Summer 2022 Bucket List Results

With the first day of Fall kicking off yesterday, Summer 2022 is officially fading away into the sunset.  The weather here in Maine definitely feels like fall this past week.  I've seen a few trees with their leaves starting to change.  There's a chill at nighttime and it's cool in the morning.  But the days are still warm and sunny for the most part.  Now that I've squeezed every last second out of summer, I thought it was time to look back at all of the things Eliot and I were able to do.

As you may recall, this year I went a little bit crazy and made 50 goals for my 2022 Summer Bucket List.  I thought about narrowing it down, but everything sounded like so much fun.  I decided to leave it as is and bit off what might possibly be my hardest bucket list challenge yet!  Since I made so many goals, I've decided to keep my results simple so this doesn't turn into a five mile long gigantic results post!

So let's see how I did with my Summer 2022 Bucket List!!!

Summer 2022 Bucket List Results

1.) Go Swimming

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to cross this off the list after we cancelled our Six Flags trip... but, we got to go swimming at our hotel in California so it counts!!!

2.) Make S'mores Over a Fire

We were planning to do this when we went up to Mom and Dad's house in August... then we got COVID and had to cancel that trip.

3.) Watch the Fireworks at Old Orchard Beach

Like usual, most of summer passed by before I even thought of this.  We ended up running out of time and the weather didn't cooperate with us either.

4.) Have a BBQ

We had an indoor BBQ at Mom and Dad's house on the 4th of July.

5.) Eat a Lobster

We were planning to do this when we went up to Mom and Dad's house in August... then we got COVID at the end of July and had to cancel that trip.

6.) Get Ice Cream from Scoop Deck

This was supposed to happen on our wedding anniversary, but Eliot was sick.

7.) Eat Watermelon

Surprisingly, I don't think I actually had any watermelon all summer.

8.) Go to Six Flags New England

We were planning to down to Massachusetts for a weekend in August... then we got COVID at the end of July and had to cancel that trip.

9.) Have a Picnic 

Eliot and I had a wonderful picnic at Thompson's Island this summer.

10.) Spend 4th of July in Bar Harbor

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend in Bar Harbor!

11.) Go the Beach

Eliot and I made time to go to the beach last weekend.  I love watching the waves!

12.) Go to Jordan Pond House for Popovers

We went to the Jordan Pond House twice this summer!  Yum popovers!!!

13.) Watch the Sunset

We got to see a few gorgeous Maine sunsets as well as a California one!

14.) Play Mini Golf at Pirates Cove in Bar Harbor

We were able to play mini golf over Memorial Day weekend!  I guess that's a little before summer "officially" started, but I'm still counting it!

15.) Visit a Lighthouse

Ok... so this is cheap shot but I did visit a little model lighthouse while at the park in Old Orchard Beach.  It's not a real one... but I still counted it.

16.) Get Pier Fries

Last weekend, we finally went to get our Pier Fries from Old Orchard Beach!

17.) Go to the Local Ice Cream Shop 

Eliot and I met up with my cousin Luke, his wife and his daughter for ice cream at our local shop one weekend in late August.  They live one town over from us (about 15 minutes away) so we like to meet up with each other every few months!

18.) Eat a Lobster Roll

I surprisingly did not have a lobster roll this summer either... I gotta get on that!

19.) Play Mini Golf at Pirates Cove in Old Orchard Beach

We made plans to do this last weekend, but by the time we left our house, they had already closed since they are in their fall hours now.  Sad face.

20.) Build a Sandcastle

It's another cheap one, but I made a sandcastle mound at the beach last weekend.

21.) Go to the Yankee Candle Village Store

We were planning to down to Massachusetts for a weekend in August... then we got COVID at the end of July and had to cancel that trip.

22.) Play Mini Golf Somewhere New

Eliot and I had our sights on a few new mini golf courses to play this summer, but none of them ended up working out.  Maybe we'll go to one this fall... 

23.) Go Stargazing

We didn't really "go" stargazing anywhere, but I did go out in our front yard to stare at the stars and constellations.  The stars are so beautiful from our house.

