Category Archives: poconos

lake reflections

Untitled-1

m

I had a lot of time to reflect during our vacation, and had an epiphany (or two, or three). It’s amazing how much clarity can come from a digital detox – I highly recommend it. While I had amazing quality time with my husband and children, I also felt compelled to process some deeply emotional issues that I’ve been internalizing for years. Oddly enough, as much peace as I find at the lake, I also find pain….allow me to explain. I spent time every summer from birth until I was thirteen at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, with my extended family. As I was an only child, my Mom (very smartly) planned many family vacations and gatherings so that I would be close with my two cousins. We were very much like siblings – we fought like it, loved like it. I took my first steps holding their hands on the beach there. It was a sacred place for our entire (small) family, and where many of my most beautiful memories were made. I miss Lake Winnipesaukee, and I deeply miss that time of family unity. Much has changed since then, and it causes me a lot of pain at times.

I haven’t been there in eleven years (I’m including a brief visit in 2006). And yet, my memories of it are as vivid as ever. I can still hear the sound of the water gently lapping onto the shore, the wailing of loons (one of the most hauntingly beautiful sounds in the world, in my opinion), and even the wobbly ceiling fan that I was sure would decapitate me every night as I slept. I can still feel the silky wet sugar sand between my toes, smell the horses that were down the road on the walk to get ice cream, and see the storms that would move so quickly across the lake. Every detail about it is cemented into my mind, because it was always a place of peace for me during a time in my life that was ever-changing, challenging, and at times, destructive. I’ll refrain from digging deeper on that subject in this post, but let’s just say my childhood was like a roller coaster – with high highs, and low lows. The lake became an escape for me…a respite from the chaos.

We moved quite a bit for my father’s career (military and beyond), and there were only two places in the world that felt like home to me –  my grandparents home, and the lake. One was taken from me physically (when my grandfather passed and his house was sold), and the other metaphorically (I haven’t been invited, and have even been denied a stay, when I asked begged to visit after Henry and Marie were born). I wanted (and want) so badly to introduce my children to a place I hold so dear. It’s not mine, but it has ownership of my heart, as if it was. I’ve struggled with that greatly – to understand it’s hold on me, and also what “home” means to me. How can latitudes and longitudes carry so much weight? Without getting into complicated family details, I’ve become estranged with my extended family, partly due to the denied access. In fact, it’s quite possibly become tainted for me because of the turmoil…it’s hard to say for sure without visiting.

I discovered Lake Naomi (in the Poconos) thanks to my friend Chanee in 2013, and immediately felt an odd sense of familiarity there. While very different from Lake Winni, there are enough similarities to make me feel comfortable, and (mostly) at ease. This was our fourth year vacationing there (more on that soon), and we’ve made many treasured memories…I’m so grateful for it. It almost fills the void in my heart, and yet sadly, falls short. I feel like it will always be competing with my first love, and it will never quite live up to it. I’m hopeful that someday, the family will come back together. Someday, I might be able to share that important part of my past, with my husband and children. Until then, I will continue to reflect on the possibility of reconciliation—with my past, my family, and most importantly, with myself.

poconos perfection

Untitled-2

 

We’ve just returned from our summer vacation at what’s become a very special place for us. Pocono Pines is only two hours away from us in Philadelphia, and Lake Naomi beckoned us there for a third year in a row. Having practically grown up on a lake, it makes me giddy to have re-created a special family tradition in our own way. I have my friend Chanee Vijay to thank for introducing us to the community there, and for so generously sharing her home with us (which you can now rent). We’re always sad to leave, but this time we won’t have to wait a full year, as we’re planning to return in the winter for our first family ski adventure! It ought to be interesting, considering three of us have never skied before, gulp.

