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OCNJ 2014: The Family Reunion

Published on July 10, 2014 By Emily. Updated on July 10, 2014

Even though I loved my last visit to Ocean City, NJ in 2011, I was rather hesitant about our most recent venture.  Brian and I would be headed to the biggest family gathering I’ve ever attended that wasn’t a wedding or a funeral…my first family reunion.  And not a family reunion with my side of the family (which would be its own kind of special), but with Brian’s side of the family, some of whom I’d hardly seen since our wedding 5 years ago.  Almost 20 people would be staying in a family-owned beach house while another facet of the family (Brian’s grandmother’s sister’s side…if that makes sense) rented a house next store.   As someone who is increasingly introverted and tired out by spending time with large groups of people, I was concerned about how this was all going to go over. 

ocean city boardwalk

ocean city ferris wheel

But, as I find so often in life, my concerns were unfounded.  Our 5 days in Ocean City were awesome.  It was so great to meet some of Brian’s extended family for the first time and to spend quality time in conversation and activity with those I’d met before.  Weddings and funerals just do not allow for that kind of depth.  It was wonderful to get to know Brian’s aunts, uncles, cousins and grandmother better.   I watched more soccer than ever in my entire life, saw Brian’s cousin’s kids really enjoying amusement park rides (which is so not my thing), learned a new card game, walked along the beach, browsed shops and felt incredibly relaxed throughout my time.  And, obviously, I didn’t spend much time writing blog posts or hanging out online.  I’m already finding myself wondering how soon we can have the next family reunion and why my side of the family has never had one.

Similarly, the meals went off without a hitch.  Everyone was “on their own” for breakfast and lunch, but we all brought lots of food with us and it seemed that everyone was open to sharing their supplies.  I think we ate meals on the boardwalk twice, otherwise we enjoyed food at the house.  Brian and I were slated to help his parents make dinner for everyone on Sunday night; other nights were the responsibility of other family members.  Through several back and forth emails and phone calls, his mother and I settled on poached chicken (her responsibility), chips, salad bar and kale salad (with our CSA vegetables), which I detailed in last week’s menu plan.   Again, I was really happy with the way it all went over.  I was also content with what we ate the rest of the week.  Everyone’s meals were awesome (no small feat for our large group) and made me feel a bit better about all the junk food I ate on the boardwalk.

seagulls at ocean city

ocean city beach 2

I definitely took the opportunity to make the most of some foods that are hard to find outside of New Jersey and the Shore; foods I’ve mentioned before that I miss from my days in Jersey.  Good rolls, Taylor ham, hot donuts, cannoli and red birch beer.  Vacation at its finest.

Ocean City Food

We also made it to an attraction that’s been on my unofficial “bucket list” for year: Lucy the Elephant.   Someone mentioned it to us early in our time at Ocean City and we quickly discovered that the elephant was only 15 minutes away!  I have no idea why we didn’t make it there last time we were in Ocean City (or during the years I actually lived in New Jersey).  I’ve had a framed poster of Lucy in my possession forever because I collected elephants as a young person (and still do, I suppose, though I haven’t purchased anything in ages).  There was some concern on my part that I wouldn’t be able to tour the elephant as I’ve had increasing issues with heights lately, but the stairs ended up being a non-issue as they were solid and I only had to climb about 2 stories, total.  Lucy’s body is a big room with artifacts from the course of her 133 years in Margate, NJ and then we climbed to the very top to look out over the town.  It was a very cool experience and I’m very glad we made the detour. 

Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ

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Filed Under: travel Tagged With: family, new jersey

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Comments

  1. Becca says

    July 15, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    I’m so thankful your first family reunion wasn’t so bad after all ;) It was great spending time you guys!! Can’t wait till the next one!

    • Emily says

      July 20, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      Keep me posted on the details as they’re figured out!

