Go On A Solo Adventure. Done
Good news! My box of supplies I mailed from my solo adventure to Fair Isle finally arrived. And when I said supplies, what I really meant was wool, clothing and souvenirs.
Because seriously, what’s a vacation without a few souvenirs? 😉
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 working on it!
Tea & Cake by PamelaZagarenski
Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {11 of 52 mailed so far}
I posted another card this past week. That makes 11 cards mailed so far this year.
Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA.
I made my first recipe from the Mary Berry cookbook that came with the stove and it turned out fantastic. This morning I think I’ll make a batch of scones from another beloved British baking book and see how they turn out.
Set Aside 200 Items For A Yard Sale {I’ve set aside 8 of 200 items so far}
This week I set aside 4 candlesticks that I’ve been hanging onto for the last 10+ years. I like them, but have no place to use them and well, I’m tired of storing things I don’t use so off to the yard sale box they go.
I need to pick up the pace though if I’m going to hit 200 items by the end of April.
Earn $1,493.04 {Last Year’s Grocery Expenses} Selling Totally Random Things Online
On Friday I listed 7 sets of old coffee cans on Etsy. No takers yet though.
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
We don’t have any plans yet, but holing up somewhere to work on crafts and ordering room service for a few days seems like a totally fun thing to strive for.
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
A catalog for light fixtures came in the mail the other day and as I was flipping through it I found the exact light fixture that I didn’t know I wanted until I saw it on one of the pages.
I’m pretty sure 99% of you will think it’s hideous but I think in the perfect setting {a studio with white walls, a high ceiling, light wooden beams, white furniture and a whitewashed pine floor} it would be magical. And if it would give off SO MUCH LIGHT during the winter months!
The only problem is the price. Which makes me crazy.
It makes me crazy because once you’ve seen something and can picture how it will look in a space and you know THAT’S THE ONE… you can’t unsee it. Clearly, I need to try and find a similar one for less.
It’s the same price as my Plump Wife Rug.
UPDATE: I just found it on Amazon for $500 less! {Still crazy expensive though.}
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’ll be updating my Etsy shop on Saturday, March 4th at 8pm EST but before I can do that, I need to finish up the rabbits and roses rug by Woolen Memories I’ve been working on this past week and two more pillows.
I just hope the cold weather holds out for another 6-8 weeks so I can get the rest of my winter projects finished before everything thaws and I switch to gardening mode.
Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns {8 of 15 completed so far}
I’ll be adding this sweet Olde Hares pattern by Doreen Frost {and a few kits} to my Etsy shop as soon as I get all the patterns drawn up and cut the wool for the kits {hopefully in the next few days}
New patterns I’ve added to my Etsy shop in 2023:
- 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
Grow 1,000 Pounds of Vegetables In The Commune Sized Garden
So far the only gardening that’s going on around here is garden planning. It’s still too cold to play outside {and I’m sort of happy about that.}
Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard
My game plan for this past week was to empty all the jars above and we nearly did it. As it turned out, we still have a few of the potatoes left, but all the other jars are empty!
I’ll show you how I turned those jars into meals tomorrow.
Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables
Today I’ll be planting basil and rosemary seeds. Thank goodness I have this goal as a reminder!
Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists} 2 down, 10 to go
So far this year I have bought from Rachel of Barkland Croft and had my friend Zoë turn all my fabric squares into 2 quilts for me.
She also made me a little rope basket with the remaining scraps!! How clever was that? Zoë shared a rope basket tutorial on the blog a few years ago HERE if you’re interested in how they are made.
Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format
This past week I updated 1 recipe to a printable format; Flourless Almond Cake.
26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband {2 down, 24 to go}
- Date #1 Thomaston Cafe for lunch. It was lovely.
- Date #2 Rising Tide Co-Op
How about YOU? How are you coming along with your goals for this year?
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
Mary3M says
That lighting fixture is FABULOUS!!! You have to splurge once in a while. You spend so much time ‘hooking’ that a fixture that makes you smile – well it’s just what you and the room need. Go for it!
Joely says
I could not agree more!