 

Untitled-2

Untitled-3

Untitled-2

 

The highlight for us this year was our family bike rides! With the kids not knowing how to ride just yet, we opted for a bike trailer to tow them, and they had so much fun. We rode to the beach every day, and pretty much used the bikes as our sole transportation…we were so proud of ourselves. Of course I had it easy – mr. fleurishing did the dirty work. With quite a few private beaches to choose from, we tried to visit a different one each day. We even went to the pool a few times, which is a feat for us – we’re not pool people. But having kids makes us pool people by default, and the smiles on their faces are worth it every time. Their smiles are always biggest however, at the lake. Hashtag proud mama.

 

Untitled-2

Continue reading →

our poconos getaway

dockandsky

steamy-lake-sunrise

 

I’m feeling pretty blissed out after spending last week and Labor Day weekend in the Poconos. After basically an entire month of moving and hard labor, the timing was perfect – we’ve never needed a break more. The Poconos has become a summer tradition for us…last year we rented a home at Lake Naomi after my good friend Chanee spoke so highly of it, and loved it so much we made plans to return this summer. We were fortunate enough to stay at Chanee’s beautiful vacation home there (#kodailakehouse), as her + her husband recently moved to California and are renting it out! As a textile designer, her design aesthetic is amazing…the lake house is cozy and comfortable, but modernized + luxe thanks to her touch. Every morning I walked down to the dock to watch the sunrise, often with Henry by my side. With steam rising from the lake and the peaceful, soft sounds of the water and wildlife, it was just what the doctor ordered.

 

kodai-lakehouse

followtheferns

henryetmarieatlake

playing-on-the-beach

 

We developed a relaxing rhythm of heading down the fern path to the our little beach, playing in the sand, snacking on the dock, and kayaking. Henry and Marie hadn’t stopped talking about kayaking since we first did it last year, so that was a priority for us. We managed to kayak every day, and even worked in a canoe ride (which lasted all of five minutes due to my anxiety over the kids possibly tipping us). One morning we drove to Bushkill Falls and hiked as a family to see “the niagara of Pennsylvania”…it was fun for the kids to try a more difficult trail this year, and the main waterfall is quite impressive. I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the Poconos, especially with kids.

 

bushkill-falls

lookingatfalls

 

S’mores just had to happen. While the kids are a bit too young to fully participate, we let them spear the marshmallows and watch as we roasted them. Surprisingly, they weren’t that into eating them, but that just meant more for us! I hadn’t done it in years, but thankfully mr. fleurishing remembered some crucial s’mores skills. I was reminded during this vacation that relaxing is a skill, and I had *almost* perfected it by the time we had to leave, ha. It’s always hard to go back to reality after vacation, but we left feeling refreshed + rejuvenated. We’ll be returning next year for sure!

 

making-smores

smores

 

farewell summer!

our poconos vacation

kidsinferns

marieinferns

henryandcanoes

saltwaters

 

Our first big vacation as a family was a success! The rental home was dreamy, the days were filled with fun, and the weather was mostly cooperative. Amazingly, the kids adapted to the new environment quickly, taking naps and sleeping as usual…that was a big relief. They loved the lake, and requested to go to the beach (aka the big sandbox) every day. Having spent my summers as a kid on a lake in NH, I’ve missed it terribly, and I was happily surprised to find that despite it being in PA, the familiarity was there. Thanks to the kids, I conquered my bathing suit phobia and got into the water–it was quite liberating. We all loved being surrounded by so much nature – we saw a family of deer numerous times, and even had a wild turkey frequent the backyard (we named him Tom). As much as I wanted to see a bear (from afar), that didn’t happen…but they did manage to get into our trash and drag it into the forest for a feast. That made for a fun cleanup…good times. I was snap happy and took a zillion photos…you can see many more + some video of our vacation over on…

steller stories

out of office

lake-at-night

 

Hi friends! Just a quick note to let you know I’ll be absent from the blog for a week or so. I’ll be spending the last days of summer and ushering in september with my hubby + littles in the poconos! It will be our first extended vacation as a family, and we’re anxious to get on the road to relaxation. You can follow our adventures on instagram of course, and when I return I’ll be revealing my new + improved website!! It’s been in the works for a a few months now and I can’t wait to share it with you. I hope you’re soaking up the last bits of summer with your family and friends…bye for now!