Nicola Columbus Ohio

 Nicola's located agt 4740 Reed Road, Columbus, Ohio  43220.  Sorry for sorta self portrait here, with the sun we got a reflection, but you can see the hours this way.

 This is a very nice small, family owned Italian Restaurant in NW Columbus, Upper Arlington area.  My SIL and I had a nice lunch and really enjoyed the outdoor patio.  As you can see it's quite pretty, landscape nice and even though it's right off the parking lot, there is a wall and nice separation.

 The bar area looks most inviting and through the door you can see the private room where yo can have a private gathering.

 Moving up you see the bar area and get a glimpse at the nice wine selection.

 White table cloths, covered charis in the main dining room.  Quite pretty, well appointed and the tables aren't teeny tiny on top of each other.

 We enjoyed our wine and lunch salads and breads.  Giving you a glimpse of the enclosure and landscaping.  Say hi to my SIL, Jan.  She was working on final details of a book she's written.  She's a published child's author.  Check out her website.

I highly recommend Nicola's and look forward to returning.  I think it's better suited for adults given the menu, pricing, and atmosphere vs a family with children.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Whetstone Park of Roses

The well known and loved poem appears on this boulder in The Whetstone Park of Roses in Columbus, Ohio.  The Park of Roses is a beautiful spot to spend time, enjoy the walk, the scents of the many flowers...not just roses; as well as a place to host a wedding.  It's located in the center of The Whetstone Park at 3923 North High Street Columbus, Ohio  43214.

The Poem: In A Garden
The Kiss of the sun
For Pardon
The song of the birds
For mirth
One is nearer God's Heart
Then anywhere else
On Earth

A lovely poem.

 There are roses a plenty, in fact 11,000 rose bushes, though my last walk wasn't during their peak season, it was still very enjoyable and pretty.  There are rose specific areas, perineals, and herb gardens. 

 Some bushes were about to burst open

 others were on their way out.  The old fashions roses tend to be the earlier bloomers and smell heavenly as you walk.  The hybrids tend to bloom later.

 The Rose Park is free and open to the public.  It covers 13 acres.

In summer months on Sunday evenings you can enjoy various community music programs.  The park is one of the largest municipal rose gardens in the United States.  It began as a dream back in 1951 with members of both The Columbus Rose Club and The Central Ohio Rose Society with a committee included then mayor, James A Rhodes.  A name you probably know for a very sad event later when he was Governor and sent armed Reserves against the students on that fatal day at Kent State University.

In April of 1952 City Council passed an ordinance and issued bonds, obtained an architect, formed an advisory team and with the help of The Columbus Park and Rec Department the project took flight in June of 1952.  In January of 1954 The American Rose Society joined forces and moved it's National Headquarters from Pennsylvania to Columbus on the edge of the park.  The American Rose Society remained there until moving it's offices in 1974 to Shreveport, Louisiana.

Picnic with the family in the park, ride bikes and be sure to leave time to tour the gardens.  Many weddings are held in the park.  You can reserve spaces for 2 hour intervals at a cost of $500.00.

This is only 1 of the 4 special areas with a picturesque backdrop for your wedding photo's.  When hubby and I got married here 41 years ago come June 17th, there was only 1 special spot without any real rental or reservation program.  It is more organized now, certainly more specialist and upscale; but I'm glad we were able to be married there without that price tag.  We selected a spot, chairs were assembled and we walked among the trees for shade and got married!  It was a beautiful day.  Take a tour on my wedding day back in 1972, In The Rose Garden 

**Still having issues with google+ blocking EVERYONE who is not a google+ member.  Many bloggers still don't realize Blogger, Disgus, Wordpress etc.and all other blogs are unable to comment.  Carol Kilgore, (No filter between brain and mouth) I'd love to visit and comment again, but can't due to your google+ settings.  If you get them fixed, please let us know and we'll add you back to the blog log.**


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations. (BL7)

Palace Theater Columbus Ohio

 The Place Theater in Columbus Ohio is a beautiful beautiful old theater.  Any time you have the chance to see a performance here it's a special night.  Do treat yourself and go, you'll not be sorry.  Theaters used to be far more then a building to watch a movie, or hear a concert, they  themselves were beautiful works of art.  You're limited in what you can take pictures of, though I saw some people ignoring the signs that asked that you not photograph in certain areas and certainly NOT during a performance, there are always those rude people who feel they mean everyone but them.  This is the main entrance and where will call is.  Look at the marble, the intricate carvings and details.  Do click to enlarge.

