17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 49 of 52

17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 49 of 52

Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {30 of 52 sent so far}

I put the HH in charge of Christmas cards this year and he picked out some really nice ones from a local bookstore. We plan on sitting down together today and writing them out. Hopefully by next weekend I’ll be close to my goal of 52 cards to 52 different people. 

Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA. 

While I didn’t make a British recipe last week, I did order a British product {and I’m so excited to tell you about it!!!} and I made the best stollen recipe on the planet earth. {Anyone want the 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

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

With only 3 weeks to go until the end of the year, it’s not looking good for hitting this goal. I should probably but a big fat FAIL across the top but who knows, maybe the T-Rex will sell at the last minute. 

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. 

Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space

I’m hoping to get to the sewing store this week to check out sergers. Fingers crossed I find one that I like and it’s in stock. 

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 {89 of 100 done so far}

I was able to finish another 3 smaller rugs this past week and get the edges steamed and finished as well. Only 11 more to go and 21 days to finish them! 🙂 I am halfway through my next one and then plan on making 9 mini rugs and 1 big one by the end of the year. 

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

I listed my latest two kits in my Etsy shop a few weeks ago; Three trees and Pink potted tulip. I am working on my next pattern/kit right now and should have that ready and kitted up just before Christmas.

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

It snowed a wee bit the other day but the temps are slowly rising so it will probably be gone soon. I don’t suspect we’ll have to wait too long for another round though, this is Maine afterall. 

Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard

The canning cupboard is really starting to look sparse! I’ve been using my Spiced Christmas Jam on toast and stirring it into my morning oatmeal the last few weeks and it adds just the perfect amount of sweetness. If you’re looking for a last minute gift idea, the jam would be PERFECT to pass out to friends and neighbors. 

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

I may not have been able to sell many plants and vegetables this year, but I’m doing really well in the house plant department. 🙂 I decided not to do paperwhite this year {because of the smell!} but my amaryllis bulb is getting close to blooming. I wish I had bought more!

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

Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format 

Only 576 more recipes to go! 

Goals already accomplished 2023:

26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband DONE

On Thursday we met up with The Kiln Guy and The Chef and visited the Alan Claude Gallery in Gardiner, Maine and went out to lunch. I love his artwork and have bought his calendar for the past 3 years so it was fun to see his gallery and meet him in person.

• 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
• Date #26 Solo Pane e Pasticceria
• Date #27 Alan Claude Gallery in Gardiner, Maine

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!

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

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

~Mavis