Back from Vacation!

Maybe not a real vacation, but I didn't work and did some touristy things, so I am counting the time as vacation.  I've been pretty busy this summer so the break was good.

Last Wednesday we packed lots into the car and headed to Pittsburgh, PA.  We left at 6:30 am and were in Pittsburgh by 6.  Perfect!  I had made reservations at Lidia's for dinner because it's good, it was close to the hotel and we were going to be hungry.  We walked over from the hotel which was great after being in the car for so long.  We had a wonderful meal and then back to the hotel.

Thursday morning we headed to The Strip and had breakfast at DeLuca's and wandered around a little.  Even though we were stuffed, we got some snacks for the zoo at the biscotti bakery.  We headed to the zoo and had a good time wandering and looking at animals.  The animals were pretty lively since it was such a nice day.  We saw the polar bears diving, swimming and playing.  Pictures later, there are tons on my husband's camera. 

We had dinner at Church Brew Works and it was excellent.  Neither of us like beer so can't talk about that, they brew their own, but I did have home made birch beer and it was good.  It's been a long time since I've had any.  After dinner we headed to my sister's house to visit with family and see the bride and groom to be.  We stayed several hours, tasted several kinds of cookies to make sure they were good for wedding guests and then back to the hotel.

We had limited free time on Friday so we headed to the North Shore, found a tiny, older and good place for breakfast and headed to the National Aviary.  We had a fantastic time.  We got to feed birds, pictures coming, see bird shows, learn about birds, I highly recommend the aviary.  I hadn't been since grade school field trips. 

Friday evening was the rehearsal and dinner and all went well.  Lots of crying but happy crying.  Saturday was the big day but we managed a few hours of touring the South Side.  Many, many wedding pictures. 

Sunday we headed to my sister's house to open presents and had a couple cookies and some wedding cake.  The cake was excellent.  It was a raspberry batter with chocolate filling.  We visited all afternoon and then headed back to the hotel. 

We needed some food that was not cookies or cake and we went back to the South Side to see what we could find.  We found a great place Yo Rita and had tacos.  I had one mushroom and one ahi tuna and was in heaven. 

Today is back to work!  I have a new personal chef customer tomorrow and have my paperwork done.  I'm teaching at CBA Thursday and Friday and have a class at church tonight.  And a library program Saturday.  And then maybe a little break by the pool next week!