Stay Healthy
Word on the street is that there is a snow storm headed our way on Tuesday. I’ll believe it when I see it. So far all we’ve seen is a few inches here and there. I want FEET. A couple of feet of snow would be nice. 😉 Then I’d have a reason to shovel snow, or go snow shoeing, or sledding, which is way more exciting than walking around outside in the snow for exercise.
Weigh What I Weighed When We Got Married {128 pounds}
Weigh ins will be on the first Sunday of the month. My January 3rd weigh in was 140.7. Basically, the goal is to lose a pound a month.
Keep My Husband Busy
He fired up the smoker. So you know, not a real productive week in the house project department.
The HH’s Honey Do List {so far} for 2021 🙂
- Build a new set of stairs down to the water. The old set… it’s not exactly useable.
- Build a firepit near the edge of the property. {He’s handy, he’ll figure it out}
- Build a picnic table near the birch trees for summer lunches
- Build 4 or 6 garden boxes for his little lady
- Build a boatload of birdhouses for the {soon to be} bird sanctuary
- Remodel the bathroom in the hallway
- Install some sort of driveway border
- Install a workspace for me in the basement for dying wool.
Things We’d Like to Buy
We went with the white chairs. There’s just something so classic about white chairs next to the sea. They should be here in 4-6 weeks. Which is perfect timing because I’m pretty sure by mid-March I’ll have the HH knee deep in making birdhouses in the garage and gearing up for all the outdoor projects we want to tackle.
- A dingy for zipping around the nearby islands and for summer ice cream runs
- Archery Set {every camp should have archery!}
- Kitchen table and chairs
- Sideboard
- Bench for the entryway
- A full size washer and dryer set {the house came with a small stackable w/d set}
- Deck chairs and a patio table set
A set of 4 Adirondack chairs for the fire pit area- BBQ {Sayonara smoker?}
Unplug As Much As Possible {but still keep the blog, FB and Instagram}
Ring Ring HELLO? My phone is still on silent mode. And I’m loving it. 🙂
This year I plan to step back more and cut the noise.
- Goodbye Amazon Prime {Done!}
- Goodbye Hulu {Done!}
- Goodbye Netflix {Done!}
- Goodbye keeping my cell phone in my back pocket and checking it constantly {so far so good}
- Limit time online to 3 hours a day {for writing, working, and Etsy} {so far so good}
Try 24 New Recipes {and remember to link them here}
New Recipes I’ve Made This Year
Also, I made it through the muffin category in the new recipe index, and now I’m working my way through the scones and then it’s on to all my canning recipes. The plan is to have all the recipes in the right spot by mid-February.
This new format makes printing recipes a snap and I like that you have the option to double or even triple the recipe when you go to print it out too. Neat-O if you ask me.
Read {or Listen to} 12 New Books about Maine {or written by Maine Authors}
I had $25 gift card to Amazon so I spent another $10 and bought the book At First Light: Two Centuries of Maine Artists, Their Homes and Studios and it’s absolutely wonderful. There are so many Maine artists in the book that I had never heard of so it’s been wonderful to read the history about how they got started and how their art careers evolved over the years.
Books about Maine {or written by Maine authors} I’ve read this year:
- Christina Olson Her World Beyond the Canvas. {Excellent!}
- At First Light: Two Centuries of Maine Artists, Their Homes and Studios
Currently on hold:
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- Wintering by Katherine May
Neither of which are from Maine and I have no idea if either of them will be good. But I did like the narrators voice on the 5 minute sample so that’s a good start. 🙂
Get 24 Stories Off My Phone and onto the Blog
I need to get crackin’ on this one! Must not fall behind.
Get the Photos on My Phone Down to Less Than 1,000 {started the year with 2863 photos}
There are currently 2713 photos on my phone. {I took a TON of pictures this past week and need to get them uploaded on the computer before I delete them}.
Clean Out My Closet
I turned all the hangers around in my closet and so far 92% of them are still backwards. I suspect though that will change once spring and summer arrive and I’m wearing other things than pajamas, jeans and long sleeved shirts.