24.) Decorate and Paint Mailbox

I wanted to paint the mailbox post, decorate the mail box with our names, make a brick base and plant flowers around it... but that will have to wait until next year.

25.) Pick Berries

I wanted to go strawberry picking... but I'm going to have to plan for it in advance.

26.) Have a Water Balloon Fight

Eliot and I bought some water balloons while up visiting my parents one weekend.  We just never got a chance to use them before the weather got cooler.

27.) Play Frisbee

Eliot and I did buy a frisbee.  Unfortunately, me having the lung capacity to play sports after having COVID was not happening.  But thankfully, I am fully recovered now.

28.) Go to a Baseball Game

We definitely achieved this; we went to three Portland Sea Dogs games this summer!

29.) Decorate Porch for 4th of July

I didn't decorate it as much as I wanted to, but I did change our blinking Christmas Lights and we put out a red, white and blue Mickey doormat. 

30.) Play in the Sprinklers

Eliot and I played at the sprinkler at Mom and Dad's house this summer.

31.) Go Camping

We didn't go camping... although it occurred to me after making this goal that I have no idea where our tent or sleeping bags are.  (And we might need a new tent anyways.)

32.) Tie Dye Shirts or Other Clothing

I had big plans... but I didn't know if I had enough stuff to dye and I didn't want to waste it.  I'll make a few more ideas this winter and see what I can do for next year!

33.) Make Popsicles

We need to make more room in our freezer... than watch out!  I love popsicles!

34.) Play Beach Volleyball

Unfortunately, me having the lung capacity to play sports after having COVID was not happening.  But thankfully, I am fully recovered now.

35.) Make/Wear Friendship Bracelets or Anklets

I bought some embroidery floss last weekend and I planned to make myself an anklet in our wedding colors... then everything went to crap with Eliot being sick and I didn't bother.  Maybe I'll still make one to wear this fall though.

36.) Go on a Hike

Eliot and I hiked around Jordan Pond over the 4th of July with Jeremy.  It was beautiful!

37.) Make Ice Cream

We didn't get to do this... I'll have to find some recipes for next year!

38.) Go to a Drive In Movie

We had every intention to do this, but our local drive in closed.  They were supposed to re-open across the street, but that didn't work out in time for this summer season.

39.) Do a Summer Craft

I had a few ideas for summer crafts but I never ended up making them.

40.) Play with Remote Control Cars

I thought this was an easy goal, but the remote control car I thought Eliot had wasn't actually working at the moment... we'll have to get some for next summer!

41.) Go to a Farmers Market

It's so lame that we didn't do this.  We have a farm not far from our house that sells tons of things.  We've never been, but maybe we'll check it out this fall... 

42.) Make Milkshakes

I really wanted to try out my new blenders... but we still haven't had a chance.

43.) Paint Rocks for a Rock Garden

You'd be surprised at how hard it is to find good rocks to paint.  I assumed this would be easy, but it wasn't.  But I did find some large smoothed out rocks on Amazon that are used for painting... maybe I'll get some of those for next year.

44.) Play Tennis

Unfortunately, me having the lung capacity to play sports after having COVID was not happening.  But thankfully, I am fully recovered now.

45.) Plan Sharks Games to go to Next Season

We definitely did this!  Ahh, I'm so excited!  I can't wait for hockey season to begin!!!

46.) Go to a Water Park

We were planning to go to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in August... then we got COVID at the end of July and had to cancel that trip.

47.) Watch the Sunrise

I didn't go somewhere to formally watch the sun rise, but I woke up pretty early many mornings and was able to see the sunrise through the trees in our backyard.  Some of the pastel colors were absolutely stunning.

48.) Make an Outdoor Art Project

I didn't get to do this... although I didn't have any good ideas for it either.  I'll have to get to work thinking of some good outdoor art projects for next year!

49.) Play Basketball

Unfortunately, me having the lung capacity to play sports after having COVID was not happening.  But thankfully, I am fully recovered now.

