17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 42 of 52

17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 42 of 52

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

I just wanted to remind you to SAVE your pumpkins stems from your pumpkins and dry them out so you can sell them next fall. I sold 26 pumpkins stems for a whopping $39.95 on Etsy last month.

No movement on the T-Rex. 

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
• 26 Dried Pumpkin Stems for $39.95

*Money earned selling random stuff so far $267.65

* 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

For the second week in a row we had planned to visit Cape Cod and for the second time, plans changed and we were not able to go. It will happen though, I’m sure of it.

P.S. The fall colors are pretty amazing around here right now. 🙂 

Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {28 of 52 sent so far}

I wrote out 2 cards last night and will pop them in the mail in the morning. Now I’m on the hunt for a box of Christmas cards so I can finish up this goal. 

Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA. 

Next up on my list of British recipes to try is Mary Berry’s smoked haddock gratin. I’m not exactly sure where I’ll be able to find smoked haddock, but I know fresh haddock is pretty easy to find here in Maine.

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

• Pear Frangipane Tart
• Cauliflower, Broccoli and Squash Casserole
• English Muffins
• Currant Scones
• Sticky Toffee Pudding 
• Beef In Horseradish Cream

Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space

I’m back to researching Juki sergers. I just need to make a trip to Portland to test one out. 

Changes I plan on making to the space:

• Rip out the old gross carpet and replace it 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 {67 of 100 done so far}

I was able to get 3 more rugs finished this past week. I’ll be turning them all into pillows soon and then getting them listed on Etsy. I love how the turkey and corn pattern by Lori Brechlin turned out.

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

No new patterns this week but I was able to re-stock my Etsy shop with more of my favorite “dirty lamb” colored wool. I LOVE this color combination!

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. FAIL

Maybe next year? — I’ll tell you about it towards the end of the year. 😉

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

Miss Lucy kept an eye on the kitchen garden for me last week. She likes to sun herself between the broccoli and Swiss chard plans when the sun is out. 🙂

While the broccoli plants might be looking a bit pitiful, the kale, beets and leeks are getting huge. Word on the street is that we won’t have freezing temps for at least another 10 days, so that’s good news.

Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard

This past week I cracked open:

• 2 jars of salsa
• 1 jar strawberry jam

Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables {I made $95} FAIL

I’ve decided to keep the rest of the vegetables we have growing in our garden for our own use. I harvested these beets yesterday from the kitchen garden. 

This summer was such a dud in the garden that there really wasn’t much extra to sell.

This year I sold:

{3} rosemary plants @$3.00 each = $9.00
{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
{1} Mint @$2.00 each = $2.00

Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists} 9 down, 3 to go

So far this year I have bought:

• {2} Wooden wreath forms from DavesWoodStudio
• {3} Linen Aprons from BedCult
• {2} Charcuterie boards from FarmHillWoodShop
• {3} Fair Isle Hats Rachel of Barkland Croft
• {2} Quilts from ZoëDawn Shop
• {3} Bread Bowls from ZoëDawn Shop 
• {1} Handmade braclet from a little girl’s lemonade/craft stand
• {2} Watercolor Palettes 
• {1} Fair Isle scarf from Mati Ventrillon
• {4} Notecards from Etsy seller ColorBoxLetterpress

Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format 

I didn’t update any old recipes this past week but I did share the recipe for Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf. It’s really good. You should try it!

26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband {24 down, 5 to go}

For date day this past week we went to Kennebunkport. If you haven’t been, Kennebunkport is a great place to visit in the off season as the crowds are less and it’s fun to see all the shops and window boxes decorated for fall. 

• 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
• Date #15 The Beach
• Date #16 The Craft Store
• Date #17 Cat Video Fest
• Date #18 Kayaking
• Date #19 Lunch!
• Date #20 Donut date at The Port Clyde General Store
• Date #21 Apple Picking at Bailey’s Orchard
• Date #22 Waldoboro Historical Society Talk
• Date #23 Portsmouth, New Hampshire
  Date #24 Kennebunkport, Maine

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. I loved learning how to make homemade English muffins! 

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