My 14 Goals for 2020
Goal #1 – Take Full Advantage of Having My Husband Home 24/7
The HH earned his keep this week by shoveling all the walkways and snowplowing the driveway.
This of course put a dent in the time he was able to spend working on chipping away at the cement bits on the floor in the entryway {so he can lay the tile}, but I don’t think working on the entryway is a much fun as playing the the snow.
Goal #2 – Take Better Care of Myself.
Ordered myself a pair of fancy new pajamas for my going home from the hospital outfit. The pre-op nurse said to make sure I bring something comfortable to wear home after the surgery… she suggested a button down top and sweatpants or leggings {toddler pants} which made me laugh because I own neither.
Goal #3 – Get Organized
All Christmas presents have been made/ ordered and shipped! Mrs. HB requested a barred rock chicken pillow for her family room and this is what I came up with.
She had originally wanted one with a red background and so I hooked one, but didn’t like the way it turned out so I hooked another one with a black background and I think it turned out much, much better. I popped it in the mail on Friday, hopefully it will get there in time.
*More about the hair later. đ
Goal #4 – Get Proper Window Coverings on All Our Windows. Done!
Goal #5 – Master Bedroom Make Over Done!
Goal #6 – Kitchen Update Done!
Goal #7 – Install Vegetable Garden Done!
Goal #8 – Explore More of Maine Done!
Goal #9 – Host Some Sort of Get Together Done!
Looking forward to a calm and low key Christmas dinner of pickety bits with Lucy and the HH, Burl Ives on in the background and a cozy fire.
Goal #10 – Read/Listen to 12 Books {1 more to go. I’m only counting real books, not cookbooks or home decor books}
Currently waiting for:
A Christmas Carol by Dickens and The Best of Me by David Sedaris. Also, I’m still reading little snippets of Chickens, Gin, and a Maine Friendship: The Correspondence of E. B. White and Edmund Ware Smith while I eat my lunch.
Books I’ve enjoyed this year:
- The Dutch House #1
- The Adventure’s Son #4
- Olive Kitteridge #5
- Olive, Again
- Evvie Drake Starts Over #6
- Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers #7
- Birdseye: The Adventures of a Curious Man
- Save Me the Plums
- 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
- The Nightingale #2
- A Piece of the World #3
- 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 Done
I learned how to make swizzle sticks with my former neighbor and I think they turned out great for my first try {you can see the kiln pictures here}.
Goal #12 – Visit 12 Museums, Historical Homes or Botanical Gardens {and bakeries too!} Done!
My motto these days: Why go out when I can stay home and sit by the fire? And that view!
- The Mitten Store
- Maine Mineral and Gem Museum
- The Island Market
- Cafe DiCocoa
- Hungry Hollow Country Store
- Two Fat Cats Bakery
- Portland Museum of Art
- Speckled Ax
- Atlantic Baking Company
- Rockland, St. George, Cushing and Port Clyde Maine
- Bar Harbor and Desert Island Adventures Day One, Day Two and the Summer Cottage Rental Tour.
- Tinder Hearth Bakery in Brooksville, Maine
- Puzzle Mountain Bakery Pie Stand in Newry, Maine
- Red’s Eats in Wiscasset, Maine
- The Bees Knees Honey Stand in Kennebunkport, Maine
- Rococo Ice Cream Kennebunkport, Maine
- Beech Hill Farm Hopkinton, NH
- Wallingford Farm in Kennebunk, Maine
- Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde, Maine
- The Gnome Lady, Thomaston, Maine
Goal # 13 – Reach 5,000 Etsy Sales by the End of The Year DONE!
As of this morning, I have made 5782 sales on Etsy. That’s up from 2804 on January 1st. Sweet! On Friday I listed two new wool kits and a few bundles of wool in my Etsy shop. If I sell 22 more items by the end of the year I will hit 3,000 sales for the year. HOLY COW!
Also, the electrician should be coming by any day now to install a new outlet for the kiln and I must say, I’m rather excited about that because I LOVE making the garden markers and ornaments, especially this time of year when there’s no garden to work in.
Goal #14 – Once a Month Menu Planning {for 2}
If you like sweet cornbread, and can find Penguin cornbread mix anywhere for a reasonable price {I think I paid around $5 for 6 pouches at Costco this fall} do it!!! The HH and I love it. It’s almost like you are eating a piece of cake… but it has corn in it so you know, it’s totally healthy. đ
- The HH’s current meal plan for the rest of the month: Snack, snacks and more snacks.
- My current meal plan for the rest of the month: Comfort foods and salads.
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Have YOU made any goals for this year? If so, DO TELL! We all want to hear about them.
Have a great Sunday everyone, stay warm.
~Mavis
Kelly says
I second the comfy sweatpants and button up. I am having surgery on my neck on Christmas Eve morning. I have a herniated disc so I was advised to wear a button up and comfy pants I could dress myself in since I will be alone due to covid. I bought a warm LL Bean flannel and soft sweat pants.
After that I will live in fleece pjs.
Sending healing vibes your way. You got this!
Mavis Butterfield says
You too Kelly. đ
Kim says
Those are some mighty cute PJs, Mavis!
Denise W. says
It has been a year…..or a really bad half year…..for my husband. It has resulted in me leaving my full-time job that I loved in order for him to receive his care. That was tough. So I’m thinking of opening up my embroidery business again. I love to do it, it would give me a creative outlet and hopefully start a residual stream of income. We are okay financially but who doesn’t like to have a little wiggle room? So I think that is my goal. Get him well, create, have a little side income.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think having a creative outlet is really important. Something you can pick up and put down when you need to be doing other things {like taking care of your husband} is a great idea.
