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 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 sand in your shoes, cold wine, and sidewalk chalk.
1 • 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 • Play with calligraphy using some online courses and the pens and books from my maj Tracy! Game up that handwriting game!
3 • 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 • 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 • Go on a bike adventure. Can it be in Maine or Vermont? Can dreams come true?
6 • 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 • Love, openly and relentlessly. Because life is short and life is long.
8 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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
Sarah Heaton
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.
Heidi
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.
Janine MacLachlan
Road trip to Detroit! A few years back I wrote a book about farmers markets and fell back in love with Detroi!
Libby
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
joythebaker
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.
suvi
don’t forget that it was a JAZZ-LOVING ghost ax murderer. What the what?? okay byeee.
joythebaker
HAHAHA.
Christine S
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.
myimpkitchen
When I grow up, I think I want to be you. What a wonderful list! I’m inspired to make my own!
Monica
I have the same thoughts with you :D
Taste of France
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).
Valentina
Your Detroit trip should *absolutely* involve exploring some Michigan lakes. This state is pretty underrated and absolutely gorgeous — go explore!
joythebaker
Oh good good, I love this thought- Thank You!
Robyn
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!!!
Chrissy
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!
joythebaker
Yes, absolutely! Vermont in the Fall would be incredible, wouldn’t it?
rebecca
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.
Jenn
Vermont in the fall near the KAF headquarters… that would be perfect :-)
Kristin
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
joythebaker
I really do appreciate you!
Michele Munkarah
Looks like a great list! Yes, u need a dog ?. Dogs are pure love. Detroit is good. Come for a visit
Vix
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!
Leslie
Yes to Detroit!! Our food/drink scene is pretty fantastic! Anticipate the bad drivers and terrible roads and you won’t be too shocked ;)
joythebaker
Bad drivers and roads in New Orleans too so I’ll feel right at home!
Judee@gluten free A-Z Blog
I love this idea of a bucket list just for this year, just for this summer! That seems so do-able!! Thanks..
Rena
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
Sid
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?
teachersu45
Yes. LOL