“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
My goals for 2018
Goal #1 – Write Like No One is Reading.
“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver
You know, I think I did a pretty good job of that last week with my Home Tours Series. Here’s to letting it all go.
Goal #2 – Slow Down
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but over the past 2 weeks I’ve been posting less here on the blog to make room for a few other things going on in my life right now.. And to honestly, to prepare myself for what lies ahead. Pretty soon here I am going to be UP TO MY EARS in projects {and craziness in general} and so I thought I’d take the time now to start working out a new schedule that will work for me in the coming days.
I love this blog, and how it has evolved over the past 9 years from an online backyard journal, to sharing coupon deals with you and then to sharing home and gardening tips and total randomness, and I want to keep going. And so in order for me to do that, something had to give and spending a little less time at the keyboard seemed like the most logical thing to do.
Things change, people change and to keep moving forward and to continue bringing you along on this crazy journey of mine, instead of 2-3 posts a day, now there will be 2 and other days only 1. And I hope that’s alright with you. Life, it’s one big adventure, and I want to take the time to soak it up and really be in the moment.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
This past week I ordered a pattern from a small business as well as placed orders from two different small companies for wool so I could dye it up and sell it my Etsy shop. The way I see it, if I can get all my wool dyed and ready to sell before the ground thaws…. it just means I’ll have more time to spend outside digging up the backyard instead of inside at the dye pots. Thinking ahead. It’s what I do best.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
Mrs. HB and I got together last week for a meal prep day and we did more chatting than actually cooking. Although I do think we were able to get 3 recipes made. We also opened a bottle of Martinelli’s Apple Marionberry cider she had leftover from Christmas and neither of us liked it too much. Apple. You can never go wrong with plain apple cider.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
I need to go through my vegetable seed packets and see if there are any other seeds I need to order for this years garden. I’m planning on installing a 45×15 double dug garden next to the potting shed once the place in New England is finally ours. While I was with the inspector checking out the home, my friend Heather from Massachusetts was checking out the plantings for me. She found raspberry canes, blueberry bushes and a few {what she thinks are} fruit trees. I suppose I won’t know for sure what’s there until all the snow melts in the spring but I AM SO EXCITED that I will be able to have a giant garden again.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
Before the deal on the new house was signed around…. I ordered Lucy her spring chicks. 😉 A few of the varieties I wanted were selling out quick over on My Pet Chicken, so I took a chance and just placed an order. I figured I could always just cancel the order if the sellers didn’t accept our offer, but luckily everything worked out. I’ll be talking about what chicks we ordered, and our coop plans on the blog soon.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
Does anyone know if sweet potatoes grow well in New England? I never had much luck with them here in the Pacific Northwest.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
I don’t know about you, but I cannot just sit still while I’m in the car. I have to keep my hands busy. Driving is my least favorite grown up activity and so I am ALWAYS working on something in the car. Right now I am working on a few Valentine’s pieces that I hope to have listed in my Etsy shop by next weekend.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
It’s been a long time since I’ve made a doll {I used to make them all the time for farmer’s markets and little gift shops but that was like 18+ years ago} and didn’t have a basic pattern so I ordered the wonderful folk art book A Day at Sunny Brook by Maggie Bonanomi. I guarantee you my set of dolls will look nothing like hers {I’m going to go for more of a primitive Raggedy Ann look} but there were a lot of other patterns {including a few rug hooking projects} in the book so I went ahead and bought it.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
Anyone out there know anything about cross stitch? The pattern I ordered last week arrived and I am looking forward to getting started. I wanted to start with something small do I didn’t get too frustrated and give up. All I need to do is pick up a hoop, some thread and linen. I have a question though… I want my little sampler to have a worn, sort of a light coffee stained look to it when it’s done. So I’m wondering, should I stain the linen first, or when I’m all finished stitching? Something tells me I should wait until I’m done so the threads will show a bit of stain as well. Anyone know for sure?
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
Anyone know of a good bakery in either Missoula, Butte or Bozeman, Montana?
