Yesterday was Husband’s birthday and for part of his surprise I talked him into letting me off downtown on an ‘errand’ on the way back from our hotel. The errand was actually my covertly sneaking down to the DMV to wait for hours to take my permit test (I PASSED! This will be perhaps the 5th time I’ve had a permit….). On the way there I happened to catch the Gingerbread House display in Market Square.
       I haven’t been downtown for probably a year and was a bit shocked to walk into a pit of construction. I don’t know any of the background of this although Husband has been on a few focus groups concerning it and frankly, I wasn’t paying all that much attention to what he was saying. At any rate, the tree and skating rink look lovely and I had completely forgotten about the Wintergarden in PPG Place. I did, however, stand a while to look at the adorable gingerbread houses on display at Two PPG. These are really something to see and impress me every year but this year it seems they’ve gone to a whole new level and I particularly liked the HogWarts entry
        You can view last year’s winners online at the event schedule for PPG Place . This is well worth a look and has details about the entries. Gingerbread houses submitted in the show can be purchased to benefit Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund.  If you see one you like, purchases can be made through Carla Roehner by ringing 412-831-8253 or emailing at ppggingerbreadhouse@comcast.net
        Of course gingerbread isn’t inherently gluten free but if you want to get down and dirty with the kids and make one everyone can enjoy, the internet has an abundance of recipes and tips like those on Sure Foods Living and Gingerbread House Heaven.