Yesterday we headed about an hour up North to Mansfield, Ohio to visit The Ohio State Reformatory.

I didn’t really know what to expect but I did have a few ideas of what I thought a jail would be like. Let me tell you–it was nothing like this!

Somebody with us described it as Hogwarts! The building was absolutely beautiful!

I never did take a picture of the whole building–what was I thinking? It was huge. The grounds were beautiful and did I mention the place was huge? Even with part of the building demolished it was huge. Apparently the back section was torn down before The Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society stepped in to preserve the it. It was really hard for me to listen because I was taking so many pictures but I tried. It was SO very interesting and informative. The kids and I really enjoyed this tour. We plan to go back again sometime soon…after watching The Shawshank Redemption ( filmed there.) Several other movies, videos and photo shoots have also taken place at The Reformatory.

The first two floors were administrative quarters and offices.

Third floor was a chapel.

The rest of the floors were filled with cells—rows and rows of cells.

Little Wayne even filmed a video in this cell!

These are the showers.

This is a really bad picture of the tunnel used in The Shawshank—good thing I took a picture of this-everyone asked if we got to see “the tunnel.”

I just can’t say enough great things about this field trip. If you are anywhere near Richland County and can get to The Ohio State Reformatory you really should try to visit. Help preserve this rich piece of Ohio history by taking a tour.

Just down the road is The Historical Carrousel District in downtown Mansfield. A perfect place to stop for lunch and a ride at The Richland Carrousel Park

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Post tags: Carrousel District, cells, field trip, Mansfield, mansfield ohio, mansfield reformatory, Ohio, ohio history, ohio state reformatory, Preservation, preservation society, Reformatory, Richland, richland carrousel park, richland county, Shawshank, shawshank redemption, Shawshank---good

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He told us the two things he loves about the weather “It’s never boring and it’s always changing.” So very true! Just as we were there a tornado watch appeared in Indianapolis. We were able to see the storm up close on radar.

He is showing them to look for the hook on the radar screen because that could be a tornado.  Jym then showed us the tornado machine he built in college to show the things you need to have for a tornado happen.

warm, moist air, tall clouds, heat and a chimney effect.

Look—it worked!!!

We also learned about volcanoes.

and ash!!

We were told not to look directly at the light—but I think we all did!! shhhh

The kids got to see just what it’s like to report the weather–backwards sort of. You look at the tv screen in front of you and point to the green wall behind you. The viewers see you pointing at the map–so it is sort of a mirrored effect.

Ginger tried her hand at reporting “breaking news!”

We had a great time and learned so much! Thanks again Jym and NBC4i!!

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Post tags: chimney effect, class, field trip, Ganahl, jym ganahl, meteorologist, radar screen, tornado, tornado watch, warm moist air, weather, weather station

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I thought the play was phenomenal. Totally worth the trip! And as always– it’s so nice to travel back home to Cleveland!

After the play we headed to The West Side Market  and Ohio City for lunch.

Then we were off to The Great Lakes Science Center

Apparently there are people with a fear of knees. huh–who knew???!!

We did all of this in about 13 hours-including about 5 hrs in the car- start to finish. I’m going to bed now!!!

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Post tags: art, Artist, artist mark, broadway play, Cleveland, cleveland ohio, field trip, great lakes science, great lakes science center, homeschool, mark rothko, Market, Ohio, Play, Playhouse, playhouse theater, science, Theater, tony award, West Side, west side market

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The show was great. We have been to the Lincoln Theater several times. It was closed for thirty years before being restored to it’s current beautiful state of Egyptian Revival Decor.

The scarabs on the seats at the ends of the aisles are just beautiful. (forgot my camera so these are all phone photos!)

We also toured The American Whistle Factory.

When I think about a factory I picture a big place that Mr Rogers may have featured on his show. This place is small but very interesting!  I wasn’t allowed to take photos of the machines or the making of the whistles but we were told that The American Whistle Factory was featured on The Discovery Channels, How It’s Made but I wasn’t able to find it to link here.

They are the ONLY producers of American made whistles. Pretty cool for being just few miles away from our house! They make whistles for all kinds of important events such as The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Superbowl, and the NYPD.

Even closer to our house is The Flag Lady Store.

They are the official flag makers for Ohio State as well as many local communities that hang flags along their main streets.

Mary, (the flag lady), is well versed in everything American flag and loves to share her patriotism with everyone! Unfortunately, she has also been in the news for other reasons as well.

They sell flags from all over the world!

They showed us  how they make flags. They were also in the process of tea dying flags for a group in California.

