Go On A Solo Adventure. Done
A solo adventure to Fair Isle. I don’t think I could have picked a more unique, isolated 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.
Revisit An Old Friend.
I’m working on it! I’m nearly there.
Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {12 of 52 mailed so far}
Currently working on card #13 & #14.
Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA.
I made sticky toffee pudding and it turned out wonderful. The best part about this treat is that it freezes well so I can have a slice anytime I like.
Set Aside 200 Items For A Yard Sale {I’ve set aside 12 of 200 items so far}
The Girl is here for a few days and has agreed to help me clean out the basement AND my craft room. Yee-Haw! I should have this goal wrapped up in a few days.
Earn $1,493.04 {Last Year’s Grocery Expenses} Selling Totally Random Things Online
The HH and I went for a walk along the Rockland Breakwater the other day and I was able to pick up a few more things for my stash. I just need a few more items to round out my next batch and then I’ll post my goodies online.
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 $207.75
* 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
Still no idea where yet but Québec City has suddly moved to the top of our list.
Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space
Still dyeing and folding wool bundles, but I hope to have this part finished in the next 10 days. That way I can spend the last bit of April finishing up kits and then I’ll be able to get to work on re-doing the craft room. I’m getting close!
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 another rug {this one is a Lori Brechlin pattern} for my next Etsy shop update the first saturday in May and now I’m onto the next one. I should have at least a dozen pieces in for my next update {or maybe even more}.
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 seedlings are underway!
So far I’ve planted:
- Onions, Leeks, Scallions
- Assorted Herbs
- English Lavender
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Sugar Snap Peas
Plus probably some other things I’m forgetting.
Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard
No movement in the canning cupboard this week. 🙁
Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables
I don’t have any flowers to sell yet but my mother sent me a lovely bouquet for Easter and my kitchen is clean so that’s pretty exciting.
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
My digital scale arrived and I LOVE it!!
This week I updated 3 recipes:
26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband {7 down, 19 to go}
This past week we went to the movies together for the first time in 7 years to see The Quiet Girl and had a wonderful time.
- Date #1 Thomaston Cafe for lunch. It was lovely.
- Date #2 Rising Tide Co-Op
- Date #3 Oysterhead Pizza
- Date #4 Oysterhead Pizza
- Date #5 Schanz Family Maple
- Date #6 Camden, Maine for lunch and candy
- Date # 7 The Quiet Girl movie
How about YOU? How are you coming along with your goals for this year?
~Mavis
Mary says
Quebec City is wonderful! It’s like going to Europe but you can drive there!
Laura says
I would love to visit Quebec City! Please go, so we can take a virtual trip! Have you watched The Gardener on Prime? Maybe you could go at the time of year when they are offering tours. Thanks for sharing these posts. They inspire me!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, I have it on DVD. Love it!!
Margo says
Just put this on my watchlist. Thanks for the suggestion!
Mel says
I finished our playroom, so I am now working on baby proofing and scrambling to find a nanny for when I go back to work since our daycare plan fell through and every other daycare around here is full.
Brianna says
I hope it works out for you. I was in that same boat several years ago and absolutely could not find anybody who had proper credentials, background, and openings. It was so frustrating and awful, but eventually I gave up the career and we made some big cuts to accommodate the lack of income. I was so envious of friends who had family to take care of their babies so they could advance in their careers. I remember the all the anxiety, stress, disappointment, and tears trying to find someone or a daycare to take my baby. It was weeks of terrible emotions and I vividly remember those weeks and all the uncertainty and stress. Good luck!
Mel says
Thanks, Brianna! We also don’t have family who can help, and most daycares are so far away that it would add two hours of driving a day. I’m hopeful a nanny works out, but so far the only people who have applied want $60k to $70k a year, and I’m not paying that even for Mary Poppins!
Jamie says
Toffee pudding is now on my list to try out this spring! I am almost finished with the garden expansion project and I will be finishing the deck over the next few weekends. My second set of cold weather crops are ready to go out, my first set of summer crops are almost ready to start hardening off (should be ready to plant in two-three weeks), and I started my second set of summer crops this morning. I also checked on my winter sown plants in the jugs and about 1/3 are ready to be planted! Finally, I started decluttering my closet. I have at least one pile of items ready to go out for donations.
Cecelia says
Thank you all for the support. Justin, my husband, moved to a regular room yesterday only 6 days post event and life saving surgery. It’s so amazing what is medically possible today. It’s a beautiful Easter to have him here with me.
Mavis, when you pull a slice of cake from the freezer, do you microwave it or defrost in the fridge overnight? The sticky toffee pudding sounds delicious and someday I will be home again and maybe I’ll start baking again.
Joely says
That is wonderful news Cecelia. I will continue to send prayers and healing thoughts.
Shari says
So wonderful to hear that news Cecelia!
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s great news!! 🙂
I just leave the slice of cake out on the counter for a little bit if I’m having it with tea {or in the fridge if I plan on serving it for dessert}.
Cecelia says
Thank you! I just remembered to check for your answer after reading today’s post
Nancy D says
Cecelia…..
Every moment is a precious gift.
Claudia says
Quebec City is an awesome place!
Judy says
HI Mavis, I made the loaded potato soup. Boy was it good!!! It is now my favorite soup recipe. Thank you for shareing it. I was wondering if it could be frozen, just in case there any left over. HA HA
Mavis Butterfield says
I have not tried freezing this particular soup as it has a lot of milk and potatoes in it and I’m not sure how the texture would hold up.
Teri says
Happy Easter dear Mavis! Love your Easter bunny & decorations. The flowers are lovely!
Sue S. says
A bit late but still wishing everyone a belated holiday which is Easter for us from sunny but cold Cape Cod.
sandyf says
I have family in Quebec City-and visit yearly. It is beautiful. Stay in the old town, if you can, the best hotel is Chateau Frontenac-high on the hill over looking the river . Expensive but stunning. Nice small airport too not to far from the center of Quebec City.
My niece lives walking distance to old town, wonderful restaurants, no car needed you can walk everywhere, to parks, museums, etc. Best poutine place that I have ever been.
The homes are lovely, the people are lovely ( and if you see an adorable redhead -that would be Cammie, my niece) The parliament is right outside the wall of old town, and really interesting. Even a bit closer to you -Montreal is lovely, but not as French as Quebec City. Montreal is more cosmopolitan -where Quebec City is closer to a European city. It is beautiful at anytime of year, but Fall is my favorite. You won’t regret a visit to Quebec City…
Jules says
Quebec city sounds like a great destination! Have you read the Louise Penny books set in and around Quebec? She has written a wonderful series of murder mystery books starring Chief Inspector Gamache. Highly recommend (warning, some bad language)
Cecile says
You will love Quebec City! It is the hotspot for school year end trips usually held in mid to late May so I’d avoid May and early June! I’d highly suggest September or October! The fall colours are amazing! I also would drive, or take the train and rent a car! Old Quebec is very much a crafters haven of history, painting, wood carving, rug hooking etc. If you like architecture make sure you head up the Beaupre coast to St. Anne’s Basilica (my favourite is the chapel in the basement-all white, blue and gold mosaic tile). Check out Montmorency Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Book yourself into one of the Sugar Shacks for a traditional Quebecois meal and take in some of the history. Taking a trip through the older towns and staying out of the city will be a treat. The best poutine is at a little restaurant below the Chateau Frontenac. If you take the Funiculaire down the hill it’s on that street around the cheese shop! Wear good walking shoes and don’t rush! ps don’t bother with the Plains of Abraham, it’s just a huge field! lol