Let me start by saying how much I love this month. June starts the summer break for educators in Georgia. Although, I did take a summer job because this lady is trying to pay down as much of her college loans while the interest rate is at 0%. But even with the time committed to my summer job, I'm still crazy for this month. My garden is taking off. I have tan lines from nearly a full week at the beach. My daughter and I have hosted friends for slumber parties, camped under the stars, devoured books, hiked waterfalls, picked blackberries, canned jams, built pillow forts, and even dog sat for the neighbors.
Essentially, we more than make up for lost time when school lets out because I spend August to May constantly rushing to meet deadlines and put out fires. Education never takes a break, and it's nice to have this time to breathe and fully enjoy life.
Here's what I checked off the ol' list in June as I barrel toward the big 4-0:
12. create a signature cocktail
I actually did this one on accident. I was starting to fart around with blood oranges (because I love them) and things in my liquor cabinet, just to get something started toward a final product. And I ended up liking the first thing I put together.
Weird.
So I give you Bloody Bourbon:
juice from a whole blood orange (strained)
fresh mint leaves (optional, but so good)
dash of orange bitters
squirt of agave
1.5-2 oz bourbon (I prefer Bulleit)
club soda
If using mint, muddle that first in a cocktail shaker. Add the blood orange juice, bitters, agave, and a few cubes of ice. Shake for about 30 seconds, and then pour over a whiskey ice cube. Add as much club soda as you'd like (more makes it taste lighter, of course) and stir. Add a sprig of mint if you're feeling extra fancy pants.
33. learn to make pasta from scratch
I was pretty ecstatic when Katie, my friend from college and fellow educator, just up and offered to be the person to teach me how to do this when she read my bucket list! So we turned the pasta making into a slumber party/camping trip for us and our three kiddos. The first night together, we made the pasta and squeezed all 5 of us around my tiny kitchen table to feast upon our hard work (because you know we let the kids take turns cranking the pasta machine). And then we spent two nights on Lake Hartwell in our tents and cooking our dinners over a campfire. It was an incredible time.
34. go to a movie alone
Hitting our local theater for a Friday matinee of A Quiet Place II was absolutely the best way to check this item off my list. Not only did I see the movie in that crazy GTX surround sound mode, I literally had the ENTIRE theater to myself. No one to be bothered by my screaming or cussing during all the scary intense parts. Those of you who know me know that I don't do horror movies, mostly because I cannot handle scenes with blood and guts. But I handled the first installment of this movie well and loved the story line. I figured the second one would be even better. (Spoiler alert: IT WAS!)
I did get ticked, though, when the cleaning crew couldn't see me huddled down in my seat, crying and half hiding behind my hands during the last five minutes of the movie and flipped on all the lights. I sat bolt upright, staring them down with my best WTF hands. When they finally saw me, they darted out, flipped off the lights, and then waited outside the exit with their heads hung to their chests, apologizing a dozen times as I passed. I mean, whatever. I still had fun.
6. start a book
I probably should clarify this one: I mean start WRITING a book. I read a lot, going so far as to set myself an annual goal. (I'm on book 15 of 20 so far...I'm thinking I'll surpass it). Over the course of the last decade or so, I have started writing 2 or 3 books, not finishing a single one. Ugh. I annoy myself with this tendency. But someone approached me with a great book idea, and I'm psyched to write it. I've been carrying around my writing journal again, jotting down questions and ideas every time something pops in my head. I feel somewhat legit, and I'm excited.
For now, I'm awaiting feedback on a sample opening I penned earlier this week. And then we decide how to move forward. [No, I'm not sharing the topic of the book...yet.]
17. dye the ends of my hair a fun color
I did this one in the care of Meredith at Republic Salon. When I messaged her about wanting to do this some months back, she was most incredible about talking me through the process, sending me pics of various heads of purple bayalage to rule out certain shades. Meredith is not a bullshitter when it comes to hair. She will straight up tell you that your desire for green hair is absurd because after about two weeks, it'll be the shade of swamp water.
It's her raw honesty that has me trusting her with my head.
And although I have learned that fashion colors fade quickly (especially when you go to the beach the day after your salon appointment), I absolutely love the purple Meredith put in my hair. This photo was about 4 days into going purple. I cannot wait to get another round of this color back on my head. This time, I'll be doing it myself because my head is a frosty-blonde-with-blue-tips combo. I just can't believe I waited until 39 to try something as fun as fashion color. It's just hair, right?
Bonus item (because of course these are going to keep happening!):
42. eat octopus
I do not eat seafood. I practically have to make it a disclaimer when I meet a man I might want to date because that's a for real deal-breaker for some folks. I get it. It's an incredibly romantic idea to reap the bounty of the sea and beautifully arrange it on a plate for dipping into horseradish or wasabi. But I am super weird about food textures, and pretty much all the things that swim feel odd in my mouth.
But I was on vacation with my two best friends. During happy hour on the bay. While watching the local hockey team on the bar TVs. And when my one bestie's plate of octopus came out, I remarked how pretty it was. She handed me her chopsticks and told me to eat some.
So I did. And I didn't hate it.
June has been my favorite month on this journey thus far. But July is still part of my summer break, and there is room for some big fun. Can't wait to share more of this journey.
Stats:
10 items down
30 items to go
And 2 bonus items!
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