I’m still waiting for it to feel like fall outside. Even though fall isn’t for another umpteen days or so (it’s still *officially* summer!) I find myself trying hard not to get excited about it. Summer’s my favorite, and the last thing I want to do is wish it away. However, with summer practically starting in April this year, I catch myself looking more and more forward to the turn of seasons.
So much that I actually busted this out yesterday for a snack:
Well, not just that – I made a smoothie (because it’s still effen hot out…)!
Pumpkin pie smoothie – 1 c. almond milk, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 c. pumpkin puree, 1/2 frozen banana, ice. Then I ruined it by adding powdered greens superfoods to it. So, it was like pumpkin pie with a side of grass. But I still drank up! 
You might have noticed that I haven’t mentioned my summer bucket list in…quite some time. Not since July 4th (yikes,) actually.
To be quite frank, the reason is because I kind of sucked at it. I mean, take a look for yourself:
Summer ‘12 Bucket List
(in no particular order)
Join a CSA and experience new vegetables
Go boating. I think it’s been since I got married since I’ve been on a boat! <—nope!
Visit a zoo <–no siree!
Throw a backyard barbeque with all of my friends uhhh, nope
Take at least 4 weekend trips ummm…maybe 2?
Have a picnic on a lake with Shane
Dine outdoors more often
Bike to uptown Normal for lunch or ice cream more often
Start (and carry through and finish!) a craft or two I made a playlist?
Read as many books as I can
And honestly? The only thing I kind of regret not doing is going boating. I really wanted to do that. I just didn’t make it happen. The rest? I honestly don’t care that it’s not crossed off. And I’m not just saying that because I didn’t “succeed” in my bucket list. I’m just not a go-go-go type of person. I like my weekends at home, my nights chilling with Shane, and times just relaxing and doing “nothing.” Some of my friends seem to be doing something, going somewhere, or have something going on every.single.day. of the week, and it exhausts me just thinking about it! I’m just not one of those people. One of the biggest reasons Shane and I get along so well is that he, too, is able to sit at home and just be.
I feel like people and society shoves “LIVE life to the FULLEST!” “DO as much as you can DO!!” “go everywhere!!!” down our throats a little too much. I get it – I don’t want to waste the time I was given here on this planet, either. And if I was given an opportunity to go somewhere awesome, believe me, I’d go in a heart beat! But in between those moments, can’t “living” also be chillin’ on the back patio, sipping wine with your husband, and grilling out? I think so.
Anyway. Ahem. That said, I’m going to completely contradict everything I just said and now make a fall bucket list. Even though it’s not fall yet. Not officially (that’s what September 21st is for, guys!) or anything otherwise. I guess I’m just over my summer bucket list. So here we go
So yeah…this one’s a little less ambitious, especially since I always run at least one fall race (hello annual bestie Frank Lloyd Wright 10k!) am already planning on going hiking, just gave myself an excuse to buy my 2nd favorite form of apparel (first is workout clothes,) and always watch Bears games with friends. And if I happen to do more than is on this bucket list, great. So there’s that.
I also added a fitness item to my bucket list because I’m horrible at pull ups. Just plain horrible. But – I recently picked up this lil guy who’s going to help me achieve my goal:
Yesterday, along with the pull up band’s help, I did 3 sets of 8, and by the end of fall I’m hoping not to need its help at all!
In fact, my lats are pretty sore today. Luckily spin class is on the agenda today (after teaching boot camp) so I don’t think I’ll be in too bad of shape. My hamstrings, on the other hand, are another story. Yesterday’s workout actually left me sore all over. 
Off to teach some boot camp! Happy Friday, friends!
What’s one thing that is/would be on your fall bucket list?
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Yay for the pull up band! Pull ups are totally my fall goal! I have them kipping but I really want just 1 strict pull up! I am the worst at them!
Danielle (@CleanFoodCreativeFitness) recently posted..Paleo Eggplant Parmesan Stacks
on my fall bucket list; visit a corn maze. did one last year and loved it. also, buy pumpkins for the front porch. i love the fact that you don’t feel the need to be on the go constantly or always doing something. i love being home with my hubby or spending time in my house.
Glenneth recently posted..5 Tips to Stay Motivated During Workouts
I had to chuckle because although I’m not for resolutions I do have a long term bucket list. I’m slowly ticking things off the list…wish I could do it faster though. Good luck this fall! I know you can do it!!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Green Means Good – Phoenix
I think that’s a great fall bucket list, one item that I definitely want to add to mine (because I never did it last year) is to go on a haunted hay ride. I love fall and Halloween and the past two years I’ve missed all my favorite activities… I’m determined this year to fit them all in!!
