Spring Bucket List 2023

 Anyone else super excited about springtime?  Here's my bucket list for the season...

Autumn Bucket List // 2019

☑ Meander through a corn maze. // 10/27 {Rock Ranch}

☑ Visit a pumpkin patch. // 10/5

☑ Decorate the house for the season. // 9/19 {pretty much all of September off & on again}

☑ Take a scenic drive to see the fall colors.

☐ Go hiking &/or camping.

☑ Dress up on October 31st. // 10/31 {We were Yoshi {me} + Mario {Dan}.}

☑ Make our birthdays special. {My husband & I both have fall b-days.}

☑ Bake something pumpkin-y. // 11/23 {Click here for the easy 2 ingredient recipe!}

☑ Go to a fall festival/fair. // 10/31 {we volunteered at our church's fall festival}

☑ Shop some fall yard sales. // 9/28/19 {+ several other dates}

☐ Light a fall scented candle.

☑ Go star gazing. // 9/21/19

☑ Make crock pot soup. // 11/2 {vegetable chicken noodle}

☑ Build a blanket fort, add some twinkle lights, put in a movie, cuddle up, & have a date-night-in.  // 9/6/19

☑ Go out for a donut date & try their seasonal treats. {I'm thinking apple cider & pumpkin flavors!}  // 9/8/19 + 9/30/19

☑ Put a fall wreath/sign on the front door. // 11/23 {better late than never}

☑ DIY some fall decor. // 11/3 {We went to a free watercolor pumpkin class at our public library!}

☐ Continue our tradition of making a "thankfulness tree." {Click here to see just how easy it is!}

☐ Try my hand at making candles.

☐ Take some fall photos.

☑ Go for a walk & collect some colorful fallen leaves.

☑ Have friends/family over. // 11/23

☐ Watch some nostalgic Charlie Brown specials.

☑ Browse through an antique store or two. // 9/28/19

☐ Add some Mellowcreme pumpkins as a festive touch to fall desserts. {I know they are so sugary, but I just love 'em!}

☐ Enjoy the {slightly where I am} cooler temps & eat outside.

What's on your autumn bucket list?

Our 1 Year Bucket List // 2019

So I typically put this up early in the new year, but that just didn't happen this time around.  I'm giving myself some grace & sharing it now.  Yes, I know it's almost Labor Day! 

{Insert all the little sheepish faces here, my dear.}

Laura & Dan's Big Adventure: 2019

☐ Find new ways to serve Christ together.

☑ Become debt free!!!

☐ Go camping in the great outdoors together.

☐ Prayerfully try to start our family.

☐ Lose weight & eat healthier.

☐ Make fun travel memories together.

Our 1st Beach Trip Together!

We marked the very 1st thing off our 2018 bucket list with a trip to the seashore!

We both have lots of childhood memories of going to the beach with our families, but we'd never been together... even though we honeymooned in Orlando + actually only live about 3 1/2 hours from Panama City Beach!

So, when my mom & stepdad invited us down with them we jumped at the chance.  They stayed the week & we stayed for the long President's Day weekend. {This was also our 1st ever weekend getaway together.}

The weather was warm {around the upper 70s to low 80s} & while we didn't swim {though lots were}, we waded in the waves & collected seashells & made tracks through the white sand.  By the end, my pants were soaked {I never could resist that salty sea water} + my sun hat was full of shells + my heart was full.

The next day we went to St. Andrews State Park {one of Dan's favorite places} & explored.  While we didn't see an alligator, we did spy blue heron, lots of seagulls, a turtle, & 2 deer.

I can't wait to go to the beach together again!

Our 1 Year Bucket List // 2018

Last January, Dan & I started the tradition of creating a 1 year bucket list of things we wanted to accomplish as a couple during the next 365... & we're doing it again this year!  We were actually able to accomplish all our 2017 goals {even though our "camping" trip ended up being in a tent in our living room in late December}.  Here's what's on our list this year...

Laura & Dan's Big Adventure: 2018
☐ Find new ways to serve Christ together.
☑ Pay off the last of our credit card debt!
☐ Go camping in the great outdoors together.
☐ Check off at least one item from each of our personal bucket lists.
☑ Have a yard sale + sell stuff on eBay.
☐ Be more intentional with our date nights + have at least 3 a month.
☑ Visit a new state. {We're counting Washington D.C.}
☑ Go to the beach for the 1st time together! {We went to Panama City Beach, FL in February.}

My Autumn Bucket List {2017}

⬜ Tromp through a corn maze.