50.) Prepare for Disneyland and WDW Trips

Eliot and I definitely did this!  Our Disneyland trip went wonderfully.  We cancelled our September WDW trip which was what I had been referring to... but our January 2023 trip is going to be extra amazing to make up for the cancelled September trip!

And that's not all... I've been holding out on you guys a little bit.  I told you about my goals for my 2022 Summer Bucket List.  What I didn't tell you was that after I released my summer bucket list post, I went back and decided to add a few more things to it.  I was organizing my goals and I realized that I did not move some of my Spring Bucket List goals over to the summer list like I had planned to.  Thus, I decided to quietly add another section of 10 goals from my spring list that I wanted to try to do this summer.  

So let's check out what I was able to accomplish this summer from my spring list!

10 Bonus Goals From My Spring 2022 Bucket List

1.) Read a Book

I am so proud of accomplishing this goal in particular.  I've wanted to find time to read for ages now... and I finally sat down and read one!  Actually, I pretty much devoured it in a couple of days because I was completely hooked.  I read one of my Disney books that I got for Christmas last year, If the Shoe Fits, a modern take on a Cinderella story!

2.) Fly a Kite

Eliot and I didn't get a chance to fly one of our kites.  I'm not sure if he's ever flown a kite before, so we'll definitely have to do it sometime!

3.) Blow Bubbles

Eliot and I had more fun with our bubble gun than I am willing to admit.  My favorite highlight... blowing bubbles out of the car window while passing Bubbles Mountain in Acadia National Park while on the way to the Jordan Pond House over 4th of July.

4.) Bake Something

I was able to bake a few times.  Originally, I wanted to make a boxed cake or brownies, but chocolate chip cookies from pre-mixed dough were more my speed right now.

5.) Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries

I wasn't able to make chocolate covered strawberries... although I was actually going to do it earlier this week.  Eliot and I bought supplies to make them last weekend, and then he came home early on Monday and surprised me with a giant platter of them from Edible Arrangements for our anniversary on Tuesday.  (Which also explains why he was trying to talk me out of buying strawberries and bananas at the grocery store...)

6.) Have a Game Night

We didn't have a game night, but I'm sure we'll make up for it this fall and winter.

7.) Manicure

I had plans to do this and then I just never had the time to sit down and do them.

8.) Visit a Garden

Eliot and I visited the Wild Gardens of Acadia this summer.

9.) Go Outside More

I did spend a lot more time outside... even if it wasn't at our house.

10.) Draw Something with Sidewalk Chalk

I had plans to do this, but summer slipped away... maybe next year!

I'm glad that I was able to do a few things from my Spring Bucket List.  Finally, Eliot and I squeezed in a few things not on my bucket list!  (Both good and bad.)

Fun Things Not On My Bucket List

Go to Backstreet Boys Concert

Eliot and I had so much fun at the Backstreet Boys Concert this summer!

Got COVID

Eliot and I both testing positive for COVID was definitely not in our plans, and definitely not fun.  But we made the most of staying home for a week.

Watched All Five POTC Movies

The benefit to staying home during COVID, we finally got to re-watch all five of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies... something we've been wanting to do for a while now.  I never imagined that we'd actually find time to do it marathon style over a few days... but I guess that's the silver lining to being quarantined at home for a week!

See One of my WIT Girlfriends

The last weekend of August, one of my best friends from Wentworth came up to Maine for a weekend getaway with her husband.  Eliot and I met up with Stacy and Rob in Kennebunkport at Batson River, a small bar and pub right downtown and we had a wonderful time visiting and catching up with them!

While I didn't get everything completed on my summer list, it ended up better than I was expecting it to.  Getting COVID was definitely not in the plan and it put us quite a bit behind in both of our businesses.  Our weekend excursions were basically nixed after that.  We also cancelled our trip to Six Flags as well as one more trip home to Trenton.  We definitely would have crossed more things off the list if we had been able to do those.  Still, I'm really happy with the results considering the circumstances!  