Sandy says
Agreed! Mavis will be in that room a lot and every time she sees the fixture she will be so happy. That is worth the money in my mind. Being frugal doesn’t mean that you never splurge on yourself. It just means you are judicious with your spending. That is a lot of money for a light fixture and I would be set back on my heels over it. But to be a centerpiece in a room that I will be using a lot? Worth the money!
Jamie says
The quilt and bowl look great! This week I completed a big goal for the year by learning how to replace light fixtures and electrical outlets on my own. This goal was set so we could be more self-sufficient and save money on parts of our home renovation. The other skill set I want to learn under the category is how to install a faucet and shower head. Other goals that I got work done on were expanding the kitchen garden and starting to clean up a wild section of our yard that is visible from the road.
Diana says
Good for you on the electrical work! Congratulations! It really does feel good to know how to do that, doesn’t it?
Linda says
Diana,
I have Sweet Greek Red squash seeds for you but need your mailing address. Look for an email from me (hopefully I have correct your correct email address). Linda
Jamie says
Yes! It was a bit intimidating at first, but once all the steps were broken down and I learned what to look out for it wasn’t too bad. It’s given me confidence to move forward with learning basic plumbing.
Carolina Cooper says
Great idea learning to install faucets. I had 2 new faucets installed recently and the plumber charged 120 per hour for labor +parts = total cost $600!!!
Paula says
I love the light! I am looking for a similar light for my bedroom. I’ve been having sticker shock as well. Please let us know if you find a cheaper source. To be honest, I’ve been looking for a year and no luck.
Diana says
Buy the fixture. I can tell you from experience, that once you’ve seen it, you’ll remember it for years and regret not getting it. You deserve the splurge.
The quilt looks gorgeous. You said she made two? You need to spread them out on a bed and let us see them in their full glory.
Julia Park Tracey says
I just came here to say the same thing — we want to see both quilts spread out so we can oohh and aaahhhh over them. Thank you.
Mel says
I love the light, but I’d worry about dusting it (just because I’m short and struggle to dust the simplest light fixtures). On the bright side, I’m exactly the right height to stand on my kitchen counters to clean cabinet tops.
Our goal of turning our guest room into a combined guest room and play room was going well…too well. We had to cancel the sleeper sofa we ordered because my husband didn’t measure, so it won’t fit. We can’t find another one that will both ship soon and fit, so now we’re sort of scrapping the whole guest room part of this plan. I think we’re going to go with a loveseat instead, but we’ll see. I feel like our baby will be in high school before we get this room together.
Margo says
Mel, have you checked love seat sleepers? They aren’t super common, but I have seen them. Not sure it would fit two to sleep, though.
Tracy says
Good ideai Margo. Another idea is a chest murphy bed. You can get them in Queen to twim. Maybe it will work for your space.
Mel says
Unfortunately, the seating is a higher priority than the bed, so a Murphy bed alone won’t help. Our 7 month old is the size of a 2-3 year old, and at the moment there is no place on our entire second floor where I can sit comfortably holding him without absolutely killing my back.
Wendy Steele says
Ohhhh so that’s why you were nursing him every 2 hours-he was growing into toddler size!!-great job, Mom!!!!
Mel says
Yes, I looked into those, but they are typically only twin mattresses. Our only guest is typically my elderly father, so I unfortunately don’t think that would be comfortable for him.
Melissa M says
Mel, you could also try a click clack couch. We have had one for 10 years (found on Craigslist). Ours is narrow, sits 3 people and folds flat. Fairly comfortable to sit on. Not had a guest tell us it was an uncomfortable sleep. Bonus – ours has storage underneath. Hope that’s helpful.
Lori SA says
As empty nesters, we have 2 former bedrooms that we use for multiple purposes. In each room we have a sleeper sofa that take up very little space and are actually quite comfortable as a double guest beds. They are the IKEA Lycksele Lovas Sofa. The sofa itself is fine (not greatest) but still quite useable and comfortable enough for these rooms. For added comfort, I add a thick blanket as a mattress pad when used as a bed.
Mel says
Hmm that will fit, but I’m hesitant about futon-style sleepers because we really need it to be comfortable couch first and foremost, and I’ve never found futons very comfortable for sitting.