⬜ Buy pumpkins + decorate them all up.

☑ Dress up for Oct. 31st.  {We're going as an Oreo cookie!}

☑ Host a gathering at our place.  {Star Wars movie night + dinner!}

⬜ Make our birthdays special. {Dan & I both celebrate autumn b-days!}

☑ Visit my family back in TN.

Arizona Anniversary Adventure // Part 1

We decided to spend our 1st anniversary on a grand Arizona adventure!  Both of us had never been before, & Dan was excited to check another state off his list {he wants to see all 50} + visit the Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon & see real desert + tons of other beautiful spots that truly showcase God's artistry in His creation.  We were not disappointed - Arizona was such a sweet place for us to herald in our 2nd year of love. {P.S.: We found that perfect heart cactus on our actual anniversary date! ❤}

Here are some of the highlights...

Legend has it that these mountains hold the mysterious lost Dutchman's mine, which is said to be worth millions.  We wanted to be treasure hunters & look for it, but that Arizona heat, though.

Goldfield Ghost Town

We rambled around the sleepy "ghost town" {i.e.: tourist trap} of Goldfield & explored an abandoned "mine," a "mystery shack," rode an old train, & went on a sunset zip line ride {twice} that gave us an awesome view of the Superstitions.

The Church of the Holy Cross

We may not be Catholic, but this was a pretty amazing church built right into the red rocks. {This is also a free place to visit, if you ever find yourself in the area.}

This place is a giant outdoor playground & we got to go on a couple mini hikes on the famous red rocks.  Dan's giant fear of heights didn't stop him from taking the trail up to the top of one of 'em, either.  So proud of him for facing his fear! {That pep talk with Smokey did him good! 😉}

We brunched at the yummy Secret Garden Cafe {where Dan had his very 1st organic diet cola} & wandered around the shops + galleries.

Click here for part 2!

Make Your Own Summer Bucket Lists {+ FREE Printables}

So yesterday I shared my summer bucket list, & I thought just maybe you'd like to make your own {+ have something cute to write it on}!  I love to make summer plans - & even though {for better or worse} plans don't always come through the way we like {Proverbs 16:9} - it's fun {not to mention helpful} to have some ideas of things you want to do.  The big question is, what would you like to do the summer of 2017?

Free Printables:

Click on the list(s) you'd like & then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste it where you'd like}.  Print 'em out, fill in your lists, & make this summer count!

These printables are free for personal use only.  Link with love.  Thanks!

Jeremiah 29:11

He's got great plans for you this season!

My Summer Bucket List {& Reverse Summer Bucket List!}

☑ get snow cones

☑ scrapbook

☑ swim

☑ take lots of pictures

⬜ go to the beach

☑ wear dresses

⬜ host a party

⬜ practice Yoga Faith at least once a week {Not happening.  But I'm okay with that!}

⬜ star gaze

⬜ read / visit the library {I visited the library, but read very little.}

⬜ share my faith

☑ play

☑ make stuff

☑ go on a road trip {Chattanooga counts, right?}

☑ hike

⬜ read my Bible + journal realizations & lessons {I read daily, but only journaled once.}

☑ blog all the memories

🍉  ❤  🍉

🍉 Visited the Georgia Aquarium!

🍉 Explored Atlanta's World of Coke!

🍉 Tried out Dinglewood Pharmacy's "almost world famous" scramble {chili + oyster crackers + onions} dogs...  Well, Dan got the chili dog, I had a plain one {'cause chili's not my thing}, but I have to say, not my fave.  The hot dogs maybe renowned here, but they are SO pink - it was a turn off for me.  Keeping it real.

🍉 Wandered around the Columbus Museum {this was my 2nd time there + this is a freebie thing to do}.

🍉 Went on our 1st married double date with a sweet couple we love.

🍉 Went to a game / movie night hosted by friends.

🍉 Finally got to see Disney's new Beauty & the Beast.  It was utterly magical!

