Fall Fun!

I may get a spring in my step in the springtime, but some of my family's best memories are made in the fall.

Hi, it's Sheila.
I took my kids to one of our favorite fall places, Farm Haven in Boone County. The farm has been in the same family for several generations, and it's a nice place for kids to learn about the workings of a farm. We like to celebrate the Halloween season there by taking a hayride, exploring the corn maze, and wandering in the

barn, where you can pet and feed the animals.

If the corn maze is too big for your little ones, they can go it alone in a hay maze. You can see over the top to keep an eye on them. The hayride takes riders out to a pasture, where they can feed ears of corn to the cattle. They come right up to the hay wagon! That scared Katie and Eric just a bit, I think because they were afraid of getting licked by those long tongues! Even so, I think the hayride is Katie's favorite part of our trip.

Eric's favorite part of the day was visiting with a new litter of kittens in the barn. He lovingly picked up each one, and he would have carried them all over the farm if I had let him. He told me later they were his "adorable friends." Children can pet horses, rabbits, and chickens, and feed the sheep and goats.

Farm Haven is on U.S. 42, right by Ryle High School. It's open weekends from 11 a.m. To 7 p.m. through the end of October.

I also spent some time this weekend at Idlewild Park in Burlington with my buddy Dan Wells and his family. Eric and Dan's daughters, Ali and Kate had a play date, and I had some time to catch up with Dan and his wife, Megan. Ali and Eric are both three years old, and they absolutely crack me up. One minute Eric was telling her to "stop touching my freaking Goldfish" crackers, but the next they were climbing and swinging together. Baby Kate, as Eric calls her, tagged along with them, and they particularly liked the sandbox. All three of them carried the sand into a playhouse and used it as food while they played restaurant.

Idlewild Park is one of Dan's favorite parks because it has some great walking trails. Megan and I like the fact that there's a fence all the way around the playground area, so you don't have to worry about your child wandering too far from you.

Lots of happy smiles and good memories for the fall pages of our family album!

Are you kidding me???

Hey everyone. A worn out Rob here.

I'm back to work after running the Columbus marathon.

Actually last week I didn't think I would make the run. Last Thursday I had to leave work sick as a dog. I went straight to my doctor's office who informed me that I had BRONCHITIS. Are you kidding me??!!! After months of training and hundreds of miles, I have bronchitis with 3 days until the race. He put me on the Z pack, hoping things would clear up in time. Thursday, I slept 13 hours. Felt like crap. Thought there was no way I could do a marathon. Friday, I slept another 13 hours. I was better and hopeful that I could do the run. Saturday, there was no turning back. I put all my stuff in my car and drove to Columbus. I had to trust my training and my body. Most importantly, I had to have a good time.

I woke up at 5:15 Sunday morning. Had a cup of coffee, a bagel and banana and slowly made my way to the start. This was my first marathon in 2 and a half years. The start is always emotional for me. 3 months of training boils down to the next 3 hours. The music is blaring crowd is jumpy, then the gun goes off. Thousands of people head out all tackling the same 26.2 miles. Most of them were good. Like clockwork. Just as planned. Mile 7 no problem. Mile 13 halfway there. Mile 20 less than a hour left. Then came mile 24. Hit me like a brick. A rock to the head. Felt all kinds of pain. In my leg, my hips and especially head. Doesn't matter how hard you train, the last 2 miles are always brutal. Made me almost suicidal. Luckily, the guy who trained me was there. Pushing and encouraging me along. We crossed at 3:07. My fastest time yet. It also qualifies me for Boston with more than 13 minutes to spare. However, I woke up this morning and learned it is CLOSED out. Are you kidding me???

Pancakes, Wine Tasting, and Charity

Good Morning Everyone...How Was The Weekend? I would like to first start with some of the most unique and amazing pancakes I have had. Our very own Rob Williams ran the Columbus Marathon this past weekend, so in prep I met him for some carbs on Saturday in Mount Lookout. We went to Annabells which is this small little restaurant with a lot of charm. I enjoyed the buttermilk corn pancakes. They were sooooo yummy with brown sugar butter on top, I highly recommend them they filled me for the entire afternoon. Then on Sunday I had the honor to join many at Mercedes Benz Of Cincinnati, where we gathered to raise money for Epilepsy. It was wine tasting all for a good cause, over 400 people attended to sample fine wines and some wonderful food. It's amazing how people come together for charity all while at the same time enjoying each others company and the real winner of course was the cause, Epilepsy. So after a fun filled weekend it's back to work this week, and you may notice something different. We have new weather graphics, we have been building new looks and maps over the past several weeks and I hope you like what you see. Our goal present your weather in a easy to understand format in several different ways, so please feel free let us know what you think. Have A Great Day!

