My 22 Goals for 2019
Goal #1 — Spend More Time Doing What I Love
Snuggle with the puggle. 😉 She plays the despondent teenager part very well don’t you think? Especially after she’s had her noon treat and there are no hopes for another one for 24 hours. Poor Poor Puggle. ‘Tis a sad life she leads.
Goal #2 — Garden, Garden, Garden
The above picture of me breaking ground was taken on April 1st of last year. Fingers crossed spring is only 5-6 more weeks away. I am very….very close to being ready to come out of my winter hibernation.
Goal #3 — Plant an Orchard
I talked to the peeps at Snug Harbor Farm and they said they usually have fruit trees available around early April. Sweet!
Goal #4 — Gussy Up the Potting Shed
The stain has finally dried on the potting bench the HH built for me {and he even stocked it with my favorite seed starting mix} but the doors to the potting shed are frozen solid and the driveway is iced over so we won’t be able to move it out to the potting shed {or get in there to take pictures} until things thaw out.
It’s done though…. and that’s the important part. Now…. it’s on to the mini greenhouse. I’m hoping we can get out there this week and start cleaning it up.
Goal #5 — Grow Enough Extra Vegetables, Eggs and Flowers to Earn $1500 at my little roadside vegetable stand.
Seeds I planted so far this year:
And with a little luck, I’ll be selling some of those starts at my little stand in late spring.
Goal #6 — Finish Every Single Unfinished Rug Hooking Project in My Pattern Bin + 10 Things from back Issues of Magazines/Books I’ve Been Meaning to Make.
I finished 2 more rugs for my next Etsy Shop update on March 1st. One was a large bee skep piece and the other a smaller mat. I am hoping to get 2 more smaller pieces and a set or two of flowers finished in time for the Esty shop update.
I started the year off with:
- 69 rugs {now down to 63}
- 183 hooked flowers {finished 62, now down to 121}
- 10 “things” from back issues of magazines {finished 0}
Goal #7 — Create 12 New Rug Hooking Patterns {with at least half of them being large ones}
4 down, 8 to go.
I just finished patterns #3 and #4 and plan to have them ready for sale with my next shop update.
Goal #8 — Split and Stack 2 Cords of Wood for Next Winter
So far this winter we have gone through 4 1/2 cords of wood. We have one more cord of seasoned firewood available to burn {I don’t think we’ll need it all though} and three more cords of 6 month old green oak which we have set aside for next year.
I have a feeling there is going to be a small 6 week window this spring {just after the ground thaws and right before all the foliage begins to take over} that we’ll have to get our 2 cords cut {but hopefully more} to store for next winter.
This winter has been a good learning experience. Not to cold, not to warm… but probably pretty average. I think if we had a really harsh winter though, we’d probably need to have about 6 cords of wood to get us through winter.
Goal #9 — Do Something with the 5,002 Photos on My Phone
Started with 5,002 photos, now down to 3,478 , 3516 , 3532, 3491 3628 3534 3321 photos. Scratch that. Now sitting at 3802 photos on the phone. MARK MY WORDS…. I will get down to under 3,000 by this time next week.
Goal #10 –Lose the Muffin Top
It’s still there. But hey, I’m down 2 pounds! I’ll do a photo update the first weekend in March.
Goal #11 — Run, Walk or Crawl a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon
The treadmill should be here on march 5th! Just in time to get in shape for gardening season. 🙂
Goal #12 — Read or Listen to 26 New Books
I tried listening to the Zookeeper’s Wife again this week while I wait for either Carnegie’s Maid or Marilla of Green Gables to become available. I may ditch listening to the Zookeeper’s Wife though as the narrator comes across as if she’s reading a list rather than a tale. I remember not being able to get into The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in either the paperback or the audio book form but ABSOLUTELY LOVED the movie.
I just noticed though, that the Zookeeper’s Wife was made into a movie {you can watch the trailer HERE} and so I’m going to check to see if I can borrow it from the library.
I am STILL patiently waiting my turn on the library wait list for the following books:
- Carnegie’s Maid #1 on the list
- The Four Tendencies #15 on the list
- Before We Were Yours #86 on the list
- This is the Story of a Happy Marriage #3
- The Coddling of the American Mind #11
- The Alice Network #23
- Marilla of Green Gables #1
- 12 Rules for Life #16
Books I’ve Read or Listened to So Far This Year:
Goal #13 — Try 52 New Recipes.
