Today, on this fine bonus Sunday, let’s meditate on the shape of our summer. What sort of adventures do you want to add to the middle of your year? Follow up question: can there be chili cheese dogs involved because that would be GREAT.
I’ve written a Summer Bucket List for the past two years (2015 and 2016), inspired in part by my best friend Tracy. It’s a fun way to pause, re-evaluate the year, and inject some adventure into the warm days to come. Here’s this year’s list. I hope you’ll fashion yours and get out into the world all wide-eyed and thrilled (wearing sunscreen, of course). These are good days, indeed!
BUCKET LIST buckโขet list (noun): a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have accomplished during their lifetime. Also, a 2007 comedic film featuring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.
SUMMER BUCKET LIST sumโขmer buckโขet list (noun): a list of things that a person would like to accomplish and experience during the summer months. If done correctly, should involve sand in your shoes, cold wine, and sidewalk chalk.
1 โข Buy a piano and start piano lessons. I have my eye on a piano and I have some old jazz in my fingers from taking lessons as a child. I think it’s time to bang around and fill my house with music. It’ll be bad for a while and that’s ok.
2 โข Play with calligraphy using some online courses and the pens and books from my maj Tracy! Game up that handwriting game!
3 โข Garden – in the early mornings before the sun beats and the mosquitos wake. Also… talk to the fig tree about becoming more of a tree and less of a bush, I dunno.
4 โข Finish Book 4 proposal. Ooooh good grief those words. We’ve been down this road but always it looks and feels different and unpaved. Still though. Look around and write it down.
5 โข Go on a bike adventure. Can it be in Maine or Vermont? Can dreams come true?
6 โข Read: In Other Words by one of my very favorite authors Jhumpa Lahiri. It’s a books written side-by-side in English and Italian as the author learns to express herself in a different language.
7 โข Love, openly and relentlessly. Because life is short and life is long.
8 โข Stay sexy; don’t get murdered. That goes without saying everyday, right? Are you a murderino, too? Mostly this means going for steamy New Orleans runs while listening to My Favorite Murder (in the daytime).
9 โข Shelter volunteer, walk some dogs! I’ve been talking to Tron (that’s my cat) about us getting a dog. He’s curious but very skeptical. I’m going to walk some pups to help out and feel out my true doggie intentions.
10 โข Put together Fall Bakehouse Schedule! We’re making more pies and cakes this Fall, y’all!! I’ll have a schedule for you soon so you can plan a New Orleans getaway if you’d like to come down!
11 โข Plan a solo travel adventure. I’m looking at you, Detroit.
What’s on your Summer Bucket List? I would love to know what you’re hoping for this year.
I think you’re wonderful. Enjoy this fine day and the happy summer days ahead.
xo Joy
92 Responses
Madam, what planner are you using there, might I inquire..?? Here’s the deal, these new hipster “Passion Planners” (www.passionplanner.com) have recently come to my attention. The quest for the perfect planner is on! Help.
Detroit is great! I just went there and posted a few (mainly food) places I was able to check out.
> Finish Book 4 proposal.
This is exciting! Can’t wait to see what it will be about.
One you get to Detroit, come across the river to Canada. The
US dollar goes far here. And we speak English.
I hear ya!
Loved reading your summer bucket list, so much fun! If you are looking for a fun bike adventure in Maine, I stumbled across this company…Farm Fork Fondo…they do bike rides in the country side and then stop to meet different farmers and get some homemade grub. Was thinking of signing up for a ride later this summer, definitely check it out! Thanks for sharing your list :)
xoxo Nicole
Please come to Detroit Joy – I’m a pretty chill chick and I promise to give you a list of all the great speak easy’s and places to eat. And if you need a co-pilot I’m sure I can find one or two for you
Do it all! Some may require overlapping into Fall – sounds lovely. As usual, you’re inspiring, Joy!
Would love if you came to Detroit! I think you would enjoy a visit to Motown. Lots to do and see and eat and drink here in the D!
Happy Summer 2017!
What a great bucket list! We are currently working on our family summer bucket list and so far we have “catch fireflies, eat 100 s’mores, and train for a 5k”. I hope you do come to Detroit, we love it here! Truth about the crazy-bad roads. Great food and energy and revival, though! Check out the Detroit Institute of Arts – some serious hidden gem art pieces in there.
