Snow Storms and Rental Cars

This past Thursday evening, we had our second mini snow storm of the winter season.  Overnight we had accumulated between four and six inches of snow.  It was a mad dash out of work for all employees in the city Thursday afternoon, and Marc's Thursday evening class at Duquesne was cancelled.  From our kitchen window, looking into the trees occupying the backyard, the snow looked very pretty.

Marc had decided to leave his car in the parking lot overnight.  He parked it in the corner, out of the way, and jumped into my car.  So, Friday morning, Marc and I got to work extra early (in case the roads were not clear) giving us ample time to get into town.  He parked my car in the Consol Energy Center lots like always.  As we neared his car, he noticed that the front end looked a little funny.

As he got closer, he saw that the front end of his car was very crinkled.  The hood would not open, the driver's side light was cracked, and there were fluid underneath his car.  Marc said that there was also and odor from inside the car and some sort of fluid in there as well.  A plow truck was plowing the lot, and got too close to Marc's car.  The driver apparently plowed the front of Marc's car!

Marc tracked down the guy who hit his car.  He admitted to hitting it, and I happened to be standing nearby to witness this statement.  Marc spent the entire day on the phone with the insurance company of the man who plowed over Marc's car.  All damages will be paid for including the towing charge and the rental car.  So as for now, Marc's car is sitting at the Wexford Honda dealership awaiting new parts, and a 2010 Toyota Corolla with Massachusetts plates is occupying our garage.  He spoke to the Honda dealership today to discover that AT LEAST $3,000 worth of damages were done.

Isn't winter wonderful (note the sarcasm)!

Vatican Splendors and DeLuca's

Yesterday, Marc and I went downtown to the H.J. Heinz History Center located in the Strip District.  I have been wanting to see the Vatican Splendors exhibit since it came in November.  Yesterday was finally the day that I got to go.  We had tickets for 10:30 in the AM.

Vatican City had sent many artifacts to Pittsburgh for the exhibit.  A few of the pieces had never before been outside the Vatican.  There were paintings to sculptures, to robes, crosses, and chairs.  Some of the pieces stemmed from the 2nd century all the way through to the present.  The layout of the exhibition began with a focus on Saint Peter and his tomb.  We traveled through history of the Vatican to the present.

The pieces were very interesting.  The artwork was just fascinating.  Marc and I were blown away by the artist attention to detail in simple "pencil" drawings.  The shadowing effects made the drawings look 3-dimensional.  The tools that these people have used in building the new Saint Peter's Basilica was a pulley system.  These are still the tools that we use today.

The most interesting fact that I learned yesterday was that it took 126 years to build Saint Peter's Basilica.  There were numerous Pope's and Architects involved throughout the years.  Marc and I spent about 2 hours going through and reading everything about the exhibit.  It was very impressive.  I purchased the Vatican Splendors Artifact Catalog on the way out, so I can relive the experience in book format.  The book holds the artifacts and information that we went through at the exhibit.

Marc and I were hungry since it was after 1:00 PM when we left the Heinz History Center.  We got in the car and ventured through the Strip District.  It was too cold to walk numerous blocks to scope out the area.  We decided to eat at De Luca's Restaurant.  They claim to be the home of the best breakfast.  Plus, we saw this restaurant make an appearance on Man v. Food that airs on the Travel Channel.  Their breakfast dishes are HUGE.  For example, the picture below is of their famous Hotcake Sunday.  It is a stack of pancakes, surrounded by whipped cream with two scoops of ice cream, more whipped cream and a cherry on top.  There are also drizzles of chocolate and caramel sauces.  We did not indulge in this breakfast dessert yesterday, but we sat at the counter and witnessed many makings of it.

Marc ate a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and kielbasa.  I had a chocolate, strawberry crepe.  The food was very good. Marc and I felt limited with our menu choices because the restaurant is cash only.  I had about $25 on me, so we wanted to make sure that we stayed under that.  Our final bill was only $12.  The prices were very reasonable.  Marc and I can't wait to go back and really pig out on breakfast.  We want to go early in the morning before the line reaches around the corner.

Duke Horgan is ONE

On Christmas Eve, my nephew, John Wayne Horgan, turned one!  He is turning into such a big boy.  He had the present thing down pat.  It may have taken him a little while, but by Christmas morning, he was almost an expert.

Duke loved the piano his Grandma Beth got him.  He first tried to climb on it, then his cousin Avah showed him how to play.

Here is the little guy checking out his birthday present from Aunt Megan.  I got him thirteen "Little Golden Books" including a Mickey Mouse Mother Goose.  Jenn said that he didn't have any stories like we had when we were growing up.  I figured I could stock him up!

Of course, he loved the paper, and put anything and everything into his mouth!  We went to his Mom-mom's house for Christmas Eve dinner and Duke's birthday.  Mrs. Horgan made a very nice dinner that included soup, salad, salmon, a roast, potatoes, and vegetables.  Of course, cake was for dessert.

Jennifer spent the night before Duke's birthday baking his cake.  She had a cake pan in the shape of Duke's favorite, Mickey Mouse.  Christmas Eve morning, Jennifer, BJ, and I put our icing skills to the test to create the colorful Mickey Mouse.  I'm sure it was probably germ-infested since all three of us were out of commission on Christmas Day.  It was a great day, and I LOVED spending time with my family!

The Vonda Racchini Bake Shop

About a week and a half ago, I spent a Saturday at Aunt Vonda's house.  We spent the day baking cookies for the holidays.  Many of the cookies that we made were to be taken to the shut-ins from Aunt Vonda's church.  We had a good time (and a long day) baking.  I arrived around 10:00 AM.  We began baking twenty minutes later, and we did not stop until about 11:00 PM that night.  We did break for dinner.

