Want / Need / Like / Love - An Island Holiday

I live on an island and the craziest time of year here is on the Fourth of July. Now I could brag and tell you about how we were listed as one of the Top Ten spots to spend the Fourth by Newsmax, Shermans Travel, MSNBC, and AOL Travel this year. The San Juan Islands were also named the number 2 spot to visit this summer by the NY Times and National Geographic Traveler Magazine listed us as a "Top Places to Travel in 2011".  Ok, so I did;  however,  I   r e a l l y  count my blessings that I ended up in this corner of the world even on wild weekends when I know I wouldn't even attempt to catch a ferry.

The parade is one of the many reminders of why I love this island so deeply.  It might be all of the familiar faces passing through or  that so many people come to appreciate our special little place in the world. It might be the marching band comprised of 6th graders to senior citizens (it ALWAYS makes me tear up) or all the dogs and cats and horses and donkeys that find their way down the street.  It might be our neighbors, running uncontested for the local School Board, dancing and tossing treats to kids to cheer on the potential their endeavour beholds for them (Mrs. Baby by the Sea). It might be the finale with our Emergency Service vehicles packed with giddy little faces and our wonderful volunteers who serve us so well.  All of these reasons, and others, fill me with pride for this place that I call home.

I live on this island. I work in my garden on this island. I have friends I think of as family on this island. Most of all, I will raise my kids here and they will always think of this place when they think of home.

Summer To Do's...tah dah

The sun is out and I am a keeper of To Do Lists (not to be confused with a completer of To Do Lists) so I felt the inspiration to create my summer fun / goal list with the help of some of my favorite blogs.

1) Make sure the kids are fed/clothed/cleanish.
2) Make sure the garden is watered regularly.
3) Monthly camping trip scheduled. (Check! That felt good.)
4) Take the time to pull out the camera during the memorable moments. My friend at Baby by the Sea excels at this. Perhaps I should adopt her Friday ritual to keep me on track.
5)Make some of the delicious recipes listed on Orangette to bring to Potlucks.
6)Grab some wisdom from the incredible Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen by reading her blog religiously. I love her style. She has some great baby food recipes too!!
7) Food for My Family gives me something to strive for with my blog. She hits it all, really. Gardening, recipes, going green and more. Take at look at this giveaway she had. I think it is how she won my heart. So, I too, hope to have a giveaway by the end of the summer.
8) Hike a new trail every week. There are so many on the island and my kiddos are happiest on the trail looking for fairies and bears. San Juan Trails Committee's website will help us choose our adventure sites.
9) Potlucks on Mondays at Roche Harbor, Music on the Lawn on Wednesdays and Beach Potlucks on Thursdays.
10) Submit a certain something somewhere.

Ok, so the list is out, now I am accountable, right?

What are your summer goals?