17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 26 of 52

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

No takers on the 26 dried pumpkin stems I listed on Etsy yet, but I think they are going to sell to someone who wants them for their velvet pumpkins or other fall crafts. 

If only T-Rex would sell, I’d have this goal in the bag. 

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
• 1 Martinson Coffee Can for $19.95

*Money earned selling random stuff so far $227.70

* 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

Québec City is still at the top of our list. Maybe this fall or winter. 

Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {21 of 52 sent so far}

I spotted these pea pod letterpress card set on Etsy by OrnamentLetterPress on Etsy and thought they were pretty cute. 

Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA. 

I made a batch of English muffins in the AGA using the recipe from our King Arthur British Baking Classics class! We are down to our last 2 {I froze mine} so I guess that means I’ll need to bake some more. Yes, they were THAT GOOD!

British recipes I’ve made in the AGA so far:

• English Muffins
• Currant Scones
• Sticky Toffee Pudding 

Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space

I’ll have to pick this goal up again in the fall. There is just too much else going on these days. Plus, it’s just too hot to hook or dye wool or any of those other crafty things I usually like doing. 

Changes I plan on making to the space:

• Rip out the old gross carpet and replace it with pine floors {the HH wants carpet}
• Fresh paint
• A proper light fixture
• New serger
• New work table {I bought 3!}
• A sitting area with a spot to hook

Hook 100 Rugs {56 of 100 done so far}

I finished rug #56 last night and really like the way it turned out. Now I just need to get it listed on Etsy {and make a few patterns too}. 

Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns 12 of 15 completed so far}

My latest rug hooking pattern is called Betty’s Big Chickens with American Flag. This is the 11th new pattern I’ve introduced for this year. Only more to go and I’ll be able to check this goal off my list. 

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

• Betty’s Big Chickens with American Flag
• 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
• Mable’s Kittens

Revisit An Old Friend.

I’m working on it! I’m nearly there. I’m just waiting for 1 more thing to arrive. 

Grow 1,000 Pounds of Vegetables In The Religious Family Sized Garden

Well, the shelling peas are doing well. But everything else? Not so much. I’ve been meaning to do a proper garden post but it’s been so wet, cloudy and pretty gloomy in general that I’m beginning to think this year’s growing season is going to be a disaster. 

Look at that forecast! It’s been like this for weeks now. I don’t even want to go outside. I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone. 🙁

Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard

I finished the last jar of old fashioned peach preserves yesterday and I’m already thinking about making another batch as soon as the peaches are ripe again here in Maine. 

Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables {I’ve made $84 so far.}

I sold all the corn starts I brought over to The Duck Lady’s place and now that those are gone I think I’ll bring over the mint, oregano and chive plants I started now that they are big enough. 

So far I’ve sold:
{8} 6-packs of corn @ $3 each = $24.00
{4} 6-packs of basil @ $3 each = $12
{9} 6- packs of pea starts @$2 each {then I upped the price to $3} = $24.00
{4} Daffodil bouquets @$3 & $4 each = $14.00
{4} Chives @$2 each = $8.00
{1} Basil @$2 each = $2.00

Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists} 7 down, 5 to go

So far this year I have bought:

• {3} Linen Aprons from BedCult
• {2} Charcuterie boards from FarmHillWoodShop
• {3} Fair Isle Hats Rachel of Barkland Croft
• 2 Quilts from ZoëDawn Shop 
• 1 Handmade braclet from a little girl’s lemonade/craft stand
• {2} Watercolor Palettes 
• {1} Fair Isle scarf from Mati Ventrillon

Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format 

Hey! You’re not going to belive this but I updated a recipe. Frito Pie Casserole. 

26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband {14 down, 12 to go}

The HH took me to Beth’s Farm Market yesterday for their jerk chicken {with beans and rice!}. If you are headed to Mid-Coast Maine this summer and are looking for a farmstand with TONS of homegrown produce, be sure and put Beth’s Farm Market on your list. {The chicken hut is open on the weekends during the summer.}

• 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
• Date #8 Rockport Farmer’s Market
• Date #9 LL Bean & Solo Pane e Pasticceria
• Date #10 Jameson Point Lobster
• Date #11 Marshall Point Light, Hedegrow Market
• Date #12 Bet’s Fish Fry
• Date #13 Moody’s Diner
• Date #14 Beth’s Farm Market

Goals already accomplished 2023:

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. My favorite thing we made was the sticky toffee pudding. 

Set Aside 200 Items For A Yard Sale DONE!

The yard sale was a great success! The Duck Lady and I were both able to get rid of a lot of items we didn’t want and as an added bonus, I only had 1 box of stuff to drop off at the thrift store. Yee-Haw!

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

~Mavis