The kitchen and dining room looked like the beginnings of a cookie factory.  We made the typical Christmas cookies such as close-pin cookies (mini horns) and white chocolate, peppermint bark.  We also experimented and tried a few new recipes that we found interesting.

These are Chocolate-Mint Layered Cookie Slices.  The recipe was very intriguing, and we just had to try them.  They turned out very tasty too!  I made these a few days ago for the Sisterson Holiday Social, and they were a hit.  They may look complicated to produce, but they are fairly easy to make!

If you are a member of my family, you LOOOOOOOVE these cookies.  Aunt Vonda calls them Close-Pin Cookies.  I call them Mini Horn.  Don't worry Rachel and Hilary, I have eaten plenty for all of us!  These cookies have made appearances at both of my sisters' weddings.  I think the five us of Wood girls camped out around the cookie table stuffing them all in.  These are FANTASTIC!

This was another experiment this holiday season.  We tested out Cookies and Cream Fudge.  It turned out alright.  I don't think that this will be a yearly recipe.  The fudge came out kind of dry, and it is very sweet.  However, it was different and something new.

New recipe #3.  Raspberry Pinwheels.  Again, this was an easy recipe.  The cookies turned out to be delicious.  Aunt Vonda made a second batch to have some more be included in the shut-ins cookie bundles.

I was shopping with my sister, Adrienne, a few weeks ago.  We were in Target, floating through the holiday isles when she became fixated on the White Chocolate Peppermint Bark.  It is not hard to make, so I picked up the ingredients, and Adrienne will have plenty of peppermint bark over the holiday at Jennifer's house.  I may even make extra for her to take home!

Mr. and Mrs. Cloutier

On November 13, 2010, two of our really good friends got married.  The day finally came for Angela and Kevin.  It was a beautiful November day, and it was just perfect.

Marc was in the wedding, so Brian became my "fake date" for the occasion.  Brian is another friend of ours who was also invited to the ceremony.  The wedding took place in Cranberry, PA (north of Pittsburgh) at a mansion on top of the hill.  The view was amazing.  It was even more fantastic because all the leaves were still on the trees, but they had already changed colors.  It went real well with Ang's fall color theme!

The reception was in the same place as the ceremony.  All the guests just went to a different ballroom as Ang and Kevin were getting their pictures done.  We had a variety of appetizers to snack on, and the meal was great.  Instead of selecting a meal when you sent in the RSVP card, everyone got the same meal (unless you were a vegetarian).  Each person got a small fillet and a small chicken breast with green beans and sweet potato medallions.

The reception was a lot of fun.  We caught up with many friends that we hadn't seen since college.  Marc knew them better than I did, but I got to meet some new people too!  There was cake and lots of dancing.

The night ended well.  Marc, Brian, Joe, and I went to Pirmanti Brothers (right across from our hotel) for some more after-party.  We met up with the bride's brother, Ryan and his dad for some late night munchies and drinks.

Angela looking beautiful before the ceremony.

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Cloutier

Marc and I at the reception.

Joey and Marc singing "Sweet Caroline."

Giustino is SIX

Last Saturday, my cousins, Joe and Heather, had a sixth birthday party for their son Giustino.  He had a bowling, superhero birthday party.  All the little kids seemed to enjoy themselves.  They all did great bowling, and some of the kids were so funny with their bowling styles.  It was great entertainment.

After the kiddos finished bowling, we went into our private room for hamburgers, hot dogs, juice, and cake.  Giustino was really thrilled when he opened is presents.  Everything was "AWESOME" according to him.

October

So it has been awhile, but Marc and I have been very busy the last month.  Our house is FINALLY coming together.  We just have to touch up a few things and start hanging things on the walls.  I feel like I'm actually living in a house now!

Our business of October is documented below in photos.  It was the easiest way to catch up!

Marc and I went to a Pirate game in the beginning of October.  It was your typical Pirate game, except we got to see the game from the Mellon suite.  Marc's department from work was given the suite for the evening.  We enjoyed great food, drinks, and the most amazing dessert!  The suite was really nice!

Marc took me to the driving range for the first time ever.  I look a little awkward, but it was a fun time.

One weekend we went to Philadelphia for Mr. Myszak's surprise 60th birthday party.  We both took a day off work, so we had some extra time.  I didn't get any pictures at the party, but we got to spend some time with Jenn and Duke.  Duke was fascinated with the singing skeletons that Jenn has for decoration.

The weekend of Halloween we re-did our entire bathroom.  It is not very large to begin with, but we got a new floor, new toilet, and new vanity.  We painted the wall, and the only thing left to do is find accent pieces to go with the shower curtain I picked out.  The shower curtain isn't up yet, but it will be soon!

New Floor

Newly pained walls

New equipment

Two things happened today.  WE FINALLY GOT OUR COUNTER TOP IN THE KITCHEN!!!

AND

We recently found out that my sister Adrienne is expecting a BOY in March/April!  There will soon be five great-grandsons, and I'm sure Pappy is in heaven throwing himself a party.  He always wanted boys, but he was blessed with five beautiful granddaughter: Adrienne, Rachel, Jennifer, Hilary, and myself.  Since I am the youngest (the only one not married, and the only one without children) I spent a day searching the Internet, and I found the following.  They came in the mail today!

Each kiddo gets his own shirt with his name on it.  They are numbered in birth order.  Elliott, Zachary, Duke, Jerrytt, and Baby D.  The boys will get them as Christmas presents.  I got a bigger size for all the shirts.  The goal is to have them all fit in the summer when the Peacocks and Woods get together!

November is another busy month, but I'm hoping to post more often!