Go On A Solo Adventure.
Solo adventures… I highly recommend them. The colors here in Fair Isle are simply amazing. I’m so glad I came.
Take An Adult Education Class.
With all the bits of wool I’ve been collecting on my walks, I’m beginning to think maybe I need to take some sort of spinning or needle felting class so I can use it up once I get it all cleaned.
Revisit An Old Friend.
Working on it!
Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {2 of 52 mailed so far}
I mailed off 2 cards this past week. Only 50 more to go. 🙂
Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA.
This of course is if I actually get my AGA this year. 😉 Still no update… But we’re hoping for the end of May. Time will tell.
Set Aside 200 Items For A Yard Sale
I had planned to go though my kitchen before I left for my trip but just sort of ran out of time. I’ll work on it when I get back.
Earn $1,493.04 {Last Year’s Grocery Expenses} Selling Totally Random Things Online
Heart shaped rocks… They’re everywhere! I can’t wait to get back home and list a few more random things in my Etsy shop.
Sold so far:
- 1 Box of “Native Organically Harvested Maine Driftwood” for $89.95
- 1 Box of “12 Heart Shaped Rocks” for 24.95
*Money earned selling random stuff so far $114.90
* 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
Holing up somewhere to work on crafts and ordering room service for a few days seems like a totally fun thing to strive for don’t you think? The only rule is, the hotel has to be free {presumably with credit card points.} And there will be matching flannel pajamas.
Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space
One of the things I asked the HH to do while I’m away was to replace the old {and lightless} ceiling fan in the craft room with some sort of bright light so I could see properly during the winter months, especially on cloudy days.
I suppose I should have picked out a light before I left… But I didn’t so I’m a little anxious to see what he picks out.
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 {20 of 100 done so far}
I have hooked 3 rugs since I left Maine and I’m hoping to get a few more hooked before I leave Fair Isle. Mostly I’ve been hooking in the late afternoons and evenings though because there is still so much to see and do here.
Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns {6 of 15 completed so far}
New patterns I’ve added to my Etsy shop in 2023:
- Antique Hearts and Flowers
- 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
Well apparently it snowed quite a bit back home so clearly, no gardening is happening there. The HH sent me this picture looking out onto the water and said it must have snowed a good 8 inches the other day.
Hopefully we’ll get another big snowstorm in February or March because I LOVE the snow.
Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard
I highly doubt the HH will open any jars while I’m away {or even cook himself a hot meal for that matter} so I’ll have to go at it in earnest when I get back.
Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables
The Duck Lady said I could bring any plants, flowers or vegetables to her stand and sell them there this summer so I am going to take her up on that offer.
One of the things I want to try and grow more of this year is flowers. So far snapdragons, zinnias, and sunflowers are at the top of my list. I know I need to branch out though and try to grow some other flowers… but what?
Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists}
Before I left home I ordered 3 hats from Rachel from Barkland Croft to give as gifts. I picked them up the other day and they are so sweet that I know I am going to have a hard time parting with them.
Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format
Recipes updated so far: 0
I have plenty of time left… right?
26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband
No date days this week. 😉
- Date #1 Thomaston Cafe for lunch. It was lovely.
How about YOU? How are you coming along with your goals for this year?
Have a great Sunday everyone,
~Mavis
Katelyn says
I’d recommend you grow some dahlias. Here in Vermont, they definitely sell for the most money when you find them in bouquets at roadside stands… plus they’re gorgeous!
Annette says
I thought the same. A lady at my farmers market sells little bouquets of them in old mason jars, jelly jars, etc.
Annette says
Tie on a little raffia or lace ribbon and they will sell like hotcakes.
Silke says
Hi Mavis,
I agree Katelyn. Here in Germany we have flowerfields in the summer where you can
pick flowers and put the money in a box. Offered are: sunflowers, gladioli and daliahs. The dahlias are the most expensive.
Have a nice day!
Elaine N says
My first goal is to set goals for the year. Am still working on it.
A farm girl says
Snow is also really important for returning nitrogen to the soil. It is a natural fertilizer. Rain doesn’t have the same effect.
Holley says
I don’t think I could part with those hats! They are beautiful! Maybe you could just keep one???
It looks like others have left their art on the mantel in the studio. Are you going to leave a piece of yours there?
So enjoying your trip to Fair Isle!!! Thanks!
Brenda says
Hollyhocks
Mel says
I didn’t make progress on my goal last week, but I was miraculously able to prune our incredibly overgrown potscape herb garden yesterday, and in a reckless burst of overconfidence (because we are *really* short on time these days), I ordered flower seeds to fill the empty pots. I ordered portulaca, daisies, alyssum, gilia, gaillardia, and rudbeckia. Just a few flowers you could consider.
Hawaii Planner says
Love, love, love those hats! I’ve made some progress on a few goals:
-Progress towards both savings goals (general, & boys college)
-Use travel credits wisely (found a way to use free hotel night & flight credits, as part of a college tour trip)
-Use gift cards – a couple of mom/boy meals out
-One date night with my husband
-Some Duolingo practicing (for our trip to France)
suzanne says
I’m sure I speak for all of us. Please show us the craft room remodel in progress. Also, everyone that I’ve shared the green tomato curry with has demanded the recipe so PLEASE start with that one. Your surroundings are achingly beautiful.
