Summer "To Do" List

Why is it that summer always comes and goes too quickly? We’re not even through the first week of May, but I already feel like the summer is practically over! Our schedule is filling up fast: in the past 24 hours we have been invited to four parties, and we also have two weddings and three birthday parties on the calendar.

I suffer through long Chicago winters for these three precious and fleeting months, but they zip by before I have the chance to relax. So, this year I am writing out my summer “to do” list in hopes of savoring every second of this season in my fabulous city.

1. Take Evelyn and Mack to the pool. Believe it or not, but we only made it to the pool once last summer. Not acceptable!!

2. Treat Evelyn to an after dinner ice cream cone at least once a week. Preferably while we walk along Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.

3. Enjoy picnic lunches. We live near a lovely park that sits on a beach along Lake Michigan. It is quiet and shaded and no one seems to know about it. Evie and I went there all the time last summer, and I plan to do the same this year.

4. Avoid turning on the air conditioning. Not only is this an environmentally friendly choice, but is there anything better than waking up with a breath of fresh air and the sound of birds chirping? I think not!

5. Practice taking pictures. We recently bought a very nice camera and I took a few classes. I would like to keep up with this hobby, and I’m sure the summer will provide me with many opportunities to take some great pictures!

6. Get back into running. Before I was pregnant I went out for long runs along the lake several times a week. I’m worried about finding the time for this now that I have a toddler and a newborn. I think I’ll have to wake myself up before the little ones if I want to achieve this goal. Hello, sunrise!

7. Create new recipes with ingredients I find at local farmer’s markets. Chicago boasts a very extensive farmer’s market system – there’s one in this city every day of the week.

8. Sit outside with my husband and drink a good beer.

What is on your summer “to do” list??

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4 Comments for this entry

  1. Courtney says:

    I love your list! Here's mine:

    1) Buy a "fire bowl" and have friends over for a mini-bonfire
    2) Now that we live in a small town, I want avoid taking the car anywhere in Oxford. I think daily walks to all our destinations will help us slow down a little.
    3) Hike at least once a week
    4) Use my cherry pitter as much as possible. I love cherry pie!

  2. HomemadeMother says:

    Courtney I love your list! Especially the cherry pitter part! Here's a DELICIOUS cherry recipe. I use chocolate graham crackers instead of regular 🙂

    http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/fresh-cherry-tart

  3. Donna R. says:

    Hi Maureen, your suggestions are all great! My husband has found a great way to avoid turning on the air…our house is large and we did not need to turn on the air more than 10 times all last July/ August! (air conditioning bothers all of our allergies!) He keeps the first floor windows closed/ opens the second floor all day….lets the heat out, and keeps the living area super cool. Evening, if it's still hot outside, he closes the upper windows and turns on the 2nd story air. We love it and don't sniffle all summer!

  4. HomemadeMother says:

    Great idea, Donna! Thanks for sharing!!

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