South Side Window Scene

I took this on the way to my car after a football game this fall.

It reminded me of taking city  walks in Philadelphia where my parents lived.

When we headed south on Ninth Street, we’d see ceramic window decorations and many were religious.

It was as if the residents dressed their windows for others to see and enjoy.

Blessings for passersby.  Theadora of  People places and bling blog  from Paris wrote and identified the holy statue as the Infant Jesus of Prague

Maybe I’ll return and see what’s in this window for Christmas time.

Night Game Christmas Tree at Heinz Field

On the way back home, after a weekend with the family, I drove by the night game.

We’re not talking about who won.  It’s been a rough season.  Not looking so good.

I didn’t post it on the Monday after due to the  disappointing outcome for the Steelers.  But I like the scene. And it was exciting to hear the roar of the crowd.

Shot with a 50mm lens, ISO 200, f/1.8 and a slow shutter 40- propped on the  rolled down driver’s window- without a remote cable release but managed without  camera shake. Canon 5D Mark ll

The Music of Michael Jackson, Tuesday Night in Town

A friend had an extra ticket to the The Music of Michael Jackson Tribute with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra who put on a stellar musical performance. People were on their feet, clapping and dancing to the familiar music as the star of the show gave it his all.  It was a tribute not an impersonation pointed out the star, James Delisco.  It was a fun night and an unexpected outing on a Tuesday evening. Thanks Barb and Penny.

The Heinz Hall was elegantly decorated for Christmas. Single glittery gloves were passed out and kids 13 and under got a chance to come up onstage for the last number, Thriller, and show their moves.

Photos by iPhone again.

Macy’s windows were filled with holiday displays.  The giant Nativity scene and the Menorah display were by the old USSteel building, now UPMC. Preparations for the holidays are in full swing in downtown Pittsburgh.  

Cheesecake Pie Made with Coconut Palm Sugar

Some of the family is eating gluten-free.  You might have seen the crumbled cake top from the other day (which was delicious)

And the family is trying to reduce intake of  refined sugar.  I wanted to bake something they could eat if they wanted to do so.

My mother used to make this with regular sugar when I was growing up. I just switched to the coconut palm for the body of the cheesecake pie and used a bit of maple syrup for the sour cream topping. I used FULL FAT cream cheese and sour cream. Some free-range organic eggs

I made this for Saturday night after Thanksgiving

This is a crustless pie.  Not too sweet.  It looks like it has a brown crust but it is just the butter browning the edge and the color of the coconut palm sugar.  It’s an iPhone photo today.

Here is the recipe.

Butter a glass pie plate.  Heat the oven to 325 degrees.  I baked this one at 350 and the electric oven  where I was staying is hotter and faster than mine at him and I think it was too hot for it. I think that is why it had more cracks than usual.

Mix well  2 -8 oz. packages of cream cheese (room temp)  with 3/4 c coconut palm sugar

Add 3 eggs. Beat well.  Add 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract. Mix.

Pour into the buttered pie plate.  Bake for 45 minutes.

Take out of oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes, it will deflate and a crater will form for the topping, forming a “crust” without crumbs.

Spread on a topping mixture of  1 c sour cream, 3/4 teaspoon vanilla and 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

Bake for 5 more minutes.

Cool. Serve with sour cherries or fresh blueberries or strawberries or eat plain. Put it in the fridge when cool.

Bake until knife comes out clean in center

Weekly Photo Challenge: Thankful

Thankful for Family. There is much to be thankful for but I feel this sums it up for me.

If you are a follower of the blog you’ve seen this photograph from last August when Matthew was back from Croatia.

Just one photo in response to this challenge.

We aren’t in the same geographic location this Thanksgiving so I am reposting the summer family shot when could be together!

Turkeys of the Day

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The haystack turkey is in Roanoke VA

And the live turkeys are at the farm next door in Hardy, Virginia

The turkey chrysanthemum centerpiece is from my sister who is visiting at E’s in Albany. She sent it on her phone.

The gluten-free pound cake I posted early this morning was appreciated but best of all it tasted good! Some added ice cream and others ate it plain. My grandson Michael ate some and gave me the thumbs up and a big MMMMMMMMMMMMM!

What else could you askfor? Grateful for family and friends, far and near.

and Flat Ruthie is with the main course on Cardboardmetravels

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A Failed Cake is a Reminder

What really matters. It’s good to be reminded by the universe. There’s no time for a do-over. Be humbled.

I was so disappointed. Wanted to take this to the feast today and feel I had really outdone myself for them. For me. Or really i wanted to feel good about my offering. I baked a special cake for the gluten free portion of the family. For my grandson Michael.
but the picturebook result did not go as planned. It stuck to the bundt pan despite my preparation. Like cement. A bowl of chiseled crumbs and a raggedy looking cake? It’s gluten free and has a cup and a half of butter in it. Five eggs.

I think a dollop of ice cream, a ladle of crushed berries, and the loving hugs if family will make everything all right.

I’m taking it and we’ll have a good chuckle. The being together and feeling their love and affection is what will feed my heart.

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