My House Projects For This Year
Oh what a difference painting the trim white has been. Even with just one coat of white the trim looks SO MUCH brighter and cleaner. Ultimately it takes 2 coats of paint for the trim. With the big windows and having to take down the blinds and then put them up again it has been a total pain, but still, it’s totally been worth it.
I am slowly working my way room through room and at the rate I’m going, I am hopeful I’ll be able to finish my indoor painting by the time gardening season begins.
- Figure out new window treatments for the back of the house
- Come up with a game plan for the kitchen remodel {for 2022}
- Paint the family room walls and trim
- Paint the entryway trim and doors
- Paint the dining room walls and trim
- Paint the master bedroom walls and trim
- Paint the barn and add a new fixture {okay, so the HH will be adding the fixture}
My Garden Projects For This Year
When I woke up this morning it was 1 degree outside. So you know, all garden chores are on hold for a little while longer. 😉 However if I had a greenhouse, that might be another story. I do think I’ll get a few seeds started this week though, but more on that later.
- Install a simple flower bed border in front of the house
- Install a boatload of birdhouses/feeders in the side yard
- Transplant evergreen saplings to the side of property for a privacy border
- Clean up and prune the area that faces the road
- Install a vegetable garden
- Install a sunflower patch
- Plant 2,500 flower bulbs {Why 2,500? It seemed like a good number to start with}
Reach 10,000 Sales on Etsy {as of this morning I’ve made 6180 sales on Etsy}
Only 3,820 to go!
This past week I dyed a bunch of wool for my Etsy shop and started mapping out what I want to make for my next shop update for finished goods on March 5th.
Create 12 New Rug Hooking Patterns or Kits
I had planned on having this new pattern finished and ready to offer as a kit and a pattern this weekend but I got side tracked and didn’t get as much hooking time in as I had hoped.
I also have another new pattern I am working on {at the same time!} so who knows, maybe I’ll just end up waiting until my March 5th update and list everything then. We’ll see.
Create 12 New Ornaments for 2021
In addition to the ladybug heart ornaments I added a few weeks ago, I also added a few Valentine garlands to my Etsy shop. {A BIG THANK YOU to those that purchased a garland! It was fun to see the names of blog readers pop up on Etsy.}
2021 Ornaments I’ve Made So Far
#1 ♥ Ladybug Heart ♥
I am currently working on bunnies… and have had a few requests for foxes so if there is an ornament you’d like to see made, leave me a comment and I’ll give it a whirl.
Discover 12 Made in Maine Products and Share Them on the Blog
{This will likely happen this summer when it’s a little easier to get out and about.}
Visit 6 Lighthouses in Maine
No lighthouses this week but other Places in Maine We’ve Been to This Year Are:
Lighthouses I’ve Been to in Maine So Far:
So that’s it. That’s my progress report for this past week. How about YOU? Did you make any goals for 2021? Have you checked any of them off your list yet?
Have a great one,
~Mavis
MEM says
I recognize those Adirondack chairs and I’m glad you went with the white! Last Spring and Summer with most people WFH and doing stay-cations, the shipping time was something like 16-20 weeks? So, I never purchased any. Did you get the matching end table?
Mavis Butterfield says
No, we didn’t order any end tables. I don’t think we’ll need the end table since they’ll be down by the fire pit.
A says
But what about a table for s’mores and cocoa?
Or eating dinner by the fire?
Mel says
One of my goals was to change goals as needed, so I’ve decided to be more flexible on my savings goal in order to take advantage of working from home and having the chance to get more house projects done. So, I’m circling back to last year’s goal of reorganizing holiday stuff, and I ordered new organizers for our Christmas ornaments (the only part of that goal I didn’t get to last year). I was originally just going to use their existing bins, but I made the original trays with hot glue and cardboard 10 years ago, so it really is time to find a better system. I have a couple other small projects in mind as well.