6 down, 46 recipes to go. The HH made a coconut cake! So far I’ve eaten 5 slices! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Coconut is a fruit, right?
Goal #14 — Clean Up 52 Old Recipes.
Seven recipes down, 45 to go.
Goal #15 — Fill 100 Canning Jars
No canning going on at the moment but I’m ready to go. Those quirky little half pint, almost square jars are made by the Anchor Hocking Company. I LOVE them so much. I hope I’ll have enough.
Goal #16 — Finish Furnishing Our House
We picked up a small blanket chest at an antique store this week and Lucy would not let me take the picture without her in it so there you go. I wasn’t looking for a small blanket chest but it’s the perfect size to sit on while you are taking your shoes off. Also, it was the exact style I was looking for to use as a coffee table.
Looks easy enough to duplicate {but making it twice the size} don’t you think? HH are you reading this? Do you want to make me a coffee table for my birthday? YES, YES you do. 🙂
Furniture pieces I’d like to acquire this year:
- Coffee table for the family room
- Console, cupboard or sideboard for the one and only tv in our house which is in the family room. I could totally live without a television, but my husband says the tv stays.
- Long rectangular table for the craft room.
- Table for the formal dining room that nobody will ever sit in.
- A wing back chair for the family room.
- I’d also like to decorate the mantel in the keeping room as well as put up some sort of decoration above the other 3 fireplaces in the house. I’m not one for a lot of things on the walls, but it would be nice to throw up a little pilgrim bling on the plaster.
Goal #17 – 52 Dates with the HH {7 down, 45 to go}
It was a TOTAL DUD from start to finish. I’ll tell you all about it on Tuesday.
Goal #18 — Take One Adult Education Class
I’ll know it when I see it.
Goal #19 — Secret {for now} Holiday Project
Frustrated, I’ve decided to take a break from working on my holiday project for now. Maybe I’ll start it up again in April, or move on to something else.
Goal #20 — Create 12 Wowie Zowie Party Platters
1 down 11 to go. I thought for sure we’d have more party platters under our belt by now, but it is only the beginning of the year and we are still very much in the hearty soups and casseroles mode due to the chilly weather outside.
Goal #21 — Visit 12 General Stores
1 down 11 to go and I have a HUGE list of stores I want to visit when we are in those particular areas.
Goal #22 — Compete with Carole….. Get on My Front Door Game On
The real competition won’t begin until the snow has melted and so for now, I have to be content with wooden cut outs or dried wreaths. Last week, Lolly told us about a link she had seen for 52 different door wreaths, there was even one with crushed cans! 😉 So really, there is no excuse for a boring front door.
Note to self: be sure and add “Paint front door” to the HH’s Spring Clean Up List 😉
Front Door Bling I’ve Made So Far This Year to Compete with Carole:
Late January : Valentine Heart ♥
Late February : Shamrock
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How about YOU? What are your goals for 2019? If you told us about them HERE, check in! We want to know how you are doing. Because seriously, it’s so much easier to get those goals checked off your list when you have people rooting for you! 🙂
♥ Mavis
You can read more about my 22 goals for 2019 HERE.
Deborah Moore says
Any pictures of Carols front door decorations or maybe similar?
Mel says
It depends what you’re in the mood for, but is it possible to do warm party platters? Maybe with spinach artichoke or crab dip instead of a cold dip, for example? Or even nearly the same platters but with cheese fondue for dipping? I’ve been making summer foods in order to pack lunch for my 80-degree office, so I’m currently in the habit of finding ways to switch the seasons for things.
I changed my goal of sewing snow pants to sewing summer pants due to my overheated office, and I sewed two pairs of those this week (just need to hem). One pair doesn’t quite fit right (the design was a gamble) but will be fine for pajamas, but the other pair is great and easy, so I might make more in that style. I’ve generally had bad luck with fabric this year, and the pants are the most functional goal right now, so I’m sticking with that for now and getting to the other projects later.
Deb says
The Zookeeper’s Wife book is actually pretty interesting if you can make yourself read it. It isn’t super emotional or devastating like a lot of the books that deal with the Holocaust are. Not that it’s not serious or awful to read about the things that were done, but the narrator deals more with facts than with the emotional impact and intimate human side.
