Go On A Solo Adventure.
A solo adventure to Fair Isle. I don’t think I could have picked a more unique and cozy spot to spend a few weeks.
It’s been a wee bit windy since I left and my big box of supplies {and treats and shoes} I dropped off at the Post Office in Fair Isle still has not left the island. First it was because of the Cyber attacks on the Royal Mail service, and now it’s been delayed by weather.
I figure my box should be here by the end of the month… But who knows. 🙂
Take An Adult Education Class.
The Girl and I have signed up for a cooking class! My lips are sealed for now though as to where and when it will take place.
Revisit An Old Friend.
This goal is a bit of a play on words, but I’m secretly working on it.
Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {10 of 52 mailed so far}
This past week I mailed off another cards plus 6 Valentines.
Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA.
So far I’ve only made a few of our favorite things in the AGA in an effort to get used to cooking with it. This week though, I think I’ll try something new… Maybe a recipe from the Mary Berry cookbook that came with the stove.
I’m just so excited it arrived early!
Set Aside 200 Items For A Yard Sale {I’ve set aside 1 of 200 items so far}
Yesterday I started looking around for some more items for the yard sale box when I came across an old basket with more potato mashers/bobbins than I know I’ll use.
So I decided that in addition to the yard sale box, I should also start a “Spring Cleaning” box for Etsy with useful things that I know would fetch way more online than at a yard sale.
Earn $1,493.04 {Last Year’s Grocery Expenses} Selling Totally Random Things Online
I am currently collecting toilet paper rolls. 🙂 And yes, my husband thinks I’m crazy.
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
*Money earned selling random stuff so far $137.85
* 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
Before I can take everything out of the craft room to pull up the carpet and paint and do all the fun stuff, I first need to organize and re-stock everything.
And that means getting all the wool cut, patterns drawn, kits made and wool dyed so that when we tear the space apart everything will still be in stock and there won’t be any shipping disruptions.
Having a game plan and following through with it, that’s what it’s all about.
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 hooked two more rugs this past week for my next Etsy shop update on March 4th. I don’t consider a rug done though until I’ve stitched the seams or made it into a pillow though.
If all goes well, I should have at least 10 if not more pieces completed by the end of the month.
Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns {7 of 15 completed so far}
This past week I added the Fat Cat with Shamrocks to my pattern collection.
New patterns I’ve added to my Etsy shop in 2023:
- Antique Hearts and Flowers
- Fat Cat with Shamrocks
- 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
I started my onion and leek seeds under the grow lights a few days ago. Have you started yours yet? This year I’ll be growing about 5 different varieties.
Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard
We did empty 5 jars from the canning cupboard this week {jam, salsa and ketchup} but we’re going to have to get a move on if we’re going to get it cleaned out before canning season starts back up again.
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.
Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists} 1 down, 11 to go
I packed the 3 hats I bought from Rachel of Barkland Croft in the box I shipped backed home. Who knows when it will get here, but hopefully sooner than later.
Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format
This past week I updated 3 more recipes to a printable format on the blog.
- Tex-Mex Pearled Barley Salad with Corn
- Chicken and Bacon Quiche Recipe
- Recipe for Cinnamon Baked Apples
26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband
No date this past week as there was so much going on, but we do have something planned for date day this coming 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 day everyone,
~Mavis
Kathy Wolfe says
Since hooking rugs is a big part of your life, I would like to know what made you fall in love with it. Maybe on a “slow news” day you can write about it.
Connie says
The dumpster diving photo is intriguing.
Love hearing about your plans and travels.
Mavis Butterfield says
Not a dumpster, a coal bin. 🙂 The coal is stored outside and each day I would fill up a bucket with it and bring it into the house.
Lindsey says
WHen we lived in Scotland, there was no cetnral heating so all the rooms had coal fireplaces. This HUGE guy from Wales would drive up every so often and throw bags of coal down the chute into the back room dedicated to coal. His upper arms were the size of giant hams, from the weight lifting he did with those sacks of coal. I never spent so much time working on keeping the house warm…by the middle of winter, we were basically living in one room, plus the bathroom and kitchen. I will never forget the smell of coal smoke. Some of the villages could be smelled due to everyone using coal, long before they could be seen on the horizon. I think your trip sounds wonderful, but I don’t envy the use of coal. I had bronchitis over and over and over that year, due to the smoke.