I will I will! And enjoy your family summer! xo
Come on up to Bar Harbor, ME! Miles of carriage road to bike on, plus safe highway along the coast, and yummy things to eat all the way from Portland.
Joy, how about bringing the JTB and Shutterbean podcast back as part of the 2017 bucket list :D
Firstly, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INTRODUCING ME TO MFM! I absolutely love it! And also, if you are going to do a bike trip in Maine, a fun day trip is acadia national park. Start the day by biking the carriage trails, then end up at Jordan pond tea house to have some lemonade and popovers. There are plenty of scenic overlooks and beaches to stop at along the way. A good end of day activity that is super fun is hiking to the top of Cadillac mountain to see the sunset.
Girl. You must, must go to Sister Pie while in Detroit. I truly feel like you would love it!
What is this book that you wrote these in? Getting out my markers to make my own list. . .hope you come to Austin again. I saw you a few years ago at book people. I wish I had stayed for a bookmark.
Just got back from driving the Maine coast and there are tons of bicyclists–I recommend it!!
Also, my sis-in-law is a vet at the LSPCA on the West bank–they have a gorgeous facility and sweet pups. I recommend crossing the bridge (and then go to the Hong Kong market and/or the Westwego shrimp lot while you’re over there!).
I like the way you think!
Short Bike Rides in Northern New England is a well-researched and excellent book!
This is really inspiring, thank you
Beautiful list. I look forward to your summer adventures, Joy! <3
I am living for the week where I will be visiting Greece with a good friend this summer..
1. Actually get my house clean for once.
2. Finish a parenting book before baby #2 gets here.
3. Make ice cream! At least once or twice.
4. Teach Baby #1 to swim, or at least put some time into trying, lol.
Yes to Detroit! I’ve lived in the area for just over three years now, and I wish more people recognized what an awesome place the city and its suburbs can be. Astoria Pastry Shop is awesome; and if you’re willing to drive out of the city a little bit, there is this totally delightful little neighborhood bakery, Natalie’s Bakery, that is just perfection. Belle Isle is gorgeous…Eastern Market is a must…okay, I’ll stop there. But yes – come visit the Mitten.
One more…Ray’s Ice Cream, in Royal Oak. Homemade ice cream, served in an old-fashioned parlor.
Detroit! Hometown. Slows BBQ for amazing food and whiskey, next door is a speakeasy which routinely changes names but keeps absinthe behind the bar. If you’re adventurous and have some friends nearby, reserve a lane for featherbowling at Cadieux Cafe; dive bar with surprisingly fantastic food.
So excited to see #1 on your list! I recently started taking piano lessons and am enjoying it so much! So fun to do something creative for yourself and stretch your brain. Creating music is good for the soul, even if it’s basic at first. You’re in store for a lovely summer. Cheers!
Thank you Allie! Cheers to you too!
Two words: Sister Pie! Also, while in Detroit, make the trip to Shatila in Dearborn for the best baklava in America and stop by Al Ameer for knock your socks off Lebanese cuisine!
You’ve got a fun list there! I love the idea of a summer bucket list. For mine I’ve got plans to try a rock climbing gym, visit some “touristy” sights I haven’t seen in my city, and host a dinner party.
This is amazing. Actually loling at “stay sexy; don’t get murdered.” The best advice I’ve received in a while. Get after it girl!
Stay sexy & don’t get murdered!! I didn’t know you were a murderino too! It figures that you’d be even cooler than I thought! <3
MFM gets me through all of my long solo road trips and commutes! It’s also inspired my new opening party line of “soooo, what’s your hometown murder?!”. Oddly enough, doesn’t always go over too well with strangers.
Detroit is phenomenal. Avalon Bakery, Astro Coffee, Orleans and Winder (and all of Eastern Market in general).
YAY a dog! As a mother of three (two cats, one dog), just be sure you test the waters with Tron. I too have a “strong willed” cat in my life, and she took some time to warm up to the pup. Even lost a lot of hair (stress?!) But they are amicable now. NOT like sleep-on-top-of-each-other-doey-eyed goodness I had hoped for, but the hair grew back and everyone is relatively chill.
Great bucket list–you have probably already been to Louisville, but we’re still here, killin’ it every summer. Stop by on your way north!
Very good advice, thank you!
Yay! I always love your bucket lists!! Definitely move forward with those dog thoughts. ;).