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
Yellowware, wooden spoons and butter molds are on my list.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
Yesterday I put two books on hold: Bad Days in History and New England Farmgirl online so hopefully by the end of this week they should be available for pick up. I figure if I’m going to have a garden in New England, I better learn some new recipes so I can fit in.
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
Mrs. HB and made a bacon and onion jam a few days ago and oh my stars, you need to try it. I plan on getting the recipe up later this week. It’s not exactly a jam in the sense that you can it and put it up on the shelf, it’s more of a spread you serve over crackers, but man was it good. I mean really, bacon and onions…. how is that not a good thing?
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
My lips will be sealed on this one until a little later in the year but my husband has been doing some research and we are both really looking forward to getting this project off the ground.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Mrs. C. says
Mavis, you can grow sweet potatoes, but you may have to warm up the earth with black plastic, and plant with that still in place. As you know, they love heat.f Also, look for varieties that will mature in less time, and stay away from the 100 day ones.
Great seed/potato/plant sources for you for New England: Johnny’s Seeds, Maine Potato Lady. There’s a blogger who moved to Maine in 2012, and her blog is very helpful in terms of advice for growing in New England. It’s called Chiot’s Run.
Teckla says
Yes, if you want the thread to show the stain, you’ll need to stitch it first, then stain it. Otherwise, stain the fabric and then stitch it so the threads remain true to their color. Staining the threads could be tricky territory, so you might want to play with staining some samples first to see what effect you get. I.e., how the stain changes the color of the thread, in particular. Good luck!
Judy T says
You can buy linen that looks old and mottled….. Also, there is thread that would go with that look. Since linen is a cellulose fiber, it dyes differently than wool.
Mel says
I can grow sweet potatoes in Maryland, but they are not one of our biggest producers because we are still tweaking conditions. We had much better luck this year by starting our own slips and using in-ground watering. If you have a greenhouse, you might be able to plant them nearby and let the heat and light off the glass mitigate cooler air temperatures.
As for Bozeman bakeries, the Wildflour Bakery was phenomenal, but I don’t know if it’s still there. My parents used to fly there with empty suitcases so they could fill them with bread to bring back.
Joanna says
One of my goals for 2018 was one of your goals for 2017: declutter the house. I haven’t set a specific number of things, just to consistently do it. One of my city’s elementary school’s PTA has a flea market in April, and throughout the year they will have Drop & Shop days where you can bring in your items to donate (and shop for things!). This week I gathered and dropped off 52 odds and ends. I also have 151 books to be dropped off at a branch of the city’s library either to be put into circulation or in their once-a-year sale (more likely). And last but not least, I have 46 items of clothing to go to a woman on my FB decluttering group. We just need to work out drop off points so people we don’t know don’t know our home address (I know Jane who knows Mary who knows the woman…)
Supposedly in the next few minutes The Husband and I will be going down to the basement to go through some of his things, but I’m (still) waiting on him to finish what he’s doing. 😀
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Hi Mavis,
45×15 of double-dug garden? by my calculation, that’s 675 square feet. Eat your wheaties, girl! In New England, unless someone else previously had a garden in that space, there will be ROCKS… Also, to piggyback onto Mrs. C’s comments, take a look at Fedco Seeds out of Clinton, ME; great prices, and *do* order their paper catalogue — full of planting information and it’s a riot just to read! A question — was that picture of you in front of a gorgeous old barn taken on your New England property? If so, I have a serious case of barn envy 🙂
Mrs. C. says
Yes, I forgot to mention Fedco. Great catalog!
SilverReader says
I wish you the best of luck with the sweet potatoes. Like Mrs. C said they need a bit of tender love and care, but you can grow them. You might also try growing Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes). They are native to the region and grow like weeds. They are in the sunflower family but grow tubers that taste like nutty potatoes. Hazelnuts are worth a shot too for that matter. I love the bushy ones, they don’t put out too many hazelnuts but are extremely disease and pest resistant.
You inspired me (well on a lot of things *cough*) to write down and keep a log of my goals this year. Included are draw two pictures a week, lose 20 pounds, practice archery twice a week (sooo rusty), and a few more.
