10 Things on My Summer Bucket List

Summer, without a doubt, is my favorite season.  Though I love everything pumpkin flavored that comes with fall, I just can’t get enough of being outside in the sunshine!

The freedom and ability to not have to worry about what I’m going to wear, how many layers are appropriate to make the trek to the car, or how early I need to get up in order to allow plenty of time to chip off the layer of ice on my windshield is fan-freakin-tastic!

In honor of the sun tans and everything smelling like sunscreen, I’ve collected some of my favorite things about summer and compiled them to create the 10 things on my Summer Bucket List!

Oh and a hint, if you read to the end, you’ll be rewarded with a great freebie to create your own!

In the last couple of years farmer’s markets having been taking off in my small town.  Local farmers and artisans are coming together to show off their wares and homemade goods.  I have always enjoyed supporting local businesses and this is one of my favorite ways to do it.

I know, I know, yard sales aren’t for everyone…but as someone who has furnished their entire two bedroom townhouse with hand-me-downs, they’re totally worthwhile.  If you do it right, you can usually find some great pieces that with a little TLC and at a fraction of the cost, can turn out better than any store-bought item.

During the cold weather months it’s easy to sit down with a good book because nobody wants to go out and clean the walks for the tenth time, but during the summer, it’s easy to get caught up in checking out everyone’s vacay pics on your favorite social media hangouts.  I want to set aside some time, to intentially turn off my connection to the web, open a book, experience it from cover to cover, and when I’m done with that one, find another!

The freedom of weekends is blissful!  So some weekend this summer, I hope to grab a bag, fill it only with the essentials and head down the road towards some great adventure.  Maybe it’s heading to Amish country or to visit some favorite landmarks nearby.  Wherever the destination, I’ll enjoy every minute!

When the weather was cold and dismal, I craved the opportunity to go outside and take a walk, the ability to feel the wind on my face (without worrying about frostbite), and the opportunity to get some exercise while enjoying the sites and sounds of nature.  Now that the warmer weather is here, I hope not to make excuses that it’s too hot or that I have something better to do, but rather go out and enjoy the peaceful time that is summer.

Have you ever seen the Milky Way?  No, I’m not talking about the candy bar!  If you haven’t witnessed the expanse of a star-filled sky, then take that road trip and head out somewhere where man-made lights won’t touch you.  Bring along a blanket and get ready for a real treat.  I can’t get enough of the beauty of God’s creation in this way!  I also enjoy showing off my geekiness by using my star-gazing app that allows me to learn about all that is up there.

There’s no rule book that says that people past a certain age are not allowed to get messy.  Sometimes I’ve just gotta get a little dirt under my fingernails, or find myself dripping wet from head to toe.  Sprinklers or puddles; mud pies or digging in the garden…I’m such a tomboy!

I’m pretty excited about consuming copious amounts of watermelon this summer!  It’s one of my favorite fruits and there’s just nothing like it when you’ve spent the day soaking up the sun.  I may even try this fun take on watermelon and make slices into popsicles for a great poolside treat!

With the heat, swimming is always a great way to cool off, but it’s also a great way to have fun as a family, to relax with friends or to work on changing your pastey whiteness to something more colorful (mine is usually a great shade of lobster).  Swimming can also be a great form of exercise and even if I can’t do much more than a graceful doggie paddle, I can still get a great workout in the water.

As a nation, we’re always focused on what’s ahead.  The next hurdle to clear, the next big event or milestone.  And though there’s nothing wrong about being excited for the future, what I need to remember is to be excited about the here and now!  Instead of looking forward to football season starting, I want to enjoy some little league games or playing cornhole in the back yard.

Living in the moment is a much more rewarding and fulfilling way to spend time here on this chunk of rock.  And I’m learning to be thankful for whatever season my life is in, the lessons I’m learning and, the memories I’m taking away from it all.