My Daughter The Princess

THAT'S WHAT MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN UP TO FOR THE PAST WEEK, ALONG WITH PLAYING AT THE PARK, SWIMMING AT THE LOCAL INDOOR POOL, AND CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS TWO MONTHS EARLY! LAST FRIDAY, MY DAUGHTER HAD HER FIRST GIRLS NIGHT OUT WITH HER LITTLE FRIEND, ADDIE AS SHE AND MY WIFE WENT TO SEE THEIR FIRST PRINCESS SHOW...DISNEY ON ICE.

TO SAY SHE LOVED IT MORE THAN ANYTHING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. SHE RAISED BOTH OF HER ARMS IN THE AIR WHEN SHE FIRST SAW THEM (THE DISNEY CHARACTERS) AND YELLED "HOOORRAAAAYYY" FOR AT LEAST THREE MINUTES...

PICTURE HER CROSSING THE FINISH LINE OF HER FIRST MARATHON~THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE LOOKED LIKE (ONLY CUTE IN HER CUTE LITTLE BLACK DRESS, OF COURSE!)

BUT BECAUSE MY WIFE WAS (SECRETLY) JUST AS EXCITED AS MY DAUGHTER WAS, I FORGOT TO TAKE OUR CAMERA WITH US, SO ZERO PICTURES...GUESS WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO GO BACK NEXT YEAR.

SO HERE'S TO A GREAT WEEKEND OF PRINCESSES .....CHEERS DAN

One More Reason to go to Findlay Market

Hi it’s Meghan:) If you’ve never been to Findlay Market, why not? It’s a very unique and interesting place. A variety of vendors sell an array of meats, cheeses, produce and spices. Now there is a brand new business.

Fresh Table just opened inside the market house. When you get to the green lights hanging over a glass case of beautifully displayed dishes, you are there. The business is the creation of Chef Meredith Trombly and Chef Louis Snowden. They previously worked together at Bigg’s and recently decided to create something on their own.

Think sustainable, local and organic. That’s the concept behind Fresh Table’s freshly prepared food. Customers can look into the case, pick a few of the tempting bites and take a box home for lunch or dinner. The menu is always changing because the chefs buy from vendors at the market and around the city, which also keeps it seasonal and fresh.

Ever tried an Eggless Egg Salad? I hadn’t either. But you can now. It’s made from tofu, soy mayonnaise, dill and turmeric. Yes it is yummy and actually tastes like eggs! My favorites are the savory bread pudding, marinated mushrooms and fennel salad. There was also the corn pudding adapted from a Shaker recipe that dates back to the 1700’s.

There are other cool things about Fresh Table too. Everything is recyclable or compostable. The kitchen scraps are composted and the take home containers are biodegradable.

The walls are about to get a fresh look too. What are now plain white walls will soon be a showcase of Rookwood Pottery tile. Another cool design element of Fresh Table is the digital signage and live video stream. The two TV monitors can show the ever changing menu or give customers a live look at what’s cooking. I know I’ll make it a point to stop on my trips to the market. Enjoy!

Fighting The Fall Bug

I got my flu shot.

Sheila here.
October is here, the official start of flu season. I get a flu shot every year, and so does my family. This year federal health officials are urging every American, every age, to get that shot to avoid the flu bug. This is the first year the Centers for Disease Control has made that recommendation. Historically, the government recommended flu shots for just the very young and the elderly, but this year there is plenty of vaccine to go around.

Remember last year when we saw long lines for flu shot clinics? There wasn't enough H1N1 vaccine to go around last year, but this year that's not a problem. The H1N1 vaccine is right in the same shot as the seasonal flu vaccine, and the government ordered 160-million doses.

And it's easier than ever to get vaccinated. You've probably seen the signs up at every Kroger and Walgreens store. It's especially important for pregnant women to get their shots. The flu can be even more dangerous for them and for their babies.

Last year's national campaign to stop H1N1 is widely considered a success. Doctors say public awareness is what stopped the swine flu last year, but they caution it's still around.

Now I'm ready!

This Is It

5 days and counting.

Hey everyone. Rob here. The Columbus Marathon is this Sunday. Months of training, miles of running will be tested for 3 hours Sunday morning.

A little nervous. A lot excited. I will spend this week relaxing, enjoying the downtime, and drinking plenty of water.
This Friday I will load up on carbohydrates.

Now that really is getting me excited. I can have pizza or a plate full of pancakes.

I'm all set with accommodations. There was a little drama there. There isn't one hotel room available in all of downtown Columbus. A little advice here: book early. I started checking on rooms 6 weeks ago and they were almost all sold out. Luckily with Sheila's help I was able to get a room downtown last minute.

So I'm set for my 10th marathon. I'm going trust the training and most importantly I'm going to have fun and enjoy the run. Also, enjoy the company of 10,000 other runner whose last 3 months has been a lot like mine. Wish me luck. Rob