The Summer List, 2016 Version

It's officially summer! I love taking the time to make a list of all of the things (big and little) that I hope to do/cook/go/make/savor over the seasons. Do you do this, too? I admit I'm feeling a bit sad that we're not in Rhode Island to enjoy this beautiful season - those New England summers really are something special. Still, there's lots of goodness to enjoy around here, and making this list was a good reminder to appreciate the treasures in my life right now. 

Photo: Cameron Stowe

So without further ado, here are 50 things on my summer list:

1. Go to the county fair. In the evening, when the carnival lights come on!
2. Make a flower mandala.
3. Visit a National Park.
4. Check out the new SFMOMA.
5. Picnic in the park.
6. Float on a lake.
7. Work on earning our Wild Explorer's Club badges.
8. Go camping.
9. Have lobster for dinner!
10. Pick berries.
11. Make fresh lemonade.
12. Do some science experiments.
13. Go to an outdoor concert.
14. Try paddle boarding! 
15. Make a fairy house, pixie tower, or toad home.
16. Ride a train.
17. Visit a new park.
18. Go for a walk on the beach at dawn.
19. Swim in the ocean.
20. Go to a matinee on a really hot day.
21. Walk barefoot in the grass.
22. Feed the ducks.
23. Make the best quick pickles.
24. Go for a nature walk.
25. Press wildflowers.
26. Make a refrigerator cake.
27. Ride bikes on a pretty path.
28. Read, read, read! (My pick: The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante; Bixby's pick: The Treehouse Books by Andy Griffiths)
29. Watch fireworks.
30. Watch the Olympics!
31. Make a summer scrapbook.
32. Play board games.
33. Build a sandcastle. Or sand cat, whatever.
34. Have a tiki party and pretend we're in Hawaii!
35. Ride a ferris wheel.
36. Listen to the Beach Boys.
37. Mix up some sidewalk paint!
38. Make jam.
39. Go bowling.
40. Fly a kite.
41. Make some gorgeous grilled pizza!
42. Go bird watching.
43. Send postcards to friends far away.
44. Visit an observatory to look at the stars.
45. Visit a historical site. 
46. Go to a flea market.
47. Skip stones.
48. Listen to an audio book on a road trip.
49. Visit a beautiful garden,
50. Color the sidewalk cracks.

So that wraps up my list (for now...I keep thinking of more things!) ... what's on your summer list?