While looking through my previous posts for more ideas, I came across my Fall bucket list that I published during Blogtober and I realized I haven’t even considered a Summer version. Even though I think Summer bucket lists are more popular to make, I only really think of activities I want to do for Autumn.

In the Summer months, I like to go with the flow and whatever happens, happens. When I was a kid, however, I was all about Summer and bucket lists and challenges, probably because I would go to my dad’s for a month and he had no WiFi. These were the days before unlimited data, the stuff of nightmares for a kid who spent a lot of time trying to keep up with One Direction’s every move. This also meant I wouldn’t have contact with any of my friends, and I made ample preparations for the boredom ahead.

I used to make my own activity sheets for summer road trips, eye spy bingo, tic tac toe templates, my aunt would even print out the Google Map instructions to keep in my little folder. While at the house I did plenty of Duct Tape crafts, does anyone else remember that craze? When I returned home to my mom’s, I subjected my family to every challenge possible, whatever I found on the internet or that I made up myself. We did the ice bucket challenge, cinnamon challenge, I would make obstacle challenges with paper ribbon in the hallway like lasers, apple bobbing, and of course everything had a point system!

These past couple of years, I spent my summers doing the odd concert security job, laying out at the lake until I’m close to turning into beef jerky, floating with my mom, and spend the 4th of July with my sister. I haven’t even considered a bucket list in so long…

So let’s make one right now!

1. Go swimming

This is a given for every summer bucket list, and it is no exception to mine! I specifically want to go to the lake and swim, and it shouldn’t be too hard to plan a day to go, I just don’t like driving haha.

2. Attend a free event

I always think about things to do around my city, but I never really go to free concerts or craft festivals during the summer. I want to take advantage of what my area has to offer and show up in a way that won’t put a dent in my wallet.

3. Go nature trinket collecting

There’s lots of cool things to find in nature if you look. I want to go on walks and find cool shaped rocks, press wildflowers, and look for inspiration in the fallen flora.

4. Incorporate a new recipe into my dinner rotation

My boyfriend and I have the same couple of recipes on rotation, so much so that I have written recipe cards for him to follow when I am not able to cook for him, even though he says that his version doesn’t turn out like mine haha. I want to learn a new easy and simple recipe that is boyfriend approved, so that we can add it to our recipe arsenal.

5. Go to the beach with my sister

On June 7-12, I will be traveling to Florida with my sister and family. I am super excited to spend time with her and eat some oysters. This will probably be posted by the time I am near the end of my trip so it’s an easy one to cross off the list!

6. Write blog posts in third spaces

I have spoken about this before, but it is still my goal to frequent places that have no expectations, and I can visit and hang out and see something different than the same old same old. I have visited my local library, but I have plans to go to coffee shops and even a space that markets itself as a third space, I think it is originally a T-Shirt company, but they have converted their building into a lot of seating spaces and has a “pay what you can” coffee bar. Sounds cool!

7. Take the dogs on a new trail

My boyfriend’s senior Yorkie, Rue, loves to go on a sniff-scapade when we take her and Tori on walks. I want to find some more small trails to take them on so the dogs can have some enriching sniffing experiences. Maybe I will find some nature trinkets along the way, hopefully I won’t have to use a bag to pick them up though…

8. Go floating

Okay this one also involves swimming, ut these are different activities associated with swimming, okay? During the summer Mom and I try to go on one float trip, whether that be in a raft or a kayak down the Illinois River. It is always a lot of fun, and those float sandwiches and snacks HIT!

9. Have a Waffle House date

It’s not a Waffle House, it’s a Waffle Home, and their hash browns are top notch!

10. At home movie date, with theater popcorn

As far as I know, there won’t be any movie release I am really anticipating until November (the next Hunger Games movie!) but I have been craving some classic movie theater popcorn. I think I can bridge that gap by buying some popcorn from the theater and bringing it home to watch a movie of my choosing. Microwave popcorn is good, but it just can’t compare.

I could probably fit a few more on here, but I will leave it at 10 for now. What’s on your bucket list? Let me know and I will see you all soon!