Thank You Summer of 2022 for the wonderful memories !!! °o° 

Time to Board the Hogwarts Express

September 1st!  That means it's time to board the Hogwarts Express back to school... or in our case, it's almost time to board our plane to California!

This September is going to be a busy one.  Maybe not quite as busy as we originally thought it was going to be... but it'll still be pretty crazy!

Eliot and I will be in California from the 4th to the 12th.  We land back in Boston on the 13th.  While we're only in the Golden State for nine days, we have got so much stuff planned that the trip is probably going to feel like it's twice as long!

When we get home, we'll have a week until our 10th Wedding Anniversary.  I'm not 100% sure what we're doing the weekend before it, but you can bet that Eliot and I will be checking more things off of my 2022 Summer Bucket List!

On our actual anniversary, Eliot will probably have to work for part of it, but we'll try to do something special... although I have absolutely no idea what that will be.

Finally, we will be shifting from summer to autumn.  It will probably feel like fall to us the instant we get back from California- assuming there will be quite a difference in the temperature.  But Mother Nature has surprised Maine with some gorgeous September days in the past!  I'm looking forward to enjoying the last of the warm days and the transition into my favorite time of the year!!!  

No matter what, I'm sure it's going to be a September to remember!!!  °o°

Summer Wind Down

Summer is winding down and we're heading into fall.  The signs are all here.  I have already spotted a few stray leaves on the ground.  The nights are getting colder and sun is setting a lot earlier.  I even wore leggings when Eliot and I went out to meet up with some friends Saturday night in Kennebunkport.

Today, I had every intention of doing my 2022 Summer Bucket List results post.  But after this weekend, my gut told me to hold off.  I kept looking at some of the stuff that I wasn't able to cross off of my list... and a lot of those goals are things we plan to do in the coming weeks.  And it just wasn't sitting well with me.

Technically, we still have another three weeks until it's officially fall...

I was willing to forgo those extra three weeks of "summer" since our trip to California was taking up a good chunk of that time.  I had fully prepared to switch gears a little earlier than usual, to say goodbye to summer and move on to fall.  But what I wasn't ready to do was give up on my summer bucket list.

So, I'm going to run with it.  I'm going to keep pushing to complete more of my Summer Bucket List.  It's technically still summer until fall starts on September 22nd.  That gives us one more full weekend after we get back from California.  And since that's also the weekend that Eliot and I were originally supposed to be traveling down to Walt Disney World to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary... I plan to make it count.

Sure, right now my thoughts are shifting to our California trip, the 2022 D23 Expo, and Disneyland.  And when we get home to Maine, I'm sure it's going to feel like fall.  But... it's still technically the summer season for a little bit longer, and Eliot and I are going to get as many of those things crossed off as possible.  °o° 

Already August

August is here and summer feels like it's flying by too fast.  But Eliot and I still have a ton of stuff that we're cramming into our summer before it flies away for the winter.

The past few weeks, I've been trying to crank up the volume on my Summer Bucket List... but I'm also being realistic.  At this point, we're not going to get a lot of the things that I wanted to get accomplished done... even the "easy" ones.  However, my main goal right now is to make the most out of the last few weeks of summer!

Eliot and I had originally planned to go to Six Flags next weekend (8/6 & 8/7) and back up to Bar Harbor one more time (8/20 & 8/21), but we'll probably can the Bar Harbor trip.  There are only so many weekends between now and when we leave for our trip to California.  Eliot and I are trying to get as many orders done for our businesses as possible.  Plus, I don't think we'll be feeling up to going anywhere next weekend which means our planned Six Flags trip is getting pushed back a week or two.

There's still plenty of things to look forward to though!  Eliot and I are hoping to enjoy some more activities in our local area.  I'm also excited that Halloween merchandise is starting to pop up in stores.  We've already seen a few things and I'm hoping to find a few more treasures this month.  I'm sure that will definitely put me in a spooky mood before our Disney trips next month!