 One of the many elaborate chandeliers. 

 We were seated on the main floor, to the left is the stage, across and up the special boxes, and to the right you can see the edge of the balcony.  The balcony is actually my favorite place to sit, but when we got our tickets as part of a fundraiser, we didn't know where they would be; as we didn't get to select them.

 A terrible attempt, once again (we really ought to give up, lol), at self portraits hubby and me.  We keep wondering how the kids always pull it off.  I was leaning back in an attempt to get in the picture, not a good look.

Here you can some better detail of the special boxes that were above and to our left as well as those across.  Gorgeous.  Someday perhaps we'll pay the big buck and get tickets there...maybe.

We enjoyed The Tenors, previously known as The Canadian Tenors.  They were fabulous!

The theater opened back in 1926, and was primarily used for Vaudeville Acts of the day.  Because Vaudeville performers needed to be heard, the acoustics were truly focused on in the theaters design.  Many great performers have taken the stage here like: Bing Crosby, Nat "King" Cole, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Jackie Gleason, Gypsy Rose Lee, Glenn Miller, Mae West, and Jack Benny to name a few.

The Palace Theater holds some interesting history.  Back in the 30's, 40's and 50's, many traveling acts stayed for several days or a week at a time.  The back stage area of the theater, was in fact like a hotel for the performances.  They had their rooms, a front desk to pick up their keys, a play area for the performers children, and even a pet bath below the stage with a ramp.  The rooms were titled for the various cities along the vaudeville tour.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.

Take and Bake Pizza

*It's Menu Monday*
 Mama Mimi's Take and Bake Pizza.  Always made with fresh tasty ingredients.  A nice way to do quick, easy, affordable gourmet pizza at home.  There are several locations here in Columbus, Ohio.  These came from the Grandview location at King and North Star.  Picked them up on my way home from work.  I like the lighter pizza's with white sauce and or oils.

Hubby prefers red sauce and a combo of meat and veggies.  A small pizza a piece is perfect.  If you've not tried Mama Mimi's Take and Bake Pizza, I encourage you to do so.  Pizza's come with directions about how to cook them.  You'll not be disappointed.  Generally cheaper then a wood fired pizza you'd get out, perhaps a bit more then a regular pizza...depending on what you put on your pizza.

When we travel, we also enjoy Take and Bake.  In Hitlon Head we've ordered from TJ's multiple times and have never been disappointed.  There too there are multiple locations.  We've always ordered from The South End location on Palmentto Bay Road.  Their menu is varied with plenty of choices for all appetites.  I highly recommend TJ's Pizza in Hilton Head.

Take and Bake Pizza, add it to your menu list while vacationing.  Check for locations near you and enjoy. 

Hope to see you again next Monday for Menu Monday 

Huntington Park Columbus Ohio

Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd, buy some peanuts and cracker jacks....sing along. Here I am (oophs eyes closed), at our local ball field, Huntington Park a few weeks. What a deal this night of entertainment was. I bought a Groupon (50% off which meant I paid for 1 ticket and got 2), through Superpoints (see badge in sidebar), which meant I also got POINTS! We had a "ball". Huntington Park is an awesome ball park.
Entertainment for the whole family. After all baseball is America's Game. This is ride for the wee ones is like riding the horses outside grocery stores. We passed this on our way to our seats.
Some interesting large historical posters give a real feel for the long standing history of the game in Columbus Ohio.
Some cute kids in front of us. Good friends who really enjoyed the game. Surging the team on with their rally caps.
You pass the Liberty Bell, which has it's own separate history. Sadly I couldn't get a good picture of it without people, or get close enough to explore the history and have found nothing on line to fill in the gaps. Notice the picnic tables off to side? Lots of places to eat if you want to have your meal before you get settled, though there are cup holders on the backs of the very comfortable seats.
Food choices are in abundance with stands everywhere. And...some pretty cool art for the kids to interact with.
Highlights was in attendance the night we were there, handing out book bags with goodies for the kids...puzzles, stickers, and books to read.
We arrived early to pick up our tickets at will call, thus the stadium is still pretty empty while the teams begin their warm up.
And for the hotdog in all of us! A photo opt no one can pass up. Be the hotdog, see the hotdog. lol

Baseball began in Columbus during The Civil War being one of the earliest ball clubs. The first games were played at the Broad and Parson Field, where The Franklin County Insane Asylum was located. There have been multiple locations, and multiple owners for The Columbus franchise through out the years. At times the team was the AAA team for The Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and even the St. Louis Cardinals. No matter where the team played, or whom the owners were the history of baseball in Columbus is long and deep.