I am so glad you got out of that terrible HOA neighborhood. Bloom girl! Like a mad spring garden riot!
Mary says
Morning from Bellingham. Missoula bakeries question caught my eye as we lived there for five years & our son is attending UM. Le Petit Outre is great, a bit spend & busy on the weekends but our favorite. They also sell olive oil & other unexpected goodies. I miss their baguettes. Bernieces bakery is fun. Near the river with more of a family vibe. Solid muffins, cookies with the option of staying upstairs in their very own Air B & B. We’ll be there in March for our son’s 25th! Travel blessings!
MT Mich says
Missoula local here, seconding Bernice’s (3rd St), Black Cat (Broadway) and most importantly Le Petite Outre (2nd st) whose rosemary foccacia is absolutely amazing, along with their pastry and bread offerings.
Terry Compton Friedemann says
I’m relatively new to the Missoula area. We’ve been here in the Bitterroot for less than a year and love it! I have been to Black Cat Bakery and enjoyed it. If you make it down to Hamilton, in the Bitterroot Valley, South of Missoula, look up Red Rooster. They make some really nice cinnamon rolls and foccaccia bread.
Laura T. says
I didn’t know there really was a Bozeman! That’s where Sheldon went on The Big Bang Theory!
You inspired me last year to start setting some goals & I did pretty well. This year I’m doing it again & I got my husband inspired to join in! I never knew much about setting goals & budgets before I started reading your blog. Now I’m being more mindful of things & getting those extra house payments made! So, thank you.
Cutting back on posts is great if that’s what works for you. Just don’t leave us completely! You are an inspiration for many! (No pressure there!) :0)
My husband bought me some nice new garden tools for Christmas & I can’t wait to use them. The Chicagoland area has been under a deep freeze for some time now. I want to get out & start working in the garden again!
Good luck with your move!
RebekahU says
I’ve been dying to know too!!! Is that barn your new home? Or part of your new home? If so – oh my goodness! That is super awesome! ☺️
Ilene says
Try growing regular potatoes in trash cans
..in the wildly changing weather you can bring then into a garage during a freeze alert…
sindy says
Hi I have not been to this bakery in Billings, but have had the Stroopwafels as a gift. The were so good! The whole family tried to hid them from each other they were that good. Here is the info about them”:
Traditional Dutch Stroopwafels Made in Montana
Stroopwafels are a traditional Dutch treat from the city of Gouda. From humble beginnings in 1810, the stroopwafel is one of the most popular sweets in the Netherlands. Made in that tradition, our delicious Caramel Cookie Waffles with richly-filled, chewy centers are one of the Netherlands’ true specialties. We have been hand making Caramel Cookie Waffles, our version of the stroopwafel, at our bakery in Billings, Montana since 1981. 1707 17th St. W
web site : caramelcookiewaffles.com
Katie says
In Missoula, Bernice’s Bakery is a local institution, and is in a fun part of town to walk around. Go down the block and get ice cream at the Big Dipper, or across the bridge for cookies at a new place near the Wilma (Mountain cookies?). The Black Cat bakery is not in the greatest location, but the scones are fantastic. The Park & Main Cafe in Butte has terrific baked goods and delicious breakfasts.
Kim says
I may not have paid good attention but I missed it; When are you moving east? Or, have you announced that yet? Confused.
Sarah says
I don’t think shes announced it yet. At least, I missed it as well. Is the bakery search in Montana a hint that she will soon be journeying east (and stopping there?) That’s what I thought at least
Carrie says
She did post that they bought a house in New England but didn’t give a lot of specifics. I think the post was called My Forever Home or something similar.
Patty P says
Depending on what type of soil your new place ends up having, you might want to check out the Back To Eden (BTE) gardening method. You can search it online and find the website for it. I’m in NY (more western than eastern) and we have clay soil and lots of rocks (shale/limestone) that makes gardening on our property difficult. We started BTE two years ago and have produced more veggies in our much smaller garden than we ever did in our huge (rock hard and weed infested) garden. It’s worth a look! I swear by it. As far as sweet potatoes…I haven’t tried them in the past couple of years with the BTE, but I know in my former garden, the ground got too hard for them to grow well and I always had tiny little potatoes.
