Pennsylvania/New Jersey

Good morning from the snowy Pocono Mountains! We’re being hosted this weekend by The Inn at Pocono Manor, and it’s so festive and Christmassy here. They’re all decked out for the holidays, and every view out every window is snow-covered mountains and trees and stone buildings. When we were invited to experience the resort and...

The Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania are known for their many lakes, summer camps, ski lodges, and rustic mountain resorts. I’m blessed to live within a 2-hour drive of this enchanting area that draws visitors from all over the world. The Lodge at Woodloch is a destination spa tucked away in the Poconos that offers a tranquil retreat for those seeking...

A few weeks ago, we took our kids to Pittsburgh for a weekend getaway. My husband’s family is originally from that area, and he went to school out there, so he had been wanting to visit for a while. PNC Park is known to be one of the most beautiful baseball stadiums in the country, and my...

Last Wednesday night, my husband and I got to experience Nightscape — a light and sound experience that made its debut along with the new Beer Garden at Longwood Gardens. With the exception of Christmastime, when the trees throughout the Gardens are decorated with thousands of tiny twinkle lights, the Gardens have always been quiet after dark. With Nightscape, guests can enjoy wandering the Gardens after dark because...

Yes, we’re traveling again. My husband went to college in western Pennsylvania, and his parents grew up in the Pittsburgh area, so he’s been wanting to bring us out here to show us around for years. Recently he got it in his head that he wanted to take our son to a Pirates-Phillies game, so...

We arrived at the Federal Pointe Inn on a chilly Friday afternoon in February and entered through the lobby of what was once the back of a school. We were unsure of what to expect, but we were greeted by a charming hotel that boasts modern amenities while preserving the integrity of the 100-year-old building. It is truly a masterful renovation. We...

Things To Do With Kids is BACK this week with a post from my friend and fellow blogger, Jen, at Making Life Matter. This series is NOT just about things to do with kids in big cities. If you live in an area that you love that has a lot to offer families, feel free...

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a short family vacation in Cape May, New Jersey. Cape May is one of the prettiest towns on the Jersey shore, and it’s definitely one of the quieter beaches. Many families like to stay in Ocean City or Avalon, but I’m quite fond of the Victorian charm you can only...

It’s been a few weeks since we went to Cape May, and we’re already onto our next family vacation, but I don’t want to forget to tell you about it! We had a great time and truly got to relax. This trip was 100% unsponsored family time, and we had a blast. In fact, I...

Earlier this week, we had one last hurrah to celebrate the end of summer. Our family attended the Blogger Beach Bash at the Jersey shore. I’d been looking forward to this trip for weeks. For the past few summers, we haven’t had a chance to get to the beach, and I’ve been anxious to spend...

After discovering the Lake Naomi Club on a press trip last spring, we decided to rent a home in the community and spend a week exploring the Poconos and hanging out with friends. We rented through Lake Naomi Realty, and the experience was super easy. I like how the real estate agent handled all the...

As a member of the social influencer program at Longwood Gardens (a botanical garden that was once the home of Pierre duPont and is now open to visitors year round), I received a family membership for the year. Longwood Gardens has been one of my favorite local attractions ever since I moved to this area 18 years...