I started piano lessons for the first time in January and I absolutely love it. Such a fun challenge. Could you do a post with tips on solo travelling? It’s something I’ve always struggled with, but I’d like to learn to enjoy it instead of being self-conscious…
Happy to hear you’re working on the Bakehouse fall schedule!
Number 7 is my favourite. It can be terrifying but oh so worth it! Be happy x
Going to your Bakehouse is on my bucket list, can’t wait to see your schedule!!!
If you go to Detroit this summer you should go during the weekend of July 23 (my birthday!) and stop in Ann Arbor for the art fair! It’s an award-winning art fair (actually 4) that draws in huge crowds, artists from all around the country and a lot to see and do (performances, live demonstrations, etc)! Also the food scene in Ann Arbor is top notch (it was just written about in both the NYT and the Washington Post)! https://www.artfair.org/
Yes to bucket lists and facing down all the scary things! Re #5: My husband and I went on a bike trip for our 1st anni in 1995 (holy crap, such a long time ago). We were serious cyclists in SoCal and trained a bit for it. Used Vermont Bicycle Tours and had one of the best trips of our lives. Go for it.
I am irrationally excited that one of my favourite bloggers is also a murderino.
p.s. Call your Dad you’re in a cult
p.p.s. Get a job, buy your own shit and stay out of the forest!
100% stay out of the forest… my god, right!?
For calligraphy tutorials, try out The Postman’s Knock! She’s great! And they’re super inexpensive :)
Wonderful! Thank you!
Love your blog. I share your recipes on my newsletter. I always link to you. I own a gallery on Lake Michigan (west side of the state) and am a potter. If you visit Detroit, you need to visit the west side to see the differences. Grand Haven is great in the summer time.
Thank you for the suggestion!
If whatever you say to your fig-bush-not-tree works, please let me know! I have one in my new yard that is distinctly bushy.
You’ve inspired me to write a winter bucket list. It’s just starting to get cold and rainy here in Melbourne, and I love it! I’m thinking baking pies, regular yoga and learning a new mulled wine recipe. SSDGM!
Detroit! Yessss!
Detroit must is Townhouse, one of the coolest restaurants we’ve ever eaten in. And go for brunch for chicken and waffles. My husband says it’s one of the best things he’s ever eaten. And if you have time , Ann Arbor is an amazing town 40 mins from Detroit ! (Born and raised in Detroit loving AA now :) )
Love your list. Yes, to detroit! Make sure to hit up bon bon bon and sister pie! I think you’d love both. So many good food places. Also belle isle is a must!
#7 so simple, but so important! Love looking at your creative bucket list! ~
Just a quick note to share that I find your writing entertaining, your food delicious (much too “small” of a word) and the community (via the commenters) warm and delightful. Thank you — all of you! — for brightening my inbox…especially Sunday’s. All email should be as enjoyable.
Huge kitchen remodel/expansion. You could teach some classes here in Portland, OR starting Spring ’18. Think about it!
There’s a lot to love in Detroit (although it is changing quickly in ways that are both good and bad)! Highly recommend a visit to Sister Pie and Rosie’s Fine Foods, as well as connecting with Bandhu Gardens. The edges of Detroit have been the home to many Bangladeshi folks for a long time, and Emily and Minara at Bandhu Gardens do a lot of work to connect the truly superb gardening talents of Bangladeshi women in the community to local restaurant accounts. If you have a car, hopping to Dearborn to visit Al-Ameer will be a decision you will not regret. Dearborn is home to one of the largest (and oldest) Arab American communities in the United States.
You could foster a dog this summer to take a test drive! Most shelters are trying to get their animals into home environments, even for a little while. It’s a great way to see how life would be with a dog, and if you fall in love you can adopt!
i’ve been wanting to go to detroit ever since i read detroit hustle a few months ago! it’s definitely worth a read if you haven’t done so already.
I’m going to try my voice out to become a voice over actor next month and I am tiptoeing over to the learn-how-to-ride a –motorcycle part of town, but not sure if I have enough courage yet…thanks for your bucket list ideas :)
New Hampshire is great for hiking and biking adventures, too!!!
