An Analog Summer

Happy summer, everyone!

A few weeks ago, Jeff and I talked about our plans for the season and decided we'd like to spend most of it at home. I also plan to be offline more than usual, so I've been thinking about the kinds of things that make for a meaningful summer close to home.

As I always did when the kids were growing up, I made myself a little summer bucket list and decided to share it here.

The funny part came after I asked ChatGPT to turn my list into a pretty graphic and sent it to Jeff. I texted it to Jeff and jokingly added, "I've done my part to plan our summer."

Apparently, he assumed ChatGPT had created the list as well as the graphic, and decided to throw it right back at me by making his own version. His prompt was:

"My wife sent me this and said, 'I did my part.' I don't know what she means, but I would like you to create a similar image in response, but make it the opposite."

You can see his summer list at the end of this post. It's pretty funny—especially when you compare it to mine. It's essentially a point-by-point rebuttal. (Being married is fun.)

Anyway, my list includes a lot of the things that we naturally do during the warmer months, things that I've been itching to do for a few years, and a couple of things that are sure to be 2026 highlights. I'm excited about this upcoming season! Here are the things I hope to do this summer. 

Daily Rhythms + Quiet Habits 

• Sit outside upon waking 
• Spend mornings in the garden 
• Learn the names of our backyard birds 
• Weekly self-care times (facials, manicures, and pedicures) 
• Read through my summer curriculum book list 
• Walks after dinner 
• Evening drives with music 
• Read before bed 

Make + Create

• Make an "American Classics" playlist for America's 250th 
• Learn simple sewing alterations (start with my pile) 
• Make summer drinks from scratch 
• Print and bind our family cookbook 
• Continue monthly watercolor mornings 
• Have a sourdough bakery pop-up for B is for Bread 

Simple Pleasures

• Play cards: Solitaire, Nertz, Phase 10, Five Crowns, and Rummy 
• Do a puzzle 
• Do sudoku 
• Go thrifting with a mission (find the items on my "watch for" list) 
• Host a garage sale 

Local Outings + Day Trips

• Visit the farmer's market 
• Attend a Sun Valley Symphony performance at the pavillion 
• Visit the Sun Valley Museum of Art 
• Visit the Bruneau Dunes Observatory 
• Attend the Good Neighbor Days parade 
• Visit the Boise Art Museum 
• Visit Black Owl Coffee and Iconoclast Books in Hailey 

Adventures + Nature Days

• Visit Albion Basin to see wildflowers 
• Kayak at Blue Heart Springs 
• Hike the Sawtooth Mountains 
• Hike Eagle Loop in the South Hills 
• Hike Fall Creek Falls 
• Hike the Grand Forest 
• Find a great swimming spot 

Big Trips + Highlights

• Mama Mia! Broadway play at the Morrison Center 
• Ed Sheeran concert in Seattle 
• Virginia Evans author talk in Ketchum 
• Celebrate our 25th Anniversary!

What are you excited about this summer? Whether the season is filled with little somethings or huge events, I hope it's a beautiful one.

Oh, and as promised, here's Jeff's summer list which, if he goes through with it, probably means I shouldn't expect to be seeing much of him. :) 

Lots of love,

Sarah