my summer bucket list*

Summer may seem short, but here’s my list to make sure I soak it up before it’s gone before I know it:

1. Read, read, read!

2. Cook some new recipes with fresh local foods.

3. Visit Kprime in NYC.

4. Find a way to organize my mail. There are envelopes everywhere!

5. Neaten up my closet and get rid of clothes I don’t wear. Take some to the consignment shop and some to the thrift store.

6. Use my $50 gift card I won from The Boston Day Book! Thanks again, Natalie and Melissa!

7. Get into a yoga routine to get back in shape.

8. Take long walks a few times a week.

9. Find a fun DIY project to try my hand at.

10. Find an apartment for September. Hardwood floors, ample light, big windows, gas stove. Hopefully beggars can be choosers too. I’ve been spoiled by my last two apartments!

11. Look for pretty throw pillows for my new couch!

12. Ditch my car and take the train as much as I can.

13. Head up to the beach to feel the sand in my toes.

14. Dance the night away at two fabulous weddings.

15. Visit the farmer’s market once a week.

16. Plan a weekend getaway with my high school girlfriends.

17. Spend a weekend (or two!) up in Maine with Hannah!

18. Put some new and updated photos into my frames.

19. Visit yard-sales on the weekends for cheep deals.

20. Use my groupon to take a photography course.

21. Use my camera as much as I can to capture the beauty in the little (and big) things around me.

22. Watch Grey’s Anatomy, Season 7. Hulu, baby.

23. Hike Mt. Washington in NH. And take pictures at the summit!

24. Spend a weekend at the Farmhouse. Ahh, the simple life.

25. Head up to the beach early with Zan to enjoy a quiet morning while he dives for lobsters!

26. Enjoy a delicious night at Toro. With yummy drinks too.

27. Explore Cambridge more. See all that Harvard Square and Davis Square have to offer.

28. Meet up with old friends in Boston.

29. Meet up with new friends in Boston.

30. Canoe on the Charles. Why not a picnic while I’m there?

31. Enjoy a few afternoons in Beacon Hill. And the South End. And the North End too!

32. Go on a camping trip one weekend. Maine? North Shore?

33. See Taylor Swift in concert. This Saturday!!

34. Buy fresh flowers once a week. They make the apartment look so lovely.

35. Drink good wine and enjoy sleeping in.

36. Have dinner at The Fireplace in Washington Square.

37. Make our own Sushi (we used to do this often a few years ago!)

38. Eat more fruits and veggies. Use them in recipes and enjoy them by themselves too.

39. See the last Harry Potter. I can’t believe it’s almost here!

40. Eat lots of lobster with butter. YUMMMM.

41. Discover new music. Listen lots and enjoy the lyrics.

42. Take a break from the computer more. Spend less time double-tasking.

43. Find new table top lamps and shades that I like. I’m thinking turquoise to compliment the couches.

44. Soak up my week long vacation in Chatham, Cape Cod!

45. Use lots of sunscreen and wear my adorable straw beach hats.

46. Wear white pants as often as I can. I love them!

47. Visit Syracuse and spend most of my time at my family’s camp on Skaneatelas Lake. And eat pulled pork and corn bread at the Dinosaur BBQ. And frequent Wegmans too, of course!

48. Be thankful for my job: That I have one that I love, that’s super fun, and especially one where I get summers off.

49. Take a nap in a hammock.

50. Drink champagne with strawberries while watching the sun set.

* Inspired by Beaktweets (and Mama Kat). Thanks for the idea, Claire! I had fun with this one!

(photo credit)

Light.

light

Light.
To feel the sun on my face
And the heat in my bones
And the warmth in my heart
And joy in my soul.
This is the light of summer evenings
As the sun sets
Down
Down
Down
In the sky.
This is the light
That I Love.

Linking up with Mama Kat via Beaktweets! I decided to try out Mama Kat’s (pretty much world’s famous) writer’s workshop tonight. The prompt I chose was to write a poem inspired by a picture I took last week. This picture was taken up Halibut Point in Rockport, MA. It was a gorgeous sunset because of the clouds and I’m so pleased how I captured the light.

Hello, summer!

I feel this freedom in my soul that I haven’t felt in a loooong time.

I am on my first official, real live “summer vacation” of my adult life. Being a teacher is dang hard work, but for the accomplishment you feel at the end of the last day, and the relaxation that summer will bring, it is all worth it.

Yes, summer. I’m thrilled we’re together again. Stay long and stay sweet.

(photo credit)

So long, little friends…

Today is my last day of school!

I’m going to miss these little friends of mine next year. They were an awesome bunch and I’ll never forget ’em. Truly, they will hold a special place in my heart as my first class at Green Meadow School.

To my students:

We’ve cared so much for each other, and it’s hard to say good-bye. I have loved being your teacher this year, and now I will be your friend for life. As the Uncle Elephant story goes, “They were wonderful days. They all passed too fast.”. I hope you will take some wonderful things from our year together, and keep them in your heart always. Have a terrific vacation. Read lots of books. Writes lots of stories and poems. Discover a world in a grain of sand.

Happy reading always,

Love,

Ms. Burns