“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
Goal #2 – Slow Down
Well, I did it. My “slow down” project over the past 3 weeks has been to strip the three desks we plan to use at the new house. Although we are not exactly sure where the desks will go yet, I wanted to make sure they were ready to be stained or painted once we do have them in the right rooms. I’ll put together a proper post this week with some tips on stripping.
Goal #3 – Shop Small
This past week was mostly about packing and getting the HOA house ready for the new peeps so I didn’t really do any shopping. But let me tell you Bob, I am so excited to get serious about this goal once we get settled.
Goal # 4 – Have a Designated Meal Prep Day
Ya. Right. Wait until you see all the delicious meals I was able to prepare out of the fridge and freezer bits. Some of the combos were pretty funny.
In other news, the HH took me to Chick Fil A for lunch one day last week and it was the first time I had ever stepped inside one of their restaurants {I’ve ordered from the drive thru only twice before}. Anyway, take a look at that condiment packet display! Holy cow man…. All those packets lined up so beautifully. Are all Chick Fil A’s like this? All I could think about while I was staring at the packets was my mother and her complimentary boxes. 😉 She would have had a field day I tell you.
Goal #5 – Install a Vegetable Garden
Well, there’s nothing I can do until I am officially in my new garden space but I can sure plan for it. If you still need seeds, Botanical Interests is offering free shipping on any size order through the month of February.
I do have all my seeds ordered and my strawberry, rhubarb and sweet potatoes will arrive when it’s time to plant. I was going to order seed potatoes online but they were so expensive {as was shipping} that I think I’ll just buy them {and onion starts} from a local nursery. I wanted to plant asparagus as well but that will have to wait until next year as I will need to prepare a proper asparagus bed.
Goal #6 – Clear Land for a Chicken Coop and Future Raised Garden Bed Area
I am hoping to share what chicken varieties we ordered for Lucy this week. Stay tuned.
Goal #7 – Grow 500 Pounds of Vegetables
A few weeks ago I shared my plans for my 2018 vegetable garden. Now all I can do is wait until we get over there and the ground thaws to get started.
Goal #8 – Hook 100 Rugs
17 down, 83 to go. This past week I hooked three little piggy rugs and a sweet bluebird and listed one little pig and the bluebird rug on Etsy. The little pig on the bottom left turned out the best {in my opinion}. As we will be in a weird sort of transition the next 4 weeks I plan to get LOTS of hooking done. I’ll explain more about that though tomorrow.
Goal #9 – Make a Set of Dolls
Word on the street is winter in the Northeast is like 6 months long…. So I am stockpiling a variety of projects to keep me busy this winter. To me, there is a HUGE difference between the depressing grey, cloudy, and wet skies of the PNW and the cold, snowy {but with SUNSHINE} winter months on the other side of the US. For a girl who likes to be outside and in the dirt so much, it’s probably hard to imagine I won’t come down with cabin fever over there…. But just you wait until you see my new creative space at the new house. 😉 It will take all the doubt away.
Goal #10 – Make a Sampler, Frame it and Hang it on the Wall
So, it turns out I value my eyesight. I may not be able to handle those teeny tiny cross stitches but I can stitch up a primitive school girl sampler. It’s a little rough, but not bad for the first one I’ve made in like 15 years or so. I may try stitching the design a second time using different stitches. We’ll see.
Goal #11 – Visit 22 Bakeries
I’ve got bakeries lined up from Montana to Wisconsin. 🙂
Goal #12 – Start a Collection
I been to busy packing and cleaning to make my way to an antique store to look for antique butter molds or spoons. I’m not worried though, it will happen. If I really wanted to I could order some off ebay but I’d rather spend my dollars at antique or thrift stores or buying them off a woodcarver at a Farmer’s market.
Goal #13 – Read {or listen to} 26 Books
This past week I’ve been listening to A Secret Gift: How One Man’s Kindness–and a Trove of Letters–Revealed the Hidden History of the Great Depression while I hooked rugs and finished packing. I wasn’t really keen on the narrators voice {he kind of sounds like a newscaster} but I am REALLY enjoying listening to the stories and just how much pride the people who wrote in had. Times were tough and rather than a hand out, what they wanted more than anything was a job. It is a really good read and I highly recommend the book.
Books I’ve read or listened to so far this year:
Goal #14 – Try 12 New Canning Recipes
I am looking forward to doing a lot of canning this summer!
