Well a year has come and gone, and another birthday is here! I didn’t cross every item off the list (missed it by 3 1/2), but I’m happy with how the first round of this personal project turned out! Some of the items that didn’t get done will probably make an appearance on future Yearly Bucket Lists. Before I move into the next list though, I want to take a second to look back on the moments this list has created this year…

• Go camping.
• Write & mail hand-written “love letters” to important people in my life. Done – July
• Read at least 4 books – two recommended to me by loved ones, at least one non-fiction, and one just for fun. Done

• Host a wine tasting party. Done – December 13th

• Run through the sprinklers. Done – August 27th

• Print more of my photography for our house. Done – July 24th
• Have a picnic. (This should have been a simple one to cross off the list, but waiting until it’s 1,000 degrees outside wasn’t a good idea… this will definitely make it’s appearance on a later list, I’m sure!)
• Go on a weekend getaway with Max. Done – December 20th-21st

• See a play. Done – November 21st – Spamalot (and December 20th – A Christmas Carol)

• Run two 5k races. (I apparently should have gotten on this one early in the year because pregnancy symptoms sure did make sure I wasn’t running much!)
• Try a sewing project (something other than pillows or burp cloths). Done x 2 (4th of July dress for Peanut & curtains for her play kitchen)

• Plant hydrangeas in our yard. (This one was kind of done – we planted lots of plants and plenty of flowers, but the flower bed that the hydrangeas will go in needs a major overhaul, so we didn’t get hydrangeas in this year.) 
• Re-finish or re-purpose a flea market or antique mall find. Done – July 22nd (I’ll share some photos of this project soon!)
• Give gifts to 2 or 3 people, “just because.” Done x3
• Go to a museum. Done – USS Lexington, March 18th 

• Take a self-portrait – bonus points if it’s with Peanut! – Done – July 26th

• Keep a happiness journal everyday for at least a month. Done – October (Journal updates here, here, here and here)

While it was fun to cross things off the list and all, I truly enjoyed this because of it’s ability to make me remember to enjoy little things. To take time to play. Take time to be appreciative. Take time with the people I love. Take time to challenge myself to step out of my normal day-to-day and try something new. Take time to really live life. It’s helped me to remember to focus on my word of the year – balance.

What have been your favorite bucket list items? What has been a way you’ve made time for living life?