🍉 Had a mini tour of the very impressive {inside & out} National Infantry Museum.  We ran out of time, but we definitely plan to return this summer!

🍉 Explored Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Lab + their treetop canopy tour that took us around 40 or so feet up!  Dan also donned video capturing {GoPro-like} glasses to help with their continued improvements for guests.

🍉 Bowled for the 2nd time in my life.  I'm very slowly getting better.

🍉 Dressed up as Bible characters from the underground church in Rome for our church's VBS.

🍉 Had a breakfast + walking date with a gal pal.

🍉 Did a 3+ mile morning hike at Pine Mountain.

🍉 Celebrated my nephew's 2nd birthday with the family in Chattanooga.

🍉 Explored abandoned bunkers that used to hold TNT & are now epic, dark echo chambers - pretty strange, I must say.

🍉 Visited my old favorite place {a rocky ledge where my feet dangle freely over the TN River} + the tree where I wrote Dan's & mine's name with a Sharpie {kinda faded, but still there}.

🍉 Started seriously planning our 1 year anniversary trip to Arizona!

🍉 Enjoyed another early morning hike on Pine Mtn. - it was are longest to date {4.3ish miles}!

🍉 Helped friends with some baby shower crafting!

🍉 Finally bought a washer {thank You, Lord}!  No more apt. laundry mat + all those quarters!

🍉 Enjoyed the festivities at our friends' baby shower / anniversary celebration.

🍉 Played parents for a long weekend of fun with my nephew who came to stay a few days with us for the very 1st time!  We went to the Splash Pad downtown, the Columbus Museum, the National Infantry Museum, Oxbow Meadows, church, the new Lego store, got Icey Girl & Co. snow cones, swam, played the Wii, found lots of painted rocks + painted & hid some of our own, had a Nim's Island movie-night-in, & made chocolate "dirt" pudding with gummy snails & worms!

🍉 Last summer hurrah with exploring downtown + smooches by the river + Kilwin's ice cream & fudge!

Thank You, Lord, for a blessed 1st summer for us!

'Cause When the Cow is This Big You Should Take a Picture {Or 3}

This is Kadie the cow.  She lives in the Best Buy parking lot in my city & she is beloved by all.

Let me just milk this moment for all it's worth...  It seemed like a good idea at the time.

You hug the cow after you milk her, 'cause those are the rules in the official handbook.  Okay, so I made that last part up, but I think it's a good rule.

{P.S.: Bucket list item #22 done!}

Our 1 Year Bucket List // 2017

Back in January, Dan & I came up with a 1 year bucket list - things we want to get done within the span of 2017 {which just so happens to be our 1st full married year together}.  We wanted something manageable, with both fun & more serious goals, that we know we can actually get done in 12 months time.  This is our list, which resides on our fridge to help us keep the focus...

Laura & Dan's Big Adventure: 2017

☑ Go camping together at least once. {We ended up having to do this in our living room, because the temperatures for the last week of December were downright frigid (yep, we procrastinated).  But, we made the best of it & pitched a tent in our living room next to our then undecorated real Christmas tree + put on a campfire courtesy of YouTube for authenticity - & yes, we're counting this little indoor adventure as camping!}

☑ Visit at least one new state. {Arizona!}

☑ Take an amazing anniversary trip together. {Our Arizona trip!}

☑ Finish the F260 Bible reading plan. {This was a plan we started at our church & it really got us into God's Word together.}

☑ Continue work on the debt snowball plan. {We paid off one thing!  Just two more to go!  Read more about our story here.}

 ☑ Check off at least 1 item from each of our personal bucket lists. {Dan: Visit the Grand Canyon. / Laura: Explore a slot canyon.}

☑ Find new ways to serve Christ together. {In 2017 we taught the kiddos at our church on Wednesday nights for the 1st time + we helped out with VBS, the Easter egg hunt, & the fall festival.}

☑ Continue adding/maintaining new family traditions. {We did lots of this!  Some were new & some were continued (after all, we only celebrated year one of marriage in the fall of 2017).  Click here for a peek at some of our traditions!}

Hockey Date

So my new city has this hockey team - which seems pretty crazy for Georgia {I guess I picture the sport more up north in some New England state} - & it's been on my bucket list to go see one of their home games, so last night we made it a date!

