Monday, August 4, 2025
I like to make lists each season of things I want to do because I think it makes me more intentional with my time. I’m excited to write up my fall list! I’m actually really getting excited for fall!
Here is my original summer bucket list post for summer 2025! This year I used a cute little worksheet and shared it with my friends Erica and Elizabeth on my patio during a happy hour in May. I filled it out more later, too.
It’s been a weird and quick summer. The weather was super rainy and then super hot. I literally don’t know where the time has gone! I think I did a lot on my list and really just kind of had low expectations knowing that it would be an emotional summer for me with retiring and with my mom’s estate. I have so much to be thankful for; I do know that!
-Find a summer scent – I think I have done this with my Ouai hair and body mist paired with my Trader Joe’s brazilian nut body wash and body butter. It’s a coconuty beachy scent. – I tried to love Philosophy Amazing Grace but it wasn’t me. I am still open to finding my scent!
-Go to Waterfront Wednesday to see my favorite and only cellist – lol – He is the Dad of my student of two years and I followed him and liked him and saw him in concert even before he was a Dad. So, it was a cool connection that I got to teach his kid! His name is Ben Sollee. – I did not go sadly. I didn’t want to mess with the crowds and it was still so hot!
-Go to an outdoor concert at a nearby neighborhood – We have not gone to one yet!
-Visit the botanical gardens for the first time – Not yet. I think it might be really pleasant in early fall.
-Watch White Lotus –Yes and it wasn’t my cup of tea.
-Go to the adult pool – Yes – I went twice!
-Go to the boutique hotel pool – Wednesdays free for teachers – Yes! I went a few times with different friends. I realized that the free for teachers day meant it was too teachery and felt like a professional development.
-Go to Erica’s country club pool – Yes! And, we have plans for me to meet her there another time.
-Go to new steakhouse at a downtown hotel – I had a reservation but we had to go to my hometown and it was going to be a struggle. We will try again.
-Make strawberry freezer jam again –Yes and it was fun!
-Farmer’s Market – Yes – one time and I felt like the shine has worn off. It’s just so busy and crowded and really, really pricey. Maybe I need to find another one.
-Pool party for the class of 90 – Yes and it was so nice. I got to visit with several people and it filled my cup.
-Boat – This has been a weird year for boating! First we had the flood aftermath and the river was in bad shape – high with debris. Then, at the end of June we finally got out but we had so many rainy weekend days. We really can only boat on weekends because of my captain’s work schedule and routine (Tom).
-Buy a grill – I really want a Blackstone! Help! – Nope. We have not bought a grill!
-Go to Penny and Pearl’s cookie shop with Elizabeth (she has never been) – No, but I went with Beth and she loved it.
-Buy elderflower syrup and do my spritzes again – Yes! I still like them but I am not as obsessed with the Hugo or St. Germaine spritz this year. By the way, I have not had much alcohol this summer.
-Go to Regatta in my hometown (hydroplane race) – No. It was hot. The end.
-Go to Ribberfest in my hometown (ribs and blues) – It is in two weeks and we might go.
-Go to Unbroken Circle music festival in my hometown – Hope to!
-Chautauqua in my hometown (arts festival in September)- Hope to!
-35th class reunion – Plan to go! I am also trying to get Tom to go to his 40th. I will go to his if he will go to mine!
Now, I know we still technically have summer weather for a long time, but once school starts in your area, the fall feels come on!
How has your summer gone?
What should I add to my list?
Thoughts?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
The summer has flown by but I kinda feel like every two- three months period is like that. Time just seems to be moving quickly. I know certain months get bad “reps” at least in the blog world and on memes, “X month seems like it was 285 days,” and so forth but I find, almost without exception with months and seasons that they fly by! The weather did throw some of your plans for a loop. It seems like you had a pretty active and social summer notwithstanding not getting to everything on your list :).
LikeLike
You did really well with your bucket list and there’s still some summer left to get some more things done.
I couldn’t get into White Lotus either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Glad I’m not the only one!
LikeLike
I’d say you have made excellent progress and got lots of fun stuff done!
LikeLike
I like the idea of a Framer’s Market but it seems like when we go there isn’t much I am interested in buying. I like the idea of walking and browsing though.
Now that you aren’t working in school you’ll slowly start to embrace the actual seasons – it’s not fall yet – we still have almost 6 weeks of summer left! You still have time to get those last few things checked off! It took me a long time to realize that the calendar seasons are different than school seasons. Ha!!!
I think you’ve done well working through your bucket list!
xo,
Kellyann
LikeLike
I need to do this! I love that you did a lot on your list. I do think certain things are trendy now, which makes it not as fun: farmer’s markets, outdoor music events, etc. I am like you in that I sometimes don’t want to be in a crowd when it’s hot. I can’t think of anything to add to your list, but I’ll keep thinking. Happy Tuesday!
LikeLike
I haven’t checked my list in awhile but I think I am doing well with it; I keep mine going until the official last day of summer in mid/late Sept. I haven’t made it to the Farmer’s market yet but I’ve stopped at several roadside farmer’s stands (where the prices are usually much better!). It has been an odd summer where it’s either been pretty cool and rainy or really hot and muggy. We try to make the very most of those days that fall somewhere in the middle. This week has been more mild but it’s so very hazy out.
LikeLike
You could still do all of these in August!
We bought a tabletop blackstone (Scott was going to us it for camping) and we use it almost every day. So easy. We just put it on a folding table on the deck. Eggs, pancakes, meats, naan. Even *I* can do it.
LikeLike
I’m with you on Regatta- too hot! Robert went without us. As far as summer scent- I love my Beach by Bobbi Brown! You can get a travel size which is probably all you need for the summer!
I want to go to Chitaqua (sp??) and never remember! Maybe I can meet you there?
LikeLike
You crossed off quite a few things on your list and it sounds like a wonderful summer! A coconuty beachy scent is my absolute favorite!
LikeLike
You’re doing great. My ankle mishap has put a crimp in some of my summer to-do’s but I’m just going with the flow because you kind of have to. We have a Blaze griddle and love it. My hubs is obsessive about cleaning it so ours looks brand new even though we use it often.
LikeLike
It has been a strange summer with the awful heat. My husband liked the Blackstone as long as he was able to use it. It was beyond me. The smaller size, though, didn’t have legs or something like that which is why we didn’t buy it. I’m happy with my little gas grill. It’s nice to use so you don’t heat up the whole house!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
LikeLike