Return to Quiet Joys: The Provenmille Girl’s 2025 Summer Bucket List

It’s been a hot, hot minute since my last blog entry but I promise it’s for several good reasons.

In my last blog post, I wrote about my intention for 2025: Embrace Growth with Grace and Purpose. In the months since then, I am very pleased to share that I have encountered many meaningful (and sometimes unexpected) opportunities for growth in different areas of my life. To wit:

• I am still taking Japanese classes and, in February, I gave a short speech in Japanese - my first ever!

• In March, I attended a teachers’ conference in Malaysia not just as a participant, but as a workshop presenter! I’ve always been a strong advocate for my own professional development, signing up for all sorts of seminars and workshops, but never did I imagine I’d be the one leading one.  When the approval letter arrived in my inbox back in December, I hesitated. I wasn’t sure I had something worth sharing. But a small voice inside urged me to step forward. And I’m glad I did.

• In April, Simple Crumb Bakery joined its first in-person market! It was a great learning experience - lots of good takeaways, many ideas to explore for future markets, and definitely a big reason to celebrate.

All these moments — challenging, exciting, sometimes exhausting — pulled me away from blog writing. But I gave myself the grace to focus on growth, even when it felt a little uncomfortable.

Now here we are in June. And if the past months were about pushing forward, June is about slowing down: returning to the quiet joys, the small rituals, the longer days filled with light and promise. It’s also time for one of my favorite traditions: my annual summer bucket list!

Now in its sixth year, this list is an invitation to savor the season and embrace its pace. Most of the things on it are simple. Some are free and only require a sense of gratitude for the warm sunny days that we have been blessed with.

Do a summer reading challenge.

I have been seeing so many reading challenges floating around (I’ll share some on IG soon!). I think it’s a fun way to not only relive a childhood memory of summer library programs albeit in the West but to also step out of our reading comfort zone by succumbing to the suggested reading prompts. Think reading poetry or reading a book in translation, for instance. Or rereading a book that you loved as a kid or one that is set on your dream travel destination. Let the prompts surprise you.

Make lip gloss charms.

This is the cutest craft and a really fun way to personalize this season’s best weapon against chapped lips. All you need are charms, clasps, and a few jewelry tools to spruce up your lip glosses. Bonus: they also make cute summer gifts.

Eat tomato toast.

Tomato season is here in all its glory. I discovered the joy of tomato toast two summers ago in Madrid and now it’s my favorite way to enjoy this fruit. Slice or mash a ripe tomato onto good bread, sprinkle salt, drizzle olive oil — that’s it. Pure summer.

Take an evening walk to get ice cream.

Let the sun dip lower, lace up your sandals, and take a lovely stroll. There is a quiet delight in an unhurried evening walk that ends with a cone in hand.

Host a themed soiree.

Summer is perfect for get-togethers and while we are familiar with barbecues and picnics, we can heighten the excitement for the season through fun themed gatherings! How about a ‘90s throwback night? Or a garden tea party or a tiny tapas tasting? Pick a vibe and invite your people.

Plan your perfect day.

What would the perfect day look like for you? Mine would be like this: Sleep in. A big breakfast. Yoga or Pilates. A long bath. Puttering around the house. A leisurely lunch. A walk to have coffee and cake at a cozy café with a good book. Some Netflix. More reading. A slow dinner, a warm shower, pajamas, and a little more reading before bed. There is something joyful about planning your ideal day but don’t stop there. Live it out.

Set up your alarm and wake up early - and then go back to bed immediately after.

This is one of my silly little treats. Yes, it’s silly and indulgent. But that feeling — the one where you remember you don’t have to be up — is magic.

Make homemade pizza for movie night.

There’s something grounding about making dough from scratch, shaping it by hand, and layering your favorite toppings just so. Even if you use store-bought dough (which I often do), it’s still a satisfying ritual. Pair it with a cozy film and call it an intentional night in.

Get your nails done.

Not necessarily for the color (although a seasonal hue is fun), but for the small act of self-care. Sit still, let someone else tend to your hands and feet, and enjoy the moment of pause. It’s a quiet kind of luxury that says: this season is mine to enjoy.

Go to a theme park.

Not exactly for the thrill-seeking (unless that’s your thing), but for the joy of wandering. There's something oddly comforting about the mix of music, the smell of fried food, the outrageously fun headbands. It’s like you are allowed to be silly on purpose. More than the rides, theme parks are about the shared delight, the small indulgences, and the permission to play.

So here’s to slow mornings, small joys, and the kind of summer that doesn’t need to be loud to feel full. Whether you check off every item or just pick one, I hope this season gives you room to breathe, notice, and enjoy. Growth doesn’t always come from doing more; sometimes, it’s found in the quiet, everyday moments we choose to hold onto.