Discover Something New
Last week I shared a post on 100 Bucket List Ideas to Try. If you have a Helm Planner, there is a bucket list on page 132 and it’s a fun exercise to do. If you don’t have our planner, you can download a printable of our bucket list in the previous post.
That post inspired me to share a list of the totally doable, bucket list items that I’m pursuing this month. New craft? Check. New book? Check. New recipe? Double check.
I’ve also thrown in a new quote and a new word for for fun. And check out the design prompt I’m using this month to create along with me!
See something you want to try? Just pin the images to save for later!
Maybe this post will inspire you to start doing some of the things on your bucket list. And I don’t mean book that trip to Spain or go skydiving. I’m talking about trying that thing today that you keep meaning to try. The simple, doable things that you envision for your future self. Like the daily walks you keep meaning to take or the breakfast smoothies you keep meaning to make.
I read a lot of personal development books and what I’m realizing is that our future and our goals aren’t far off, unattainable things. Our future selves are created with the actions we take today. A little too philosophical this early in the morning? No matter, pour your coffee and enjoy the list!
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A new art challenge
Design prompts are a great way to inspire creativity. They can be especially useful when used as a jumping off point, to turn a blank page into something that has an underlying concept.
There are lots of great places to find design prompts like this blog post by Artplacer: 31 Art Prompt Ideas to Exercise Your Creativity and Boost Your Artistic Mind. The design prompt I’m using is #6 from this list, “a splash of color.” Simple, vague and just enough of an idea to give some direction to a blank page in my sketchbook.
What will you create with a splash of color?
A new craft
When I was little, we had a picnic table in the backyard. My parents painted our hands and feet and had us leave handprints and footprints in every color until the table and benches were covered in colorful prints. That picnic table had prints of my whole family and it made it the most special table we’ve ever had.
That was a long time ago. And sadly, that table doesn’t exist any more. One of my bucket list goals is to recreate a similar project, permanently capturing the handprints of my family - children, parents and grandparents.
Though instead of a picnic table, I was thinking of putting our handprints on paper, overlapping from largest to smallest in varying hues of blue. Once the paint dries, I would go back with a pointed pen and calligraph each person’s name next to their handprint.
Is this something you would create to capture handprints of your family at this moment in time?
A new book
I love to read and am always on the lookout for great books to add to my list. The next book I’m reading is “Where the Crawdad’s Sing” by Delia Owens. The story takes place in the marshlands of North Carolina (USA) and follows the lonely life of a poor girl as she seeks knowledge, love and acceptance.
I’m only a few chapters in but so far I like it. The book is beautifully written and easy to to read. It is such a popular book (thanks in part to being named a Reese’s Book Club pick), that you should be able to buy it just about anywhere, but it’s currently on sale on Amazon!
A new recipe
Drink - Blueberry lemonade from Julie’s Eats & Treats
Dish: Blueberry Tart with Puff Pastry from Suburban Simplicity
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries… we eat lots of berries in our house. In summer, when berries are in season and even more flavorful, we like to add berries to ice cream, smoothies and other recipes.
This month, we’re trying two new berry recipes: blueberry lemonade and blueberry tarts. To skip the process of straining the blueberries, we’ll probably keep the blueberry pulp in the recipe and freeze it for an hour to make a refreshing frozen treat.
I love to bake with puff pastry sheets as it’s super easy and always tastes great. We often make pastries baked with jams, honey or Nutella. So I was excited when I found the recipe for blueberry tarts, which calls for a sheet of puff pastry toped with a cheesecake filling and fresh blueberries.
Want to make these recipes with me? Click the links at the top to view the instructions for these perfect-for-summer recipes!
A new word
Abditory, (n.) a place into which you can disappear; a hiding place.
Everything is in full bloom here in North Carolina. The hydrangeas are exploding, the vegetable garden is bustling and the vegetation around our little cottage by the woods is becoming denser and denser.
The kids are looking for places to build forts among the downed trees. There are paths that are visible initially, but quickly disappear amidst the foliage.
I came across this word, Abditory, and it made me think of the wild and inviting forests, the secret gardens and the magic of having a hiding place in nature.
A new quote
‘Be fearless, know that all will be provided at the right time.' - Yogi
Sometimes, it’s hard to trust the process.
Especially when you’re working with broken or missing pieces and they just won’t fit together, no matter how much Mod Podge and patience you apply. Do you know what I mean? Anyway, this quote is one I’m leaning into lately.
Also, I’m running out of Mod Podge.
Photo credit: Canva