17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 11 of 52

Go On A Solo Adventure.  Done

A solo adventure to Fair Isle. I don’t think I could have picked a more unique and cozy spot to spend a few weeks. I’m already dreaming of going back. 

Take An Adult Education Class Done

The Girl and I took a 3 day British Baking Classics course at King Arthur Flour in Norwich, Vermont and had a good time. 

As soon as things settle down, {this week I hope} I’ll get to work on remaking the recipes we made in class. I’m especially excited about re-creating the English muffins.

Revisit An Old Friend.

This goal is a bit of a play on words, but I’m working on it!

Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {11 of 52 mailed so far}

So far this year I’ve sent 11 cards. 

Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA. 

St. Patrick’s Day was last week so while I didn’t make any British recipes in the AGA, I did attempt a new recipe for Irish apple cake.

We all thought it turned out just okay, not spectacular {it needed more spices} so I won’t be sharing the recipe. Some recipes are winners, others, not so much. 🙁

Set Aside 200 Items For A Yard Sale {I’ve set aside 8 of 200 items so far}

I didn’t set aside anything for the yard sale this past week. We had a lot going on again and I just didn’t make it a priority.

Earn $1,493.04 {Last Year’s Grocery Expenses} Selling Totally Random Things Online

Someone bought the set of 3 Brim coffee cans I listed on Etsy for $39.95 last week. Hot dog! I’ve passed the $200 mark. 🙂 

Also, when The Kiln Guy and The Chef were here for lunch the other day he casually mentioned something he recently turned from trash into treasure which gave me the idea for the next thing I’m going to sell.

Sold so far:

• 1 Box of “Native Organically Harvested Maine Driftwood” for $89.95
• 1 Box of 12 Heart Shaped Rocks for 24.95
• 1 box of 6 Heart Shaped Rocks for $22.95
• 1 box of 2 Folgers Coffee Cans for $29.95
• Set of 3 Brim Coffee Cans for $39.95

*Money earned selling random stuff so far $167.80

* At the end of the year I will deduct all the shipping/supply/selling fees from the grand total. 

Go On a Staycation/Craftcation With The Girl

I can’t decide if it would be better to have a craftcation in the middle of summer {with hotel a/c} or the winter when it’s miserable outside and we wish we were somewhere else. It’s a tough one.

Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space

It’s been over three weeks now and I am still in love with the light fixture for the studio that I spotted in a magazine. If I’m going to get it though, I need to sell a big piece {rug} to pay for it. It will happen… Eventually. 

Good News!!

I sold my large flower basket rug {$1,595} and so I’ll be setting aside most of the earnings from that rug towards the light fixture of my dreams. Yee-Haw!!!

Now I just need to sell another good sized one to pay for the rest of the rug and for the electrician to come out and install it.

Changes I plan on making to the space:

• Rip out the old gross carpet and replace it with pine floors
• Fresh paint
• A proper light fixture
• New serger
• New work table
• A sitting area with a spot to hook

Hook 100 Rugs {38 of 100 done so far}

I finished this one a few weeks ago and I’m currently working on another large rug for my next Etsy shop update in early May. I’m hoping to have hooked at least 50 rugs by the end of April.

That way there won’t be so much pressure to finish as much during the summer months when I’ll be busy with in the garden.

Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns 10 of 15 completed so far}

New patterns I’ve added to my Etsy shop in 2023:

• Fair Isle Sheep
• Olde Hares
• Antique Hearts and Flowers
• Fat Cat with Easter Eggs
• Fat Cat with Shamrocks
• Fat Cat with Hearts
• Horse and Hearts
• Valentine Kitties
• Little Chicken
• Hit and Miss Flower Basket

Grow 1,000 Pounds of Vegetables In The Commune Sized Garden

The snow is slowly melting around here and the HH mentioned he saw some tulip bulbs popping through the soil yesterday so that can only mean spring is right around the corner.

Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard

It may not look like it but things are starting to thin out around here.

Kiln Guy and The Chef were here last week and I sent them home with a bunch of canned goodness to try. And yes, I told them to bring the jars back. 🙂 

Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables

I am actively collecting appropriate sized glass containers {not Weck jars!} for this summer’s flower sales. Other than that, there isn’t much to report for this goal yet.

Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists} 2 down, 10 to go

So far this year I have bought from Rachel of Barkland Croft and had my friend Zoë turn all my fabric squares into 2 quilts for me. I love supporting crafty people who love what they do!

Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format 

This past week I updated 2 recipes to a printable format:

• Irish Soda Bread Recipe
• Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband {4 down, 22 to go}

Yesterday while we were out running {fun} errands we stopped by Oysterhead Pizza for a slice. Their pizza is SO GOOD!

We walked around downtown, checked out the Damariscotta library, popped into a few shops, bought a book and declared it a proper date day. 

• Date #1 Thomaston Cafe for lunch. It was lovely. 
• Date #2 Rising Tide Co-Op
• Date #3 Oysterhead Pizza
• Date #4 Oysterhead Pizza 

How about YOU? How are you coming along with your goals for this year? 

Have a great day everyone, 

~Mavis