My 14 Goals for 2020
Goal #1 – Take Full Advantage of Having My Husband Home 24/7
The HH pulled Manny out of his winter hibernation, fired him up and tilled up the {soon to be} raspberry and asparagus beds. We are still waiting for our plants to arrive in the mail, they were supposed to be here a few days ago but I think pretty much every seed company is swamped right now, so they’ll be here when they get here I guess.
The good news is the weather next week is looking pretty nice {with only 1 day of rain} so I’m excited. Some days I miss having a giant garden, and other days I’m like, you know, living on a 1/3 of an acre isn’t so bad after all. What more do two people need than a few garden boxes, some pots and a few rows of berries?
Goal #2 – Take Better Care of Myself.
I made an apple pie. In my pj’s. And the over the course of 3 days ate the entire pie by myself. Fruit. It’s really good for you. Especially when it’s in pie.
Goal #3 – Get Organized
Guess who was a total no show this week because they spent waaaaaaaay to much time online and wasting a ridiculous amount of time staring at a screen?
The plan:
- March 22 – 28 Paint Kitchen Walls, Trim Doors and Office Door
- March 29 – April 4th – Finish Garden Beds {Raspberry & Asparagus Beds, 3 New Flower Beds Along the Back of the House}
- April 5th – 11th – Paint Master Bedroom Walls, Trim and Doors
- April 12th – 18th – Make Window Treatments for Master Bedroom
- April 19th – May 2nd Make Window Treatments for Sunroom
Goal #4 – Get Proper Window Coverings on All Our Windows.
Working on it.
Goal #5 – Master Bedroom Make Over
Decided to go with white curtains and rods. Enough of that Roman shade bit {although I still need to make 6 more for the sun room}.
Goal #6 – Kitchen Update
The walls are still yellow.
Goal #7 – Install Vegetable Garden
The garden boxes are in place! Raspberry and asparagus beds are dug {we’re just waiting for the plants to be delivered}. And I might plant a row of lettuce this week. But we still need to:
Figure out what to do with the old pavers.- Create 2 more brick edged flower borders.
Till up area for raspberry and asparagus beds.- Plant hydrangeas along the back of the house
- Create a seating area {a super simple one}
Figure out where to put all the extra pea gravel
A few from the drone. If you look closely you can see the brick garden edge coming into shape along the back of the house. Today I’ll be extending the border along the right side and prepping that weird outlet of dirt for grass seed. The HH will {hopefully} be shoveling up the last of the fire pit pea gravel and wheeling it over to the neighbors {they are thrilled to take all our castoffs, and we are thrilled they want them}.
Goal #8 – Explore More of Maine
Looking forward to my next day trip with the HH! Harpswell, Maine is on the list next, but it will have to wait a bit. For now, the only exploring we are doing is called Will it Grow in Maine? Sugar snap peas? Yes!
On the radar for exploring Maine this month:
Bar Harbor, MaineLincolnville Center General Store in Lincolnville, Maine- Wallace’s Market in Friendship, Maine
Alewives Fabric Store in Nobleboro, Maine- Harpswell, Maine and Bailey Island
Goal #9 – Host Some Sort of Get Together
Patio lights are going up this week!
I listened to the The Aviator’s Wife {again} on audiobook this week while I worked in the basement. I need another story! Perfectible historical fiction or a biography.
Goal #10 – Read/Listen to 12 Books
- Olive Kitteridge
- Smitten Kitchen Every Day: Triumphant and Unfussy New Favorites
- Natural Color: Vibrant Plant Dye Projects for Your Home and Wardrobe
- The New Bungalow Kitchen
- Container Gardening by Stephanie Donaldson
- A Piece of the World
- The War I Finally Won
- Vertical Gardening
- Front Yard Gardens
- The Complete Cooking Light Cookbook
- Beach House Style
Goal #11 – Learn A New Skill or Craft
Hopefully this fall? Right now I’m on a mission to get the garden in place.
