Over the Weekend

 I realize it's very close to the next weekend, but the Three Neighbors had a wonderful weekend just a few days ago. The Three Neighbors is a nickname I've given us, and 'us' refers to me, Husband, and our friend {and neighbor for many years}, Ingrid. Over our time in Dallas, we had many "Neighbor Dinners," always on Sunday nights, at one of our apartments. She would cook the main dish, and we would bring sides to accompany, then switch for the next.  When we lived literally next door to each other, we usually had more than one bottles of pinot during and after dinner, and then walked home. It was a very family-style type get-together, and we became very nostalgic when the last dinner in Dallas came last November.

Luckily, Ingrid has family in Pittsburgh, so we knew we'd see her again...and possibly for a Neighbor Dinner in the future. She came in over the last weekend to visit family in Ohio, and then meet up with us over the last part of the trip. We had dinner at a family friend's restaurant here in Pittsburgh, then she stayed with us until dinnertime the next day.  Among having brunch and the many things we did that morning/afternoon, we walked a few bridges, and ended up at the Roberto Clemente statue at PNC Park.

This statue is somewhat personal to Ingrid for a reason that's too funny not to laugh at.  She and her father ended up walking around the field so many times to find this statue, finding out later that it hadn't been moved yet. I think they walked around the park 4 times to find it. She told us this story right after we revealed we were moving to Pittsburgh, and we silently promised ourselves to take her to see the statue one day!

Later that afternoon, we went to the Andy Warhol Museum to see the I Just Want to Watch exhibit on Warhol's media art {but don't worry, it's there until 2017!}.

It was interesting to say the least. It made for some great discussions that evening, when we headed out to the woods to have dinner with Ingrid's family.

Neighbor Dinner was revived!  We were hosted by a lovely couple {Ingrid's Aunt and Uncle}, in their little dumpling of a home just north of the city.  I'm fairly certain I saw a beaver on the way to their home. 

But, the food.  Her Aunt made a fall feast of pork loin, fruit compote, smooth squash and apple soup, fall-style coleslaw, a garlicky grain salad and other fabulous dishes.  I'll post a few photos when I grab them off Husband's phone.  I don't know what made us so lucky to be served that dinner!  Dinner conversation, wine and laughs were all we needed with that meal. It was perfect!

 

I can't believe I have to wait until next year to see Ingrid and her family again! Can't come soon enough.