Joy! If you end up in Vermont for this biking adventure, I would love to join you! I’ll be in Middlebury, VT, 45 minutes from Burlington and would be psyched to meet (up with) you! I’m @frenkilstein on Twitter and IG if you want to get in touch. xx
Bike adventure in Vermont…DO IT!! Husband and I camped and rode bikes through Vermont state parks in July 2016. Highly recommend. Simultaneously invigorating and relaxing :D :D
Oh gosh, please come to Detroit! Michigan is a dang special place-full of beautiful views, incredible views, and lovely people (if I may say so myself-a Michigander). What a treasure she is!
Oop, that second view should say “people”. Holiday brain!
OMG! It should say “food”! I clearly need another pot of coffee-or a nap.
1. Please have a bakehouse thing Between September 22-24. That would be great!
2. Go to Detroit. It is amazing. And eat Supinos Pizza while there. And go to Pewabic Pottery.
Joy you must go to Avalon Bakery in Detroit. Michigan is my hometown and Avalon is delicious and has a great story of how they started in a bad area to help bring the area back.
Road trip to Detroit! A few years back I wrote a book about farmers markets and fell back in love with Detroi!
Staying sexy and not getting murdered is the key to a successful summer! I sometimes think about the New Orleans axe murderer episode and how some people thought that he was a ghost or invisible and I think to myself, “man, I sure hope Joy doesn’t get murdered by the invisible axe murderer.”
Though… if you HAVE to get axe murdered… it would be kind of cool to tell people in Heaven that it was at the hands of an invisible.
This went to the weirdest place.
SSDGM
Oh my goodness I listened to that episode too like… wait WHAT? Oh New Orleans. I do my best everyday to not get murdered and I need a keen eye out for flying axes just in case.
don’t forget that it was a JAZZ-LOVING ghost ax murderer. What the what?? okay byeee.
HAHAHA.
The Lahiri book was interesting- quite slow and boring on one level, but also so beautiful and intriguing on the other. Only she can be capable of such juxtaposition in such a tiny volume.
When I grow up, I think I want to be you. What a wonderful list! I’m inspired to make my own!
I have the same thoughts with you :D
Playing piano is such a pleasure for ourselves and for others. I’ve forced my kid to take lessons since age 5 and now I have a real jazz musician in the house. A real piano is so much nicer than an electronic keyboard, too (we started with a keyboard and eventually bought a used piano).
Your Detroit trip should *absolutely* involve exploring some Michigan lakes. This state is pretty underrated and absolutely gorgeous — go explore!
Oh good good, I love this thought- Thank You!
I’m most excited about #10 on your list this year. I always wished I went to the retreat you and Tracy did in Palm Springs back during the Homefries hey day!!!
Biking through New England is on my bucket list too! But, more of a life bucket list, preferably happening in the fall. If you do it, do share your stories! Good luck with you and your list- may you cross all of it off!
Yes, absolutely! Vermont in the Fall would be incredible, wouldn’t it?
Fall in Vermont is amazing. I’ve lived here for 7 years and it still takes my breath away. Summer is lovely too, but if you can come in the fall, I’d highly recommend it. IMO, the best foliage is in Smuggler’s Notch and Lake Elmore.
Vermont in the fall near the KAF headquarters… that would be perfect :-)
JOY! Great bucket list- you’ve inspired me to write one too. I vote Maine for your bike adventure (I live here & LOVE it) and also vote in the affirmative for a rescue puppy. Nothing as lovely as puppy adventures & love. If you find yourself in Maine, you always have a place to stay with me & your zillions of other followers. <3
I really do appreciate you!
Looks like a great list! Yes, u need a dog ?. Dogs are pure love. Detroit is good. Come for a visit
Detroit?!?! YES PLEASE! Such a revival going on here! So much good food, Michigan summers are FABULOUS, and it’s pretty easy on the pocketbook. :) The rest of your Bucket List also looks fabulous…maybe that’s what I’ll do today!
Yes to Detroit!! Our food/drink scene is pretty fantastic! Anticipate the bad drivers and terrible roads and you won’t be too shocked ;)
Bad drivers and roads in New Orleans too so I’ll feel right at home!
I love this idea of a bucket list just for this year, just for this summer! That seems so do-able!! Thanks..
You have amazing things on your bucket list! And travelling alone is always an experience – I know :)
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
I don’t know. I’ve already travelled to South America this year, and run a marathon in under 4 hours. Can’t I just spend the rest of the year being lazy?
Yes. LOL