Summer's Bucket Goodbyes

Summer 2016 has officially ended. Which means my bucket-listing has too.
This summer was a bustle of activity and editing. So many things happened from June to September that it's hard to nail down what my favorite things were! But I'll give you a few highlights.
Click here to check out my full Bucket List.
3. Make a Onigiri. This one was a lot of fun because of the company and because it was a new experience! My sister and I always have a good time, no matter what we're doing. And cooking is no exception. In the moment, the onigiri tasted delicious (which I said in the YouTube video). But looking back, I don't think I could eat another one. I think I'll just salivate over them in anime instead.

11. Pick cherries at Cherry Hill Orchards Outlet. I loved this activity because it was something my family got to do together--all six of us. With our hectic schedules, it was hard for us to spend time together this summer. Not only were we trapped together for an hour or so, but we also got a sweet reward while we were at it! The mold on the cherry trees (do to a damp and cold spring) made hunting for fruit difficult, but luckily my sister, Becky, has eagle-eyes up to the task.
16. Watch an outdoor movie. Not only did I get to watch one of my favorite black and white movies on a big screen, but I got to watch it with friends! Said friends put up with me as I crammed quite a few bucket-listing events into the evening, but I think we had fun--or I did, at least. It was a great girls' night (as my dad dubbed it) and will definitely be repeated next summer. With hopefully even more attendees!
There were three items on my Bucket List that I missed, but don't worry! Just because they weren't done doesn't mean they'll never happen. I'll just carry them over to next year.
Look out, Summer 2017. I plan to make it even more epic. Adventure, here I come!
But until then slippers, fuzzy socks, and hot chocolate are calling my name. Happy Fall!

Thinking Beachy

We've got a brief swell of warm weather out here on the East Coast. 
(By warm, I'm talking very low 70's)
The coat-less weather has my mind wandering away from fuzzy sweaters and boots to skirts and flip flops. In just a few short months, summer will be here in all it's warm, humid, buggy glory. I don't know about you, but I plan for Summer 2016 to be even more adventurous.

Literally. I'm planning.
Remember my Summer 2015 Bucket List?  Well, I'm making another one. Almost finished, in fact. And, let me just tell you, this one is even bigger and more "out there" than the last.
Why am I telling you guys this in early March (regardless of the warm weather), when summer doesn't start until June?
I WANT YOU TO HAVE TIME TO PREPARE A LIST OF YOUR OWN!
Sure, it's fun to be spontaneous. But "spontaniety" in the summer usually equates laying around the house with a book and junk food. 
But maybe that's just me...
Join the fun! Work on a Summer 2016 Bucket List of your own! Mine goes live on the blog June 1st.
Less than three months to go.
I.
Can't.
Wait!

Continuing the Adventure--With Pointy Sticks

This summer is shaping up to be one of the most memorable--and one of the most picture documented.

I'm now halfway through my Summer Bucket List!  Considering I have until the last day of summer (September 23rd), I think I'm doing pretty good.

Last Saturday I checked off the ever-delicious, ever-fun: Make a New Recipe.

And make we did. My fellow chefs assembled with asked for ingredients.

Technically only two of us "made" the food. Which earned us a pre-dinner sample. Having never made kabobs before, I was a little nervous. So nervous I almost forgot to soak said bamboo sticks before shoving them in the oven.

Fire, anyone?

But, thanks to the cooking skills of my partner in crime, the marinated kebabs came out perfectly. I, on the other hand, suffered my usual malady of crunchy rice (which I managed to correct, thank you very much).

Tastebuds singing? Here's the recipe we used.

Thanks, Natalie, Maddie, Jeremy, and Sam for cooking with me!

...Did I mention we had sundaes for dessert? ;)

I Can Write About This Later

This past weekend I accomplished another item on my Summer Bucket List. (I'm moving pretty fast, huh?!)

The weather was absolutely amazing for a beach day, and I loved it. Though I didn't set foot in the water.

Why, you ask?

Last year I had to be rescued by a lifeguard. At the best of times I'm not a strong--if even decent--swimmer, and the water was rough. Credit to my dad who was on his way to rescue me when the lifeguard intervened (I know you're reading this!).

Still, the event was internally traumatizing. Then and there I vowed I'd never venture into the ocean deeper than my ankles.

On the plus side, my lifeguard rescue led to the birth of THESE WICKED WATERS. Of course, I didn't start penning TWW until February when it was cold and dreary and very un-island-resorty.

But still. Being back at the beach last weekend reminded me of how the idea for water-wing-wearing Annie was sparked. It's amazing how scary moments in life serve a purpose, even if only a plot idea for a book.

Ever wonder how beach lifeguards rescue people? Feel free to ask! While being rescued I basically memorized everything. Somehow I knew I'd need the information for later ;)

Oh, and by the end of my book? Annie is a very awesome swimmer.