Annette says
Get a comfy chair for yourself, and an inflatable bed for your father when he visits. The new ones are taller and quite comfortable. That will leave plenty of room for the little one to play.
Mel says
I wish we could! There’s not room for both. And most chairs are too narrow to hold him he’s so big. He outgrew the glider at 3 months!
Kath says
I think the light is beautiful! It reminds me of a dandelion gone to seed. (I love dandelions…call me crazy, I don’t care…lol.) So pretty!
Amy says
Perfect image!
Donna says
Came here to say the same! And I absolutely love the light!!
Kim says
Mavis, with your detective skills, I’m wondering if you can find something similar to the light fixture for less…….or, it just might be time for a splurge! (Does HH like to dust?)
I would enjoy taking a look at your new quilts. Dimensions? Zoe did an excellent job.
For a field trip, would you ever want to go toFreedom, Maine to look through the store portion of the Magnolia show {the} Lost Kitchen?
Stay warm and cozy!
Kathryn says
Would this light work? Calzada Decor 12-Light Gold Dandelion Firework Chandelier
at the Home Depot.
debbie in alaska says
Just plugging that description into Goggle yielded many similar styles ranging from $139.99 to $500 or so. Nice job Kathryn!
Lori SA says
That is a very nice light fixture. I am surprised how hard it is to find a light fixture that is both affordable and something I’d love to have. Speaking of things I’d love to have- those treats from the the UK look wonderful!
Christy says
I just saw the biscotti cookie cream at my local grocery store on Friday (southeast PA).
Patti Vanderbloemen says
We have but one life to live…buy the light fixture that you want!
tia in boise says
I think the light fixture is gorgeous. I do think it’s an interesting choice for a craft room, but hey, it’s your craft room. 🙂
My goals for the year…. (sigh)
I had a super-busy week, a super-sick week, and then a super-behind and getting caught up week–so I am continuing to show myself compassion and not getting worked up about getting behind.
I do have THREE friend “dates” planned in March!
Dianne says
Love the light. I’m sure you can find one for a lesser price, but will it have the same qualities? If it’s something you will use for many years, go for it.
I love Lucy’s face today. Looks like she is also yearning for the warmer weather and boat rides.
I had lived in an area that had a British grocery store and meat market. I use to buy all my meat and additional items. One item was Bird’s Custard to make Nanaimo Bars. There are many recipes online, but I used one from my Canadian cousin. I believe that is where they originated.
Susie says
Mavis, wait!!!! I bought the exact same light fixture (except instead of clear white, I went with a turquoise color) from Wayfair for about $200! Wish I could attach a pic but I don’t think your blog allows it.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’d love to see it. You can leave a link to the fixure you bought in the comments. 🙂
Anne says
https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/everly-quinn-lakeyah-9-light-sputnik-sphere-chandelier-w007732992.html?piid=1593478878
Is this similar to what you like?
KC says
I was worried about maybe needing to change hundreds of tiny bulbs… but no, it’s only 6 small bulbs, and the tiny balls of glass are just tiny balls of glass, not light sources at all. I’m wondering whether this would look great when there’s other light around, but maybe not great when it’s the main/only source of light, since then it’ll mainly be The 6 Light Bulbs with some minor reflection from the little teeny balls of glass?
KC says
(also saw this lower on the Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096DKDDGV/ for $90. Odds seem good it’s junk quality or not as pictured, but… maybe…)
Nancy H says
The light is beautiful! I think it would look great in a high ceiling room. I wonder how difficult the bulbs will be to find when they burn out?
Taryn says
I have a guess about your cooking class and I can’t wait to see if I’m right!
You also inspired me to take a class spring. It’s a seaweed class where they teach you to find and harvest different sea vegetables. After you are finished you go back to the shelter in the park and they teach you how to cook them. I love a food class!
Jen says
I think the light fixture is gorgeous but dusting it would be a nightmare.
Carolina Cooper says
Great idea learning to install faucets. I had 2 new faucets installed recently and the plumber charged 120 per hour for labor +parts = total cost $600!!!