Did I mention I've never been to a hockey game?  Nor do I really {ahem, at all} follow the sport.  I do know the basic rules, however, & that it's notoriously rough. 

I wasn't sure how this was going to go, as we took our seats behind one of the goals, but I knew I wanted the experience.  {We had great seats, by the way, with only 2 rows in front of us!}

It turns out this team of ours {with its Cool Runnings-esque hockey-in-the-south vibe} is really good.  Really, really good!  I soon found myself cheering, & by the end I was on my feet with the rest of the crowd & jumping up & down when they made a final goal at the very end!  It was a Columbus Cottonmouths' victory!  Final score: 7 -2.  I think I might just like this hockey business a whole lot {sans the fighting (Could we just stop that?)}!

❆

The Cold-Natured Girl's Guide to Hockey Viewing:

{Even though I was wearing a long sleeved tee + a fleece jacket, I still found myself shivering.  Next time I plan to be prepared!}

• Wear some layers!
• Bring some gloves...
• & maybe a blanket...
• + fuzzy socks...
• & a hat!

Columbus, GA Bucket List

☑ 1. Wander the Columbus Botanical Gardens. {Be sure to visit their camellia garden!}*

☐ 2. Go skating at the Columbus Ice Rink.

☑ 3. Root for the home team at a Cottonmouth's hockey game.

☑ 4. Explore Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center.*

☑ 5. Actually escape one of the scenarios at Columbus' Escape This Live.

☐ 6. Find a way out in time at one of the Exodus Escape Games challenges.

☑ 7. Cool off with kids of all ages at the Riverfront Splash Pad.*

☑ 8. Get a library card & explore the fancy public library on Macon Road. {Don't forget to step out & take a peek at the Children's Reading Garden!}*

☑ 9. Eat at the Burger King that looks like a nifty old train station on Gentian Boulevard.

☑ 10. Order something tasty & dine in at what I dub "the old fashioned house" Burger King on Wynnton Road.

☑ 11. Take in the art/history of the galleries & exhibits at the Columbus Museum.*

☐ 12. Navigate the wild Chattahoochee via whitewater rafting.

☐ 13. "Fly" on the zip line that takes you from Columbus, Georgia across to Phenix City, Alabama in one whirring ride!

☑ 14. See a live performance at the famous Springer Opera House. {We saw the Broadway version of The Little Mermaid here & it was magical!}

☑ 15. Soak in the natural beauty of nearby Callaway Gardens. {The Butterfly Center is my favorite!}

☑ 16. Visit at Christmastime & ride the Jolly Trolly through Callaway Gardens' twinkling Fantasy in Lights! {This has become a yearly tradition with us.}

☑ 17. Hike on nearby Pine Mountain. {We got engaged here!}

☑ 18. Take a visit to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.

☑ 19. Shop Columbus' outdoor Saturday market on Broadway.*

☑ 20. Stroll the Chattahoochee River Walk.*

☑ 21. See all the lunch boxes at the world's largest Lunch Box Museum! {Dan did not even know this place existed in his city!}

☑ 22. Snap a pic with the giant cow statue in front of Best Buy!  {P.S.: Her name is Kadie.}*

☑ 23. Tour the impressive National Infantry Museum near Fort Benning.*

*These are free things to do!

P.S.: I'll be updating this every so often with more check marks {hopefully} & more additions!

Make a Bucket List for Your City!

Perhaps you've lived in your city your whole lifelong, or maybe it's a more recent move, or somewhere in between - either way, you should totally make a bucket list for that special place you call home!  Here's 5 reasons why...

1. It may take a while to cross off climb to the top of Machu Picchu, but it's way easier {at least in theory} to cross off visit my city's Burger Barn & devour the #8 special.

2. It helps you uncover undiscovered gems in your city.  Never been to your city's public gardens, art museum, baseball field, or gotten your picture taken with the giant cow?  You are missing out on amazingness, my friend.

3. It can help you connect {or reconnect} to your unique community.

4. Some of the things you put on your list you've likely already done.  Instant success!  Cha-ching!

5. It will be fun, & yes, this is a legitimate reason.

So, go make one now!

In all sincerity, after leaving my beloved hometown/state for the hometown/state of my husband, this is truly helping me connect to my new place on the map!

P.S.: Find my bucket list here!