On the other hand, IMO the movie is just SO bad, particularly in comparison. Lots of drama and soap opera elements added and I barely got through it.
Jennifer says
I got through half of it and just had to give it up. I read over 100 books a years, so I don’t give up easily and have read many books about the Holocaust, but this book was just not one I could finish.
Also, I got the movie thinking it would make giving up the book less painful. No, I watched 30 minutes and deleted it.
Anne says
What do you mean “clean up “old recipes
Mavis Butterfield says
Some of the recipes on the blog are from way back before I could take a decent photo so I’ve been working on making some of our favorite recipes and cleaning up the old pictures with new ones.
Herdog says
Howdy Mavis, How did you see the movie Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society movie? The book is a favorite of my Mom and myself (I know it’s not to a lot of folks, so that’s ok – I won’t hold it against you. hee hee). I had heard they made a movie but it’s not in a DVD form that can be watched here in the states. So how did you see it?
That little blanket chest is a winner. Good thing it followed you home.
Mavis Butterfield says
YES! I’ve watched the movie 3 times. I love it. I usually have to watch movies several times because I’m always working on something {rug hooking usually} and miss so much stuff.
Linda says
It’s on Netflix and it’s wonderful!!!! Loved it!
Herdog says
Thank you, Linda. I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow evening.
Joyce in Indiana says
Mavis, I am reading the book Carnegies Maid right now. It is pretty good so far. I just cannot make myself watch the movies after reading the books.
I have also decided that if I can’t get interested in a book with in 2 chapters I won’t feel bad about putting it down and starting another. I hate to think how long it has taken me to come to that conclusion, too long LOL
I agree with the fondue party platter, sounds wonderful.
Lolly says
I remember when Cold Mountain came out (the book), and I had several friends recommend it….but I just could not get into it. Idk why. I think it was last yr before I watched the movie….and I liked the movie just fine. And then there have been a number of audio books that I couldn’t get into, due to the narrator, but reading them was fine. I think I am just picky about my narrators, lol!! And while I can read a book, and immediately pick up another to start…..I cannot do that with audiobooks. I have to wait a few days before I am ready to listen to another book. I’m just weird. Lol.
I had full intent to cut fabric or sew this week, but other duties were more important. Sigh. Does it count that I ordered new fabric online??!!
My whole family was sick Sun-Tues, and then one day our dryer went out….so I’m hanging every load up IN MY KITCHEN on a wooden clothes dryer and the back of the chairs. (My LR and kit are one big room….so yah.) Also, we had all day events thurs and fri. (….no wonder I didn’t find time to sew! Lol!)
I did the bills asap after payday, and was able to put away the determined amount PLUS quite a bit more! I was soooo excited. Then the dryer went out, so I was like….well, at least we have $$ to replace the dryer now. Sigh. But lo and behold, dh pulled off the heating element, and IT was broken, and it’s a $22 part!!! So our savings gets to stay in savings! And come tomorrow or tues, I hope to have a working dryer again! (And really, I don’t want a new dryer….cause mine from 1998 seems much more sturdy in its mechanics than the dryers at lowes….with their broken knobs and computerized everything!)
My goals this week are TO SEW (the newest fabric is in!!!): for ME and to cut fabric for presents to sew next week; and to walk to get the mail this week (and not send the kids down the driveway). I haven’t attempted to walk like I said I wanted to, so down and then up the driveway will at least get me started on moving. It’s not far, but the hill will get me out of breath….and starting small is STARTING.
And I’ve done well this week with not hiding. Though I was confronted with some things that made me anxious this past week….and I had felt like my anxiety was mostly gone. Seems it was just hidden/or just below the surface. But hey, at least it is not part of everyday, as it had been. Now it’s situational. It’s good to recognize that it is lurking, and it’s something I will pray for help to work through. And I remembered that in the past it took me longer to feel more “normal” than I was thinking should take place….and so I may have another several months still…or longer….we shall see. Baby steps!
Mavis Butterfield says
Baby steps is right Lolly. I used to be a very anxious person and it’s really only been the last couple of years that I’ve felt totally normal and mellowed out quite a bit {just ask my husband! Ha.}
I am also very picky about my narrators as well. I remember reading the Bridges of Madison County when it first came out and loved the book so much that to this day I have not seen the movie {and never will}. So I totally get the whole not wanting to watch the movie, or read the book if I’ve seen the movie first that people talk about.