Take your family out to the ballgame and enjoy America's favorite past-time.

If you'd like to have a good time, and save money in the process...I encourage you to join superpoints and be sure and check the local deals in your area. There are 3 easy steps to joining.

1. register
2. verify your email addy
3. take care of your profile

If you join, let me know. Happy to help if you have questions. To date, I've earned $100.00 in Amazon Gift Cards through superpoints. Though you have options how you'd like to convert your points, I've chosen all Amazon gift cards. These gift cards have gone towards the purchase of school text books for kids in need. If you join, you too can be a part of that. When you spin and win for yourself and your family (I do also). Talk about a win, win, win situation. You, Me and ultimately the kids who get the text books they need for school.

The Old Mohawk, Columbus Ohio

Around the bar on a Saturday afternoon, at The Old Mohawk in German Village. Hubby and I had attended the annual Haus and Garten tour in German Village. Hot and dusty and naturally thirsty we stopped in at an old favorite location. When we were younger we visited The Old Mohawk often for Beer and Burgers. Was always a fun location, small and a bit of a dive...but a good dive.

The Bar's been in operation since 1933, so it's quite historic. It's located at 819 Mohawk Street on the corner of Mohawk and Kossuth in the heart of German Village. Myles Elk opened the tavern in 1933 after the 18th amendment, Prohibition was abolished. Rumor have it, they were famous for the turtle soup, which was always made fresh. The turtles were raised in the basement. Now, I believe this was more then a rumor. My Mother actually visited upstairs in her youth. Her family knew the owner. She informed me years ago they had turtles in the basement. If Mom said it, I take it as fact, not rumor.
You can get a feel for the place with brick walls, the tin ceiling and the old original artifacts on the walls. Myles operated The Mohawk until his death in 1947. It was then managed by some of his family until 1975 when sadly it was sold to 2 brothers who cleaned it up and tried to make it hip. It was called Tiffany's then. We went once and twice and felt like they ruined it. We liked the Old Mohawk and it's being bit of a dive. Luckily that period of time in it's history was a short 2 years, when the current owner purchased it and once again made it The Old Mohawk.
You can see a time line of it's history on their menu. The menu...well typical bar food.

Sorry this photo is a bit dark, as I was looking towards the windows.

It's a comfortable, come as you are place with a reasonable variety of food selections, beer selections, wines and mixed drinks. Prices are good, service was a bit slow the day we were there. However, to be fair...I think they'd been beyond busy because of the tour. So, I don't hold that against them, and do plan to return. We had a snack....a HUGH order of nacho grande for $9.59 between the 2 of us and didn't eat it all. Excellent appetizer to share. I had a reasonably good margarita while hubby had a beer. We left refreshed and full.

Appropriate for couples, and small groups. It's not particularly family oriented which is fine to my way of thinking. It's small and not really room for kids to move about. Casual dress.

Recommend you give it a try. In case you're curious....there is no turtle soup on the menu, nor turtles in the basement.

Check back for when, where and how to travel any day of the week. And remember Monday is Menu Monday. Ahead for change, so posting this a day early

Pizza House Columbus, Ohio

Hopefully you can read the motto posted on the menu at The Pizza House. The Pizza house a family owned business for 50 years serves pizza, sandwiches, as well as veal and spaghetti. The menu is varied and priced well for both lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

A neighborhood establishment located at 747 Lincoln Avenue, across the street from it's original location on Sinclair Avenue is a marvel. Against big powerful chain operations it has done more then maintained. It's grown and improved and delights the older original customers as much as the newer, 2nd or 3rd generation customer.

They offer dine in or carry out and something on the menu for anyone adult or child. The restaurant has always been family oriented, though back in day, was an awesome place for a date, or pizza after the local high school football game.

Good food, good service, and good pricing. They also offer Gluten Free specials, so much in need in this day and age.

