20 Little Things on My Summer Bucket List

20 things on my summer bucket list, inside and outside, to savor not only the weather but time and memories with family and friends. 

Good morning friends. Memorial Day to me is the unofficial start to summer and I have been thinking of all of the things I would like to do this summer. I thought I would write a bucket list of things that I plan on doing over the next few months. Not necessarily a wish list of adventures. But a bucket list of  20 little things to do this summer that will help me, and maybe you too, slow down and enjoy our family, friends and all of the beautiful things that summer has to offer.

20 Things to Do This Summer

1. Enjoy the Flowers

STOP and smell the roses, pick a dandelion, blow it and make a wish. Snip a few hydrangeas or peonies from your beds, add a few herbs, pop them in a vase and bring the color and fragrance of your garden inside.

Or forage for wildflowers and flowering branches. I like to use my Barebones gathering bag and pruners for this and I even keep a set in the car, just in case there are some colorful weeds or flowers while driving.

2. Walk and Hike

Take a long walk on the beach, enjoy the sand between your toes, the waves lapping at your feet. Hike in the mountains or on the trails near you. Or just talk a walk around your neighborhood. Make sure to wear a good pair of shoes and sun protection.

3. Go to the Library

Go the the library, just as you did as a kid and join the summer reading program. Believe it or not they have one for adults too. Savor the additional daylight hours and spend time reading by yourself or with your family.

4. Plant a Garden or Some Flowers

If you have the space to plant a garden that is great but if you don’t you can plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables in containers. You will get so much joy from watching your seeds grow into beautiful flowers or delicious fruits and vegetables.

5. Make Meals From Your Garden

Make a meal from the farmers market or your own garden. Use the tomatoes and basil from your garden and make a caprese salad. The basil will make delicious pesto. A salad made with zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and whatever else you have growing is an easy lunch or dinner.

6. Plan a Staycation

Take a staycation in your town. Look up the 10 best things to see in your town and take a day to do and see a few of them. Visit a  museum, the arboretum, botanical gardens, etc.

7. Rainy Day Spa Day

Although we all love the sun in the summer there are going to be a few rainy days. If you find yourself with nothing to do on the next rainy weekend spend the day at the spa. A spa day in your own home is also a great idea, do a facial, give yourself a pedicure or a manicure.Enjoy the excuse to pamper yourself.

8. Get Up Early

Get up with the birds and enjoy a cup of coffee, a walk or just sit and enjoy the peace and quite.

9. Bake some of your favorite family recipes

Yes, I know you don’t want to use the oven on hot days. But how else do you make strawberry shortcake or rhubarb crunch and take advantage of the summer fruits? If you have a toaster oven bake in it instead. I make bread, brownies and crumble all the time in my Breville toaster over.

10. Make Ice Cream

When I was little my grandparents had one of those ice cream makers that you needed rock salt and ice and we would spend what felt like hours cranking the handle. Today there are tons and tons of recipes that are no-churn and they are delicious.

You simply make the ice cream base, pour into a lined loaf pan and freeze.

Then scoop into a bowl, or a cone, top with nuts, sprinkles or my favorite fudge topping and enjoy. You could also use your favorite brownies or cookies and make ice cream sandwiches.

My favorite no-churn ice cream is, chocolate brownie with fudge swirls.

11. Go Camping

Camp out or camp in. If you don’t like bugs or being outside, simply camp in the house. Pull out your sleeping bags, or blankets, throw the couch cushions on the floor and set up camp with your kids and your pets.

12. Make some homemade lemonade or sweet tea

Sit on the porch or the deck and enjoy a tall glass of your favorite lemonade or sweet tea with a book or a few friends and laugh the day away. Basil lemonade is a refreshing twist on plain lemonade.

13. Send some snail mail

Get some post cards from your town and send them to family and friends. Or write letters about all of the summer fun you are having, just like you did as a kid at camp.

14. Watch the sunset or the sunrise

 

15. Spend time with your pets

Go for walks with your dogs, set up a pool or a sprinkler in your back yard and let the pups swim or relax in the water.

16.  Sleep in on the weekends

Enjoy an extra hour of sleep or just relax and take time to write in your journal, read a book or make a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or even breakfast and eat it in bed. Pamper yourself.

17. Watch an outdoor movie

Many municipal parks have movies in the summer outdoors that you can take advantage of or your can set up a screen of your own. You can purchase a ready made screen or make one using the tutorial video below.

18. Pretend you are a kid again

Visit the county fair, spend the day at the zoo or the amusement park. Here are 16 of the Top Amusement Parks in the US.

19. Visit the Farmers Market, Local Berry Patch or Orchard

Go to the farmers market on the weekends not only for flowers, baked goods and eggs but also for cheese and meats. Visit the local berry patch or orchard and pick summer fruits with your children or grandchildren. Some of my favorite memories as a child were picking peaches and blueberries with my siblings, I am sure that we ate more than we brought home.

20. Savor the Time with Family and Friends

Summer will fly by and soon we will be picking pumpkins and buying Christmas gifts. Enjoy the time you have with your family and friends, savor the weather and warm days and create memories.

I hope that you enjoyed the 20 little things on my summer bucket list. What do you have on your bucket list this year? Take a minute and think about it, this weekend will be the perfect time to start crossing things off.

Have a wonderful day! I will see you tomorrow for Friday Favorites!

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