Another goal was to replace things that don’t work or don’t fit in our kitchen, so I replaced our cupcake carriers this week. Our old ones took up so much room they had to be stored in the basement, and the new ones collapse a bit, so I can fit them in our kitchen cabinet. I also replaced an awkward under sink shelf with a lazy Susan, and that has helped a lot. I think I’m pretty much done with this goal once I replace our bulky old cake carrier.
I’ve mostly kept up with running and hydrating, but my work schedule hasn’t been as flexible lately, so it’s been harder to work on rowing and weights and just harder to keep up overall. I’m hoping to get into a better rhythm soon.
Another goal was returning to pre-pandemic levels of veggie consumption, and I think that’s going well, but it’s much harder to track than I anticipated, so I’m going to experiment with a visual food diary.
It’s too early to tackle my garden goals, but I did order seeds and new berry plants.
And my cleaning schedule is still working out great.
Brianna says
Years ago I didn’t have a budget for special organizers for my house or Christmas ornaments. So many ornaments would be tangled, broken, or unsalvageable every year. As a Costco shopper I started saving the clamshells the apples and pears came in. I still use them for storing my ornaments in with tissue paper to wrap some. They stack perfectly in a bin and everything stays as I left it.
Mel says
Great idea! Unfortunately, since we have local produce delivered each week (unwrapped), I rarely come across that type of packaging. I have used egg cartons before for tiny ornaments, and that has worked well, but I needed something for the larger ones and the ones that are oddly shaped (think icicles, candy canes, and nutcrackers) where everything still stacks up uniformly. So, I think buying special organizers will be worth it for us, but it definitely took a long time for them to hit the top of my priority list!
Emma B says
sorry if you have stated this before. what color are you using to paint? Thank you
Mavis Butterfield says
Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. Eggshell for the walls, satin for the trim.
Kari says
I’m getting a couple new doors in my house, which I understand just come primed. I have never painted doors before. You seem to be a pro. Do I need to have them sprayed, or have you had luck doing it by hand? Suggestions would be helpful.
Mavis Butterfield says
I personally like to paint my by hand. But my husband would probably say spray them. 🙂
Diane says
What was the stuff you added to the paint so it doesn’t show brush marks? And do you just use it for painting trim with brushes, or also painting the walls with a roller?
Mavis Butterfield says
Flotrol. Home Depot sells it.
Martha Sell says
Ideas for clay ornaments: Loon, Cardinal, Robin, Chickadee (all of which need fussy painting). Discs with pine imprint; oak leaf and acorn imprint. Sailboat! After all, you are near water.
Hope this offers inspiration.
Linda says
I love the idea of disc with tree leaves imprinted!!! Our family has a wood business & my son is a forester! Great idea!
Peg says
Maybe a turtle ornament on your Etsy page? Thought for sure you’d have one, in memory of the turtle nest at your house two houses ago.
Rachael says
Hi Mavis!
I would like to request a pig & goat ornament for your etsy shop-cute ones please!
Thanks!
Elle says
I’m not much for goals right now as I recently retired from 4 decades of loooooong workdays in healthcare. That said I do have a few:
1. Read 1 book per week. So far I’ve finished 4 books, I’m 2/3 through #5 and 1/2 on #6.
2. Replace items that are past their goodbye date. This month? Personal care items: nail clippers, toenail clippers, emery board, toenail emery board etc. You know, the annoying don’t work right items we forget about the second we put them away? I didn’t wait for sales. I marched out to 2 stores and got it all, full price 😉
3. Make the quilts I’ve wanted to make….for me. 25% of the way through #1. Barely a start on #2 and #3.
dena says
I’m wondering if your septic system will be able to handle the increased water use with the larger washer. Sometimes the systems are sized to handle so many gallons per day, especially being located so near the water.
Diane says
You should give winter sowing a try! Even if you just do a couple of jugs as an experiment. It will give your seedlings a head start.
Trish says
I agree! Winter sowing made such a huge difference in what I was able to grow and harvest in my Colorado garden. It really extended the season for me (and I didn’t have to have seedlings all over the house).