“But in between those moments, can’t “living” also be chillin’ on the back patio, sipping wine with your husband, and grilling out? I think so.” <—YES!!! SO SO SO agree…which is why I'm not a giant fan of bucket lists either. I mean, they are fun to come up with but I never want to live and die by them, so to speak (haha). I want to embrace every moment, no matter if it exists on some list somewhere or not.
Jess Sutera recently posted..The beauty in friendship.
I just made a fall and winter one. I find it helps us when we are bored. A couple items our list for the fall is go for pumpkin spice lattes and a fall walk to take photos and carve pumpkins.
I cannot wait to buy pumpkin this weekend, I so miss my pumpkin smoothies!
Lindsey recently posted..Fall TV
I’ve never been boating up here yet. My friend goes every other weekend and always invites me along, but I’m either busy or choose “option B” because boating isn’t high on my list of desires. No idea why… the Chicago skyline is gorgeous!
This fall, I am set on buying a new pair of fun pajamas. I always sleep in sweats and tshirts. Why can I not be cute as a button as I slumber???
Amy @ Second City Randomness recently posted..Done
I think you have a good point about bucket lists. I read a post yesterday (on the blog Yes and Yes) that sometimes it seems like we do things just so we can tell the internet that we did ‘em. That’s not the right motivational goal! Living life to the fullest should be about enjoying it, not plowing through a to-do list.
I go-go-go often. I fly back and forth across the country for work. I travel a LOT. So sometimes, between those trips, I’ll go a whole weekend without even leaving the house except to go for a run around my neighborhood and pick up some groceries. I need that balance!
Beth (i run like a girl) recently posted..Weekly roundup: Friday potluck
Hey I’m going to do a pumpkin recipe round-up post next week, would you mind if I included your smoothie recipe? I don’t have a smoothie recipe yet! It sounds delicious!
Jamie @ couchtoironwoman recently posted..Fitness Friday: Changing My Schedule
Of course! Thanks for including me, Jamie
Fun fall list. I want to do one fall race, too, and I know I’ll be baking with pumpkin more times that I can count.
Hillary {Nutrition Nut on the Run} recently posted..August Favorites
So fun! I might have to make a Fall Bucket List myself just for kicks. Half the time I don’t do everything on my bucket lists either, but they’re fun to make and help me look forward to an upcoming season even more!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted..Change
I love this post! Chilling outside on a summer night is definitely living to me! I’m so excited for Fall too! It’s definitely my favorite season.
Lindsay recently posted..my guardian angels.
We LOVE Frank Lloyd Wright homes! Tony and I did so many tours when we were in Chicago! They are simply magical! I LOVE your fall bucket list! I already have plans to go to my first apple orchard! I am beyond excited. I’m also going to participate in my first fall run! I’m scared and excited for this one! As for your summer list, I totally would have taken you out on our boat if you were here in Atlanta! It has been the highlight of my summer!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted..Overcoming My Fears…
I think the 10k goes by about 6 of them – it’s such a gorgeous race in the fall, too, with all the trees
i HATEEEEEEEEEEEE bucket lists – they just set you up for disappointment hahaha but i think next year i can solve your boating issue if you come visit meeeeee! hopefully we’re putting our boat in the water next summer!
juliegolean recently posted..friday food fitness & fashion
DEAL!
I haven’t even looked at my summer bucket list to see if I crossed anything off or not! How sad is that?? I love to look forward and make plans, but I don’t stress out over it too much. Sucks the fun out of life, right?
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..Friday Five
Definitely with you on the pumpkin spiced cupcakes – I could go for some of those this season.
I’d also love to go apple picking this fall – I did it all the time when I was a kid and I loved it.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..Things on a Thursday.
lol, totally agree about the whole “live life to the fullest” stuff… calm down everyone!
The #1 thing on my list though is to go back to my former college (Delaware) for an afternoon with my husband! We only live about two hours away, and the campus is absolutely beautiful, especially in the fall!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake recently posted..WIAW – Week 26
I love your Fall bucket list!! I am a home body too!! I would much rather spend my nights and weekends at home with my husband and kids than run around doing a million different activities. That being said I do like to mix in family activities now and then to make great memories/
Karen recently posted..Truth
you smoothie looks great, must try I love pumpkin!
Added to Kays list:* Purchase new hip clothes to make me aaeppr younger.* Take teleprompter reading lessons.* Get more botox treatments.* Take anger mamagement classes Oh f**k it!* Buy a book on the history of Sunni and Shites.* Take a economics 101 course to learn something, anything about our economy.* Send thank you cards to my favorite lobbists.* Fuel up the old ladies Jet.* Re-read PNAC papers.* Pay my Neocon membership dues this month.* Remember to mention terror, 9/11, islamic extremists even more often during my town hall meetings.* Remember to service my friend Joe Lieberman (get new knee pads)