, nearly ten days in, what works for me is not eating meat but not becoming obsessive compulsive about it.  If I was eating dinner at a friend's and learned the rice was prepared with chicken broth I would continue to eat it.  And when Thanksgiving comes, there's a fair chance that I will partake of the turkey.  No Tofurkey for this girl!

                                                          Peas & Parmesan

If I were to be invited to another culinary tour or event, I would happily indulge in any meat proffered because I think that's how I shall treat meat: an occasional indulgence.  And let's face it, I've had some of the best meat ever when someone else is preparing it!

                             Homemade Guacamole & Grilled Quesadilla

I still have much to learn about vegetarian cooking and would love to hear any tips, recipes, or websites/blogs.  Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email with anything you'd like to share.  It would really be appreciated!

                                                      Deconstructed Pesto

Pittsburgh Chevy Crawl

Chevrolet has a dirty little secret.  Oh, it's sneaky!

   

And brilliant.

Want to know what it is?  

Hocking Hills, Ohio

                                Cedar Falls

Remember that hiking I mentioned a few times that I had to do because of all of the wonderful food and drink I had during my stay at the Inn at Cedar Falls?

No, I don't mean riding the ziplines with the Hocking Hills Zipline Canopy Tours because just as the guides kept telling us 'we don't want to see you exercising, just having fun' I can't even pretend that was hiking because it really was all fun and no work.  I mean real hiking where I use my own two feet and it's all work....in the breathtaking natural surroundings of the Hocking Hills in Ohio.  

And this Pennsylvania girl even learned something.......

Hocking Hills Zipline Canopy Tours

We all have fears.  Clowns.  Spiders.  Heights.

Clowns don’t bother me but spiders?   Ick.

Heights?  Yikes.  

Sometime in my adult years, I developed a fear of heights which seemed to be quite the ridiculous development because I spent a lot of my girlhood climbing trees and dangling upside down from tree limbs and flipping out of them to land upright on my feet.   These days, leaning over a second story balcony railing can make my stomach quake.   But there comes a time when one must look a fear in the face and make a not so polite gesture.

Do notice I did not say conquer the fear.  Small steps.

Rockmill Brewery & The Olive Orchard

Good friends help you move.  But really good friends teach you how to drink beer and appreciate it by imbibing large quantities of many different kinds and letting you have sips of each and while you ask plenty of questions.  And then they do it again.  And again. 

Because when you say to a good friend ”Hey, I’m moving…Can you—‘ they grit their teeth and nod reluctantly.  But when you say, 

‘Beer?’ 

Ears perk up and smiles tug at the corners of mouths.

‘Beer!’

Morels in May

I read too many travel memoir books.   And too many food ones  And recently, I’ve discovered a whole niche of memoirs that are travel and food.  A bold statement, no?   Let me explain.

I say this because even before I realized that mushrooms were quite possibly the most delicious things that I have been neglecting almost my entire life and had made it my new mission in life to make up for all the ones I have missed over the years, I wanted to go mushroom hunting thanks to some vivid passages in several books I’ve read.   I wouldn’t eat them; I’d only hunt them.  How’s that for the power of written word?  Come forward a few years where I can’t get enough of mushrooms and the desire to go hunting them became all consuming.

Slowing Down....soon

As some of you may know, since October, I've been helping Rick out at the office by answering phones/doing receptionist work. Though I am happy to help out--after all it is our family's business--I have not enjoyed myself after the novelty of getting to dress up in cute 'office' clothes and going to work has worn off. I will spare everyone further complaint because it's not been awful--rather it's just been not for me.

But an end is in sight. Pretty soon the children will be off from school for the summer. I won't be going back to the office in the Fall. And that will be good. I have a long list of things that I hope to be able to do and get done once summer begins. Mainly--

Slowing down.