I'm sure August is going to fly right by too!  I'm going to soak in every last second of my ice cream, lobster rolls and cake batter iced coffee before they yield to pumpkin spice everything.  I absolutely love the fall, but I'm going to enjoy the crap out of the rest of my summer and warm weather here in Maine!  Slow down summer!!!  °o°

Summer 2022 Bucket List

Now that we've officially kicked off summer, I wanted to get a head start on my summer bucket list goals.  I've been working on this list for a few weeks now in anticipation of sweet, sweet summertime!!!  And this list certainly sounds like summer to me!  

I admit, this list got a bit out of hand.  The first twenty-two goals are the original 22 goals that I came up with for Summer of 2022.  (I did 21 last summer for 2021.)  A lot of those were also on last year's list so I tried to come up with new ones to add.  Then, I just kept having more ideas and they wouldn't stop.  Before I knew it, I found myself on a mission to get to 50 goals... and I certainly did.  

Fifty is a lot... but I've decided to run with it anyways!  So let's check it out!

Melissa's Summer 2022 Bucket List

1. Go Swimming
2. Make S'mores Over a Fire
3. Watch the Fireworks at Old Orchard Beach
4. Have a BBQ
5. Eat Lobster
6. Get Ice Cream from Scoop Deck
7. Eat Watermelon
8. Go to Six Flags New England
9. Have a Picnic
10. Spend 4th of July in Bar Harbor
11. Go the Beach
12. Go to Jordan Pond House for Popovers
13. Watch the Sunset
14. Play Mini Golf at Pirates Cove in Bar Harbor
15. Visit a Lighthouse
16. Get Pier Fries
17. Go to the Local Ice Cream Shop
18. Eat a Lobster Roll
19. Play Mini Golf at Pirates Cove in Old Orchard Beach
20. Build a Sandcastle
21. Go to the Yankee Candle Village Store
22. Play Mini Golf Somewhere New
23. Go Stargazing
24. Decorate and Paint Mailbox
25. Pick Berries
26. Have a Water Balloon Fight
27. Play Frisbee
28. Go to a Baseball Game
29. Decorate Porch for 4th of July
30. Play in the Sprinklers
31. Go Camping
32. Tie Dye Shirts or Other Clothing
33. Make Popsicles
34. Play Beach Volleyball
35. Make/Wear Friendship Bracelets or Anklets
36. Go on a Hike
37. Make Ice Cream
38. Go to a Drive In Movie
39. Do a Summer Craft
40. Play with Remote Control Cars
41. Go to a Farmers Market
42. Make Milkshakes
43. Paint Rocks for a Rock Garden
44. Play Tennis
45. Plan Sharks Games to go to Next Season
46. Go to a Water Park
47. Watch the Sunrise
48. Make an Outdoor Art Project
49. Play Basketball
50. Prepare for Disneyland and WDW Trips

It appears that Eliot and I have got our work cut out for us!  I'm going into this fully expecting there to be a bunch of things not checked off... but who knows?  Maybe I'll surprise myself!  One thing is for sure... it's going to be a summer to remember!

Let's Do This Summer  2022!!! °o° 

First Day of Summer 2022

Happy First Day of Summer!!!

There's so much that I love about summer in Maine.  The weather is hot but it's not usually unbearably hot here.  We have a few really hot and humid days... but there's always a perfect summer breeze down on the ocean.  This is the perfect time of year to go swimming, kayaking out on the lake, or hiking on a trail.  The evenings are perfect for walking along the beach or through the woods on the Carriage Roads of Acadia.

Summer is perfect for eating ice cream, lounging in the lazy river, or playing miniature golf.  You can cook s'mores over a campfire, have a backyard cookout or enjoy cooling off by dancing in the sprinklers.  There's something magical about summer.

It always feels like summer goes by way too fast... especially here in Maine.  I'm ready to make the most of every single moment before it yields to autumn.  Let's go enjoy it because it's time to finally do what frozen things do in summer!!!

