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Summer Bucket List, 2021

June 30, 2021 by Joy the Baker 11 Comments

I’m a little behind schedule this year but friends, the Summer Bucket List is HERE!  Just in time for a 4th of July weekend camping trip (don’t be too jealous, I’ll be in the Louisiana rain) and an attitude that’s eased into the heat and humidity.  

This marks the sixth summer I’ve shared my summer list with you and the first list mostly post pandemic so –  let’s really go for it.  By “go for it” I mean get out of the dang house and enjoy it all the way.  

If you need a little reminder about how to live the very best summer, here’s a refresh. I would LOVE for you to create your own and bucket list share it with me on Instagram. I’m committed to living this summer all the way (and focusing hard on some housekeeping growth and opportunities on Joy the Baker). We’re doing it all! 

How To Make A 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 water-guns, pool time, and roller-skates.  

This summer I hope to: 

•  Cook as much as I can outside over fire.  This weekend I’m taking these Mediterranean Salmon Parcels camping and cooking them in the fire. I’m also going to try cooking a chuck roast in this Lodge cast iron if the rain doesn’t come down too hard. 

•  Make mango and coconut popsicles. The kind with toasted flaked coconut inside. I don’t have a recipe yet but I do have a carving. 

•  Surf in Mexico (and eat everything). I’m headed to Mexico at the end of July with two girlfriends who also turn 40 this year.  I’m signed up for a surf lesson and listen… if I get in the water with a surf board under my arm I’m going to call it a success. Surfing is tricky and I’ll keep my expectations nice and low. Vacation is no time to be hard on yourself. It is a time to try something new and eat everything delicious. 

•  Motorcycle Road Trip with Will. Praying to the hurricane gods in the gulf and the wildfire gods in California that they go easy on us as we hope for an August road trip across the country? Will I melt? Yes. 

•  Work up to a 10 mile run.  I can push myself to five miles and I’m hoping to push through the mental roadblocks and get to ten good miles. 

•  Learn how to drive a motorcycle.  By that I mean stop stalling it and maybe have the guts to move from first to second gear. 

•  Make clay earrings.  I want to start this craft now for my holiday gifts. I’m scouring the Internet for tutorials and there is loads of inspiration.  I love this simple tutorial to start and have this clay on order. 

•  Love, big, everything. A blessing, don’t you think? 

Take a peek at Bucket Lists from the past: 

2020’s bucket list.

Summer Bucker List, 2019

2018’s List // 2017 (I love got the piano) //  2016  // 2015

I hope this brings some light and inspiration to your day and to your summer! 

My love to you.

xo Joy

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  1. Pooja

    July 9, 2021 at 6:02 pm

    Love this list. I promised myself i would go and learn to surf before I turned 45 but then COVID happened. You are inspiring me to try and get it in before next year!

    Reply
  2. Rebecca

    July 5, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    I really need to start writing up a list now that things are starting to open. I’m also 40 this year and I’m not ready and feel I just wasted a year of my life, which I did and now it’s hitting me.

    Reply
  3. JupiterColdwater

    July 3, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    Sounds like a lovely summer to meeeeee. Mine is as follows:

    Finally participate in our community’s farmer’s market.

    Finish 3 paintings.

    Paint and finish the bathroom reno.

    Go swimming with our GSD.

    Craft my first ever batch of hot sauce.

    Go spend “me time” at the cabin, no social media, no texting.

    Focus on my gratitude, positivity, and being present “work”.

    Love your posts Joy, you’re stellar.

    Reply
  4. Jen

    July 1, 2021 at 7:36 am

    Yay 10 miles! Go Joy!! I remember when I first ran 10 miles, double digits really is a milestone. And now 15+ years later, its still a benchmark, i.e., I feel like as long as I can do 10miles on the weekends, I’m in decent running shape. On the other hand, don’t be too hard on yourself because summer running really is a beast of its own! If it doesn’t happen this summer, then fall will be the perfect time. Have a great summer!

    Reply
  5. Lesley

    June 30, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    Thanks Joy for a reminder to capture these precious summer months with some intention, and to get out there and try new things! I turned 40 this year too and so far, it’s feeling pretty good! Wishing you a great summer from over here in Canada :)

    Reply
  6. Sina

    June 30, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    Dear Joy,
    there is something that’s been bothering me this past weeks: the phrase “post pandemic” appeared several times on your blog and it always threw me off. The thing is: we are not “post” the pandemic, not anywhere close to it. Maybe some people already got a vaccine – thank God! Maybe some countries or districts may be able to open back up, but the world at large is nowhere near “post” pandemic. We only have to look at India or Africa to get an idea what’s going on. All the vaccination efforts in some parts of the world are for naught if the virus gets the opportunity to mutate in so many populations.
    Over here in Europe we are seeing an alarmingly infectious variant acting up, despite all the efforts in vaccination and we are seeing rising cases again. It is really hard for me to read about “post pandemic” anything right now, and I would very much appreciate a more careful wording. Please enjoy all the summer things – but please consider that so many people in the whole world are severely struggeling and still getting sick every day.

    Reply
  7. Molly

    June 30, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    Motorcycles and surfing. You are kicka$$! Cooking over a fire sounds fun. I’m adding that to my list! Have SO MUCH FUN on your trips!

    Reply
  8. Brook

    June 30, 2021 at 10:45 am

    So random but I just love the colors of that little jar of candies. Yay for Summer <3

    Reply
  9. Brookes

    June 30, 2021 at 9:04 am

    Have you tried zombies run? Using that I eased myself up from about 5 miles to regularly doing its half marathon training program and cyclically doing half marathons (even did one while 5 months pregnant!) Its fun to listen to the story!

    Reply
  10. Crystal

    June 30, 2021 at 7:28 am

    My youngest daughter and I did ours and we are on the same page. Water balloon fight, park crawls, supper picnics at the beach, bike rides through the forest trails and making popsicles are the musts. It would be an understatement to say I like running. I really, really, really like running. I’m so excited you like it too! I added 1 mile to my long run every week and it got me all the way to running marathons. God Speed!

    Reply
  11. Abby

    June 30, 2021 at 7:27 am

    I’m not sure the rules on motorcycle endorsements in your state, but if you can find a motorcycle class geared toward endorsement/testing, I really recommend trying that out! I was terrified of my bike initially but a 3 day (3 hour per day) class really helped me conquer my fear of getting above 20mph and my ineptitude with turning right.

    Reply

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1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed⁣
1 large egg yolk⁣
A splash of vanilla extract⁣
1/4 cup peanut butter⁣
1/2 cup all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend⁣
1/4 teaspoon baking soda⁣
1/4 teaspoon salt⁣
Coarse sugar and/or sea salt for sprinkling, optional⁣
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I’m a medium bowl, whisk together warm melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Add the peanut butter and mix to combine. ⁣
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Add the dry ingredients and use a spatula to fold all the ingredients together. Divide in two big portions (or four smaller portions) onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with sugar and salt if you’d like. ⁣
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