Summer Bucket List

My birthday was yesterday. I always think Summer does not start until my birthday. I know some people think the unofficial start of Summer is Memorial Day but for me it is June 15th.

After reading the Summer 100 list at Pop and Circumstance's blog. I got to thinking about my own Summer bucket list. I would love to have 100 items on it but I only get two weeks vacation this year so that would be too time consuming and a bit unrealistic.

So I came up with 25 things I would like to do this Summer.  Here's the list:

1.       Attend Waterfire in Providence - Done!

2.       Photograph koala bears at Stone Zoo- Done!

3.       See a concert at Shen Liu Center in Rockport

4.       Have a german iced coffee at Sugar n Ice in Exeter

5.       Walk the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine

6.       Take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown

7.       Eat lobster BLTs at Stonewall Kitchens, York, Maine

8.       Go to the Lantern Festival in Jamaica Plain

9.       Eat a farm to table dinner at Whim, Smolak Farms, North Andover

10.   Attend the Vintage Bazaar at Pettengill Farm, Newburyport

11.   See a play at the Ogunquit Playhouse
 

 

12.       Sit on the deck at Helmut’s Strudel Shop with an iced coffee and a hot apple strudel - Done!

13.       Have afternoon tea  at Fancy That, Walpole

14.       Visit Hammond Castle for the Abbey by the Sea Renaissance Festival

15.       Photograph and ride the carousel at Paragon Park, Nantasket

16.       Take a photographic workshop

 

 

 

17.   Have an illumination themed Summer party in August- Done!

18.   Take a lighthouse sunset cruise in Portsmouth

19.   Take a mini sister’s vacation- Done!

20.   Visit SOWA market

21.   Go fleaing at Todd Farm, Rowley

22.   Take a North End market tour

23.   Daytrip to Nubble Light/York area of Maine

24.   Have breakfast at Sugar Magnolias, Gloucester
25.  Visit farmer's markets where I haven't been

I am sorry about the weird format of this post. Tried to fix it but nothing worked.

Anyway, what are your Summer plans? Do you have a Summer bucket list?

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons to be happy at the beach

Today I was in a card shop to look for a small gift. There was a little book entitled "Reasons to be happy at the beach". The book cost $12.95. I laughed to myself. Why would anyone need to buy a book on reasons to be happy at the beach? I apologize to the book's author, but, really, are you serious? Aren't the reasons obvious? Well, they are to me.

Just looking out at the ocean whether it's sunny, raining, foggy, or by moonlight, I am happy. Calm or choppy, I just love being near the ocean.



I guess if I had to list my reasons I would focus on the ocean and everything seaside. I am not exactly a beach person or sun worshipper
.
So here are my reasons. They are in no particular order.

Fried shrimp, fried clams, and fries. They always taste better when eaten seaside.




That little bit of bubbly water that slides onto the wet sand.



Sea foam and white caps. I am in awe of the sea and it's power.



And sea spray. Sea spray is like a gentle tickle on your skin. It makes me happy.



Those onion shaped lanterns you see on shops and restaurants in seaside towns. They always have amazing reflections.



Ripples in the water, a rocky coastline, and the feeling that the ocean goes on forever.



The sound of seagulls and their persistence.




Browsing in fun shops and taking home a special souvenir from the beach like beach glass or a shell.



Concerts by the ocean and the smell of salt air.



The soft pastels of an ocean sunset.



Reflections on calm waters.



Passing the time in a rocker and just watching the ocean.



All things nautical make me happy.




Boat rides, whale watches, sunset cruises.

What are your reasons to be happy at the beach?

A Stop in Ogunquit

This is the second post from my vacation to Maine. One of our first stops was to the pretty town of Ogunquit.



The weather was almost perfect. It was a bit warm for my taste but who really cared, the sun was out and we were by the ocean. There was a lot of activity at Perkins Cove.



Here's the entrance to one of my favorite shops in Ogunquit, Calluna.




Isn't this doorway pretty? I love how the flowers frame it.



I loved these coasters but they were a little pricey. I'll have to remember them with a photo.



An aged sign, so charming! I would like this for my back door.



With such nice weather, everyone wanted to dine outside at the water's edge.




An ivy covered shop.



My favorite shop used to be the Blue Willow. They had a great restaurant on their porch with a fabulous view of the ocean. Sadly, they closed the restaurant. The shop is still nice.




I thought these bathing beauties were adorable. I thought about buying one as a souvenir but I didn't.



I just had to photograph these beauties on the beach.



After all that shopping, we needed a rest. We were sweltering in the hot sun so we took a break and went to Jackies Too for lunch. The patio was covered but open on the side and so we ate lunch with Mr Seagull staring us down.




As you can see, we were very close to the ocean.



The view was unbelievable.




I don't need a mansion. I could summer in a little cottage like this one.



The last shop we visited before leaving Ogunquit. Nice items, quite interesting.




My sister loved this sink. Of course, she did. She's an artist and the lobsters were handpainted. So unique and perfect for an oceanside town like Ogunquit.