Goal #12 – Visit 12 Museums, Historical Homes or Botanical Gardens {and bakeries too!}
Currently on hold. 🙁 Lucy doesn’t seem to mind though.
January
- Maine Maritime Museum
- Maine Mineral and Gem Museum
- The Island Market
- Cafe DiCocoa
- Hungry Hollow Country Store
February
- Two Fat Cats Bakery
- Portland Museum of Art
- Speckled Ax
- Atlantic Baking Company
- Rockland, St. George, Cushing and Port Clyde Maine
March
- Bar Harbor and Desert Island Adventures Day One, Day Two and the Summer Cottage Rental Tour.
- Tinder Hearth Bakery in Brooksville, Maine
Goal # 13 – Reach 5,000 Etsy Sales by the End of The Year
As of this morning, I have made 3389 sales on Etsy. That’s up from 2804 on January 1st. I dyed wool last week and updated my Etsy shop with a few new wool bundles. As far as rug hooking goes, I wasn’t able to stay focused and only hooked a few flower stems. 🙁 This was supposed to be a new rug hooking pattern I was going to release on April 3rd. But after 5 weeks of distraction, I have decided to set it aside to work on this winter.
I made a promise to the local historical society that I would hook a Maine themed rug for their bicentennial celebration later this summer, it’s a big one, and I am supposed to have it completed in 5 weeks. But at this rate…. at the rate I’m going, I might have to have a internet / social media free week so I can get it done.
Mrs. HB sent me a text saying she needed a few more garden markers… so I figured while I was at it, I might as well make a few more. And now I think I’m good on garden markers for my Etsy shop for the foreseeable future. I find it interesting that some things hold my attention these days… and others, well they seem like a lost cause.
Goal #14 – Once a Month Menu Planning {for 2}
I re-arranged the freezer this week and now have room to hold a few freezer meals. Yipee! Next on the list… Chicken Chili. We are going to make it today, I’ll let you know how it goes.
Have YOU made any goals for this year? If so, DO TELL! We all want to hear about them.
Have a great Sunday everyone, enjoy the sunshine.
~Mavis
Mrs. Hillbilly’s Update
Mrs. HB has thrown in the towel. Said she’s done with updates and doesn’t want to do posts anymore. Poor Mrs. HB. I wish I was there to go walking with her. I think she misses me.
Mel says
I know there’s a time difference, but could you and Mrs. HB potentially talk on the phone while walking in your respective neighborhoods?
1. HEALTH: I caught up on all my doctors appointments before everything closed, and I’ve also increased my runs since I have more time at home now. I need to hydrate a bit more and eat a bit healthier, but it took me a while to adjust to a new cooking and work schedule, so I think that will even out.
2. HOLIDAYS: I decorated for Easter, but my holiday craft projects might be on hold for a bit. I don’t want to order supplies that aren’t truly essential right now.
3. COOKING: I’ve sort of replaced my original cooking goals with getting the freezer restocked. So far, I think we’re up to 40 freezer meals or so. This week, I froze Cincinnati chili, black-eyed peas, and pasta e fagioli soup.
4. HOUSEWORK: I’ve deep cleaned the house and kept up with laundry and other cleaning since I’m home all the time. I’ve also been doing extra disinfecting of surfaces and changing out of hand towels. The other projects are probably on hold until summer or whenever I can order nonessential supplies.
5. SEWING: I sewed a mask for myself for shopping now that the guidelines on that have changed. I’m also sewing zippered pouches for work, and I’m up to about 30. The goal is 75-100 pencil pouches by June.
6. DIGITAL STUFF (eBooks and Pinterest boards): I’ll probably work on this over the summer.
Melissa says
Have you read The Nightingale? I just finished it and loved it.
Pam says
My favorite book.
Julia says
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett on audiobook. It’s a long one but oh so good!
