Saturday, July 6, 2013

Adena Mansion, Chillicothe Ohio

Adena, Thomas Worthington's home in Chillicothe Ohio.  This magnificent mansion was built back in 1806-1807.  A remarkable feat considering the stone mansion was built in the middle of a wilderness.  This was dense forest area, Ohio had only become a state in 1803, just 3-4 years earlier.  It's archietect, was Benjamin Henry Latrobe.  Adena is 1 of only 3 houses still standing in the United States that he designed.  He was the first American Professional Archietect.  Thomas Worthington's estate, Adena is located at 847 Adena Road, Chillicothe, Ohio  45601.
Tours can be arranged for groups, or during regular hours of operation which are April-October Wed. - Sat. 9 am til 5 pm, and Sunday 12 noon til 5pm.  Entrance fees are $8.00 for adults, less for children and seniors.  There's also the very affordable membership option of $30.00 annually for a family membership which provides other benefits.  Our tour guide was awesome, very knowledgeable. 
She explained how this marvelous colorful floor was made, in fact she says we could make it ourselves.  Well, that might be  a stretch.  She discussed how you could tell a private room vs a public room in such a wealthy home.  Flooring would be ornate, colorful and expensive looking in the public areas, and plain and without carpet in the private family rooms.  This floor is the first thing you see as you enter.
Followed by one of the original Worthington piece, the clock.  Which still works.  Wood areas in public places would be real vs faux painting in the more private areas.  The door you see would have been used by servants not quests and is therefore not real.  It's faux paint.  Hard to believe but there were many examples of faxu painting through out the mansion.  Faux painting is not new!
Speaking of faux painting....if we hadn't been told, we would not have known these stairs weren't real marble, they surely look it.
The main drawing room where quest would have been entertained, notice the carpet?  Story behind the carpet is, Thomas was on a trip, saw the carpet and didn't know how much to buy, you see he didn't have his cell phone fully charged to call home and ask the Mistress of the house, so he bought ALOT.  This carpet shows up in lots of rooms as a result.
Some of the pictures are a bit dark.  Though they don't mind if you photograph (which pleased me, as some historic homes don't permit it), you're not allowed to use your flash, thus some darkened grainy pictures result.  Left corner...the bathtub, a priced possession and one of the other original Worthington Family piences.
There are several of these marvelous turn style shelving units in the mansion.  The whole unit pivots on a center point and can move from the kitchen or private areas into the entertainment areas where many great people visited.  Thomas Worthington was teh 6th governor of the state, and one of the states first United States Senators.  Much business was transacted at his estate.  Many important and influential leaders were welcomed here at Adena including President James Monroe, and the great American Indian Leader, Tecumseh.
The little antique mirror on the dressing table is another of the original Worthington Family possessions.  This beautiful home has been restored twice by the Ohio Historical Society, once in 1953 and again in 2001.  It currently is renovated as close to it's appearance during Worthington's time as possible. 
One of the beautiful canopy beds.
Long riffles above the door to Thomas's office are original pieces.
As is this little rocker.
Off the kitchen in what would have been a storage area is a locked herb cabinet.  Herbs were important for medicinal purposes, as well as for cooking.  Herbs weren't cheap and therefore the cabinet was kept locked.  Documents tell us that there was unrest between the women in the household with regards to whom held the keys to the all important cabinet.  Apparently that privilege fell to the oldest daughter when Mrs. Worthington wasn't around.

This beautiful estate comprises 2,000 acres of land, several out buildings, and the mansion.  It is available for private functions such as weddings and special fundraising evenings.  The next special event will be in September of 2013, a murder mystery.

I highly encourage you to tour Adena.  It's a fascinating and well preserved historic landmark.  I've toured the house 3 or 4 times from childhood to now and am always amazed at what additional information has been learned from historic documents.  There's a large garden area you can also tour.  That however is another post.


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

Monday, June 24, 2013

Vacation Ravioli's

It's time for another Menu Monday.  No I'm not telling you about a restaurant we liked during our travels, rather a good meal you can prepare..........perfect for when you have a kitchen in your travels.  We don't eat every meal out when we travel, we like to eat in; but we don't like to prepare things that take a lot of time, use a lot of ingredients.  We like to travel light.  The bulk of the time we travel we stay in villa/condo that has a kitchen.  Not only is it comfortable, but you save money in the end.  Eating out all the time is expensive!

Store bought ravioli's (these were 3 cheese), and a few fresh veggies, and you've got a yummy meal with minimal prep and cost.  Prepare the ravioli's per instructions on the package (except I've learned that it's best not to bring to a hard boil, a soft rolling boil is best, and I turn them off just before done and let them sit 30-45 seconds in the hot water before carefully removing.

Saute onions in a skillet with olive oil, add several hand fulls of spinach leaves, and once the spinach leaves reduce (about the same amount time your pasta is setting in the water), add sliced tomatoes (Roma's worked best, but any type will do)...stir lightly and add  ravioli's to mix...again softly.  Plate it, add pepper (fresh ground best), shaved walnuts or almonds or pine nuts, and serve with your favorite wine.  Pretty, tasty, and easy.

Enjoy, this is a favorite traveling meal.

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

Monday, June 17, 2013

I Long to Visit Italy

The Italian countryside.  I'd love to be riding along on the back roads, stopping at various villages along the way to sample wine.  Today's blog prompt- blog about somewhere you'ld like to visit and or move too.  We'd like to visit Italy, and have begun a wee bit of travel planning with that in mind.
Join us at Paula's for the June Blog Challenge.  Click the badge to join in.
We hope to see plenty of the things other tourists see, but....we also hope to see a side of Italy those who tour quickly don't get to see.  Our hope is to be there for 3 weeks or more and really explore.

Certainly seeing the historic sites is a must, as long as plenty of time if left for food and wine!  We want to do some on our own and some with a tour group.  We may plan this trip for after retirement, we may not wait.


We've been saving our Marriott Rewards Points for years to make this all happen.

In the meantime, we'll enjoy traveling about the U.S., please use the search this blog area to find locations your interested in.  In addition to enjoying the U.S., we've have made multiple trips to Aruba, a real favorite so check that out too.

Currently we're planning trips to Park City, Utah (were we've been a number of times, Aruba again in the fall, Hilton Head in January (awesome time to go to get out of the snow in Ohio), and Spain in the Spring.

Come back often, I'm sure there's something here for everyone.  Menu Monday was postponed this week in favor of this fun blog challenge.  Do come back next week, if not before.

INVITING YOU ALL TO MEMORY MONDAYS, JOIN IN ON THE FUN AND GET SOME LINKY LOVE.  MAKE MONDAYS MORE FUN.  CLICK HERE.


Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
(BL21, JC4)

Saturday, June 8, 2013

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)

Friday, May 17, 2013

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.