Not dashing madly about trying to get x, y and z done and instead ending up accomplishing w and some of y. Having time to do things that I want to do---like work on my second novel!---and not feeling guilty about doing it because I haven't gotten things around the house finished. That first chapter is feeling mighty lonely and would love to be joined by a second. Soon.

The itch to write (and I don't count this blog; it feels more like 'talking' than writing) becomes overwhelming until it gets to a point where I walk around all day feeling like I forgot to do something. Like something has been left undone. Except I know what I 'forgot' and what hasn't been done.

I can play with the kids, clean the entire house, cook dinner, bake something, work out and talk to a friend all in one day and if I haven't managed to squeeze in writing I still feel like I've accomplished nothing. I wish I could be like some people and simply let everything go and get my writing in, but I can't. It's like my chore list is an extension of my mind's 'workspace' and I can't work in a cluttered workspace!

I think I'm rambling right now and I will save everyone from further mumbling. I hope you and yours have a perfect slowed down day!

Less Wonkier by the Inch

Or Something like that. What am I talking about? I'll be right there in a minute....or um, a paragraph or three.

Here's two not so great photos from the weekend. I say not so great because you can't quite see what the sign says. I'll help out a bit:

This is Tristyn's Flower Shop he made. His sign says "The Flower Depo 5 cents for a flower." I particularly like the way he turned the o's into flowers. He didn't seem to have any flowers for sale, however. I think that 'Mad Florist' look might have contributed to his lack of stock.

Maia's Flower Shop was fully stocked...but closed. Something fishy was going on. I was even more sure of it when I came away 50 cents poorer and only 4 flowers richer. Methinks the shop owners were not entirely honest! (Or rather played dumb about the process of giving change!)

The office was a drag. It's gotten to the point where mostly all of my time is occupied, though certainly not with anything intellectually taxing. Which isn't a bad thing per se; it's mostly just a boring thing.

I often feel very tense while I'm there, too. I think it's due to the one person being very tempermental. You never know what mood they are going to be in--from one set of five minutes to the next. I find that to be very stressful and wearing because I am very sensitive to other peoples' moods. Probably too much.

Someone else's bad mood can drag me down in minutes and then oftentimes I'll end up being stuck with their bad mood! Also, I can't help but noticing people's body language and wishing I could say/do something to cheer them up but I'm terrible with speaking words. =( Then, there is the part of me that actually enjoys observing other people, carefully cataloging away various expressions, gestures etc. To entertain myself I'll often 'write' in my head something I've just seen someone do, trying to get the words just exactly right. For example this is the process(similar anyhow) I'll think in my head:

She walked by quickly with her head ducked. <---ducked is a crappy word
She sped <---UGH SPED ???
She walked rapidly quickly, keeping her head lowered and her shoulders hunched to block inquistive stares. <----don't like blocked.. need better word
She quickly walked by with her head lowered and her shoulders hunched to blockavoid inquistive stareslooks. <---block and stares to me are too 'harsh' of words--they indicate each party (the woman walking by and the potential people looking) to be too 'aggressive.'
She quickly walked by with her head lowered and her shoulders hunched to avoid inquistive looks. <---still not feeling hunched. It's such an ugly word but can't quite come up with a word that I like

All that passed through my head in about 2 seconds. Loads quicker than it took to type it out just now. I will then proceed to DWELL on that d**n sentence for the next 45 minutes trying to figure out what word I prefer to hunched.

Several hours later will STILL be thinking of that word. And how much I don't like it and how it does not quite describe what I saw correctly. GRRRR.

Missy and I had lunch together today--OUTSIDE of the office which was nice. When I left to get the kids from school it was really snowing. I had some time to kill before they were dismissed so I pulled out my knitting I've been working on waaaay too long:

This is what I meant by less wonkier by the inch. It's not great...it's not even good. But it's much better than the last bit of knitting I tried to do. You can kind of see that it's getting a bit better as I go. Eventually, maybe it will be a scarf. A scarf that is very funky at one end and halfway decent at the other!