Happy First Day of SUMMER!!! °o° 

Summer 2021 Bucket List Results

We're halfway through September, the school year is in full swing and summer is winding down.  In a few more days, it will officially be fall.  Here in Maine, there are signs of the seasons getting ready to shift once again, and the change will soon be upon us.  Thankfully, I'm ready for the summer to shift to fall.  I was able to enjoy my summer, even though it sped right by!  We were able to find moments to soak it in.  In fact, I think it's time to check in on how I did with my Summer 2021 Bucket List!

1.) Go Swimming at a Pool

This actually played out a lot differently than I was expecting it to.  After swimming in our friends' pool last summer, I assumed we'd do the same thing this year... but our body clocks weren't aligned with swimming before Eliot went to work.  However, we were able to go down to Water Country to swim and relax in their pools twice!

2.) Go the Beach

We actually didn't go down to the beach much this year.  I can check it off though because Eliot and I were at Old Orchard Beach to see the fireworks!

3.) Make S'mores Over a Fire

We havne't made s'mores over a fire in years.  (I usually heat them in the microwave and call it good!)  It was so much fun to make them over Labor Day Weekend.  But maybe next year we can spent a little more time sitting around the fire!

4.) Have a BBQ

Eliot and I didn't have a BBQ at our house, but we did have one at Mom and Dad's house.  (In hindsight, that's what I was getting at anyways.)  I love cookouts and we used to have them all the time growing up.  We had all of my favorites- burgers, potato salad, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn on the cob and watermelon!  Yum!!!

5.) Eat Lobster

Every summer since I was little, Mom and Dad have always gotten me a lobster.  This year, I enjoyed it over the 4th of July holiday weekend!  It was super yummy!!!

6.) Get Ice Cream from Scoop Deck

Eliot and I were finally able to take my family to Scoop Deck!  I'm so glad!  There are still a few more weeks before they close.  We might try to make it down one last time, but with our crazy schedule and vacation coming up, this might have been our only trip down there this summer.  But, at least we got to go down once!!! 

7.) Eat Watermelon

I got to enjoy this treat a few times- first at my cousin's birthday BBQ, then again on the 4th of July in Bar Harbor and one more time over Labor Day Weekend!  Yum!!!

8.) Have a Picnic

Eliot and I really enjoyed our picnic over at Fort Williams Park a few days ago!  It's the perfect place for a picnic and I see many more in our future!

9.) Spend 4th of July in Bar Harbor

I was so glad I got to be in Bar Harbor for the 4th this summer!  After last year, even this year's short parade, postponed fireworks and the rain couldn't dampen my spirits!

10.) Go to Jordan Pond House for Popovers

We were planning on doing this, but between the weird hours, lack of reservations and crazy amounts of tourists, we decided against it.  Eliot and I are thinking about taking a weekend trip up to visit this fall though... so we'll see!!!

11.) Go to Six Flags New England

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Eliot and I decided against going to Six Flags this summer since we were able to go to the water park at Water Country instead!  So no worries!  I'm sure we'll be there sooner than later anyways... 

12.) Watch the Sunset

When I wrote this goal out, I pictured us going somewhere specifically to watch the sunset.  While Eliot and I weren't able to do that, we did see some spectacular sunsets this summer... so I'm going to count them.  (This gorgeous photo is from when we were stranded at Lowes.)  This goal was about stopping to enjoy the moment anyways!

13.) Play Mini Golf at Pirates Cove in Bar Harbor

We didn't get to do this when we were all home over the 4th of July due to crappy weather, so it was at the top of my to do list over Labor Day Weekend!  Thankfully, it worked out and Eliot, Jeremy, Dad and I all had a ton of fun mini golfing!

14.) Go to the Local Ice Cream Shop

This was the final thing on my bucket list and we've been trying to make time to go all summer.  But much like the last 5 years we've lived here, we still haven't been able to get over to the local ice cream store that's less than five minutes away.  Eliot and I were actually planning to make a quick trip yesterday before I left for Virginia, but we had too much to do in order to get our orders finished, packaged and mailed out.  Still, they stay open into October... so maybe we'll go when we get back!

