BUCKET LIST buck•et 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 sum•mer buck•et list (noun): a list of things that a person would like to accomplish and experience during the summer months. If done correctly, should involve water-guns, pool time, and roller-skates.
Here’s my Summer Bucket List. Let it inspire you to set some playful intentions for your warm months.
1. Brew my own kombucha. I’m going to use this kit, inspired by my maj Tracy.
2. Hang art in my house. Bye-bye blank walls!
3. Work up to running 7 miles. Straight. I’m up to running 3 miles now. Mind over matter.
4. Go to the Hollywood Bowl and picnic.
5. Write a short story. Don’t let it be daunting.
6. Watercolor and zone out at least 1x per week. It feels good good. I’m using this kit and LOVE IT!
7. Visit Tracy in Marin.
8. Buy water-guns. Invite friends. Do.It.Up.
9. Play hooky and sneak into a fancy hotel pool. Maybe a Pina Colada is in order too.
10. Make jelly-filled doughnuts. Obviously.
11. Donate blood. Follow up: don’t pass out.
12. Buy roller-skates. Use them.
13. Write a book about brunch. Rather, keep writing it.
14. Learn to do a yoga headstand. It’s in the core, right?
15. Look up and see lots of stars. Go to a place where that happens and enjoy.
The Summer months feel like a time for happiness and play. Sure, it’s not like work halts or bills can be put on hold, but I hope you find bits of joy and sunshine in your everyday. I’m going to go make some cookies now. They have Oreos in them. Cookies inside of cookies. So help me God.
65 Responses
I love this list! What a great way to make the most out of your summer!
Kari
https://sweetteasweetie.com/sweet-spicy-turkey-tacos/
That water color set has been sitting on my wish list. What journal are using for the water colors? I have do a forearm stand on my list as I hear the headstand is actually stressful on the neck – and yes it is all about the core and faith.
I love your bucket list and I love your handwriting!
I liked your pretty watercolor, and I’m glad you’re making time to have fun!
I love your list! I am making it my goal to blog more, and tackle some decor projects around the house. Oh, and hike a bunch, use my kayak more, and make my preschool summer school tons of fun. :) Happy Summer!
I love your list. The only thing missing is a bubble wand/gun and madlibs (done by some body of water with a picnic for best results).
Enjoy a most excellent summer.
Summertime in the city is the best! I love the roller skates idea…
Love this list! But where will you roller skate in NOLA? When I lived there the sidewalks were to mountainous from all the tree roots popping through and there were so many pot holes- though I guess that does present a fun obstacle course!
Oh hello!
I’m a longtime reader/lurker (emailed you a couple weeks ago about citation on tacos!). Your summer to do list looks eerily like mine- running more three miles, short stories, blood and kombucha are all on mine!
side note: blood and kombucha sounds like an airport novel about a hippie cult.
Happy summer,
Becca
This list is so great. I have seen this on a couple of other blogs and now I feel like I need to do my own or I’ll miss out! I feel ya on the hanging stuff on the wall bit, that’s a tough one for me :)
Hi Joy,
I’m an MFA candidate in creative writing at the University of Alabama. I love your blog a whole lot & sometimes try to live vicariously in New Orleans through your posts. If you finish a short story and you want another set of eyes on it, I’d be happy to give it a read for you!
You’re really kind! Thank you!
It would be my pleasure. My email is maggie.n.smith@gmail.com. Happy writing : )
These are all fantastic ideas! I’m working on my own list and I’m so excited about it!
Laura
https://www.laurahager.blogspot.com
Alright you inspiring lil’deva… this week I have been working on my ability to lay on an air mattress in the pool…. coming along quite nicely, if I do say so myself.. This weekend we will be ar the farmer’s market for blueberries. Tasty. Also fresh cherries in custard, that little french number and I have a date. Thanks Joy! M
this is so lovely!!!!! and your handrwriting is beautiful <3
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
I cannot wait for your brunch book to come out! We have both of your books at home and love them!
Wow, this is such a creative, interesting and ambitious bucket list. Please let us know by end of summer which ones you get to!!
xoxo Emily
https://www.ditchtheheels.com
Your bucket list is so beautiful! It is also inspiring me to make one :) Happy summer, Joy!
Roller skates! I was just talking to my husband yesterday about how we needed to bring back roller skates. This has inspired me to follow through, and recruit others with me!
The Hollywood Bowl is one of my very favorite things about Los Angeles! I’m so glad it’s on your list! If you have the opportunity to attend on a night that they have a fireworks show after the concert take it, it’s gorgeous.
Love this list! I just moved to CA so the Hollywood Bowl and s’mores on the beach are on my list. Pick a day for your “long run” and each week add a mile, you’ll nail 7 miles no problem!
If you are looking for stars, might i suggest the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? Stars, water, forests, hills, its a summer wonderland.
Hi Joy,
I’ve read you for like forever but almost never comment. I remember when you won your first award for a great blog. Today I open my Bloglovin’ app and what do I see? Joy the Baker doing what I do, PAINT. I’m over at JustAddWaterSilly.com. You’ve inspired me for years and I’m so glad to see you flinging both paint and flour around, lol. What could be better than adding color to your recipe journal? Visually stunning. Thanks for the lovely surprise this morning.
