The Strip District

I always tell anyone who are visiting Pittsburgh to find room in their schedule to visit the Strip District. It's this little part of town right next to the city that is filled with tons of culture, good food and interesting people. Saturday mornings are the best, but really any day you're there the stores are open and vendors are set up. I always prefer Saturdays because the Public Market is open and there are always more vendors along the street. It is more crowded, but if you want the full experience that's the time to go! I've been busy hanging posters for our Summer Concert Series, and when I walked through the Strip I couldn't help but take some pictures... and stop for some olives, goat cheese & fresh flowers!

Tune Tuesday

So a big chunk of my job is working with local and national artists.

This guy, James Vincent McMorrow, is amazing.

He is from Ireland and is flying all the way out here to perform on

Sunday, July 15 at Hartwood Acres as part of our 2012 Summer Concert Series.

I'm pretty bummed because we have two events that night and I think I'll have to work the other one

(it's in the Great Hall at Heinz Field, so it's not too bad).

This is one of his biggest songs, "We Don't Eat." Enjoy!

PS. If you're in the Pittsburgh area, here is a listing of all of our summer concerts: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/summer/index.aspx.

Lots of cool acts--Joan Osborne, Eden's Edge, Delta Spirit, Lucinda Williams,

Toad the Wet Sprocket, Trombone Shorty and more. And they're all FREE!

How To Make Your Day Better



Today has just been one of those days. As always, Pittsburgh weather likes to surprise us and make it sunny and warm one day, then there are days like today, a little chilly and rain, rain and more rain. My office is freezing and all I can think about is tonight's season finale of Gossip Girl--Blair and Chuck paleaseee make something happen this episode. I'm sick of Dan Humphrey. So as I'm sitting here moping at my desk, I started to think, how in the world can I make this day better? First thought was to get my butt up, go for a walk down the street and get myself a nice hot green tea. And that's exactly what I did. Here are some other ways I like to motiviate myself to smile when I'm having a bad day:

If it's early in the morning, step out and go get some breakfast. I usually eat some breakfast at home, but there are days when I wake up and just know it's going to be one of those days. So I get to work a bit earlier and treat myself to a toasted bagel with veggie cream cheese.

Go out to eat on a day you packed your lunch.

Take a walk during your lunch break. I always try to walk during some part of my day--I'll either skip the shuttle and walk in the morning or on my way home, but if I'm feeling a little groggy a mid-day walk is usually the cure!

Get a hot coffee or tea and indulge, savor and relax--even it it's just for 10 minutes.

Turn on some music. Pandora used to be my bff here at work, but when my computer was updated, I was no longer able to access the site. So I browsed around and settled on I Heart Radio--it's amazing how less stressed I am when I have music playing in the background.

Drink lots of water--this makes you feel refreshed!

Take 15 minutes out of your day and call that one person you've been meaning to call for weeks. I have lots of friends who moved away from Pittsburgh, so catching up and hearing their voice always makes me smile!

Read the news! You really should be doing this anyway, and in many fields it's a daily requirement. But for me, about an hour or so into my day, I'll take a little break and browse Yahoo for the latest stories.

Tidy up your office once a week. I designated Friday as my cleaning day. That way I leave for the weekend with a clean office and come back Monday with a clean office! Plus the smell of my lemon cleaner brightens up the feel of the office.

So there you have it. Happy Monday!



Veggie Pizza

I made "Veggie Pizza" over the weekend to take to my cousin's 1st Holy Communion. As always, it's a big hit. This is my mom's recipe, but I usually take over and make it. It's pretty simple and standard, but for some reason I always end up liking this recipe the best! I've tried veggie pizza with an Italian dressing mix and it just doesn't taste the same. Here's what to do:

Ingredients

2 tubes of crescent rolls

2-cups cheese (I usually use cheddar or mozzarella)

1-cup Hellman's mayonnaise

1/4-cup sour cream

2-8 oz cream cheese

1-ranch dressing mix

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

Fresh broccohli

Fresh cauliflower (I try to by the pre-chopped mixed bag)

Spray a tray with cooking spray, then use your fingers to spread out the crescent roll dough. I always use both of the tubes--you'll find that it might seem like you have some left over, but use it to fill in the thin parts. This doesn't have to look pretty--it will be covered with veggies! Follow the directons on the cresent roll tube for the baking time and temperature.

While the dough is baking, use this time to cut up all your veggies!

Take your dough out of the oven--make sure it is completely cool before you start putting on the toppings--the heat will cause the sauce to get runny.

