Taking in Life Around Me......#Sundaystills Theme: Bucket List

This #sundaystills challenge is hosted by Terri from Second Wind Leisure. It's a great themed photography challenge that you'll enjoy. I love seeing the other participants interpretation of the theme each week...it causes me to think outside the box. I joined in hopes of it pushing me to get out and take more photos...I have to some degree, but I also like that Terri is okay with us finding photos in our archives, which is also a lot of fun. So check out my photos and then head over to Terri's page to participate or visit other's posts. There are some awesome contributors who always inspire me.

This weeks theme revolves around "bucket lists". I'll admit, I don't have a written list. I remember hearing the term years ago, and then watched the movie The Bucket List with my husband one night and actually realized what it meant..for some reason, it turned me off. Maybe it was so close to my moms death that I thought it was morbid..or maybe the way the movie portrayed it....kind of a "regret, woulda, shoulda, coulda" thing. I don't know. I think now I've changed my perspective to think of it more as "what do I want to make of whatever time I have left on this earth. What do I want to see, do, learn, embrace". I don't want to be stuck in a rut. So while I still don't have a written list....I have done some things, that could definitely find their place on a list. 

I was going to try doing collages for the photos, but I am not feeling like taking the time to do so. I hope you don't mind scrolling. Just grab a drink of choice and enjoy. It was fun realizing that if I had a list, these would've been on it for sure. For the trips, I have a trip page at the top of the blog, well, here's the link...You can view more details if you have time and want to.

2017...visit NYC. I got to do that with my daughter and a friend in July of 2017 (it was VERY hot, and I had developed blisters all around my feet on both feet because I clearly had NOT broken my birkenstocks in...but I pushed through and we enjoyed the next 6 days.) 

On my daughters list was heading over to Hoboken NJ to visit the original Carlos Bake Shop! We bought a variety of goodies and went to eat them in a nearby park until a thunder storm pushed us out of the rain to a bus station.

We didn't get off at the Statue of Liberty but rode a ferry past it. 

We had a fun trip, but we were ready to come home to our much quieter life. 

2019....Trip to Italy and Switzerland. Italy has definitely always been on my "to see" list. In 2019, our youngest daughter went to spend a month in Switzerland with friends of ours. She wanted to go to Italy but didn't want to go alone and wasn't comfortable enough to ask any young adults she met if they'd want to go...so my hubby and I said "why not go with her...we haven't gone anywhere in a long time". So we saved up a bit and met her there for her last two weeks. We spent a week in Switzerland and a week in Italy. It was amazing and I'd love to do it again.  

The alps are stunning! We were in constant awe. This was on our trip to the Schiltorn. We did the James Bond Experience and also did the thrill walk. 

We visited another friend who lives in the Emmentals and we went to a restaurant, watched them make cheese and just enjoyed the views. I loved this garden. 

Murano and Burano were included in our visit to Venice and I loved the buildings. My daughter is in the red dress taking a photo.

We also visited Como area and took a ferry over to Bellagio, which was a treat. 

St Marks Square and the Basillica were stunning. The details were incredible and you are constantly in awe at what they accomplished in those times. 

This was for laughs...we joked this day that I needed more spending money so I dressed as a gondola driver. 

2022...New England States Road Trip. My hubby and I took a 10 day trip, flying into Boston, renting a truck and drove all over, taking back roads 98% of the time. What an amazing trip. I loved trying foods that were popular in the regions/states we were in. The leaves were amazing. We found a website that showed us when the peak leaf peeping times were and we followed that. 

I absolutely love covered bridges so I was in heaven on this trip. 

I also love light houses...this was the Portland Head Lighthouse.

I DEFINITELY wanted to stop in Mystic, Connecticut...such a cute little town. 

The fall foliage did NOT disappoint. The above and below were taking in Stowe, Vermont. We also drove by the Von Trapp Family lodge, owned by the Von Trapp family from Sound of Music. 

2024....Hawaii. My youngest daughter invited me to go to Hawaii with her and two friends in February of this year...We visited Oahu and they made sure I saw everything...I would love to go back, though possibly visit another island. 

We did a grueling hike but the view at the top was worth it. 

