Maybe you love the changing of the leaves, the crispness of the air, and the snap in the weather. I love the thought of holidays coming and getting together with family. The summer vacations are great, everyone hitting the beach, going out for a bite, or napping the afternoon away. Getting away in the months of Oct., Nov., and Dec. make me think of connecting with family in a slower paced manner. Inviting family, checking the list of who brings what for the family meals, and planning a scavenger hunt for the little ones is a great start to a family fun visit. We have an old trunk bought at a yard sale that we fill with “pirate” treasures that we bury on the beach. We make a treasure map with about ten clues that each clue takes the ‘little ones’ a step closer to the Pirates Chest. We make the clues the kids have to think about; sometimes about things they may find at the beach, or an inside joke of some sort, or describing a location with another clue hidden there. Eventually they guess the answers that lead them to the ‘X’ that marks the spot of the buried treasure chest. After digging it out they squeal with delight of the loot they find.
An adult pastime is making the clam chowda in ‘The Great Big Pot’, which can also be sort of a scavenger hunt depending on the time of year. Depending on the season, we actually have family members that fish, clams, and set crab traps to capture the fresh ingredients. Otherwise we search in the local fisheries for our stock. After getting the list of items needed the chowda cook off creation begins. Everyone pitches in chopping, stirring, and making bacon for the stock. Red and White in huge pots simmering for hours waiting for the taste test to start. Homemade bread to be served with it, bread bowls if we can find them. What a great comfort food that can fill you and work for lunch and dinner menus.
It seems after a good meal our family has a sweet tooth calling, so we try to fill that need by either baking a few items, or putting together a cornucopia of treats of everyone’s favorites. You’ll find circus peanuts and licorice to chocolate, fudge, and taffy in this bountiful bouquet. They adults light up as well as the kids in my family! Sticky buns, brownies, chocolate chip cookies are a few of the standbys and must haves during our family get together for dessert or breakfast.
Let the games begin! There is nothing like a huge table of family playing Balderdash! I love the nonsense we all come up with and having to choose one is just ridiculous. WE roar with laughter, slits for eyes, and tears running down our cheeks while picking a ludicrous answer. It really is a fun game. For the quiet times working on a puzzle with the ocean views surrounding you gives you a sense of accomplishment when putting in the last piece. The wii gets a fair share of time with the little ones mastering their sport skills as well as being Mario.
When night falls we hate to go to bed. Some who should go sooner than later remain standing into the wee hours, paying for it later. One by one they topple saying goodnight and see you in the morning light. When tucked in bed we listen to the ocean lulling us off to a dreamscape, frolicking in the waves. We dream of memories as kids, and how blessed we are now raising our own in the same location and traditions.
The morning brings french toast, scramble eggs and Trenton Pork Roll, or course. With barely any elbow room at the kitchen table new conversations start from several with everyone chiming in, talking over one another, and laughing from sleep deprivation. The slits begin, and a new day starts to unfold.
During a stormy weather visit the outdoors becomes a challenge we all venture out into for one thing or another (food or chocolate). We tell stories of the rushing waters on the Blvd. we nearly escaped, or the white capes on the bay lapping over the bulkheads. The storm clouds rolling in from the mainland keep us guessing of when ‘it’ will hit, and how hard, if even. The drama unfolds with the thunder and lightning it calls us to huddle by the windows to watch Mother Nature takes its wrath out over the ocean. The night storms are more dramatic with total darkness over the ocean then a flash of daylight out to sea. Snow storms are a magical sight on LBI. Floating snowflakes swirl as gusts of wind flock them over the dunes onto the icy edge of the jetties. The blanket of white on the beach brings out cross country skiers, drifts producing mogul size sled hills, or snowboarding jumps. These can have all the snow bunnies hopping. Making a snowman in the street is fun, knowing it will last until thaw with no traffic. Building your frosty friend by the water you watch the waves shrink it and make it disapear.
If going out on the town means mini golf so be it. One, with his own club, come on… I feel packing extra golf balls would be more productive. The sibling rivalry begins, challenging words thrown out randomly, and a few accidental ankle clunks with a club while walking past gets the game rolling. There is nothing like winning the game by score, or losing and winning the free game at the end. Everybody wins! The poor losers grumble into the day and threaten to beat the pants off you next time.
Taking our family walks on the beach is an all-time favorite. We compare shells we find like they are ancient treasures never been seen by the naked eye before. The find of a full snail shell brings delight to all searching. We’ve look for the smallest shell to the biggest clam shell, competitiveness runs high in our family, which brings us such delight. From the loudness, most outgoing to the shyest we all get our digs in at some point with our loving sparing and jesting. The lighthouse is a special stop to check out the boats, rocks, and ‘Ole Barney’ himself; the nature trail brings the aroma of birch beer to air with the Sassafras trees, and the soft beauty of the Rugosa Rose winds in and out of the path.
A favorite at night is watching “The Family Dog”. The characters we all relate to, and we have owned a dog portrayed in it at one time or another. The show brings down the house kids and adults alike and produces the slits and tears with its simple everyday chaos with family and pets. Watching some kid movies with the gang can have lasting impressions, and invoke the inside jokes throughout the years.
The final day of packing up and gathering belongings is a sad one. Waving goodbyes with pictures being snapped and the last long looks at the beach can bring a tear to the eye. Some make stops picking up some sale items at shops on the way home, as we look forward to the next get together and reflect on the fabulous family we are blessed with. LBI is a great place to make your family memories year round. Make a point to take the time to be with your loved ones. Reconnect, relax and start some new family traditions at the beach. Snap the holiday photo while you are here with the crew and send it to another layer of extended family with an invite to grow the celebration next time. www.LBI-Vacation.com
