Summer is off to a bang at our house. And by that, I definitely mean the summer adjusted schedule of doing less, taking more time, and all the summer cliches. Dinner after 7? No problem. No homework. No early morning scrambles getting kids to school. A movie at 8:30 on a Tuesday? Yep. At the theatre. Hours spent reading? Sounds great!

The above does not mean, however, that giveaways aren’t still happening weekly, because they are! The last two weeks I actually did three giveaways. One to the young woman who happily shchelps my kids to the beach, the water park, and loads of other places this summer. She is such a delight of fun, so I sent her home to her family with a big sourdough boule. I also gifted one of my chocolate sourdough loaves to some dear friends who were dropping off some ridiculously delicious homegrown peaches. It seemed like a great trade and they loved the bread. Also, revisiting that bread is worthwhile–it is really great. More and more I make it without the hazelnuts and find it a delight. And finally, I delivered (via a surrogate) a boule of sourdough to a friend’s grandparents after they had gifted me tons of big beautiful lemons from their tree for a work bbq. Good solid work for two weeks of giveaways.

And now, for the list! As one of my mentors always said, plan the work, work the plan. Therefore, as promised, I made a proper summer a list of my own, just like I had my kids make to plan their summer.  As someone who likes to plan, there are few things that I like more than an intentional list (with headings!). So, here goes:

To Do:

1. Make my children write summer to do lists (always start a list with something already done, what a sense of accomplishment!)
2. Pray boldly and fearlessly this summer. Remembering now is not the time to play it safe, but instead “strike my last arrow” leaving nothing for the next life.
3. Go to at least 3 weeknight movies with the kids.
4. Say yes to more last-minute requests. This is sort of vague, but it still feels big for me and I am trying to plan for spontaneity. Yes, I see the irony.
5. Start a family game night.
6. Respond with, “I don’t know, what are you making?” At least twice this summer when asked what is for dinner. You know, just to see the faces.
7. Go to the drive-in with the family at least once.
8. Have a weekend away with my husband.
9. Try my hand at mailing some bread giveaways to see if I can make packaging and arrival time work with the bread while preserving quality.
10. Teach each of my kids how to make something in the kitchen that they want to learn, and try not to censor their choice.

To Improve:

1. Redefine what constitutes dinner at our house. It does not need a carb, sorry sweet daughter. It does not need animal protein, sorry darling son.
2. Organize my fridge so that healthy quick stuff is right at the front for better snacking for the kids, and easier lunch planning for all. (Oops, did this too–I was super excited and ordered these containers).
3. Finish writing up my biscuit recipe and also post it. I love biscuits and these are so good.
4. Read at least 3 good page turners, and (probably) one educational/self-improvement read.
5. Do yoga with my daughter 2 times a week.
6. Take more family walks with the dogs.

To Make:

1. Make a peach bourbon version of my new favorite (and yours) Choose Your Own Adventure Ricotta Cake. Seriously, I just posted it, and I highly recommend! I would start with the berry version and then try your own version, or go with my tiramisu flavored version.
2. Make some small batch summer jam…give with bread giveaways?
3. Bake a blueberry tart inspired by poptarts whilst camping. Sorry, not sorry.
4. Make a pavlova. Never made one ever and am not sure if I will love it or hate it, but it seems high time to get to it.
5. Make a giant paella in this beautiful paella pan I was gifted and have yet to use.
6. Authentic lobster roll (Okay not making this one and just eating it actually).
7. Make a great hoagie type bread roll that will work for Philly Cheesesteaks and Cubanos.
8. Work on an at-home version of a Philly Cheesesteak and a Cubano.