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
Cait
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.
Aeshna
Joy, how about bringing the JTB and Shutterbean podcast back as part of the 2017 bucket list :D
Katie
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.
Nichole
Girl. You must, must go to Sister Pie while in Detroit. I truly feel like you would love it!
AuntieCam
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.
Caitlin
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!).
joythebaker
I like the way you think!
Elizabeth
Short Bike Rides in Northern New England is a well-researched and excellent book!
Rachel
This is really inspiring, thank you
Renee Di Pietro
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..
Samantha
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.
lee
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.
lee
One more…Ray’s Ice Cream, in Royal Oak. Homemade ice cream, served in an old-fashioned parlor.
Kate
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.
Allie
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!
joythebaker
Thank you Allie! Cheers to you too!
AJ
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!
Anita
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.