Margery says
Love that Chicken and your view is wonderful. Currently enjoying a two week winter break and thinking of next year’s goals. Normally I make new goals at the start of the school year, but not this year.
Lynn says
If I had that view, I’d never leave! I live in the middle of the forest out in the boonies, so my view is sweet, but the water takes yours to another level!
Carole says
If you have not watched The Man Who Invented Christmas, I recommend it, on Amazon. We watch it every year, since my husband is a writer he finds it amusing. Great view but I prefer no snow, hence living in south Texas, no shoveling snow. I will be starting my seeds right after Christmas which is a great plus. Merry Christmas
Nancy says
Nope, nada, not fair! Showing us that view and then not inviting all of us for a cup of tea?! : ) Blessings on Kelly, Denise & hubby, and you. Wishing peace, healing and restful days ahead for all of you.
Judi Y. says
That view, those floors, the wood stove and the beautiful windows!! They are all so, so beautiful!
Teri Hanna says
Mavis, So many of your fans are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry you are going through this health trial. I understand a little bit as last December I had my thyroid out four days before Christmas. No complications, still had a strong voice and the scar is unnoticeable. I went through the cancer scare too on four lumps via ultrasound only. No biopsy. Waiting for pathology is nail biting. Pathology post surgery, all benign. I am keeping you in my prayers. You’ve absolutely got this! You are a rock star girl and don’t forget it!
LaToya says
(I only check in on the weekends, so I missed your news.)
I have papillary thyroid cancer too!
Diagnosed after I had my daughter.
Had the thyroid removed … did 3 years of radiation … and now I’m on the hormone forever with a blood test every 3 months. Hopefully it all goes smoothly for you. There are some adjustments and some potential hiccups that can come up, but once it’s all taken care of, it can be a non-issue.
I am listing my real email address below, if you want to reach out.
Good luck! – – will be praying for you.
xo
Christa says
When I had major abdominal surgeryâgrew a 5 lb benign hemangioma attached to my liver & at first they thought it was cancerâI wore a zip up workout jacket and yoga pants home, and that was pretty much my uniform for a few weeks. Sending the biggest best wishes your way for your surgery & recovery
Janice says
I’ll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers… I must admit – as others have said – I feel like I know you, even though we haven’t met and it took me a day or so to process your news. As a parent my thoughts immediately went to your mom and dad… Hope someone is close by to give them a big hug…
Bobbi Dougherty says
Love the jammies, can’t wait for the story on the hair and lots of healing, calming prayers for you and yours. Merry Christmas!
Marlene Wurtzbacher says
That is a great window and stove to sit by and rug hook Mavis!
One goal I have for this winter is to learn how to play chess. Now if I can talk my husband into sitting on the other side of the chess board……….
Chris M says
Hi Mavis,
If youâre interested, Gretchen Rubin did a 2-part bonus episode for her Podcast, âHappier.â She reads A Christmas Carol. You might find that to be an option rather than waiting for the library. Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. When I had disc surgery from the front of my neck, there were a couple of other helpful things since I couldnât move my head/neck in more movement than to shake my head yes or no … I got a long handled bath sponge to wash my feet in the shower without bending over too much and some slip on shoes that didnât require bending over or tying. Iâm not sure if youâll have that level of restriction, but those are my best pass along hacks.
ML says
I always wore jeans until I discovered the comfort of yoga pants (better than wearing jammie pants to the grocery store). I keep thinking Iâll wear the jeans, but……nah. Good luck with your surgery.
Kristina says
Those dog PJs are so very, very good! A very happy and comfy post-surgery outfit.
Deborah Herman says
You wanted to know my goals for this year.
Finish my 16th quilt and give it to its new owner. Almost done.
Take better care of myself. Doing that
Knit some more critters for this spring.
Decide which quilts to make next year. (there are so many options)
Learn something new. Quilting. Done.
Heidi P says
The view is jaw dropping. Nature is so beautiful. You’re a luck girl to live in such a beautiful environment:) Lucy’s sweet face. The perfect companion. I love your husbands jump in and get it done attitude. Reminds me of my husband. Always has a project.
Mavis, don’t forget to breathe. It’s so easy to be consumed by the unknown ahead. It’s the one of the hardest parts of health issues. Hug yourself and know everything will turn out and before you know it you’ll be looking at this bump in the rear view mirror.
cecile says
Love the Puggy Jammies but won’t they clash with the red hair? LOL Joking aside, wear what ever makes you happy! I have a request for ornaments when you get the kiln up and running. Since my kids were born I collected one specific style ornament for each. Rocking horses for my son (someone gave him his first ornament or it would have been a different choice) and ballerinas for my daughter. My son turns 30 in March and is pretty much over the cutesy rocking horses, but masculine looking rocking horse ornaments are so hard to find! I think 30 is the cut off point in giving them ornaments so it should be the best, don’t you think?
Mavis Butterfield says
Well, my mother still gits me a reindeer and a Santa ornament every year and if she didn’t, there would be trouble. So no, I don’t think you get to stop at 30. Keep on going…. It’s the little things like that that mean the most.
Jane says
What a view! Absolutely awesome!
Amber says
That pillow is PERFECTION! I need one!!!
I’m so jealous of the snow. Now that I work from home, I don’t care if it blizzards – no snow yet though. It’s not looking like we’ll have anything but bitter cold for Christmas too. Boo.
Rebecca Anne says
LOVE your view! Congratulations! Your jammies are so perfect for you! Iâm glad youâve had a goal to start taking better care of yourself this year. Thank you for sharing the yummy dinner photos! Your husband stays so busy! What does he eat!? Lol. Thank you for the update! Keep taking care of yourself!