Bill Colasante has been part of The Pizza House for 50 years. He purchased the business 30 years ago from Bob Tiberi and Richard Dorn. But, he didn't purchase an unknown; he worked there...was in fact their first hire. And this many years later is still at it with long time help like Jeff Tiberi (36 years) and Doug Wilford (39 years). It's no wonder they are a success, still serving family recipes after 50 years.

Recommend for families, couples, dine in, or pick up. A good time!

Traveling on Foot

Traveling on foot can be adventure. This 4 legged creature travels everywhere on foot. AND if you're traveling on foot, through the woods...be careful you don't startle wild life. Startled wild life can be dangerous.
Actually, this creature and I weren't in each other's space at all. I was pouring a cup of coffee looking out the kitchen window at a friends house Christmas morning in Cleveland Ohio. Gates Mills to be exact. She has acreage and so seeing wild life is common place. I took the picture right through the window and so did a bit of computer work to diminish the flash that hit the window and....reduce the blur a bit caused by the distance and using the digital zoom.

Safety though is important when traveling. Particularly in winter. Cars provide protection and heat, and often people forget to pack with safety in mind. Do you have a pair of boots in the car when you travel in the winter? If not, you should. The weather may be beautiful when you start out, then turn cold, wet, snowy icy and cold. Should you have car trouble, or an accident you need to be safely and warmly able to get out of the car in conditions that may not be the safety and warmth of someone's garage. Do you have mittens, a heavy coat and hat? If not, you should for the same reason.

Enjoy your holiday travels and be take a little precaution...........pack for an emergency.

Shakespeare in The Park

The Scarlet Pimpernel, A MidSummer Night's Dream, and Oedipus Rex are the 3 plays being performed this summer in Schiller Park in German Village in Columbus Ohio by Actors Theatre. For 30 years Shakespeare's been performed in the is park. Through out the years we've enjoyed this wonderful free summer time entertainment. I've blogged several times about this marvelous park in German Village. I've discussed the history of the park, the wonderful flowers, the quotes, the statues. Truly it has something for everyone.

While we carried our cooler and lounge chairs to the stage area, we passed kids on bikes, kids on roller skates, people walking their dogs, people running for exercise, others just strolling. We saw people fishing in the pond, and guys playing basketball.

Summer travels don't have to require miles on your cars, heavy duty packing, or expensive airline tickets in order to have a good time. Have you taken advantage of the special summer time entertainment in your area? If not, why not?

What's more enjoyable then sitting in your lounge chair on a nice summer night, sipping wine, eating a picnic and then being entertained............for free! They do ask for donations during intermission, but still.......you really can't beat it. We missed seeing the performance of The Scarlet Pimpernel, really enjoyed A MidSummer Night's Dream, and are looking forward to Oedipus Rex.

Travel to your local Park

Isn't this a nice view? Wouldn't you like to be there right now? You could. If not here, perhaps in a similar spot in your own neck of the woods. This is Whetstone Park, which is 90 acre metro park in Columbus on the north side just off High Street (Route 23). There is much to see and do here. Plenty of places to run, to walk, to build a fire, to have a picnic, to fish...to just enjoy. Lots of big trees that provide plenty of shade. Take a book, on yarn and sit and enjoy. Listen to the sounds of birds chirping, children playing, people having fun. Every city or town, no matter how large or small has such a place. Green public places. Do you take time to enjoy them? I bet most people are saying no. As much as I like to outdoors, and as close as I am to this lovely park; have to say it's been years since we've gone. What a shame. It's lovely. There are places in the sun if you want to sun yourself, places in the shade, open areas to run with the kids and the pets, paths to walk or run with a stroller perhaps. There picnic tables both in and outside of the shelter houses. 90 acres............it's large, plenty of space. The Park of Roses is also here for those who want to stroll through beautiful gardens.

Walk across the bridge and see the casting ponds on both sides. Stop and enjoy the view.

Check with the community building for a schedule of events like lessons or little competitions for children at the casting ponds. Great entertainment. In the winter these same casting ponds freeze and make a wonderful, and safe place to iceskate. The shelter house has a fireplace to get warm during that season as well.

Look around your fair city, there's something almost in your backyard to explore. Take advantage of it and enjoy. If you're in my neck of the wood............come stroll Whetstone Park with me.