Mrs. M says
I agree with Julia. I listened to “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett on Audible; read by John Lee. I commute a total of one hour every day to work and back and have listened to The Century Trilogy and am listening to the last book in the Kingsbridge Series.
I’m glad they’re long; one Audible credit lasts for more car rides that way! 🙂
Carrie says
Both Beneath a Scarlet Sky and The Secret Orphan were amazing books. I was them, so I don’t know about the audio version.
Where did you order your raspberry starts and what type did you order. We are in,the GH area.
Since we will be home for the forseable future we decided to move our garden area. The deer had discovered our yard and we didn’t plant last year (the year before the ate everything). The new location allows for easier fencing and its near a hose. No more having to haul water up a hill! The new space allows for a nice long raspberry patch!
Mavis Butterfield says
When we lived in Washington we would buy raspberry canes from Spooner Farms in Puayllup. 🙂 Cascade Delight was the variety.
chickengrandma says
I feel the same way–unmotivated . I spend too much time watching news on TV or internet. With all the extra time I have now, my house should be spick and span—but NO. In a couple of weeks I will be kicking myself for not staying on track of my goals. So right now I am resolving to get more done each day.
Mrs HB–Don’t give up, just delay your program until we get back to somewhat normal. I think most of us will be gaining a few pounds from our “pandemic diets ” with too many carbs.
Jennifer Grace says
Try The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict – she’s written several other historical fiction novels about the wives of famous men. I’ve also read Lady Clementine about Churchhill’s wife.
Sue R. says
Try “The Wright Brothers” by David McCullough–I found it very interesting. Over the years I’ve listened to a series of biographical books by Ralph Moody–first in the series is called “Father and I Were Ranchers.” There are 7 books in the series and I won’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to them…
A says
yes, the Ralph Moody stories are great! I have read them to my kids and I enjoy them just as much!
Debby says
If your raspberry plants are being delivered by mail, that may be the cause of delay. The office I retired from is working with only appx. 30% of the carriers at 12 hours a day, and has resorted to delivery every other day for most routes. That office is NW of Detroit, a current hot spot. Mail processing centers are also getting hit hard with absences. Hope they arrive soon.
annie says
Friend of Mavis: we understand your not wanting to post any longer. Please however continue with intermittent fasting! Read Delay Don’t Deny by Gin Stephens – you are a lot like she is. It is a fun read. My husband since Jan. 1st lost his 17 pounds so he is now at his perfect weight. And I lost my 7 pounds and am at my perfect weight. It was easy. No sweat! Please continue with your goal for our sakes!
Mrs Hillbilly says
I’m not totally giving up on my weight loss journey but my heart just isn’t into writing the lost right now. .i am staying very busy with garden and chickens and I start back to work Monday….. virtually . And I do miss you Ms Mavis more than you know !
Kim says
Mavis, I had a question about the curtains you chose. Just light filtering? Hmmm……..does that provide adequate privacy?
Do you amend your soil before adding hydrangeas? What type are you planting?
Love the drone view. Would love to hire someone to go over our place.
Thanks to Sue for the “Wright Bros.” book suggestion. I am ordering it for my husband right now.
Mavis Butterfield says
There are already roller shades in the windows that we had decided to leave in place. So during the daytime those can be up and the curtains will filter the light in.
The soil is so good here, that all we need to do is add a little compost before we plant the hydrangeas {there is plenty of compost in the back so that’s nice}. I don’t remember the name of the hydrangeas I want to get but they are blue if that helps. 🙂
Sue says
My current favorite historical fiction is “The Last Days of Night” by Graham Moore.
Emily B. says
YES!!!! This book is so so so good. I stumbled upon it and wasn’t sure if I would like it. I plowed through it so quickly.
Judi Clarambeau says
Have you tried the Irish Country Novels series by Patrick Taylor? I listened to majority of the series except for the last couple of books via the Pierce County Library System. It is a series set in the 1950s ish about a new doctor and his mentor and the small town where he lands to practice. It is historical, romance, fiction, fun, and sad and I highly recommend it.