Goal #15 – Secret {for now} Holiday Project
I am still in the research/planning stages for this project and have a found a class in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that will help me learn more about the craft. Plus, as an added bonus I’ll be able to hang out with my friend Zoë and her mom. But that’s all I’m going to say about it for now.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2018? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2018 Goals HERE.
Carrie says
Hi Mavis,
I live in Massachusetts and just wanted to let you know you picked a great year to move East.
I was out digging in the dirt a couple of days ago and although there was still frozen ground, there were areas that I was able to dig easily. One area I dug at least 36 inches to set some poles and I was able to get it done without chopping any ice. Its been pretty mild here this year.
Good luck with your move and I hope you and your family love this section of the country as much as we do and we were born and raised here!
Diana says
Great job on stripping the desks. It is a messy and tedious process. I’ll look forward to seeing their new finishes.
Danielle says
I grew up in Massachusetts. Yes, winters are very long there. Just when you think its over you get 3 inches of snow of Mother’s Day. Everyone gets cabin fever. Good luck with that! A long list of indoor projects might help.
Laura T. says
How funny, I thought of your mom too when I saw those condiments! I would love to go to Lancaster Pa.! I read a lot of Amish stories & that is certainly the area to go to. I’ve only been to Shipshewana in Indiana.
Roberta says
I REALLY hope this move is everything you want it to be, with a cherry on top. I’ve lived in the PNW, the Mountain West, The Central US and now, Florida. I am a gardener, not yet a retiree. Beware of the freeze/thaw cycles in very snowy places, they can cause so much damage to trees and to perennials like veggies, berries, and flowers. Of my friends in Florida now, many are from the NE, I don’t hear them speaking too much about the abundance of sunlight during the winter up there. That said, the summers sound glorious, the history is unparalleled in this country (other than pockets like New Orleans, Santa Fe, Charleston and Savannah), and much of it is beautiful. In my opinion, the Mountain West is the place to be if you want sunshine and cold, snowy weather. I wish you nothing but happiness.
Kimmy says
I think all the pig rugs are adorable, and you should list them all! Someone might want the whole set of “3 little pigs.”
E in Upstate NY says
While you are in Lancaster PA, schedule time to visit Fillmore Containers. I’ve priced their products before, and their prices are the best. What killed the deal for me was the shipping. But, since you are going to be there anyway…
For gift giving, their variety of shapes are great. Think they have every variety of Mrs. Wages packets. Most I never knew existed.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the tip!
Tammy says
We lived in Michigan for 12 years, and one thing about the Michigan winters (at least in the Grand Rapids area) is that they are very cloudy. There were whole months that would go by where they were at 100% cloud cover. Don’t know how to compare Michigan to eastern states! Hope you get your sunny days! 😀
Lisa says
And when it is sunny in the winter, the temperature is much colder. The clouds act like a blanket.
Pj says
I’m guessing the secret holiday surprise is a quilted Christmas tree skirt. I hope there is sunshine with your snowy winters in New England. That is not the case in Columbus, Ohio.
Tiffany Nash says
Chick-Fil-A is AWESOME! Our daughter works there when she is home from college. Here is a must see video about CFA:
Ann says
Regarding your garden/chicken goals, you really should see Season 5 Episode 12 of HGTV’s “Fixer Upper” for a magnificent concept. The Gaines Family builds a sizable fenced garden that includes coop, raised beds, support for climbing produce with a chicken run along its perimeter. This arrangement allows The Ladies to provide eco-friendly organic pest control and fertilizer.
Bury a horizontal skirt of fence fabric and add bat boxes nearby and the only creatures munching your veggies should be you. No chemicals, no bugs, free chicken treats — everybody wins.
Mrs. M says
I can’t seem to find a way to watch the “Fixer Upper” episode you recommend.
Do you have a link to it you could share?
Thanks!
Mama Cook says
Mrs M,
You will have to scroll down to watch episode 12, and it has to be purchased.
https://www.amazon.com/Fixer-Upper-Season-5/dp/B077H41FZM
HTH! ☺️
Ann says
Mrs. M,
This episode just aired February 13, so likely HGTV it will air it several more times and you can record it for free. It is entitled “The Gaines Family Garden.”
Carolina says
I am in the NH/Southern Maine area and I can only describe the weather today as CAPRICIOUS. We had an inch of snow predicted for today and we got 6 inches!!!
By early afternoon, the temperature is around 40 degrees, and all is melting. Later this week, the temp is predicted to be close to 70!!! And YES, we have brilliant sunshine in the winter. The sun is flooding my living room right now. I am NOT a native of New England, but I will tell you that the locals DO NOT let frigid winter keep them inside. People here are ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating on ponds, skiing, etc. all winter long.
