17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 50 of 52

17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 50 of 52

Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {44 of 52 sent so far}

I sat down with a friend the other day and we worked on our Christmas cards. Tea, chocolate and cards… It was lovely. 

Now all I need to do is send out 8 more cards by the end of the year and I’ll be able to check this goal off my list! {Or cards this year came from the Hidden Pear Studio.

Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA. 

How is it that I cook something nearly every day in the AGA since we had it installed in February  but I haven’t made 12 British recipes yet!? I need to get cracking on this goal if I am going to finish it in time. There is less than 2 weeks to go before New Year’s! How crazy is that?

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
• Christmas Stollen {not exactly British, but I’m counting it!}

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

I’m kind of kicking myself for not attacking this goal this year. It’s a totally doable goal too. Grr. I guess that’s what happens when you have too many irons in the fire. Geez, I’m starting to sound old.

Pretty soon I’ll be calling everyone younger than me whippersnappers. And wearing readers. And buying velcro shoes. And talking about medical procedures nobody wants to hear about with random people in checkout lines.

No movement on the T-Rex. Maybe I need more of a collection of oddities to make it seem more valuable. Hey now… That would be a clever decorating idea. A wall full of peculiar driftwood shapes. Hmmm.

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 finally ordered my JUKI serger!! I ended up getting the Juki MO-80CB Free-Arm Serger Overlock Machine. It’s a basic, not too fancy, and easy to thread machine with great reviews. I should have it by the end of the year, and I’m pretty excited about that. 

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 ORDERED!
• New work table {I bought 3!}
• A sitting area with a spot to hook

Hook 100 Rugs {94 of 100 done so far}

I was able to get a few more smaller {and 1 medium sized} rugs hooked this past week. I also drew out a larger pattern 2’ x 3’ and will attempt to get that one hooked by the end of the year. 

I plan on getting 5 more smaller {mat sized} rugs hooked in between. I like to take small projects along to work on while the HH is driving so I shouldn’t have a problem finishing this goal by the end of the year.

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

I finally finished my last rug hooking pattern of the year!!! I just need to steam the rug and finish the back and draw out patterns and cut the wool for kits and then I will get it listed on Etsy for sale. Most likely after 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

I haven’t been out to check on the garden… Probably because I’m currently obsessed with a paint by numbers kit I started a few days ago. Portrait of Joseph Roulin By Vincent Van Gogh. 

This is my first time doing a paint by number and I have no idea how I even stumbled upon them on Etsy. I’m pretty sure though I’m going to need to pull out a magnifying glass to finish it.

Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard

We are still working our way through the Spiced Christmas Jam.

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. 🙂 

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

We went out for coffee and hot chocolate a few days ago {and both the coffee and hot chocolate were underwhelming} but the cinnamon roll we shared was really good. 🙂

• 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