The kids enjoyed a spur of the moment parade!

If you are local or close to Columbus, Ohio, these are just a few of the great field trip opportunities near by. We have a couple of trips to The Wexner Center and trash dump to look forward to in the near future.— Now the dump is a destination I can visit over and over again. I find it fascinating!!

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Post tags: american flag, blagg, Columbus, discovery channels, egyptian revival, field trip, field trip opportunities, field trips, flag makers, lincoln theater, Ohio, scarabs, wexner center, whistles

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I am in awe of my kid! She has abilities that seem to come to her so easily that I can’t hardly wrap my head around. This is her latest sewing creation.

It is a cosplay costume for an anime convention. She based her costume off of this Elizabeth ( Lizzie )Middleford  $400.00 costume.

Only she spent a mere  $5.00 on 2 sheets from the thrift store. Amazingly thrifty yes but the really amazing part of all of this is not only did she make this costume entirely by herself with no help from anyone but that she didn’t even use a stinkin’ pattern! She just looked at the picture and 2 bed sheets and created this amazing costume! Did I mention I am in awe??? Well let me say it again…I am in awe of this kid!

She and her friends have been waiting for months for this convention. They planned which characters from Black Butler they would be cosplaying so long ago. Everyone looked great!

I bet they are already planning for the next one!

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Post tags: anime, anime convention, bed sheets, black, Butler, cosplay, costume, creation, friend, friends, Lizzie, MiddlefordÂ, photo, photos, sewing, thrift, thrift store, thrifty

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It is a campground/beach that has been around for over 60 years. The “beautiful” emerald green lake is artesian well fed!

Most of the old school apparatuses seem barely safe which make them even more fun!

This place is definitely a hidden gem that warrants at least one visit a Summer!!

I haven’t been here in about 14 years….And nothing has changed!!

The girls really want to conquer those rings… so we will be definitely be seeing you next Summer White Sands!!

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Post tags: Columbus, delaware ohio, Ohio, photo, photos, summer, white sands

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May your weekend be filled with lots of OOoohs and AAahhs

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Post tags: iphone, Ooooh, photo, photos, weekend

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Insert head scratch here

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Post tags: comfest, photo, photos

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Here are a few highlights of the weekend.

We always go to my Mom’s for Christmas eve. She cooks delicious things and makes everything pretty just for us! This year she surprised Ginger with a karaoke machine! And a Hannah Montana CD…. Oh boy! Does she LOVE it!

Molly asked “how early can we wake you up?” Joe told her 5 AM…guess what time she woke us?

We are pretty good about sticking to the kids lists. Buying them things they want and not as much stuff that I think they should have. Yet there are always a few surprises thrown in. This year I hit a home run with my surprise for Molly!!

Bento boxes for her and Ginger along with a Bento cookbook and all the little tools and treasures. The perfect gift for my little Martha in the making!

It didn’t matter that we just had a huge breakfast, she couldn’t wait to get to work making lunch!

One of our other Christmas traditions is Molly’s Christmas day cake. This year she made a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting from scratch. Look out Cake Boss!

I LOVE the week between Christmas and New Years. I feel like I can breath a sigh of relief and just enjoy. I wrote all about it last year too.

We are anxiously waiting for a friend to arrive in a few hours to stay with us for the week along with a cousin who will also be visiting. We are looking forward to some sledding today before the snow melts, a trip to the movies and the zoo to see holiday lights, sushi and chocolate fondue with friends. It will be a stay-cation around here and I am loving it!! Hope your week between is filled with more holiday joy!

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Post tags: bento boxes, book, Cake, chocolate fondue, Christmas, christmas day, christmas eve, christmas traditions, Cook, Cookbook, cooks, cream cheese, cream cheese frosting, holiday, holiday joy, holiday lights, Home, karaoke machine, Kids, lunch, Molly, PepperPaints, perfect gift, photos, red velvet cake, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, sigh of relief, sledding, snow, tradition, traditions, weekend, zoo

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Last week we took advantage of some of the last of the warm temperatures and fall colors and headed for a hike at Old Man’s Cave. Old Man’s
Cave is especially nice for younger hikers with it’s steps and bridges (and not too many scary drop offs and cliffs!).

If you are local, the weather forecast for this week is calling for a few days of Indian Summer. A perfect opportunity to head to Southern Ohio and check out some of the great hiking trails in Hocking Hills!

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Post tags: bridges, Columbus, columbus ohio, Fall, fall colors, hikers, hiking trails, hocking hills, indian summer, Ohio, photo, photos, side trips

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