Hello friends! It’s that time of year again! Time to make our Summer Bucket List!
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 lazy days, new hobbies, and lots of beach reads.
Here’s my Summer Bucket List. It’s mellow this year. I hope it inspire fun, rest, care and a few playful intentions for your warm months.
We’re off into another fine summer!
• I mentioned last Sunday that I’m taking my Bakehouse workshops on the road this summer – Mixing work and play and asking you to come back with me! Summer Bucket list number 1: take the Bakehouse show on the road! We’ve almost sold out the entire tour but we’re planning a big weekend of workshops in New Orleans this coming Labor Day weekend so – stay tuned!
• Sew a dress. It’s daunting to me but also incredibly exciting to make time for a new skill. I have two sewing lady inspirations on Instagram: @lizprueitt_tartine (Liz of the incredible Tartine bakery) and @burieddiamond (Martha the cute and clever charm maker). Mom – thanks for showing me the basics. I’m out here trying!
• Work on a big fall writing project! I landed a very exciting writing job that will launch this September! All I have to do is, you know… write words. Several of them in a row many times over.
• Brunch and champagne – on a weekday, please. I have a bad habit of working my way through the weekend so this summer I’m going to sneak weekend moments into an occasional weekday with eggs and champagne, amen.
• It feels so good to be kind. Kindness, unrelenting – in random acts. Because I work from The Bakehouse many days, I keep cold drinks in the fridge for the mailman and FedEx lady – it’s a nice offering on these hot hot New Orleans days. But, there’s so much more kindness to pour out. Find some ideas here if you’re with me!
• Start a polaroid photo book. A few summers ago I bought this little Instax camera and I’ve been taking little picture of my friends and travels ever since. It’s well past time to start a little photo book of all my snaps. I’m not sure what this will look like yet, but I’m imagining a collection of photos and with short notes so I can remember each memory.
• Try a new workout. It feels like it’s time to expand my yoga brain to other ways to move this old body. I’m thinking it’s time to take a dance class where most of my workout will be from laughing at myself.
• Say yes – HAVE FUN! That’s the vibe this summer. Keep it light and restful and embrace the fun! Life is too short to act otherwise.
Let’s make this summer something – starting now!
Want to see Summer Bucket Lists from the past?
Summer Bucket List 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015. I love summer. Gosh I really do.
My love to you!
xo Joy
Briel K.
Just catching up on blog posts so I’m a month late to this one. Regarding the dance class and laughing at yourself I just joined a gym and they have zumba classes. I’ve taken a couple and I’m SO BAD at it. I’m hoping that the more I go the less awkward and out of step I’ll be. It’s hard for me to get the arms and legs moving as they should be. Why can’t I just be naturally coordinated!? haha
I have a Polaroid photo book but I love your idea of adding little notes and stories to the photos! I may have to add that to my to-do list (and then never get around to it… as one does. ;) )
Hope your summer is going beautifully!
Faith Love
I look forward to your bucket lists – your handwriting is so joyful and invitingly lovely!
Samantha
I think I’ll need two summers for all the things I’d love to do, but doesn’t stops me!
Floranet
I think it’s just great!! Incredible work!!
Cynthia
Hey pretty girl, try ballroom dancing…or salsa! So fun!!
Catherine
Any plans to bring the Bakehouse to NYC?? I’d love to see you here!
melissa
If you’re anything like me, when you have to write the words, over and over again, you’ll procrasticlean your house first and organize drawers and shelves that never needed organizing until. Right. Now. :-)
I look forward to reading all those words and all the ones you post here.
Prissy
Joy, I love your Summer bucket list of ideas. I’m going to make sure I have cold drinks for our helpers. We found a house in our desired area and I cannot wait! Cheers to all xoxo
Emma
There’s a podcast I’ve started listening to lately that I think you may really like. It focuses a lot on mental wellness and doing small practices to improve mental health, self-compassion, gratitude, etc and then has a psychologist or neurologist explain why/how those practices work. Each episode is only around 20 minutes long and they’re all so cute, empowering, and inspiring! It’s called The Science of Happiness.
Rox
Emma, not sure people should actually visit that website or enroll. First, the website tends to freeze one’s PC. It also is not a secure website. Creating an account on that site led to my in-box filling with promos. Finally, in reviewing the information that website provides, it’s pretty much cliched and regurgitated pop psych stuff from the last three decades. Of course some of it likely works however some of the side effects of spam and computer glitches may not be very appealing to others.
Ainsley
If your tour takes you to a city with Dance Church (with free time on the right day for a Dance Church), I highly recommend giving it a try! I always leave very sweaty, and very happy.
Michelle
Yesterday a total stranger handed my 6 year old a quarter on his way out of the store as we were walking in. He was smiling, she was smiling, smiles all around. Clearly he knows what you have found to be true-it DOES feel good to be kind.
Caitlin
If you are looking to dance, I recommend looking into Nola Jitterbugs and Dance Quarter–great swing dance teachers in NOLA! You’ll have a blast.
Allison
Amen to say yes and have fun!!!! Sometimes it can be tough with all the faulting that doesn’t stop for summer. I’m gonna take this one seriously and get the most outta these warm lazier days.
Darla
Happy Summer, Joy! We are slowly, but surely getting exterior work done on our forever home. I’m very excited about getting our new gutters (no more water in the basement), having our deck sealed with a gorgeous redwood slight tint. I am a deck sitting, coffee and a tablet full of books kind of girl! Having our girls visit as much as possible; which means making (and eating) good food, lots of laughs and all of the love. And as many family get together sassy possible; planned and spontaneous. It’s going to just be…