Diane says
I read that wood and coal burning stoves was the reason everyone did spring cleaning! To get all the smelly wood and coal dust out of the house. Not really necessary now with for most people using central heat, except to air out the house.
Kim says
Would you ever preserve via a freeze dryer? Pretty hefty price tag and a lot of gals on internet who utilize these have large families………..but I am wondering.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ve never even thought about buying one. Since there’s only 2 of us and we can only eat so much, I think dehydrator works just fine for us. 🙂
Jennifer says
I was hoping to pay $10,000 on my car loan this year. But now it’s looking like we will owe big time on taxes so I’m not sure if we will meet that goal.
I also wanted to travel more and so far we have a spring break trip booked to Nashville and a log cabin in the woods booked for summer vacation. Still hoping to get abroad at some point but it might not be this year.
Terry Green says
Jennifer,
You might want to check out
McKays used bookstore (exit 199—off I-40), if books are a favorite. Every trip we make to Nashville, it’s a definite stop.
Dena says
I had to laugh at the picture of the toilet paper rolls (tpr)! I have not been able to garden for the past two years, but have been saving tprs. They make great seed starters – just flatten two directions so you have a square, then cut about 1/2″ into the bottom ‘creases’, and fold the pieces like closing a box. Fill with soil and a seed, then set out in the greenhouse or outside. The paper tube ‘dissolves’ in the soil, & you get a nice row of plants!
Diane says
Are you selling a box of toilet paper rolls??
Mavis Butterfield says
As soon as the box is full. 🙂
Christy says
I’ve read that TP rolls sell but I tried on ebay with no success. So I stopped.l and just put in recycling.
Becky-TN says
Mavis,
I have been using up jam that I have canned using 2 different recipes:
First, I used the following recipe from King Arthur flour:
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/cherry-almond-muffins-recipe
For the Cherry Almond recipe, I half the recipe ingredients and use 1/2 cup of jam. I made mini muffins since they tend to get eaten quicker in our house.
I also used your Cranberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe using jam. I also cut the recipe ingredients in half to make 24 mini muffins.
Take Care and thanks for bringing us all along on your trip!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Becky, that’s a great idea!
Becky-TN says
PS I have used cherry jam, peach jam, and spiced peach jam so far in the recipes.
Kari says
Lol.. I’ve been saving toilet paper rolls to make fire starters (along with dryer lint and old candles).
Also, if you are looking for a road trip, consider Norwich, Vermont to King Arthur flour… they do cooking classes and have a great shop/bakery.
Mel says
Our goal is to turn our guest room into a combined guest room and play room. It’s slow going, but I think we managed to narrow down which sleeper sofa we want. The plan is to replace the bed and free up floor space while still having room for guests.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think a sleeper sofa is a great idea Mel.
Mel says
Thanks! It’s tricky to find one that’s the right size and not backordered, but we very rarely have guests, so the regular bed is just really wasting space at the moment.
Margaret Còwan says
Does the H H work from home ?
Cecile says
There are some beautiful art pieces, Christmas ornaments etc on Pinterest for TP rolls! https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/481814860147063243/ I love these for a garland or a tree!
Kirsten says
Adult education class with the Girl: cooking/baking class in England with Mary Berry ?
Mavis Butterfield says
Now that would be exciting!
tia in boise says
I’ve finally started to get to bed and up at decent times.
I’ve started back up on my morning stretches and core work.
Went on a fun friend date to the library where they were hosting Bad Art Night. We made some weird art (all materials were provided), and we both got funny thumbs-up plastic trophies. I picked the one that said “meh”.
Surprised DH for our February date with a lobster roll dinner and a stay at a themed hotel.
I’ve been industrious during a busy week and got my walk in during lunch or right after work!
Need to contact Red Cross about donating blood–but I first need to make sure I up my intake of water!
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s sounds like you had a great week! Well done Tia.