 

2020/21....Trips to Texas. While Texas itself wouldn't be on a bucket list...our daughter and son in law were there for 6 months and we went twice to visit. Once in November 2020 and March of 2021. Two things we did that could be added to a bucket list was seeing the Ft Worth Stockyards cattle drive, and visiting Waco, TX and stopping at Magnolia (if you're familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines, you'll know what I mean). 

My FIL, and then others who joined on the trip...my daughter and I at the other end. When we went in 2020 they were doing a lot of work and in 2021 it was done and so cool. I'd totally go again. 

This was the original Magnolia market shop. I have read 3 of the books by Chip and Joanna and definitely wanted to visit here. It's now kind of an "outlet" shop. 

Miscellaneous things.

I had also never been to an all inclusive resort, and December 2023 we went to Cabo with our family. What a treat that was. I'd totally do it again! 

One thing I have wanted to do is help my aunt and uncle with their grape harvest at their vineyard. I visit every year and the process is fascinating. I went in 2023 and had so much fun!!

This wasn't quite on my list but hey, I did a 10K with my 78 year old MIL and her 84 year old friend. Did it in 2 hours, over that bridge which crosses the Columbia River. 

Being a Nonni! Definitely on my bucket list. These two are my favorite...maybe I'll have a few more someday, but I'm enjoying the two I currently have. 

Two things I've always wanted to learn to make are homemade pasta and sourdough. For me, who loves to cook and bake, these would be bucket list items..and I've learned both, and love both. 

I've seen Terri posting photos of the Larches where she lives, and I've seen other people post about them, and it's been on my list of things to see...well, a few years ago we went to Leavenworth and I happened to catch a few. Their color is stunning and I only wish I could've seen more. 

Wildlife will always be on my bucket list. We used to see elk quite a bit by our house but I think the more houses that are built in the area the more they push the elk out. We often have deer in our yard. On our way home from Leavenworth in 2022 we spotted a small herd of large elk and pulled over to take some photos. 

Every year in late winter the smelt come up our local river and it brings bald eagle and sea lions...My bucket list would be to remember to rent a large lens and get some really really good photos of the eagles. Until then, I'll keep using my 28-300 and try my best. 

For the longest time I've wanted to see an owl in the wild....they have always eluded me when I've visited the wildlife refuge and when I hear them at my house (it's always too dark). On a trip to Anderson Island in 2023, we were driving along and something flew parallel to our window. At first I thought it was a hawk, but when I looked closer I realized it was an owl. I made my hubby turn around quickly and when I spotted it in a tree, we pulled over. I got out and was able to take a couple photos and a video before he flew off! 

On our trip to Mexico we went on a whale watching trip. I would love to see an Orca someday in the wild...that is a bucket list item..but just seeing these large beasts off the side of the boat was neat. We saw a few jump out of the water quite a ways away from the boat...it was a great experience. 

The cardinal is one of my favorite birds and when I visit Ohio I always try to spot one even though I hear them all the time. I caught one on the power line (not exactly the best photo or setting...why couldn't he just sit on a fence..haha)...below is also a cardinal I discovered while we were in Hawaii...it's beautiful too. 

Another couple places I've wanted to visit were the Olympic Rain Forest which we did back in April. We visited the Hoh Rain forest. It was beautiful, though not entirely what I was expecting...it's amazing the influence of other peoples curated photos can have. It was crowded the day we went and a bit wet. 

This tree is kind of well known in the area. It is known as the Tree of Life. I posted about that trip here. I'm not sure how much longer it will last...it just keeps falling, but keeps living. 

Of course the Northern Lights have been on my bucket list and while I didn't see them with my naked eye, I did get some neat photos on my camera/phone.

Visiting the Butchart Gardens in Canada has been on my list and we visited there in August. It was beautiful and it's amazing how much work goes into these gardens. 

When we built the addition to our house with the large island, one of my "dreams" was to family over and bake Christmas cookies. Last year we did just that and had my sister and one of my nieces up to do it. 

I also want to always learn new things, so a few times, I've attended a paint and sip and tested my comfort zone. 

I'm sure I could've added some more things, and this post has made me want to sit down and make a list...not just of crazy things to do or try, but even the simplest of things. 

With Joy Unquenchable,
Kirstin