Best,
Jenn
your comment made me so happy Jennifer! going to visit your site now!
I just adore your hand-writing and you’ve inspired me to buy some watercolors!
I love your bucket list. Even the more simplistic things matter!
I’m confused. Did you move back to Southern California, or are you still in New Orleans?
Still in New Orleans!
nice to hear your thoughts….i, for one, miss your personal writings- a lot!
Love numberes 8 & 12 – unleash your inner child that’s what i say! Great list x
This is such a lovely idea, I’m going to try it!
Roller skates terrify me, but I can take on all three of my kids in a water balloon fight, so you’d want me on your team.
My hub Dan has donated blood 22 times. They love him almost as much as I do.
#13, YAAAAAAY. Can’t wait.
Happy Summer, Joy.
Seems like a great list!
Have fun fulfilling it.
Mine is simple. Have a good move to France. We leave Los Angeles for the Dordogne on Sunday. Exciting!!!
Your handwriting is gorgeous! Great list!
https://laurenslittleblogs.blogspot.co.uk/
I want to write a short story so badly. I have some crazy dreams haha!
Yeah!!!!! I love bucket lists, why? Because I’ve already passed fifty so I need to finish it. Yours looks great. I already have two tattoos, have written children stories and just sent three of them to a publisher in England. Wrote Poetry and now would love to knife palette paint if I can find a teacher nearby. Joy as you get older the bucket list gets bigger and then the fun really begins. Keep going girl. Have a good week. Paulette
if you’re looking for some friends in New Orleans to help with the running goal, there are a lot of running groups at local stores in town. I go to Louisiana running company and I know varsity sports and southern runner also have groups!
Fun list! This inspires me. I need to make one of these lists! Making kombucha might be on mine as well… I can never really get enough of it!
Happy Summer!
xx Lane
I love this list! Creativity and fun are what the summer months are all about.
What a lovely post, this has inspired me to make my own bucket list. I really love the yoga headstand one. You’re right, it really is all about the core. I love yoga inversions because they just make you feel so good later. I recommend getting in person advice from a trained yoga instructor on the headstand. They can make sure to give you guidance so that you don’t hurt yourself and to give you other moves to help strengthen your weaknesses with a headstand. I know you can watch videos online of headstands but they just aren’t the same. Also turning your neck in poses trying to see the screen can lead to injuries. (Sorry for the lecturing mom comment -_-)
A book on brunch?! YES PLS! ASAP!
Nice list, number 15 especially, stars, yes yes yes!
You’ve completely inspired me!! Water guns are sooooo happening!
I also would like to know about the watercolor kit. That is on my bucket list. To paint!
On the running — you totally, absolutely can do it, Joy! This coming from a girl who could barely and miserably run a mile to a (happy) marathoner :)
Also, your watercolor is absolutely gorgeous. You are always an inspiration. xo
Oh, I love this idea! How great. I especially love your idea to write a short story. And to see stars. Very inspirational. Made me smile :)
http://www.adventurousappetite.com
I love that you sneaked in writing a book on brunch. Teaser?
Good luck on your list. Sounds like a fun and inspiring summer! Most of my bucket list includes eating!!
Great list, I have practiced yoga for over 25 years and still can’t do a headstand. It is on my list to do as well, crow= easy-peasy, but headstand= overcoming fear! I just started taking rowing lessons in an 8 man shell and it is a blast. I would highly recommend for a summer bucket list!
I love how creativity plays a big role in your list. Usually that’s the first to go when I get busy! Our summer bucket list includes eating 3 things on a stick (thanks to my 7-year-old) and going to the botanical garden.
That’s so great that you added “donate blood” to your bucket list! I work in a blood center and it’s so hard to get donors in the summer months as everybody is out having fun instead of thinking of saving lives. Kudos to you!!
I’m liking this list, especially the jelly-filled doughnuts. ;). You’ve inspired me once again Joy, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reminding me I want a pair of those cardiff roller skates! Nice list…not so much the running and yoga tho. Walk 7 miles sure. Yoga…nevaaaaaaaaaaaa! lol. Thanks for sharing!
love this! handstand was my new years resolution…thanks for the reminder to get going on it
P.S. I made your “World’s Best Chocolate Frosting” for our Father’s Day cake and it IS the best! Thank you.
I’m going to be a copy-cat and make a summer bucket list too! What a great idea and so true, summer is for fun…even if you still have to work and the bills do still come!
Happy summer!
xo,
Karen
LOVE your summer list picks!! The running thing you can for sure do. I started running three summers ago and quicker than expected worked up form literally a half mile to 5 miles really fast. Occasionally I’ll do 6 or 7, but 5 is my magic number. Good luck!!
XX
best bucket list!!!
Looks like a fabulous list, lots of fun to be had!
You CAN do a yoga headstand, it is a lot of core…start practicing on a wall, you will get there in no time!
Nice list! have a wonderful summer!
I love your bucket list, Joy, especially the one about playing hooky and sneaking into the hotel pool. You can’t miss that one! I hope you get the chance to do all of these!
Your handwriting is so nice! Also I would definitely buy your brunch book.
I love everything on your bucket list, especially water guns :)
I need to make one of my own, super quickly! I hope you can tick off everything on yours this year :)
may I ask what watercolour kit this is on the photo? xx