17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 46 of 52

17 Things I Want To Do In 2023 – Week 45 of 52

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

Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do with a bunch of extra large clam shells? At first I was thinking it might be fun to make a wreath, but then I started to worry about how heavy it would get. Help!

No movement on the T-Rex. 

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. 

Go On a Staycation/Craftcation With The Girl

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.

Send 52 Cards To 52 Different People. {29 of 52 sent so far}

I didn’t mail any cards this past week. 

Make 12 Totally British Recipes In The AGA. 

I am VERY much looking forward to making a few pies this week. So far on my list are a cranberry pear pie and a cherry pie. Who knows, I may get a little crazy and make another! 

After the pies, I am going to get serious about finishing up this goal and making a few British recipes.

British recipes I’ve made in the AGA so far:

• Pear Frangipane Tart
• Cauliflower, Broccoli and Squash Casserole
• English Muffins
• Currant Scones
• Sticky Toffee Pudding 
• Beef In Horseradish Cream

Turn The Craft Room Into a Proper Studio Space

I’m back to researching Juki sergers. I was in Portland a few days ago but totally forgot to stop by the sewing store.

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

Hook 100 Rugs {81 of 100 done so far}

I was able to get another 4 more rugs finished this past week including this Tom Turkey rug that I have listed in my Etsy shop. While 19 rugs seem like a lot to finish in just 6 weeks, I really don’t have anything major on my to-do list so I should be able to get them done. 

I love this goal, it helps me from slacking off and motivates me to make more time for something I love. 

Create 15 New Rug Hooking Patterns {12 of 15 completed so far}

I have two new patterns & kits I’ll be listing later today. One is this cute little potted tulip and another is a set of trees. Once I get those listed I only have one more to go!

New patterns I’ve added to my Etsy shop in 2023:

• 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

The grass seed the HH planted in the field came in nicely. Next year I think I’ll be concentrating on raised beds and container gardening. Then again, I suppose I won’t know for sure until next Spring. 

Empty The Canning Cupboard / Fill The Canning Cupboard

This past week we cracked open another jar of jam and a jar of canned brushetta and enjoyed them on toasted bread. 

Make $500 Selling Plants, Flowers or Vegetables {I made $95} FAIL

I gave up selling plants and vegetables at the farm stand but I do have some growing in the kitchen. 

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

Buy 12 Handmade Items {From 12 Different Artists} 9 down, 3 to go

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

Update Every Single Recipe On The Blog To A Printable Format 

Hey! I updated my chocolate pretzel pecan pie recipe. Only 579 more recipes to go.

26 Official Date Days With My Handsome Husband {25 down, 1 to go}

This past week the HH spent date day at the Portland Art Museum. The last time I went was about 2 years ago and so it was a good visit. There were a lot of Winslow Homer paintings this time around.

We also discovered the fun and quirky work of Matt Blackwell. 🙂 His paintings are super funky and we found ourselves looking at them for the longest time trying to find all the different elements in them. 

Museums are cool… And that’s all I have to say about that. 

• 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

Goals already accomplished 2023:

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. 

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!

How about YOU? How are you coming along with your goals for this year? 

~Mavis