Tricks and Treats

It’s almost time for one of my favorite holidays, Mongilloween! Hi, it’s Meghan. :) When I was a child, my mom would go all out for this spooky holiday. Each year she decorated the house, made our costumes and would dress up as a witch and chase us around the house yelling, "I’ll get you my pretty."  I must admit I’ve inherited her Halloween enthusiasm. I even hid a fake rat in the shower to scare my sister one morning this week! (it worked)

Since early September, orange and black has dominated my decor. There is a little cobweb craziness and monster mania going on in my Norwood home. If you check out the picture you can see floating monster heads hanging from my chandelier and scary creatures sitting around the dining room. In the vases I arranged sticks that I spray painted black and added fake mice and snakes.

Besides creating tricks around my house I also love making treats. Caramel apples, Reese's Pieces peanut butter cookies, iced cut-out cookies, orange brownies and Oreo eyes are waiting my ghostly guests. If you aren’t a baker, no problem.  The Oreo eyes were super easy. I bought football shaped Oreo’s at the store, dipped them in white chocolate and used icing and an M&M's to complete the look. Yummy!

As for costumes, I actually have two this year.  One night you can just call me Supergirl.  Another night I’m going to dress-up as Medusa, complete with snakes entwined in my hair.  Here's wishing you a safe and Happy Halloween! :)

And they're off!

In the paddock
before race #12

There is something I look forward to each fall besides football games, Halloween and my favorite coats. It's an idyllic horse track in the heart of the Bluegrass State called Keeneland. Hi, it's Meghan. :)

I’ve been to Keeneland many times, but each time I am still awed by the experience. Considered one of America’s most beautiful tracks, Keeneland is known for its historic architecture, meticulous landscaping, and top notch horse racing.

Me with the Desperate
Housewives of Delhi

It’s kind of long story as to how and why, but I ended joining a bus trip organized by the Seton High Athletic Boosters Club, despite no prior connection to the organization. Luckily the group was very welcoming and a ton of fun. The Seton Boosters were a lively and passionate group that took pride in their school and their Westside community. We traveled down in a nice bus and our tailgate surely was the envy of the parking lot. One group of ladies referred to themselves as the Desperate Housewives of Delhi – check out my picture with some of them. Oh, and a special thanks to Lou and Michelle and the others who did all the work to organize the trip.

By mid-afternoon, it was time to watch the ponies! You may be surprised to learn that I know enough horse racing to know that the horse with the best name usually wins. So that is how I came to win $30 on a $5 show bet on Sun Bear in race #3. I know that’s not much money, but a win is a win! :)

with super trainer Mike Maker

My friends Brandi and Jeff are part owners of a horse so we got access into the paddock, the prep area where the horses are paraded just before a race. Getting an up close look at the muscle and strength these animals posses is amazing. On the very last race their horse Twinspired lined up in the #12 position and surprised everyone with a first place finish!!! We all rushed to the winner’s circle, where I got my picture taken with famous trainer Mike Maker. If you’re wondering, no I wasn’t smart enough to place a bet on their 12:1 long shot. Darn it!!


You still have time to create your own Keeneland memories. The fall races run through October 30th.

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!

Who wants to be a movie star?

Ever dream of being a movie star? 

Well, tonight your dream can come true, at least sort of.  The feature film The Black Dove has been shooting in Cincinnati.  The producers want extras to show up at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine on Elm St. at 8pm tonight.  You'll be in the audience for a concert.

It's Only One Game

Yes, it was a let down.  Yes, Roy Halladay had an amazing game.  But let's put it into perspective, it's only one game! Hi, it's Meghan.

Our Redlegs still have a lot of baseball to play.  I know Reds fans are ready to keep cheering them on.  When we win Friday, the Natiboys will be back at home Sunday and the hometown crowd will give them a boost.

Even though the game didn't go as I would have liked.  I still had a lot of fun supporting our team. I wanted to blog this week to give you a look at my activities on Wednesday, Oct. 6th, also known as the day that the Reds started their first post-season baseball in 15 years!

4:00 AM - Heading from the studio to Fountain Square to tell our viewers about all the food and drink specials I found at local bars and restaurants for the Reds game.  I'm also planning my own "pub crawl" later to see how different fans around Cincinnati cheer on their team!



Cream cheese, anyone?

8:10 AM - "My Mom Calls Me George" of KISS 107 FM has created a voodoo sculpture of Philly legend Rocky Balboa out of Philadelphia brand cream cheese, and he is going to destroy it using a Reds t-shirt cannon in the middle of Fountain Square!  Well, we learned a little about MMCMG's sculpting skills (2nd only to Michelangelo's) and the viscosity of cream cheese at 50 degrees (low enough to stop a speeding t-shirt apparently).  Nonetheless, the bust of Rocky clearly lost this fight, and the momentum and karma is surely going to help our Reds KO the Phillies in the NLDS!

MMCMG puts the final touches on CC Rocky, and the Reds Cannon of Destruction.



So maybe it didn't explode quite like we thought, but Philadelphia definitely got creamed. :)

4:00 PM - After my lunch, a nap, and a workout, I am ready to start pre-gaming!

4:20 PM - The In Between, Downtown

I was actually hoping to make it out to Maloney's Pub in Delhi, but I got a late start and didn't want to fight traffic.  Unfortunately, In Between didn't have any specials and only had about 8 people in the bar.  Disappointing.

4:25 - 4:45 PM - Skyline Chili, 4th & Sycamore
Got a free cheese coney!  Yum!

5:00 - Fountain Square, Downtown
Pretty decent crowd, food, drinks, and great weather, but the sun was setting right behind the big screen making it pretty difficult to watch the game.

5:05 - 5:30 PM - Rock Bottom Brewery
Bad start for Edison Volquez and the Reds.  And I didn't even like the beer I picked. :(  Good crowd of after work folks though!

5:55 - 6:45 PM - Brothers Bar & Grill, Newport
Hung out with lots of Reds staff members, my sister, and my friend Amy.   The Reds didn't perform too well, but the day was still a lot of fun!