Dara Purcell says
Regarding your doll making – have thought about/would it be possible to rug hook their hair? I know nothing about rug hooking, but it seems like that technique would make adorable hair for a doll – especially a Raggedy Ann type doll.
Deborah says
My goals for 2018.
1. Make all of my Christmas gifts for others
2. Clean out all of the closets. They haven been cleaned in a while.
3. Declutter the dining room
4. Declutter the breakfast room.
That’s all I have for now.
Mandi says
Wheat Montana off of I-90 just before Three Forks, Montana is an awesome bakery! Three Forks is about a half hour west of Bozeman. Not only is it an awesome bakery, but they are an actual wheat farm! Haggen and Safeway even carry their flour now. We moved from that area about 9 years ago to Whatcom County, but my three sisters and their families still live there, so we always make a stop to Wheat Montana when we visit. I even buy their flour in bulk and bring it home to bake with!
Brianna says
I would second the Wheat Montana Bakery and Deli. If you want pastries get there early because they sell out of many of the best ones by noon. They also have generous sandwiches for lunch and sell many Made in Montana food products including their own products made their front the wheat off of their farm, their cinnamon rolls are huge (easily cover a foam plate) and my favorite, but when I want something savory the ham and cheese croissant is nice (it isn’t as filled with as much ham as it use to be, but still good). The turnovers are hit or miss and can be undercooked and doughy at times. Muffins are good, but not spectacular. The brownies will cure any chocolate fix and then some, also are huge. Their pastries are not dainty, but very big. They are between $2.50-$4.50 each, so it can get pricey if you aren’t expecting it and everybody wants one to eat there and one for the road.
Mrs. Mickyd says
Have you heard of tea staining? I think that’s the look you are going for with your cross stitch. Good Luck!
KC says
A nice benefit of tea-staining is that you can give it one light “bath”, let it dry, see if you like it, and if it’s too light, repeat until you’ve got what you do want.
Anyway, always test color-fastness of your embroidery threads separately before doing anything, and if it’s just for display, consider doing cold tea staining instead of hot to reduce color transfer from the embroidery – especially a bummer when carry-over threads from the back of the fabric bleed through to the front.
Linda says
I’ve had problems in the past with some colors of floss, particularly reds, not being colorfast and bleeding. Therefore I would not recommend staining your fabric after the fact. It is heart-breaking to lose a piece you’ve spent HOURS on.
I’m appreciative of whatever blogging time you can give us, Mavis. I very much enjoy your blog, and the view into your goals and your life. Thank you.
Katherine says
My 2018 goals are:
Finish cosmetic items remaining from renovation
Decorate
Spring and Fall yard sale (I’ve already priced and packed 6 tubs of stuff)
Set up and organize all the bedroom closets
Get my backyard under control. I ignored it during our renovation.
Randi says
My daughter goes to school in Bozeman at Montana State University. Awesome town. I love the co-op for good sandwiches and salads, bakery fave is Wild Crumbs. Wild crumbs.com.
Diane says
Can anyone tell me what that bush is with the purple (bright) berries? I’ve never seen anything like it and if it will grow in the NW, I’d like to plant a couple.
Much thanks and have a great week!
Carrie says
I think you are talking about Beauty Berry and it is native to parts on the US. I’m NC and it grows well but not sure how it does further north.
Eve Wight says
Hands down, Bernice’s Bakery in Missoula is the place to go. Everything is so good that I can’t even tell you what one thing to try. Quiche that should be illegal, heavenly cookies, croissants you’ve seen only in your dreams, the most flavorful cakes, and cupcakes so cute you’ll cry when you bite into them…
Elizabeth says
I had a pretty successful week as far as New year’s goals went:
1. I walked 9 miles…491 to go:)
2. Had one free date night
3. One family game night
4. Read two nonfiction books
5. Had a no spend week
6. Updated my teachers pay teachers store
7. Found lots of good deals and freebies to buy for my $5 weekly charity challenge
8. Did not buy anything new
9. Ate low carb all week except for some fries on date night…my husband made me:)
Kirsten says
Depending on where you’re moving to in New England, the soil will vary. I live in the Pioneer Valley (Western Mass), near a river and I have some of the best soil in the area. I’ve never had any trouble growing anything. I would recommend talking to your local nurseries once you’re moved in.
