17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 47 of 52

17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 47 of 52

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

No movement on the T-Rex. I thought for sure it would have sold by now!

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. 

Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {29 of 52 sent so far}

I didn’t mail any cards this past week. 

Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA. 

I made a batch of mini mince meat pies. And now I never have to make them again! 🙂 I tried two different fillings {one by Robertson’s and one homemade} and while the crusts turned out nice and flakey I quickly learned I am not a fan of mince meat. 

And so now I know. So it’s on to the next British recipe.

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

• Pear Frangipane Tart
• Mince Meat Pies
• 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 have a trip to Portland planned in a few weeks so hopefully I’ll get to try one out then. 

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 {84 of 100 done so far}

I was able to get another 3 rugs finished this past week and am ready working on my next 2 rugs. I think I might be done listing new pieces though until the last weekend of December {or maybe the first weekend in January}. We’ll see. 

Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns {14 of 15 completed so far}

I listed two new kits in my Etsy shop last night. Three trees and pink potted tulip. This make 14 new patterns/kits listed so far this year. I haven’t started the last one yet though but I will soon and should have that one ready to share by the end of the year. 

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

• Three Trees
• Pink Potted Tulip
• 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

Our garden was an epic fail this year due to the non stop rain Maine received this summer. EPIC FAIL. The thing about gardening though… There’s always next year. Right?

Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard

Toast and jam. It never gets old. And lucky for us, we still have about 50+ jars of jam left in the canning cupboard to finish up before next summer. 

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

I gave up selling plants and vegetables at the farm stand but I do have some beautiful orchids and other house plants growing in the dining room. 

I’ve never been big on house plants… But once a gardener, always a gardener and it is so very nice to have something to tend to during the winter months here in Maine. And the best part? Unlike gardening outdoors, there’s no weeds to pull inside. 🙂

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} DONE

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
• {3} Rug hooking patterns from 
• {?} Stitchery patterns from Lori Brechlin
• {3} Cards from ColorBoxLetterPress

Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format 

Hey! I updated my bacon jalapeno cheese ball recipe. Only 578 more recipes to go.

26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband {25 down, 1 to go}

No date day this past week but the HH did change the sparkplugs and something else {I have no idea what} on the car. So that was exciting. Guys who know how to fix things… They’re pretty cool if you ask me.

• 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
• Date #25 Portland Art Museum

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. 

Go On a Staycation/Craftcation With The Girl DONE

We went on a mini craftcation and had a great time! We are still hoping to head to Quebec City for the Christmas Market but so far our schedules don’t line up… So we’ll see.

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