Those Summer Nights

It's no secret that summer is, in general, my least favorite season. I am a complete wimp when it comes to heat. Anything over 75°F? I shudder at the thought. This makes living in the desert, the land of summer heat regularly topping over 110°F, an exercise in survival. It's only April and we've already hit 101°F. I want this year to be different though. I would like to avoid my annual summer hibernation in favor of enjoying all the fun the coming season has to offer.

When all else fails, make a list. Here's mine of some activities to add a little bliss to my summer. Those things I file away in the back of my mind that never really see the light of day. Without further ado...

★ Make my own ice pops.
☆ Break out the ice cream maker, more than once.
★ Attempt to make my own waffle cones.
☆ Go swimming. All the time.
★ Run through the sprinklers.
☆ Go hiking at nearby Mt. Charleston.
★ Fire up the grill.
☆ Host a summer cookout.
★ Make smores. Over a real fire.
☆ Take advantage of at least one local food truck gathering.
★ Enjoy a fireworks show.
☆ Blow bubbles.
★ Make rootbeer floats.
☆ Read more books.
★ Attend a movie in the park night.
☆ Have a picnic.
★ Make homemade lemonade. Experiment with different flavors.
☆ Have a museum day.
★ Paint. A lot.
☆ Have a sunrise picnic.
★ Write more letters.
☆ Explore the library.

What's on your list?

Twenty Five

A girl couldn't ask for more amazing friends, family, and coworkers. From my wonderful cubicle surprise to dinner with my parents to so much delicious food; yesterday was pretty wonderful. I'm excited to see what twenty five, and this new chapter, has in store. ♥

Some Reflection

I turn 25 on Monday. Just thinking about it is absolutely crazy. I will be a quarter of a century old. Birthdays in general put me in a reflective mood, but this one in particular had me reevaluating my life. And then I shook myself out of it. What's the sense in living in "what-if's" when at any given point life has the potential to be absolutely amazing. Small moments, big moments. They can all weave together a pretty amazing narrative if you give them the chance.

That's what I want this new chapter of my life to be marked by. I want to be colored by adventures, both epic and seemingly simple. I want to experience life with all of my senses. To leave the past where it belongs. To live life with full abandon. I want to look back twenty five years from now and see a life cataloged by courage, love, and whole-hearted faith. To not let my past define my limitations.

So that leads me to today. Curling up with books on the sofa and making plans. Things to bake. Crafts to make. Those simple things that make my heart sing. I'm thinking that 25 is going to be a pretty wonderful year. These last few days of 24 aren't too shabby either.