  2. drugs says

    August 30, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    I believe that is one of the most crucial facts to me. And i’m pleased reading through ones document. Nevertheless would like remarks upon several ordinary concerns, The web page design and style is right, the actual reports really is excellent : Deb. Beneficial course of action, regards

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Emily
Spring has finally come to the Berkshires! It has Spring has finally come to the Berkshires!
It has been such a joy to finally spend time outside regularly and see everything in bloom.

I bought myself a bike and, after the initial adjustment of learning how to ride again after a nearly 25 year hiatus, it's become one of my favorite ways to experience the outdoors. (None of these photos was taken while riding. I barely stay upright with both hands on the bike.)
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Last week Brian and I finally got around to hiring Last week Brian and I finally got around to hiring a sitter for a rare night out. We went to dinner at @publicna and took advantage of the opportunity with drinks, appetizers and dessert.

Pictured:
- Citrus Braised Beef Tacos
- "Chicken and Waffles"
- House Fries with Garlic Aioli
- Fried Chickpeas
- Blood Orange Cheesecake
It was no surprise that Public was close to full on a Wednesday night - everything was so good. 

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New year, new theme word! This year's word is "enr New year, new theme word!
This year's word is "enrich" and I'm really excited about it.

I've written more about this year's theme on the blog. Click in the link in my profile or follow the link below to read the post.
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https://www.relishments.com/blog/my-2023-theme-word-enrich/
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#YearlyTheme #MyOneWord #2023 #enrich2023 #NewYearsResolution
It's not New Year's Eve without a Top 9 post. It's It's not New Year's Eve without a Top 9 post.
It's almost all #Berkshires content this year, which is great.
1. A pasta salad reel that took longer to create than the recipe took to make.
2. A reel from North Carolina where I could have watched birds all day.
3. The @thelazygenius book giveaway.
4.@plantconnector 
5. @berkshiremuseum 
6.@sculpture.now at @themountlenox 
7. @massmoca 
8. @mountainviewfarm413 
9. The #AshuwillticookRailTrail
New on the blog: My 2022 reflections on last year' New on the blog: My 2022 reflections on last year's theme word - resume. 

I was able to get back to many activities that were meaningful to me this year and I'm calling this theme a success. Follow the link below or click the link in my profile to read more.
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https://www.relishments.com/blog/reflections-on-resuming-in-2022/
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#resume2022 #newyearsresolution #myoneword #yearlytheme
New on the blog: My Favorite Recipes of 2022. For New on the blog: My Favorite Recipes of 2022.

For the fourth year, I've recapped the best new (to me) recipes I made this year in the hope that they'll give you some new dishes to try. This year's list is short, but delicious. It includes @budgetbytes My Favorite Recipes of 2022
Published on December 30, 2022 By Emily. Updated on December 30, 2022

It’s hard to believe that 2022 is basically behind us. Though overall this year found me getting back to the person I want to be (post-babies and “post”-pandemic), I did not try nearly as many new recipes this year as I used to. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I’d made note of any new-to-me recipes I wanted to share in this post. This year’s list is short, but delicious. It includes recipes from @budgetbytes, @smittenkitchen and @howsweeteats.
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Read the post by visiting the link in my profile or 
https://www.relishments.com/blog/my-favorite-recipes-of-2022/
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#RecipeRoundUp #BestRecipes2022 #FavoriteRecipes
@coastalmainebotanicalgardens continues to be one @coastalmainebotanicalgardens continues to be one of the highlights of all my return trips to Boothbay and their annual Gardens Aglow event continues to impress. It was great to be back to walking the gardens instead of the pandemic drive through and there seemed to be more lights than ever.  I'm already looking forward to next year.
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It has been a while, but there is finally a new CS It has been a while, but there is finally a new CSA menu plan on the blog! Visit the link below or in my profile to see how I plan to make use of some of the @mightyfoodfarm produce seen here.
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Fall in the Berkshires is always incredible, but t Fall in the Berkshires is always incredible, but this year we've had weather that has also been outstanding. The past 2 weekends have included time at Jaeschke Orchards, the Greylock Glen, and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail as well as stopping to photograph any random foliage I see. 
Check out the last slide for video of some feathered friends we saw on a walk.
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