Summer 2015 Bucket List Ideas

Need some ideas on sprucing up the remaining weeks of summer? We are half way through July, have you knocked any to do's off of your 2015 Summer bucket list? Have you even made a summer bucket list yet??? Don't fret ... I have you covered.  Read - take notes - plan - take action !!! Oh, and enjoy every damn minute. 

1. Be a tourist in your own city. We all know the hot spots that are note worthy for tourists, so why not check them out for yourself. You will be amazed at the history your city holds and exploring might bring you closer to the place you call home.
Charlottetown is an unbelievable picturesque town with a ton of entertainment. With it's postcard coastline, lush farmlands, Confederation Trail, Peake's Wharf's Historic Waterfront, parks, racetrack, world renowned golf courses, cutting edge culinary, performing arts musicals, Founders Hall attractions, it has spectacles and history charm for all.
And if you are in the Saint John, NB area I highly recommend catching up with David Goss' Walk n Talk tours. They are free and cover phenomenal facts about the history of Saint John and the surrounding area. Go alone or grab some friends, pick up a coffee/tea, and exercise your legs while celebrating the past. 

2. Try your hand at a new hobby. Being married to a creative animator really allows me to explore my imaginative side. I've always shied away from exploring my "wonders" as I didn't know how to implement them or I was scared of not being good at it. Bouncing those ideas off of Adam has allowed me to take the plunge. I have a number of things I want to try... pottery, photography, knitting, sewing and have taken a slight interest in painting. The last time I painted I was in Junior High (shows how long ago that was because they call it Middle school now) and it was in a mandatory art class. Adam broke it down like this ... paint something for 30 days straight, you will see improvement and you will try your hand at a new interest. So I started and by no means are my paintings good, but I see improvement and I like the fact that my technique is different. My wise friend April told me,  "Everyone is an artist, artistry is an application that needs practice so use that muscle". I guess that can be a reflection of a lot of things in our lives!

3. Put down your phone and ENJOY!!!  Yes, I said it. Step away from your mobile and practise "living in the moment". You can't accomplishment being in the moment if you are taking a picture, texting or checking Twitter. Let your soul and memory capture the beauty of your surroundings and embrace being "checked in". Make conversation with those around you and encourage others to go mobil free as well, oh and don't get upset when they don't text you back right away because they may be taking your advise. 
Live for now, live for today and express your gratitude in todays joys so you can appreciate the life you have.  You will thank yourself later! 

4. Go on a Grub crawl.  Gather your friends, make a list of all the place you have been meaning to try and hit the town with an appetite. Start by swapping appetizers, next stop entrees and finish with dessert at a few restaurants revelling in the fresh local produce. Converse with friends, make a day or evening out of it and plan to do it again!

5. Try your hand at a physical activity. Summer is the best time to get outside to laugh and play. I've been eyeing a number of activities that I'd love to take part in including paddle boarding, bubble soccer (look this up and tell me you don't want to try it), and frisbee in Victoria Park. We love to go swimming with our dog Oliver, so finding pet friendly beaches is always a bonus. And many evenings are spent watching the sunset while playing a competitive game of bocce ball or washer toss in our yard. Get outside and make the most of your surroundings!
Sidenote: although not physical (some might disagree) I will be trying my hand at Charlottetown's Escape Room. It will be scary but so worth the thrill. Post will follow after my attempt!

6. Hit up those yard sales. There is a unique pleasure in searching for the perfect find and this feeling always appears when thrift shopping, discovering a jackpot sale and scoring the best treasure at a yard sale. If you see something you like, but think it needs some added love, buy it and get creative. Sometimes you come across the perfect piece of pottery, a wool blanket or a teapot just like your nanny use to have. Whatever the valuable, bring it home and display it, who knows what type of conversation piece you might be holding. 
My husband has a fondness for guitars, loves to play music and dabbles in a band (with my father!!!). So we are on a mission to find older guitars that he can display in his music room one day. What is old, is always new again so have fun hunting.

Let's just face it, we are more than half way through 2015. So setting goals, bucket lists etc is a great way to experience life as it seems to fly past. Encourage yourself to explore something everyday, write down those wishes and make them goals. Who knows when you will "kick the bucket", so treat each day as a special occasion. Don't wait for the right moment to experience life, create the moment and share life's adventures". 


Now I would love to hear what you have on your bucket list.
Have you be able to check some goals off?
Please share any recommendations or experience you might have. I want my list to grow !!!

Enjoy and have fun kicking the bucket!

Erin