It’s summer bucket list time. A trend started by my dear friend, Joy. Who always knows exactly what to do, say, and/or bake. So, I’ll follow her lead and do another summer bucket list and share it with you all. Intended for you to hold me accountable? Maybe? Or maybe it’s just an inspiration for you to make one of your own. It’s amazing what you can squeeze out of a summer when you step out, white legged, and with full intention.
I’m giving you permission, and myself for that matter, to fail at some of these. We must hold them tight, we must hold them loose, so that we can still be open for what the universe might throw at us. “Drop everything, I’m learning how to hacky sack” kind of spirit. We have to leave some room, some blank space. Sometimes what we need is that blank space, to sit and stare at the tree blowing in the back yard. To step out, sans bra, every morning to water the dahlias.
You don’t need my permission but I’m giving it to you anyway – you don’t have to have the perfectly manicured toes to have a great summer. Or a thing called a “summer body” as if your winter body and fall body aren’t just new versions of the old model. We aren’t ornamental. We are people, and we deserve to soak up every last ounce of these hot months. Regardless of our weight, regardless of our toes. You just need an imagination, a pen, a paper, and a list. Write it all down. Say it out loud.
Let’s summer.
Summer Bucket List 2021
1. Golf a lot.
I put it first for a reason. I want to get back into the game. I’ve already bought a new-to-me set. The other one was lost in a move at some point. New bag. New irons. New driver. New putter. A fresh clean box of “ladies” Callaway balls. We’ve already hit the driving range to get back into the groove, but the goal is to get into 18-hole shape by the end of summer. Even if we only just play 9. The point is … we COULD play 18.
2. Half day Fridays.
This one is a continuation of the last three summer bucket lists. My one addendum is, if it can be a whole Friday off, it should be. Either way, I won’t be working past 1:00PM PDT on any given Friday this year. Let it be so.
3. Discover the perfect pizza dough.
We have a little pizza oven now. An OONI. And we’ve got to say, It’s amazing. We’re still learning and ironing out the kinks, but I’d like to bring the dough and the sauce on the blog. It’s for research purposes.
4. Rent a boat with friends.
This was floating around a group text conversation with our friends and it just feels right. Pack some sandwiches and some cold cokes and let’s pull a 7-year-old around in an inner-tube. It feels right.
5. Weekend movie project!!!
This will be my 4th summer making little movie shorts of my summer weekends. They’re so fun to make and push me to really experience the two days off with friends and family. This time, however, we shall share them on my Instagram feed.
6. Make summer pie.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve only made pie during the cooler months because we’ve never had AC. And Karlee when she’s overheated is not a peak Karlee. She’s a monster, actually. But, this year, with a house, a kitchen of her own, and an AC she can control, she’ll bake many-a-summer-pies. And, in third person no less.
7. Celebrate my grandmas 85th birthday.
At our house, even. We’re inviting the family over to our place for the first time! This hopefully puts a deadline down for when we want to finish all little details to the renovation. But, it’s also amazing because my grandma beat Covid this last year, celebrating 85 feels pretty great to us.
8. Read YA fiction.
It’s what I always do every summer to be honest. And I haven’t felt the need to change yet. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Okay! Now it’s your turn! Have some fun with it. Keep it loose, keep it tight. Make a long list or a short list. But mostly, enjoy the summer – it always goes by so fast.
You are inspring me to do a list now! I love the idea of summer pies, and so sweet to host yoyr grandma’s 85 at your new digs! I have a read for you that I just finished, think you will enjoy it…”The Oysterville Sewing Circle”, check it out!
Congrats on your new home!
I read that also!!! It was great! Here’s a couple more to consider: “Empress of Onel and Barbara Kingsolver’s “Unsheltered” — absolutely her best!
I read that also!!! It was great! Here’s a couple more to consider: “Empress of One” and Barbara Kingsolver’s “Unsheltered” — absolutely her best!
Depends what style pizza you’re going for, but I’m in LOVE with Joe Beddia’s dough from his book Pizza Camp, both for use in my Ooni and for home oven use with a steel or stone. It’s somewhere between New York and Neapolitan style and gets that very classic “wood fired pizza” feel in the Ooni. I let it cold ferment for 2-4 days and it is *perfection*.