Statistically, 80% of people fail with their New Year’s resolutions before the end of March. With things like ‘drink more water’, ‘cut back on caffeine’, ‘walk more’, ‘track my spending’, etc., it’s almost no wonder these annual phrases of torture don’t last (guess that sort of tells you which percentage I fall in). Taking a different perspective on New Year’s resolutions, with ones like ‘create a bucket list for your birthday’ (thing or things you want to accomplish before turning another year older), ‘take on a 365-day project’ (i.e., photo a day thing), or ‘follow a monthly 30-day challenge’ (for example, no complaints each day for 30 days or smile at a stranger each day for 30 days), might create more interest and therefore longevity. BUT… how about something closer to home, that by virtue of being out the back door makes it easier? Although actually, you don’t have to live in the area to do any of these things – come visit and do them! That could add a whole new dimension of interest with the fun of planning your getaway and the goal of accomplishing one (or more) of what I’m going to list. I’m liking that idea already!
So here you go – fun things to do in Delavan, be it you’re a local or you’re a visitor. How many can you accomplish in 2018? Let’s turn it into a challenge and see how many you do versus how many I do? Ready, set, go! 🙂
Attend a Wine Walk – Either held in Congdon Gardens (May and September) or in the Downtown (April, November, December) or do ’em all. It’s wine, it’s outdoors, it’s a given to go!
SUP (stand-up paddle board) on Delavan Lake – The stand-up part of this should be interesting for me or maybe it’s more the staying standing up part!
Kayak on Lake Comus – Okay, on the water like with SUP, but sitting. More my style!
Visit every restaurant, in alphabetical order – When does Anchor In open for the season, ‘coz off the top of my head, I think they start the list alphabetically, right? And then who will be my personal trainer to help me work off all the weight I gain doing this?
Have a cocktail on every bar’s lakeside deck around Delavan Lake – Who wants to be my partner in crime for this one and then who will be our designated driver? And where do we start at? Inn Between? End Zone? Village Supper Club? So many to go to…
Hike the trails in the Arboretum – I could make this educational as well and say you need to learn the scientific name of five different plants along the way.
Attend a concert a month at the Phoenix Park Bandshell – And as an added thing, attend at least one movie under the stars there, too!
Fly a kite at Sky Circus on Ice – First time I’ll be told to ‘go fly a kite’ and it wasn’t said with “that tone of voice”…
Visit the Delavan Historical Society’s Exhibit & Resource Center – Learn at least two things about Delavan that you didn’t already know.
Find a hidden treasure at each antique store – Okay, so maybe adding to what my children will need to take care of when I’m gone, or I’ll have to decide what to do with if I ever move again, isn’t the best idea. I’ll be gone when the kids are shaking their head at some oddity that I found at Lauren’s Antiques or Remember When, so what do I care! It’s all about the search anyway.
Attend yoga at Boxed & Burlap – Coffee, yoga, relaxing surroundings. Need I say more?
Make a scarecrow for Scarecrow Fest – There’s even a contest with a prize for the best one, so let’s get planning now!
Attend a wine pairing dinner at Staller Estate Winery – Again, wine, plus now with really good food at a really cool location. So doing this!
Get something for each baked goods holiday, like International Donut Day – Which means of course that both Home Style Bakery and Cake Pastel will use their fabulous magic powers to take all the calories out of each item I get… Please!
Find that one-of-a-kind clothing item or accessory in any of the unique boutique stores that are Downtown – Put a whole ensemble together with something from each one, like a dress from Bradley’s, paired with a scarf from Neki’s Hope, and finished off with jewelry from Scene II.
Ring all the wind chimes at Lubick Gallery – First, I want to apologize to Jill for this one ‘coz of all the beautiful ‘noise’ this will make in her store. Second, I want to say I’m not really sorry as I love wind chimes and the music they make! Do not keep track of how many times I do this one, okay, Jill?
Buy veggies from a local farmer’s market – And then try a new recipe using them, of course.
Attend a concert at The Belfry – So many spectacular choices through the season that this could be a repeated resolution!
Operate a model train at the Delavan Train Show – If I can’t get behind the ‘wheel’ of a real train (I’ve tried…), then this is the next best thing!
Pick out my future mid-life crisis vehicle at the Cars Time Forgot Car Show – And then to pick out the generous person that’s going to buy it for me… Any volunteers?!
Okay, so there you go – a list of ‘resolutions’ that are way more fun than ‘exercise for 30 minutes each day’! There’s no excuse to fail before March on any of these ~ Enjoy 2018!