For the "sauce" part--beat the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo and ranch dressing packet until the mixture is pretty smooth. Be sure to taste, sometimes I add a more of something if the taste isn't right.

Once the dough is cooled, spread the sauce across the dough.

Sprinkle on your veggies and the cheese!

I made two pizza's on Sunday--one with mozzarella and one with cheddar cheese!

Simple as that!



A Secret Garden

I love the idea of a "secret garden." Gardens are awesome. Growing up my pap had two big gardens in his back yard. His were mainly for vegetables--but there was something so nice about running out to your backyard if you need a tomato. He would line the side with flowers and American flags during the Fourth of July. We have a little nook behind my house next to the creek with a shady tree and little bench. It's so relaxing to sit out there on a nice day with a good book--no cell phone, no computer. Remember the movie, "The Secret Garden?" 

It was one of my favorites growing up!

Mother of Pearl

This title kind of makes me giggle a bit. When my sister and I were younger, we used to joke with my mom and call her "Mother of Pearl." At the time I had no idea what that even was. I actually only became a fan of mother of pearl a couple years ago. I found this beautiful, simple bracelet in my room one day, and started wearing it non-stop. I never really thought anything of it--like where it came from--until I mentioned it to my mom while we were in DC last summer. She couldn't believe I was wearing it because it had been her bracelet from when she was young! It has a silver bottom and is filled with the iridescent mother of pearl--commonly from oysters and other mollusks. Here are some other "mother of pearl" inspired things that I'm loving:



Levon Helm

There is no way around it, rock and roll would not have been the same without Levon Helm. He was a true artist who wanted nothing more than to play good music and make people happy. I think it's safe to say he did just that. When I found out that Levon was sick--not the normal sick stuff, but the "last stages of his battle with cancer" stuff, I immediately felt like my heart was breaking into pieces. I had just seen this man and his band in Woodstock, NY not even five months ago. I knew he suffered from throat cancer and various other problems that come about when your 71, but I always thought Levon would pull through. I had plans to go to Woodstock again and attend another legendary Midnight Ramble. I wanted to stand in the balcony of his barn and look down on the greatest singer/drummer of all time. I can only hope that his friends and family will continue to carry on the Rambles in honor of him.

Levon passed away five days ago--and I cannot shake this feeling of sadness. There have been very few artists that I have an attachment with who have passed away while I was of the age to really get it. Sure there have been some incredibly talented artists who were taken away too soon, but none of them had the affect on me that Levon had. I was 13 when George Harrison lost his battle with cancer, and it was the age that I was really just starting to love The Beatles--so it was sad, but it wasn't until after he died that I really formed by bond with the band. Levon was the first artist who I saw live who passed away. When I was at that Ramble I knew I could never experience anything else like it. The Band's music just got to me. I respected them and appreciated them for who they became. They were honest, hard working men and I truly believe the greatest of them all was Levon. After that Ramble I felt like I knew him. Like he was an old friend who asked me to come to his house for some food, drinks and music. 

The Facebook and Twitter posts from musicians, fans, and his friends and family continued to bring tears to my eyes. There has been an overwhelming amount of articles written about him and his influence on music. Even though he was not a fan of "The Last Waltz," I couldn't help but to watch it last night. Watching him singing and drumming--you can't help but to get a smile on your face. Mainly because he's smiling the entire time! You could see the love and passion for music just oozing out of him. I remember reading that he loved the drummers spot--you could see the band and the fans and watch the reaction from both. He sure knew how to hold down the back beat and make people dance. 

Looking back on what Levon's accomplished in life makes his passing just a bit easier. He had success from a young age, then continued on until his 70s by making his own music with The Levon Helm Band--all three albums won a Grammy award. His Rambles were the essence of rock and roll. I truly believe I chose to attend the best Ramble there's ever been. When I first heard Dawes I immediately thought "thank you." Thank you for reminding me that real music does exist. When I saw Dawes was opening up for Levon I knew that was it--this was the Ramble I needed to go to. To my surprise, along with Dawes I also got Jackson Browne, Jimmy Vivino, Donald Fagen, and Garth Hudson! At only 23 years of age I got to witness 2 out of the 3 living members of The Band sing together! What an honor and privilege for a music fan. That memory will be with me forever. 

Levon's passing shook the music community. But it's safe to say that the tributes, thoughts and love for his music will never go away. We were lucky to have such a great man around for so long. He will live on forever through his music. So don't stop listening, and certainly don't stop dancing when you hear that beat. Take a load off, Levon.

The Weight.

Atlantic City.

Evangeline.

Here is my post on my visit to the site of Woodstock and to Levon's Midnight Ramble.