Tiffany Nash says
Have you listened to Outlander by Diana Gabaldon? Gotta luv a Scottish reader!
Mavis Butterfield says
No, I haven’t. But I LOVE a Scottish accent too.
Emily B. says
Oh man! If you get started and like it, you are in for a treat! These books are immense. And there are a ton of them.
I re-read or re-listen to them every few years.
Lace Faerie says
I have loved these books since her first novel was an alternate selection for Book of the Month Club! I couldn’t get my HH to read the books (was working 60-70 hrs a week back them). But her LOVED the books once he could listen to them on his commute.
I would suggest the unabridged versions read by Davina Porter. She does a much better job of it than the abridged version read by Geraldine Page.
Melissa says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the entire Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati. It’s fantastic. I’m reading the newly released Where the Light Enters right now.
Heather C. says
Hi Mavis,
Can you share what kind of wood and possibly the size you used to make your raised beds? I am trying to convince my hubby to build me one so I can grow a few plants this summer.
Mavis Butterfield says
We used douglass fir. I plan to stain the outsides of them once it warms up a bit and the wood is totally dry. The boards we bought were 12′ x 12″ and we had the guy at the Home depot cut our boards for us. The sides of the beds are 6ft long and the ends are 4ft long. Hope that helps.
JoAnn Moran says
Hi Mavis,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few year and thoroughly enjoy you. I miss your Friday Nights at the movies posts. I’m an English teacher and love reading. Last year I was a reading conference and met this author Ruta Sepetys. She has a compelling story, and writes fantastic historical fiction. You need to read this book. Hope you can get it on tape. Salt to the Sea. Read about it here. https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-prj-ruta-sepetys-salt-to-the-sea-20160204-story.html
Deb says
Take a look at “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek”. This has got to be one of the most fascinating books I’ve read. It’s fiction but based on historical fact. Who knew there were ‘blue’ people?!
KCB says
An audiobook suggestion: The Only Plane in the Sky. It’s an oral history of 9/11.
Sue says
Ooh, that reminded me of another one — The Day The World Came To Town.
It’s the story of the little town of Gander, Newfoundland where all the planes in the sky (well okay not all of them but a lot) landed after 9/11 when airspace was shut down.
By Jim DeFede
Heartwarming story!
Belted Cow Lady says
Love your curtain choice..I’m ordering them now for my bedroom. It’s hard finding good curtains these
days..In past years I always ordered them from Country Curtains ..They are no longer in business!!
I just started washing the windows and screens in my old country home..32 windows total! I figure at one a
day, they will be finished by early May!
We’ve planted our long-day onions, lettuce and snap peas last Friday. We have water trough gardens filled
with composted cow manure and pasture dirt. It felt good to dig in the dirt again.
Love the drone photos also.
Loretta says
My recommendation is The Paris Wife by Paula McLain a fictionalised account of Hadley, Ernest Hemingway’s first wife. Beautifully written, and I am not a Hemingway fan.
Carol @ Lake Tapps says
For Mrs HB – I’m right there with you sister! I started off doing pretty good with IF buuut …an out of the blue surprise (a half sister I hadn’t seen in 45 years!), a brand new puppy and oh, yeah this Covid19 stay home order…stressful times and eating lots of l comfort foods. Hang in there 🙂
Jennifer Barker says
Thank you for the free e book! Looking forward to reading it and checking out the other months as well! I just direct sowed by root veggies yesterday on a glorious Spring day in the Pac NW! My starts for squash, beans and broccoli are looking great and should be ready to plant in a week.
Thank you for not making me feel too bad about not being as productive as I would like to be during this downtime. Sometimes we just need to take time to “veg out” on the computer. I have been watching a lot of videos on how to get your finances in order- so I feel like it has been somewhat beneficial.
Take Care!
Jenn