Mary says
Definitely build the greenhouse. We live in Northern VT and what a wonderful growing year we had. Started in late April starting veggies from seed, continued through the summer with tomatoes and Romain right until October. Also the greenhouse basil was so clean and bug free compared to the garden basil. Oh and my Botanical Interests order came yesterday. Beautiful seeds, can’t wait! Goodbye January!
Carol S Hager says
I second the suggestion of loon and robin ornaments.
Coco says
Hi Mavis! I would love if you made Moose ornaments. Would definitely buy some for myself and family. Thank you.
Sandy says
I just binged “The Lost Kitchen” on Discovery +, about the wonderful restaurant in Freedom ME.
What a story, and inspiration. She shares all of her farms that she sources from, visits many places in ME. Also-sources her bread from Tinderhearth Bakery.
Worth getting a free trial of Discovery + for.
Earlene Nojd says
I want to start rug hooking, never done it and not sure where to start. Can you help me out?
Sue says
I’m regrouping my goals, my Year was not the best with the pandemic and my better half’s health issues.
I love all the ornaments I have gotten on Etsy, ones pertaining to the sea, ocean, birds, hearts, crosses, tutu for granddaughter are favorites. Sea turtles, lighthouses and I especially love the new lady bug.
I did plant cabbage, mustard, rhubarb and garlic in the fall in raised beds on my deck and all are beautifully green.
Ordered my seeds from Botanical Gardens and they are waiting to be planted. Gardening is so good for the soul.
Back to organizing my sewing and craft room.
My biggest goal this year is to get back into my art painting, so many to finish.
Jennifer says
Just curious… what are the chairs made of, and do you plan to leave them out in all weather situations? This is a hot top between me and my husband! Wood might not weather as well, but not sure about the plastic and if they would dry/split over time…Thanks!
tia in boise says
Mind
Say what you mean; mean what you say–yep
Read 50 books–have finished 4, am halfway into #5 and #6. I had to return American Dirt only 1/5 through because I started it late and someone else wanted it–gotta put it back on my request list…LOVE the library and e-reserve! (And I hope curbside service sticks around everywhere after covid is gone!)
Spirit
Plan one fun outing a month–Didn’t make this one for January, but have masked walking date set with friend for Wednesday. Will have to do 2 fun things in February!
Have one date a month with DH–We went on a walk out of our way AND had a nice dinner and Netflix movie date night this month. Trial of Chicago 7 was excellent–and something I knew nothing about!
Work
Work 1 hour/day to plan, prep, grade–I haven’t been timing this, but I’ve definitely been getting out of work on time/early! I think I might be able to streamline what I’m doing though, so will keep at it.
Home
Put away the thing–NOW–This is a lifestyle mantra I need to continue to work at. I almost threw something down the other day but announced “Put the thing away,” and did. yea, me!
Complete 1 cleaning/organizing project/month–I organized the medicine cupboard–one shelf for things you put ON and one shelf for things that go IN. Wiped everything down, tossed OLD stuff, spilled crusty stuff, and generally organized–now need to tell people who live here what the system is!
Create and implement cleaning schedule–not done yet…
Try out 1 new recipe/month–done–January’s dish was a flop.
Decrease credit card debt (1) by 33.3%–This one will take most of the year, but I’ve made good decisions.
Health
Lose 20 pounds–nothing lost (maybe a pound or two gained?) but I had to be off my feet for most of the month after a minor procedure. Started walking a few days ago and now out for short jogs with intermittent running. Missed it so much!
Always have water–I often HAVE water, but don’t always drink it…bit harder when you have to take the mask off to do so…
Run a 5k, 10k, half, and marathon–5k done; hope to finish 10k by end of this month.
Track daily exercise–I have done this occasionally….I need to get a little table set up in the bedroom to keep some of my things on/in–and especially by goal journal so it’s in plain sight…
Track desserts–ditto above. but doing well–and keeping desserts to once a week.
Nicole says
I would love a snowman ornament. I know you did some the first time you made ornaments, but haven’t seem them since.