15.) Visit a Lighthouse

Eliot and I finally got to check out the Portland Head Light lighthouse while we were visiting Fort Williams Park a few days ago!  I'm so glad we got to see it up close.  I hope we can visit again and get a view of it from another angle next time!

16.) Get Pier Fries

This probably seems silly, but this is a summer staple.  When we were kids, we used to go camping with my parents in Old Orchard Beach and we've always gotten the Pier Fries.  It doesn't feel like summer until I've had some!  We didn't get them until late this summer, but they were definitely worth the wait!

17.) Eat a Lobster Roll

This was one of the last things I checked off my bucket list.  Eliot actually brought me a lobster roll for dinner this past Thursday night.  I usually try to get one at Amato's, but by the time we went to get it, they had removed it from their menu.  Thankfully, Ninety Nine was still making them, so Eliot surprised me with a to go lobster roll because he knew how much I wanted one!  He's the best and it was really yummy!!!

18.) Watch the Fireworks at Old Orchard Beach

Eliot and I almost missed out on this, but we were able to watch the last fireworks show of the summer a few days ago!  It wasn't the best fireworks display... it probably wasn't even as good as other fireworks shows we've seen in Old Orchard Beach, but it was still a fun night and definitely a nice break! 

19.) Play Mini Golf at Pirates Cove in Old Orchard Beach

We actually did this twice this year- although I didn't count the trip over Father's Day weekend as part of my Summer Bucket List.  Eliot and I always love going mini golfing; it's one of the first dates we went on and we both enjoy it.  I'm so glad that we have a Pirates Cove near us.  The one in Bar Harbor was always a summer favorite of mine- so it's really nice to have one near us down here too!

20.) Get an Epi Cookie 

I was hoping to get more than of these this summer... but with weird hours and staff shortages, we were only able to go into the Epi once of 4th of July weekend.  Still, I was able to get my cookie, whoopie pie and Italian sub, so I'm happy!

21.) Go to the Yankee Candle Village Store

As I mentioned above, Eliot and I decided against going out to Six Flags and the Yankee Candle Village this summer.  But I'm sure we'll be there sooner than later... 

We definitely enjoyed our summer!  There were also things we weren't expecting to do:

Pink Pastry Shop Cupcakes

I always forget about this shop since it's only been in town for a few years.  This year, we got our breakfast there on the 4th of July... but we also went back for cupcakes!

Family BBQ at my Cousin's House

Eliot and I also enjoyed spending some time with my Mom's side of the family at my cousin's house for his daughters Birthday BBQ!  We hadn't seen most of them since before COVID, so it was nice to visit and catch up a bit!

Water Country

Finally, Eliot and I went to Water Country twice this summer!  After talking about going for years, we found an opportunity to go with my parents, Jeremy and Nana!  Plus, we upgraded our tickets to season passes so we could go back a second time.

We definitely took a chunk of out of this list!  17 out of 21 isn't bad at all... especially when we knowingly made the decision to skip the four things we didn't do!!!  I feel so accomplished!  This is definitely the best I've ever done with one of my bucket lists.

I really enjoyed making this seasonal bucket list!  In fact, this might have to become an annual tradition!  Eliot and I are usually so busy working on our house and both of our businesses that we sometimes forget to kick back and relax.  Being hard workers is a good thing, but working all the time and letting summer pass us by isn't cool.  (We've been there, done that and I don't wanna do it ever again!)

By having a clear set of goals for the summer, it was easier for me to push back from the businesses.  It felt like I was accomplishing a different set of tasks and I enjoyed doing them and checking them off my list!  Plus, it gave us a good excuse to make time for ourselves which can sometimes be a struggle when you're juggling so much!

Summer 2020 certainly wasn't anything to write home about... but thanks to this fun summer bucket list, Summer 2021 more than made up for it!  I feel accomplished and good knowing that I didn't waste away my summer.  I got to do all of my favorite things and take some time to really soak everything in.

Thank you Summer 2021 for making it one for the memory books!!!  °o°