And thanks for that wreath link! Some of those were pretty cool. 🙂
Lolly says
Yw, lol. I saw 52 wreaths for the yr, and it made me laugh, cause sometimes you have some great/different/(odd?)/fun! challenges you give yourself….and I was giggling at you possibly stepping it up to a wreath a week! (Not that I expect you too….the idea was just funny!)
I’m glad your anxiety has settled down. 🙂
Today was a bit of a test….I’ve known this for forever, but am finally choosing to deal with it….I get really really irritated/upset/anxious when someone is driving slow in front of me….or esp if two cars are doing it, and I get boxed in/can’t get around them. It feels claustrophobic to me. But Fri/sat I realized it’s anxiety. And that I can step back my expectations, and I can back off and CHOOSE to go slower….not get frustrated and try desperately to get around them. And mondays I drive a curvy, two laned road….and there’s always someone going slower than I would like. And today I chose to back off a bit, and chose to slow down, and chose to pray thru the times I felt anxious….and it helped so much! (Also….there was a police officer who pulled over a speeder on that road on the way home. Whew. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve driven far too fast on that rd….and today there was a policeman pulling people over?!?! Eek!) I REALLY need to chill and take my time and enjoy the 20 minutes of possibly poking behind someone….stuck….without becoming anxious.
Katherine says
I really WANT the bee rug you have on this post! I love that blue background.
Mavis Butterfield says
The rug and the pattern {for both of the rugs} will be available in my Esty shop on Friday at 6 pm EST. I am in love with the blue background too. 🙂
LauraArnett says
Hey Mavis! Any chance the be we rug will be available in a kit???
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes. I am working on getting wool dyed specifically for the kits this week. The kits will be listed on Friday as well. 🙂
Linda says
I enjoyed Marilla of Green Gables. If you are a fan of Anne like I am you will enjoy it also. I read the book not the audio.
Torry says
My goals were to:
1. Sew and I did that again this week.
2. Use up my stash. Again I’m not using up a lot, but I am using it.
3. Find and finish half done projects. Right now I’m just working on finishing the things I started this week. (Christmas gifts.)
4. Walking every day is out while I wait for my knee to heal.
5. 1 new recipe each week. Not this week, although I am culling through the cookbooks for ideas.
6. Clean more often. I did some small areas this week.
7. Husband date nights have officially been moved to lunches until summer.
8. Read more. This has been easy to do with the knee not working! I finished several more fiction books and one non-fiction.
Having this site to hold me accountable is helping, I think.
Margery says
Same here, I am doing way better on my goals. Sewing is something I should break out of the closet again maybe this summer when I am home more often. My husband I used to do breakfast dates every Friday when I was a stay at home mom and he had Friday’s off. Now a days I work, and he works shift work so finding time for dates is a bit harder but just as important as it was years ago.
Kay Bonikowsky says
I am in the market for a tiller/cultivator. I see you are using one. I’d love to know more about which one you use and what you think of it? Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Kay,
I wrote about my love for Manny here: https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/gardening-in-new-england-seedling-update-my-new-indoor-outdoor-digital-thermometer-and-more-hidden-treasures/
I’m so glad I bought it!
Kay Bonikowsky says
Thank you!
Margery says
1. Read one non-fiction book per month :
Not happening unless you want to count cookbooks.
2. Monthly date with the husband :
Nothing this week.
3. Weekly Game Night :
Well chess didn’t happen, but we did play some two person board games, and we are looking forward to spring break when the college kids come home. We have an adventure planned to a restaurant that also has board games.
4. Try a new recipe each week –
This Week I made French Onion Soup from the Dinner in an Instant cookbook, both I and my husband enjoyed it. I used my electric pressure cooker to make it and while it did involve a few steps so, not a walk away and forget it recipe it still was a weeknight recipe. I was able to make a homemade bowl of French Onion soup in 30 min, instead of an hour or more.
I also made Slow cooker Honey Garlic Chicken from Dinner Made Easy with Six Sisters Stuff , this was a little sweeter then I liked but still very good and will make it again just with a little less brown sugar and honey. I served it with white rice and while that was okay I think adding a bag of peas and carrots to the rice will make it even better. In fact since this recipe made enough for 6, was able to freeze some for a quick weeknight meal.
