We are just one week away from the start of Spring! I have experienced a MILD winter, but I am still giddy for more sunshine, warmer air, and outdoors. We had 70 degree weather last week, followed by fresh snow this weekend. Needless to say, Mother Nature needs to make up her mind.
With that being said, a new season brings a new bucket list of things to do.
I didn’t accomplish as many things as I wanted to on my Winter Bucket List due to the fact we had very little snow. However, I am still pleased with everything I did get done during the slower months of winter. I spent a lot of time reading, watching movies and tv shows, and trying new recipes for dinners and baked goods. Because the weather was so mild, I managed to still get outside a good chunk of time for either walks or runs. I’m a firm believer in getting outdoors as much as possible, you just have to dress for the weather. I have done walks in 25-degree weather and 90-degree weather. You may get hot or cold while outside, but as long as you are dressed appropriately, there’s always an opportunity to move your body and get some fresh air.
Here’s a look at my Winter Bucket List and everything I accomplished.
As we get ready for Spring, here’s a look at some ideas for fun things to do over the next few months.
Outdoor Walks
Trips to the Zoo
Ice Cream Dates
Decorate for Spring
Switch over Spring Wardrobe
Increase my Running Mileage to Six Miles
Spring Planting/Gardening
Try New Spring Salads
Use More Citrus in Recipes
Celebrate Easter
Read Outside
Baseball Games
Spend More Time Outdoors
Celebrate my Birthday
Celebrate Memorial Day
These are just some ideas/goals for the next few months. The list will change as more things get added to the calendar, but I always like a good list to refer back to when I’m in a rut and looking for things to do. Tell me: what are some things you hope to accomplish over the spring months?
Here we are at the end of another year. At the beginning of this year, my motto or phrase of the year was “Building the Best Version of Me”. I really wanted to lean into my routines and rhythms that I established at the beginning of the year and stick to them and I was happy I did that.
It’s been said before that the older you get, the faster the years go by and that is certainly the truth.
This year has been busy with growing in my job, time with family both at home and away, building friends, enjoying hobbies.
I’m using today’s entry as a both a recap of the past year and a favorite things of 2022 post.
So, let’s begin with a recap:
The beginning winter months of 2022 brought me out in snow and soaking up with outdoors with ice skating, winter walks and trying cross country skiing, something I haven’t tried in years.
Starting the year off with time outside, like skiing.
Time spent ice skating.
And cross country skiing…
Seeing the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit.
I also took in some local theater.
It also brought day trips to Pittsburgh for a trip to museums and time with family. As the weather got warmer, it meant more time outdoors with walks, picnics and trips to the local zoo and different parks.
Time in Pittsburgh in the spring
I love taking in all the architecture.
First zoo trip of the year.
Celebrating Easter traditions.
Both of my brothers graduated in the Spring, one from college and one from high school, so it was fun to celebrate their milestones as a family. I also celebrated my 24th year around the sun.
First signs of spring.
Cheers to 24!
I tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible in the summer months, from walks, to reading outdoors, picnics, and countless meals outside, our winters are long, so I tred to take advantage of the summer as much as I can.
I went to the National Comedy Center this year.
Summer picnics outdoors.
Drive-in dates.
I met up with friends through the summer months for dinners, or coffee or walks. I also did some traveling with day trips with family and my boyfriend and then some meet ups with friends too. My family and I got away for a few days with and went to the ocean which was such a fun escape.
Beach days in the summer
One of the many places I went for hikes for in the summer.
It felt so good to relax for a few days at the beach!
More zoo trips!
Fair fun!
I spent so much time reading outdoors.
I enjoyed sunrises and sunsets.
The summer was also filled with baseball games, strawberry picking, zoos, bonfires, beach days, and grilling. I tried to head outside as much as I could when the seasons changed from summer to fall.
Day trips to Pittsburgh
Lots of burgers on the grill.
Beautiful night for baseball
Strawberry picking summer fun!
Bonfire nights.
In my happy place!
I went to my first MLB game this summer.
And ice cream nights!
I fell in love with avocado toast this summer too.
I enjoyed farmer’s markets this summer too.
But as the winds changed, I had to layer up for fall walks, leaf peeping and apple picking. I tried to do as much baking as possible when I was cooped up indoors.
Fall drives.
Lots of fall baking
Enjoying Beautiful Fall Walks
Apple picking fun!
First time seeing this majestic waterfall.
Making Halloween treats too.
The last chunk of the year was filled with all things holidays. From Halloween movies to family at Thanksgiving and all the Christmas and holiday cheer. The last few months are always my favorite time of the year.
Family movie night for Halloween.
More fall baking.
Hello holiday cheer!
All the Christmas spirit, from movies to decor, to hot cocoa.
Holiday fun!
That was a bit of a recap, now here’s some of my favorite things from the past 12 months:
Favorite Show: This is Us: the Final Season
Favorite Binge Watch: Downton Abbey (both the series and the movies)
Favorite New Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid (new to me!!)
Favorite New Movie: Elvis
Favorite Artist or Song: Taylor Swift’s Midnights
Favorite Adventure: First MLB Game in Cleveland to see the Guardians
This is a snapshot of this past year, it can be easy to forgot or not recall all the little moments that make up the past 365 days. This year has been so fulfilling and fun. I don’t know what the new year will bring, but I’m ready to embrace the change, take opportunities (even the scary ones), and make every moment count.