TEL says
Yes, Chick-Fil-As are typically super tidy. It’s one of my favorites for a fast food breakfast and we’ve visited them in several states and have never been disappointed with the cleanliness or the manners of the employees.
Linda says
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m originally from Maine, and have been exiled to Ohio for the last 30+ years. The sun shines in winter in Maine. Ity does NOT in Ohio, particularly anywhere near a city. Not only that, I grew up skating, sliding, smelting, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. Here, the weather is cold one day and warm the next. You can’t skate on what few lakes there are because the ice doesn’t get thick enough to be safe. There’s not enough snow to snowmobile. All in all, its a totally unusable winter, unless you want to grow cold and flu germs/ The summers in Maine are short; we used to say July 4th and 5th, but not humid.
Mavis, home is where your heart is. If you want to be in New England, you’ll make it your home and adapt and be happy. From what I’ve seen on here, there are hundreds of us who want to see that happen. God Bless!
Gigi says
I totally agree! I grew up in northern Wisconsin and the snow can keep you in or it can get you out! Now I’m around Chicago and it’s just ugly and cold. Nothing fun to do outdoors all winter. Finally with that last 14” we went sledding.
Laura Z says
Chik File is usually clean, tidy, and full of friendly employees. Most of the good condiments and dipping sauces are behind the counter and are available for the asking…..
Best wishes for sunny and dry weather for your move and drive. How exciting!!
Maryann Smith says
I planted asparagus from seed a couple of years ago. It grew fantastic. I live in Ohio (yes, where the weather is totally unpredictable). I had prepared the grow box and went out and bought two potted asparagus plants. Boy were they expensive. I also saw some asparagus seeds at the store, so I grabbed a couple of packets. I planted it all together. The seeds took forever to germinate. One day I looked out and thought that it looked like moss all over my grow bed. I started to pull the “weeds” when I realized they looked like ferns. I let them grow. Three years later – I am looking forward to a great harvest this year. I picked a few spears last year, but mostly let them just grow. This year I know I will have plenty to eat, freeze and give away. Seeds are the way to go.
Jennifer Meyer says
I second this! I started all mine from seed and they germinated well and now I have great strong plants. They don’t transplant well though.
Tracy says
I wish you nothing but luck on your move east. It sounds like something you’re family has wanted to do for ages. I do hope you don’t take after your Mom in one way —stealing packets of condiments from restaurants. Because that’s just what it is: stealing. You’ve mentioned your Mom’s habit of stealing things from restaurants and other businesses a few times, and out of respect for your blog, you, and the fact that I’m here by invitation not by any ‘right’, I haven’t commented on it or your Mom, who I’m sure is lovely. But she is also a thief, plain and simple. If one is unwilling to take fistfuls of these things in open view of the management— enough to create gifts for one’s entire family—, but instead, sneaks them into one’s bag while hoping to go unnoticed, it’s just stealing and the person doing it knows it. Restaurants don’t put bulk bags na of these things out as an “invitation”; they do so for their customers’ and servers’ convenience. I have family who own restaurants, and trust me, they don’t find it “cute” or “not a big deal” or are willing to have it rationalized because the value of a packet of mayo is “minimal”. They find it to be just what it is: stealing. And it’s wrong.
Laura Z says
Hi Mavis,
I am not sure what part of New England you are moving to, but driving through Seattle is probably going to take you across I 90 in New York, right? If that’s the case, I don’t have a bakery recommendation for you, but there’s a great living history museum in Mumford, NY called the Gennesee Country Village and Museum. My in-laws live in the area, and we’ve made a tradition of going there when we visit. Our family loves Monticello. We’ve been at least six or seven times. This place doesn’t have such perfect gardens, but it has a full working farm and lots of docents in period dress making period crafts, etc. I liked it better than Williamsburg, in a way — more buildings to explore, more antiques, less crowded, much less expensive, etc. So, if you have a day to kill on your travels, I would check it out. It’s the largest living history museum in the State of New York!
Laura says
Good morning! You mentioned a goal for the year is “To Shop Small”.
Save your gardening needs for the local nursery/garden center in New England. A perfect industry to solicit-knowledge and hands on for product. Have fun in the garden!
Becky S says
If you are looking for new books to listen to (or read), I highly recommend Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. It is the true story of a town in North Platte that fed troops coming through on trains. I loved it.