And speaking of great soil, if you have a chance to visit Western Mass, we are known for “Hadley Grass” (asparagus). There is a huge festival each year celebrating that great vegetable.
Good luck and I think you’ll really enjoy New England!
Carrie says
1. Complete 30 days of yoga (following YouTube channel Yoga with Adrienne). Today was day 7 and it’s been so nice to start my mornings with yoga. 7/30
2. Read 20 books. Finished up MaddAddamm and moving on the the Longmire Mystery series today. 1/20
3. Visit a new (to me) National Park. We are talking about going to Maine this summer. Acadia NP is on my radar and I’ll have to look into any other NPs close by or on the way up. Not sure if we’ll drive (bring the dog) or fly.
4. Save $2000 for house updates. I put $500 of Christmas money into the account. I paid off my credit card bill that had gifts on it so I only saved $50 towards the house. $550/$2000
5. Save $1000 towards a new car. I have an automatic draft set up for $50 every month to my car account. I’ll need to add the other $400 along the way. $0/$1000
6. Add 3 chicks to my flock. I have 3 hens (ages 3-4) right now and their egg laying has tapered off. This won’t be happening until March/April. My nearly 4 year old Easter Egger decided to start laying this week! She stopped laying in March last year, laid 1 egg in September, molted and just now started again. A whole summer break, what a slacker!
7. Cut back my food budget to $300/month. My first two weeks of using only $150 cash is coming to a close on Friday. I have $7 left and a full pantry with a menu already planned for this week.
8. No buying personal clothing and other items other than the following few items. I am giving myself $300 to buy a pair of hiking shoes, a pair of running shoes, a tube of mascara, a new bra and 5-ish pairs of undies and for haircuts. My hairdryer broke yesterday and I can’t go to work with wet hair in the winter, luckily I had a credit to Marshall’s so I went there and found a good quality dryer and only paid a few bucks! Let’s hope it lasts longer than a year. The one that broke was just over a year old.
$30 on Brooks running shoes, $2 on hairdryer. $32/$300
9. Complete a third round of Whole30. I am still working away on all the Christmas chocolate but I am trying to be mindful and eat lots of veggies instead of bread products. I dropped 2 pounds this week. Maybe I’ll start a Whole30 in February.
10. Have a more efficient garden. I browsed through my seed catalogs. I need to look at what I already have on hand and then order what I need.
11. Sell excess produce, honey and eggs at my neighborhood farmers market. Nothing to sell this time of year. In the spring after a honey harvest and hopefully a round of good laying from my hens I’ll have something to sell.
12. Be a better beekeeper. I need to check in on my hives every other week this spring and summer. They have been tucked away in the hives hopefully keeping warm. It will warm up some this week so I may see some ladies flying around. Tomorrow is the county beekeepers meeting. I don’t normally attend but I think I will. The presentation is on spring to-do’s.
Edwin says
http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Spring2009/SweetPotatoes/tabid/1081/Default.aspx
If you can grow them in Maine, the rest of New England should work as well.
mandy says
Hey Mavis,
Congrats!!! I knew you could do it 🙂
I’m looking forward to hearing about your new year. I think this will be your best one yet!
All the best to you,
Mandy
Jeanine says
Hooking 100 rugs? Now, that is ambitious! I braided 50 rugs a couple of years ago. Sold most of them. Then decided to give it a go in 2016… but, all of a sudden, my shoulders, arms and neck gave me trouble. Tendentious. It took me 3 months to recover. Haven’t braided since. I hook rugs, but don’t push myself like I use to. Don’t want to have trouble with my neck, shoulders and arms again. Plus you are going to be gardening. Don’t overdo it! But, of course, I’m older than you. Just saying.