5. Fall Garden- Spring Garden
The peppers and tomatoes haven’t yet sprouted, and it was cold and snowy this week so no outside work. So the garden work this week was just dreaming of warmer weather.
6. De-clutter-
This week I went though the youngest child’s room and filled a bag with clothes that no longer fit, and put away some stuff the college daughter had brought home over winter break. I plan on working on the college son’s clothing that they have left behind.
7. Loose some weight-
It wouldn’t be a list of goals with out at least one healthy living goal.
8. Learn a new skill –
Well I have looked and looked for a class locally and haven’t found one. But I did find a you-tuber that has an on-line class and offers a kit on her website that has everything that you need to make 11 bars of soap. Thinking of ordering that kit and taking the plunge of making soap. I have read plenty of books on soap making, but when it comes to new skills a live person or you tube seems to work best for me.
9. Reduce trash-
Bit by Bit
10. A Financial goal-
I am not going to share to much on this publicly but I do have a saving goal.
Marcia says
That bee rug is adorable.
I read the Zookeeper’s Wife and I really liked it.
I missed where you were buying a treadmill.
I love party platters. I have a friend who makes the BEST ones. Maybe I’ll pay her to make one for my birthday.
Kim says
So now that football season is over, instead of watching tv while we eat lunch after church, now I read your weekly updates to MY HH. He gets such a kick out of it, although some of his comments are borderline rude……….such as “whose goal is it to cut all that wood, Mavis’ or HH?” (Sorry about that.) He said he is definitely going to make layered cakes when he retires, so HH is inspiring him a lot! We are always excited when you mention a place we have been on vacation such as Snug Harbor Farm. The blue background of the bee rug is soooooooooo pretty.
What are your thoughts about everyone who says tilling destroys soil health? We have a very large vegetable garden and it gets way too packed down (despite all the leave we add) to plant if we do not till it first.
We love the simple life and it is a riot to read about yours. Keep up the good work!
Nichole says
I would *love* to see you do a post with videos of how you do your hooking and dyeing! I knit and crochet and would love to learn different fiber arts! I’m saving up to buy some of your cute flowers!
Julia Park Tracey says
Hi Mavis and all,
I have kind of lost my mojo this last week with a family tragedy. We lost our son (age 21) and I have been holding everyone else up. He was my stepson and there has been drama with the other parent and man, these things bring out the worst in some people, and the best in others. We are blessed to have mostly wonderful friends.
Trying to figure out ways to get out of my head…I had signed up for a 5K and it is coming up fast on March 17. We had a ton of flooding here in Sonoma County and we have been trapped on our road and unable to get out. Today was the first day and it is so slimy-muddy that I can’t see running/jogging in it. I think I will go to the high school tomorrow and jog around the track. I think that will be good for starting to think more clearly. I need some head space to feel my feelings after taking care of everyone else.
I have lots of other goals but I’m not going to worry about them for a while, and try to get back in the game later. I count on you, Mavis, to keep us going towards our goals, and it gives me joy to read your Sunday posts. Thanks for listening. <3
LauraArnett says
Prayers for peace coming your way :).
Mavis is a great lady and I feel like she’s part of my family. If I didn’t get her email everyday my heart would break! We love you Mavis and all the crazy followers- y’all at work family:)
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Julia,
I am so sorry about your son. And I agree, times like these bring out the worst {and the best} in people. Being the one who holds everyone else up, is a tough job and the best thing you can do for yourself right now is to find something to do that brings you some peace. Focusing on a race or some other type of low stress project just might be the thing you need right now. If I lived closer, I’d go for a walk with you. 🙁
Julia Park Tracey says
LauraArnett — yes, Mavis is family now!
Thanks, Mavis. I can’t believe a week has gone by already. My mind is on tilt. Thanks for keeping us on task with our goals, and yours.
I wonder if a carrot might be more interesting bling for the door than an egg? Harder to cut out but it looks like a carrot but an egg looks like a random oval, perhaps, from a distance? Depends how you paint it, right? My 2 cents on the Carole Door Bling Challenge.
As a beekeeper, I am lusting after your new rug. I’ll check into the pattern when I have a moment to think straight.
<3