Kim says
I have sanded and painted my kitchen cabinets this month. Not bad for a 67 year old gal. (I am pleased as punch.)
Linda Sand says
When our daughter lived on a sheep farm she learned to use a drop spindle to make yarn. I think you would like that because you can take it anywhere.
tia in boise says
The good: reviewing goals; told someone I would be doing Make a Wish Polar Challenge next January; flossing; leaving work at a decent time; running/walking every day and tracking–pretty much on target for mileage goal! Credit card #1 paid off–working on paying down #2! Read 2 books off my “To Read Later” list; have found $.28; January date with friend–shopping and dinner; January date with DH–takeout dinner and movie at home; veggie recipe–4 cheese garlic spaghetti squash (was okay); had January massage–need to schedule February; blessed 2 people–left flavored water for overwhelmed colleague and left big tip for barista; have taken photos of interesting finds on all my runs–need to get my first Instagram post logged tonight!
The bad: sleep last week was horrendous; not enough water; no morning stretches/core work. Hoping with better sleep I’ll be feeling it in the AM! Won’t complete a house task during January since the spice tiered rack I ordered won’t be in until 2nd; no house cleaning plan or weight lifting plan created–giving myself until 3/1; not “dealing with” clutter; haven’t worked on giant stack of early purchased presents
Overall feeling good about work on goals!
Stephanie in Utah says
As for flowers to grow, I also recommend dahlias, as well as daisies, delphinium, and cosmos.
Sue S. says
Luckily we have loads of Hydrangeas here. Not sure you can grow them in Maine. Hostas leaves – plenty of those all over the place – make great “fillers” for bouquets, and hollyhocks are great too.
What a great once in a lifetime shot of the rainbow Mavis. Thanks for opening with that. A painting should be next. Rachel’s hats are gorgeous. Did you meet her sheep?
Mimi says
The colors in your Fair isle photos are stunning!
Solo trips are so enjoyable – I’m way overdue for one but I’m living vicariously through yours.
I have several goals and so far I’m on track. The main one is to be more disciplined about menu planning and that is paying off with fewer grocery store trips and lower receipts. I was spoiled when I lived near a bunch of great stores and could just pop in every couple of days and scoop up whatever was on sale. Now we live near just one major grocery store and the less time and money I spend there the better.
I’m also simplifying our meals and also the ingredients I keep on hand. Paring down is making life easier.
I have fitness goals I’m working on too. So far, so good.
Jean says
You might consider peonies and iris in the low maintenance categories for spring flowers. We always have both for Memorial day.
Sue D says
Dahlias-bit of work, but so worth growing. Daisies, and cosmos. They look so delicate but they are strong.
Dianne says
Hi Mavis,
Lucy looks lovely in her wools!
I must add, Kudos to your husband. That is a beautiful shot that HH captured. The angle was great! That photo needs to be in a frame.
Katherine says
Mavis, your hubby’s snow photo would be a lovely Christmas card.
Martina says
Botanical Interests “Hummingbird Haven” mix! The flowers from the mix grew very well here last summer. Godetia, blue Larkspur and other flowers but I can’t remember their names. The bees and hummingbirds loved them too. Also Nasturtiums
Susan Bane says
So…I don’t comment much but…the photos you are taking are beautiful in their simplicity. I am a great lover of Scotland have yet to visit the outer Hebrides – jealous!
The swatch of wool is great and I hope you decide to start weaving – what an adventure. I just finished my first rug hooking kit not long ago and found it very enjoyable. Looking forward to many more finished projects!
Thank you for the inspiration, safe travels!
Susan
Meg C says
I grow dahlias – just for me, not to sell – and I literally feel as though I cannot live without them. That’s how much joy they bring our family. There are some many options for the types of dahlias to grow and they never fail to bring a smile to our faces.
Also, the contrast between the sky/land on Fair Isle is wholly stunning. Thank you for sharing your photographs!
Emily says
Why not add some perennial flowers to the mix? Peonies, irises, daisies, and cone flowers all make wonderful cut flowers.
Cat says
I’d recommend sweet peas, not the longest stem but they amazing. Dahlias and peonies are also super popular. I also love sunflowers, dusty miller, coleus, stock also.
Suzanne Shaw says
I’m wondering what all those pipes are near the wood stove. Assuming of course that is for hot water – but is that the only way to get hot water? What if it’s too warm and you don’t want to light the woodstove?
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s a coal boiler stove. There is also a hot water immersion heater in the cupboard and you can flip the switch about an hour before you shower if you need to.
Christina says
Call me crazy, but I think that bundle of found wool looks truly beautiful in the photo you took of it. Maybe matted photos of found Fair Isle items could make a series of photos to sell?
Or maybe I really am just weird. Lol