A Picnic at Cincinnati’s Coney Island

For generations, Cincinnati families have been going to Coney Island on the Ohio River for picnics, rides and swimming.  Until the mid-1940s, there was a beautiful boat which made the trip, bringing people from the public landing in downtown Cincinnati to this lovely spot just outside Coney’s old riverside entrance. 

Then, up the hill and through the stone entrance to a day of fun.

Everyone enters  Coney Island these days by car, coming in the main front gate, but it’s still a fun way to spend a few summer hours.  I came along with my youngest daughter and her two children to see Lake Como….

….try out the ferris wheel….

…and bounce up and down on The Frog.

The best feature of this old park is the abundance of big, leafy trees and lots of shade.  We picked a shady spot to eat the picnic lunch I had prepared – chicken sandwiches on foccacia bread, brownies and our favorite Broccoli Salad.  Here’s the recipe for the broccoli salad which is a little lower in fat than the original:

BROCCOLI BACON PECAN SALAD

• 3/4 cup light mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 Tblsp. red wine vinegar
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 3 strips bacon, fried and crumbled
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
• 1/4 cup raisins

Blend mayonnaise, granulated sugar and vinegar and refrigerate until ready to mix with vegetables.

Blanch broccoli by steaming for just a few minutes – just until the broccoli turns bright green.  Place broccoli, bacon, cheese, onion, pecans and raisins in a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to mix.

AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE SERVING, mix mayo dressing with salad and refrigerate for at least one hour. 

Yield:  4-6 servings.

Dolphin Goes to the Park

Our local township park has several big play areas for kids, but granddaughter Dolphin’s favorite spot is a small lot that has a tire swing…..

….a wooden mountain to climb….

…a nice, slick slide….

….all guaranteed to make a child SMILE.

An April Day in the Park with Rusty

The last two weeks have been spectacularly beautiful in our southwestern Ohio neighborhood.  I took my hound dog, Rusty, to our township park to enjoy the daffodils that line the trail that leads into the woods.  Rusty normally spends 90% of his time in the park sniffing and he wasn’t sure what to make of the pretty yellow flowers.

The trail is a very natural setting, just like walking through the wooded area of an old farm.

Rusty enjoys nosing among the dry leaves, inspecting every tree and bush, and generally giving the park the once-over.

Rusty and I enjoy the park the year-around but I think spring is our favorite time.

Sunny Day Dog Wash

Sunday was so beautiful – sunny, blue, bright, cheerful.  I took my hound Rusty for our early morning walk and was surprised to see a sign taped, of all places, on the fire hydrant.  We got closer to read it and I had to admire the marketing strategy – some teenagers were advertising a Dog Wash. 

For $10 they are willing to wash your dog – provided he is friendly.  That leaves Rusty out – he’s very friendly unless someone comes at him with soap and water. 

It was so nice to be able to walk in the neighborhood and see the grass getting greener every day, the spring flowers starting to bloom and have the weather be warm enough to wear just a light jacket.  It has taken awhile, but spring finally arrived yesterday.