M. Suzanne Terry

Making to-do lists to match my yearly theme always delights me. This is especially true when my word of the year is something like “lush.” In the spirit of Joy The Baker’s summer bucket lists, I’ve been musing about the next few months.

I’ve decided that my lush summer starts now. As I was reminded by Tsh Oxenreider’s newsletter this morning, the pursuit of beauty is important, especially in hard times, so why wait? Also, let’s face it – the weather in Texas basically thinks it’s summer from April-September anyway. And to my amazement and mild chagrin, April is LATER THIS WEEK.

The first step is to find some things to drop so that I have the freedom in my schedule and the energy to do the fun stuff listed below. I’ve already been practicing. My typical response to busyness has been to tough my way through something, even if a pounding headache or sensory overwhelm or exhaustion from panic attacks or some other not-at-all-subtle signal is telling me not to. I have been really good at paying attention to those signals lately, though, and canceling things when I need to. Sure, I’ve missed some things that I wanted to do. But you know what? The world did not end, and I got the rest I needed. Then, I got to actually enjoy the next thing I wanted to do instead of having to trudge my way through it, too. Ultimately, I hope that listening to my body better looks like not making too many plans in the first place instead of having to cancel them, but baby steps.

Here are some snapshots of how I want my lush summer to look.

Plants

Despite my angst about the heat and the pollen, this is a great time of the year for plants. I never met a fruit I didn’t like, but in-season (and I cannot stress that distinction enough) spring/summer fruits—specifically, blueberries, peaches, apricots, and cantaloupe—are my favorites. I have a small space for some containers on my porch, but most of my produce during this season comes from farmers’ markets.

• Buy fresh produce and/or seeds from Denton Community Market (opening day for the season is this Saturday yay!)
• Plant tomatoes and basil and all the random seeds I have in my containers 
• Go to a pick-your-own flower/fruit/veggie farm. Perhaps one of these?
  Wow! U-Pick Farms – veggies
  Gemini Peach and Rose Farm – peaches, roses
  Green Valley Gardens – flowers 
• Keep fresh flowers (carefully chosen, because allergies) on the table and around the house
• Repot the office plant and perhaps pick up another new green friend or two along the way

Food

• Try a new local restaurant. Osteria il Muro is the one I have in mind, but spaces are super limited. Maybe I’ll be able to get a reservation someday.
• Make sun tea and lemonade
• Buy cold brew from Coffee Hog once(ish) a month (yes, I could make it myself. But will I?)
• Snow cones!
• Make ice cream (or at least an icebox pie or two, which frankly is more likely than dragging out the ice cream maker. But hope springs eternal.)
• Test some of the updated recipes for my Epic Meal Planning and Feast projects

Events/Travel
(if the aforementioned improved minding of my schedule allows, of course)

• I’d like to take a small road trip if I can make room in the budget for it. San Antonio to see Hope and Nowhere? Beach getaway?
• Attend a summer festival (or two). Maybe these?
  North Texas Lavender Festival (June 26-27) – TX-Ture Farm
  North Texas Book Festival (Aug 20, 3-7pm) – Greater Denton Arts Council
• Visit the family farm once a month
• Hang out at a winery with friends
• Enjoy afternoons/days on the Denton, McKinney, and/or Gainesville square(s)

Social/Miscellaneous

• Pool time with friends
• Girls weekend with Maggie and Michelle
• Lounge around in bookshops
• Continue my cleaning streak by cleaning out closets and actually taking donations where they need to go
• Redecorate or organize one small space in the apartment each week

What do you love most about warmer days? Anything you’re looking forward to?